Munich Weather in January

January weather

January feels cold, damp and often grey in Munich. The high is around 2°C and the low around -4°C, with rain on 14 days. Short daylight and little sunshine can make long outdoor days feel tiring, so keep Marienplatz and the Englischer Garten visits flexible. The paths can be wet or icy; save longer walks for a brighter spell.

Museums and indoor sights work well in this weather. You can spend a chilly afternoon at the Deutsches Museum or explore the Residenz, then warm up with a bowl of käsespätzle, a cheesy Bavarian noodle dish.

Events and holidays

Epiphany, on January 6, is a public holiday in Bavaria. You may see Sternsinger, children dressed as the Three Kings, singing and collecting donations. Some shops close for the day, so don't count on a regular shopping stop around Marienplatz.

January is a quieter month for sightseeing than summer, though Munich can still draw visitors for trade fairs. For families, indoor stops like the Deutsches Museum are easier to enjoy than a full day in the cold.

Crowds and useful tips

Outside major events, you'll usually find fewer tourists than in the warmer months, and hotel rates are often lower than during peak summer. The trade-off is weather that can disrupt outdoor plans, and some beer gardens won't have their usual appeal.

For a practical cold-day route, take the U-Bahn to Odeonsplatz and walk straight into the Residenz rather than crossing the open squares for long. Check its opening hours before you go, especially around the Epiphany holiday.