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If you’re deciding where to stay in Munich, we spent 9 days there and stayed right near Marienplatz, and honestly I wouldn’t change that.
It made everything really easy. We could walk to most places, use public transportation, and head out for day trips without overthinking it.
So while there are other areas you can stay in, I’m going to share what worked for us and how I’d think about where to stay in Munich based on that experience.
If you are planning a bigger Europe trip with kids, Salzburg pairs really well with cities like Venice, Rome, and Paris because they all combine history, walkability, and memorable experiences for families.You can also check out my Germany page for planning tips.
This area ended up being a really good home base for our trip, especially with how much we were out exploring each day.
Staying Near Marienplatz
This is where we stayed, and for our trip, it worked really well.
Being right near Marienplatz made everything feel easy. We could walk to many places without really planning it out, which made a big difference throughout our trip. If you’re wondering exactly what’s within walking distance from here, I break down the main highlights in Munich Old Town here.
We also used public transportation a lot for day trips, and having easy access to trains and the S Bahn nearby made those early mornings much more manageable. Munich also has a really easy public transportation system, which made getting around simple even when we weren’t walking. You can see maps and routes here.
It is definitely a busier area, especially during the day, but for us, the convenience outweighed that. If you want a few practical details that made our trip smoother, I shared them in my Munich travel tips guide.
What worked well for us
- We could walk to many major sights
- Easy access to public transportation
- Lots of food options nearby
- It felt simple and convenient for a first trip
What to be aware of
- It can feel crowded during the day
- Hotels in this area tend to be more expensive
- It feels more central than local
Who I think this area is best for
If it’s your first time in Munich or you want things to feel easy and walkable, this area is a really solid choice.
It also works especially well if you’re planning day trips, since getting to transportation is so straightforward.
Thinking About Day Trips From Munich?
One of the biggest reasons staying near Marienplatz worked so well for us was how easy it made day trips.
If you’re planning to explore outside the city, here are a few that are absolutely worth it:
- Salzburg: 2 Days in Salzburg with Kids: The Sound of Music, Castles, and Alpine Charm
- Neuschwanstein Castle: Neuschwanstein Castle: What It’s Really Like (And Why It’s Worth It)
- Eagle’s Nest: Eagle’s Nest from Munich: What It’s Really Like + How to Plan Your Visit
Or you can see all of our favorite options in Best Day Trips from Munich (Easy, Scenic, and Worth It).
Where We Stayed in Munich
We stayed right near Marienplatz at Platzl Hotel, and for our trip, it worked really well.
The location was really what made the biggest difference. Being able to step outside and immediately be right in the center of everything made the whole trip feel easier.
We walked many places, grabbed food nearby without planning ahead, and had easy access to public transportation for day trips.
One thing to keep in mind is that the rooms are on the smaller side and typically sleep two people. For families, that could mean booking two rooms, or looking into connecting room options like we’ve done on other trips.
It’s one of those choices that doesn’t feel like a big deal when you’re booking, but once you’re there, it really impacts how your days flow.
If we went back to Munich, I would stay in this same area again without overthinking it.
If you want to check pricing or availability, you can look at Platzl Hotel here, or browse other hotels in the Marienplatz area if you need something that fits your group a little better.
Other Areas to Consider in Munich
While staying near Marienplatz worked really well for us, you’ll probably see a few other areas come up when you’re deciding where to stay in Munich.
The area near the main train station is one of them, especially if you’re planning a lot of day trips and want to be close to transportation.
There are also neighborhoods a little outside the center that feel quieter and more residential. You’ll use public transportation more, but that might be worth it depending on your trip.
For us, being in the center just made everything easier, so I’d make the same choice again.
If you want a better feel for the city before choosing where to stay, I shared more about what Munich actually felt like after 9 days.
Where to Stay in Munich FAQ
Is Marienplatz the best area to stay in Munich?
For a first trip, I think it’s one of the easiest areas to stay. Being close to Old Town made sightseeing, restaurants, and public transportation feel very simple.
Is Munich a walkable city?
Yes, especially if you stay near the city center. We walked to many major sights and only used public transportation when heading farther out or taking day trips.
Is it better to stay near the train station or the city center in Munich?
If your priority is nonstop transportation access, staying near the train station can work well. But for us, staying near Marienplatz gave us both easy transportation and a much better overall atmosphere.
How many days do you need in Munich?
You can see the main highlights in 2 to 3 days, but adding extra time for day trips makes the experience feel much more complete.
What area of Munich is best for first-time visitors?
For most first-time visitors, staying near Marienplatz or Munich’s Old Town is the easiest option because so many major sights are walkable from there.
If you’re planning a shorter trip, I break down exactly how we would structure a 3 day Munich itinerary with kids.
For trips like this, especially with multiple day trips planned, we always make sure we have travel insurance just in case anything unexpected comes up.
✔️ Quick Take: Where to Stay in Munich
For us, staying near Marienplatz ended up being one of those decisions that just made the whole trip easier.
It’s central, easy to get around from, and worked really well with how we like to travel.
There are other areas you can look into, but if you want to decide where to stay in Munich without overcomplicating it, this is a really solid place to start.
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Our family travel photography © Stack the Miles. All family and attraction photos were captured during our European vacations. Select scenic and landmark images courtesy of trusted stock sources and tourism archives.
Welcome to Stack the Miles
Hi, I’m Mel — a teacher, mom, and family travel planner helping families travel farther, spend smarter,
and make unforgettable memories using real-life tested advice from our own trips.
