Last Updated: September 14, 2022
Vienna vs Munich
Vienna and Munich and two stunning European cities that are both home to some of the most beautiful architecture each country has to offer. Sitting 400 km or so apart from each other, visiting both of these wonderful cities in one trip is possible if you’re on a long vacation but chances are you’re going to have to choose one but, which is best?
It’s almost an impossible choice but I’ll do my best to give you a sense of Vienna and Munich so that you can hopefully pick the right city for you. Let me just say that no matter which you choose, you’ll have a great time.
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Things To See And Do
Vienna
Vienna is the Austrian capital and largest city in the country. It is one of the most pleasant, peaceful, and pretty cities you can walk around amongst many top European capitals. Between the magical gardens and parks, ancient cafes, and stunning architecture, it’s hard to put a foot wrong.
The first thing I recommend doing in Vienna is taking a ride on the Riesenrad Ferris Wheel to get a birds-eye view of this big city. It’s a great way to set the scene in your mind before you start exploring the wonders that Vienna holds.
From here, you should take a stroll to Café Central and sit outside with a coffee. Why you might ask? This is where Stefan Zweig, Trotsky, and Freud used to pass their time. So, sit back and relax and drink Vienna in.
Once you have finished contemplating Freud’s street view of Vienna and drinking your coffee, it’s time for some chocolate cake. Sachertorte chocolate cake was created in Vienna but there is still a debate as to which restaurant came up with it, Hotel Sacher and Demel. Having a piece of cake from both and picking your favorite is a must.
To learn more about Vienna’s history and see some wonderful architecture, go to Hofburg Palace and gaze at the amazing building and dip into the museum for a quick or very long briefing on Viennas past.
Another must-see place in Vienna is the Museum Quarter where you’ll find buzzing streets with great bars, hip cafes, amazing restaurants, and of course some world-class museums too. A highlight of this area is the sculpture park which is also a mini-golf course which is ideal if you have kids, as they might be over learning about history at some point in the trip.
The one major touristy thing you have to do in Vienna is to march up to see Gustav Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’ on the Upper Belvedere Palace. It’s renowned as being his greatest masterpiece and the architecture and views around it are a delight.
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Munich
Munich is the capital of Bavarian culture and is home to beautiful centuries-old buildings, churches, museums, and lots more.
Some of the main attractions of Munich are found just outside the city in the form of incredible German palaces that have inspired fairytales and are even used in Disney films – Neuschwanstein Castle is the castle in Dinsey’s Sleeping Beauty.
To see some amazing architecture in the city, visit Munich’s town hall, Neues Rathaus. It was built in the 1800s in a Gothic style and its huge size creates quite a presence and there is a pretty clock tower on the front.
Seeing the Munich Residenz is also a must from an architectural and cultural standpoint. It’s a beautiful castle built in the 14th century that houses an Italian Renaissance Grotto Courtyard and a Baroque Ancestral Gallery.
A tour around the old churches of Munich is another great thing to do while you’re there and if you only go to one make sure it’s Asam Chruch. It’s pretty from the outside but the interior will blow your mind. The walls are intricately painted in a late baroque style.
Munich is packed full of museums (like the Deutsches Museum) if you love your art and history, plus each one is housed in a beautiful old building. It’s not all history though as the BMW museum is also in Munich.
There is more to Munich than just the old town and museums though. The city centre has a 3km pedestrianized zone that is the perfect place to get a sense of daily life in Munich. It’s packed full of restaurants, cafes, and shops plus many a beer garden.
For a spot of greenery, the 370 hectare English Garden is a great place to have a picnic. It’s full of freshly cut lawns, lakes, forests, and more.
If you can time your visit to Munich, you might want to coincide with Oktoberfest between September to early October. The streets come alive and almost every hotel is full with the 7 million people who come to enjoy this awesome beer festival.
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Verdict
When deciding between Vienna or Munich, keep in mind they are quite similar. Especially when it comes to things to do such as seeing old buildings, museums, and cafes. Vienna seems to have more depth to it than Munich for some reason with a deeper connection to history but Munich is more fun with a more diverse crowd and plenty of beer gardens.
What About The Food and Drinks?
Vienna
Vienna is home to a diverse food scene but what it’s most known for is its outdoor food markets, delicious desserts, and cafe culture, plus quite a lot of traditional Germanic food. Think Wiener schnitzel, pfelstrudel, tafelspitz, Kaiserschmarrn and Sachertorte chocolate cake and you’re on the right track.
For the ultimate foodie experience in Vienna, go to Naschmarkt. This mile-long food market between Karlsplatz and Kettenbrückengasse has been going since the 16th century and you can find almost any ingredient you want from the hundreds of stalls. There are also some good restaurants there and it’s a great lunch spot.
For a taste of Vienna’s cafe culture, Demel is the place to be for Viennese people. It’s been serving coffee to Vienna’s residents since the 1800s and it serves up some of the best sweet treats and scones in this capital city.
If fine dining in Vienna is on your list then hop in a taxi and go to Innere Stadt of the First District. This area is overflowing with fine dining restaurants serving cuisines from across the globe but, be warned, they are quite expensive.
Something you have to try in Vienna is Austrian wine which is grown to the southeast and west of the city around the River Danube. You’ll find some great whites and reds in all the many Grinzing Heurigen pubs. So why not go wine tasting!
Schwedenplatz is the place to be after dinner if you’re looking to take your night into the early hours. The streets are alive with people coming and going from the many bars and clubs.
Vienna was also voted the most livable city, multiple years in a row. Which is no surprise when you take all of the above into account.
Munich
Munich is the home of traditional Bavarian food and while there might not be thousands of restaurants, you’re guaranteed to get the best taste of Bavaria you can find on this planet.
You might think of Bratwurst as a traditional dish in Berlin but it’s actually from Munich. The bratwurst in Munich is the best in the world and it’s something you have to try. To try it properly, order this herbaceous german sausage with a side of sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.
Weisswurst is another sausage from Bavaria that is a must to try in Munich. Made from incredible ingredients including veal, pork belly, parsley, lemon, onions, ginger, and cardamom, it’s a taste sensation. It’s traditionally served with a fresh pretzel for breakfast and it helps the bavarian beer hangover.
Schnitzel is another traditional dish you have to try in Munich. The pork or veal used in them is top quality and when you cut a schnitzel open, the crackle of the bread crumbs and the tender meat inside make your mouth water. The crispy and tender combination is a food texture I love and you’ll find the best of it in Munich.
Have you ever eaten a fresh pretzel? If you have then you know how good they are and let me assure you they are better in Munich. The city of Munich claims to have been the first to create pretzels, and whether that’s true or not, the pretzels they make are world class. The outside is crispy with chunks of salt and the inside is soft and full of flavor.
When looking for a pretzel keep an eye out for signs with brezel or breze which is another word for pretzels in Munich.
While Austria has wine, Munich has bavarian beer and there are hundreds to try at any of the many beer gardens and beer halls. In fact, you kind of have to go out and rink with locals in these establishments at least once while you’re there, even if you don’t like beer.
Outside of all the traditional food in Munich, you will also find a large number of excellent restaurants serving up food from across the world, so you’re never stuck with just Bavarian food.
Verdict
When it comes to Vienna vs Austria and their food scenes there isn’t a clear winner. They both serve up delicious food from around the world and some traditional dishes too. I’d say Vienna has a more cafe culture while Munich doesn’t stray away from being Bavarian with all their traditional food but both are great to explore.
The Weather And When To Go?
Vienna
Vienna in the summer is lovely and warm with temperatures hitting between 27°C and 16°C every day. This is by far one of the nicest times to see the city but it comes with a caveat. Vienna is almost too busy during the summer as lots of people choose July and August to visit.
In winter, the temperature in Vienna dops considerably and the warmest you should expect it to be is a balmy 6°C but it’s most likely going to be around 0°C or -1°C. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit though as over December the streets of Vienna light up with Christmas markets and lights and everyone is out enjoying the festivities.
If you’re looking for the best weather window to see Vienna in then I would suggest the months of May, June, September, and October. The days are long, the temperatures are warm, and the streets won’t be busy with the summer tourists.
It rains around 8 days a month, every month, in Vienna so no matter when you choose to travel, it pretty much can’t be avoided – be sure to pack an umbrella and rain jacket.
Munich
The weather in Munich is quite similar to that of Viennas in terms of temperatures. Summer sees highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C while winter temperatures range from 4°C to -2°C. Just like in Vienna, Munich is busy in summer and even busier over late September and October due to Oktoberfest.
If you want to go to Oktoberfest, be sure to book way in advance for a seat at a bar and a bed in a hotel.
Also like in Vienna, the streets of Munich come alive around Christmas with many gift and food markers to explore and lots of other festivities too. Spending time in Munich before Christmas is lovely.
When it comes to rainfall, Munich experiences around 8-9 days per month of rain on average and 11-12 days a month over July and August.
The best time to visit Munich from a business and weather perspective is between May and June while the streets are less crowded but the evenings are long and it’s still warm.
Vienna Vs Munich – The Verdict
Choosing between Vienna and Munich is very tricky as they are so alike in some ways and very different in others. The best city if you love architecture, museums, classical music, and opera, then I’d say Vienna is probably more up your street than Munich.
That being said, Munich has a lot going for itself on the architectural and cultural side of things too but it’s overly Bavarian whereas Viennas feels more global somehow! I’d suggest going to Munich if you’re looking for more of a fun time tasting food and beer with a dash of culture whereas Vienna would be the other way around.
And if you are worried about getting around in either of these two cities, don’t be, they both have excellent public transportation.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
