A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chania vs. Munich for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Chania or Munich?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Munich, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a charming, picturesque, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Munich

Munich is a bustling, high energy, and multicultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Chania and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Munich?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Chania than Munich. While Munich is larger than Chania, Chania has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Chania is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and hiking, while Munich attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities. Chania is famous for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also well known for The Venetian Harbor. Munich is famous for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles.

How is Chania different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Munich and Chania. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chania or Munich?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chania or Munich.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Chania can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Is the Food Better in Chania or Munich? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chania is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Munich is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

People head to Munich just to party. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

If you're looking for night time activities Chania has a few options to choose from. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Music?

Munich is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Chania is not a live music destination.

In Munich you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Chania is not a live music destination.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Chania has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Beaches?

Chania is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Munich is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Chania are among the best in the world. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is Chania or Munich Better for its Old Town?

Chania is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Chania to see the historical old town. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Hiking?

Chania is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Munich is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chania. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Munich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Munich?

Munich is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Munich is a world class destination for shoppers. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chania. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Families?

Chania and Munich are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Chania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

Munich is a very family-friendly destination. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Couples?

Chania and Munich are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Chania frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

Munich is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Munich is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Chania is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Students?

Munich is a world-class destination for students. However, Chania is not popular with students.

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Chania is not popular with students.

Is Chania or Munich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Munich is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Munich can get you around easily. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

While Chania offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

Is Chania or Munich a more walkable city?

Chania and Munich both are superb when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Chania Worth Visiting? and Is Munich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Munich or Chania?

How long in Chania or Munich?

In either Chania or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Chania because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

Families should spend more time in Chania than Munich. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chania, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chania than Munich. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chania that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than Chania if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Munich.

One day in Chania or Munich?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Chania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Munich is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chania or Munich?

Chania is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Munich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Chania or Munich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chania. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Chania or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Chania. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the bustling big city of Munich. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Munich, we can see that Munich is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich than you might in Chania.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chania Expensive? and Is Munich Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chania or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania and Munich, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chania or Munich?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chania or Munich in the Summer?

Both Munich and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Chania because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

Chania is a little warmer than Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Munich. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Munich during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chania usually receives less rain than Munich. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chania or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich and Chania during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Chania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Chania is much warmer than Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Chania often gets more sunshine than Munich. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Munich in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Munich. Many travelers come to Chania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Munich can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Chania is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Chania usually receives more sunshine than Munich during winter. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.

Chania gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Chania usually receives more rain than Munich. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chania or Munich in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chania as well as Munich. Many visitors come to Chania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the activities around the city during these months.

Chania is a little warmer than Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chania this time of the year. In the spring, Chania often gets more sunshine than Munich. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in April than Munich. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Munich and Chania