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

Should you visit Dubai or Munich?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Munich can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Munich

Munich is a high energy, multicultural, and economically thriving city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dubai and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Munich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai. Although Dubai and Munich are popular destinations, Dubai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dubai is famous for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Munich is famous for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a city with a few options for winter skiing. However, Munich is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Munich is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Munich and Dubai.

Many visitors head to Dubai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Munich can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Foodies will find both Dubai and Munich both to be excellent destinations.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Munich makes for a great culinary experience. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both Dubai and Munich.

People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

The nightlife in Munich is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Music?

Dubai and Munich are both destinations where visitors can find terrific live music.

Dubai has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Munich is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Resorts?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Munich is not a resort destination.

Dubai offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Munich is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Dubai has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Munich is not a beach destination.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Munich?

If you're looking to go shopping, Dubai and Munich both offer plenty of terrific spots.

Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Munich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Munich.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Munich is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Dubai or Munich Better for Couples?

Munich is a great city for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Munich Better for Students?

For students, both Dubai and Munich are terrific places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international 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.

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

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

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.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Dubai or Munich a more walkable city?

Munich is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

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

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Munich?

In either Dubai or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dubai than Munich because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than Dubai 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 Dubai or Munich?

Dubai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Munich, many people enjoy the live music and food that this bustling big city offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Munich?

Dubai 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Munich?

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

Munich is a fun place to experience. In Munich, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dubai or Munich?

Dubai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy big city of Munich. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, 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 Dubai and Munich, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Munich much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Munich is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Munich would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Munich 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Munich.

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Munich?

Munich has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Munich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Munich. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is much warmer than Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Munich. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Munich. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dubai or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and Dubai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Munich can be very cold during winter. In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Munich. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Munich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Munich. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Munich because of the activities around the city.

Dubai is much warmer than Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Munich. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Munich and Dubai