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

Should you visit Munich or Sao Paulo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Sao Paulo, 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.

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 museums, nightlife, and live music. See Munich travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Munich and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Sao Paulo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Munich than Sao Paulo. While Sao Paulo is larger than Munich, Munich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Munich is very popular for its music, while Sao Paulo attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Munich is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also well known for The Nymphenburg Palace. Sao Paulo is famous for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene.

How is Munich different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Munich or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sao Paulo on the map. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

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 Munich or Sao Paulo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Munich and Sao Paulo offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Munich is an experience not to be missed. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sao Paulo. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

Is Munich or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Munich and Sao Paulo.

Munich is a world class party destination. 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.

Sao Paulo is a must-see party destination. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Is Munich or Sao Paulo Better for Music?

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

Munich has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Sao Paulo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sao Paulo and Munich.

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.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Sao Paulo. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

Is Munich or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Munich is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Munich. 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.

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Is Munich or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Munich is a great city for couples. Also, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Munich or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Munich or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Munich is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for students. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Munich and Sao Paulo.

Munich has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Sao Paulo can take you anywhere. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

Is Munich or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Munich and Sao Paulo both are superb when exploring on foot.

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.

Sao Paulo is very walkable. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Munich?

How long in Munich or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Munich and Sao Paulo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than in Sao Paulo. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Munich, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

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

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

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

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Sao Paulo. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Munich or Sao Paulo?

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Sao Paulo 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 Munich or Sao Paulo?

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. 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.

A week in Munich or Sao Paulo?

Munich is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic big city of Sao Paulo. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munich and Sao Paulo, we can see that Munich is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Munich is in Europe and Sao Paulo is in South America, 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.

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

Which is Bigger, Munich or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of Munich and Sao Paulo, 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 Munich or Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Munich has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Munich or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Munich during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Munich because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

Munich is cooler than Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Munich usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Munich or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Sao Paulo. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Munich this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Munich is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Munich in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

In October, Munich usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin April. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Munich or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Munich as well as Sao Paulo. Many travelers come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Munich. In January, Munich is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Munich average around -1°C (31°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Munich usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Munich or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Munich in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months.

Munich is much colder than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.

In April, Munich usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Munich