Out of all of Germany's vibrant cities, Munich is a true paradise in the summer months. Its Englischer Garten is the largest urban park in Europe, where locals enjoy lazy picnics and even surfing on the Isar river. Beautiful alpine lakes and mountains are just a short train ride away, and cafes with leafy terraces offer the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon.
If you happen to visit Munich on a rainy day, however, it may feel like your options for exploring the city are much more limited. But for those in the know, there are plenty of ways to make the most of Bavaria's beautiful capital all year round - even when the rain is pelting down outside.
So, grab your waterproofs and an umbrella, put on some sturdy shoes, and check out our six top picks for ways to spend a wet and chilly day in Munich.
1. Explore ingenious tech innovations
From the quirky Valentin Karlstadt Musäum to the auto-obsessed BMW Museum, there's no shortage of fascinating cultural centres and museums in Munich. But when grey skies and drizzle are getting you down, there's no better way to get inspired than a visit to the incredible Deutsches Museum.
With more than 20,000 square metres of floorspace, this monolithic venue on Museum Island is home to of the largest technology and science museums in the world. Visitors can take a whirlwind tour through centuries of German inventions and discoveries, with everything from natural science to robotics and mind-boggling musical instruments on display.
Hands-on and interactive exhibits help to bring the wonders of technology to life, while a rotating programme of special exhibitions and workshops keeps things fresh even for regulars.
Once you're done delving into the world of science, you can tuck into lunch while watching the rain trickle down the windows at Frau im Mond, a bistro with a showstopping location on the roof of the museum's aerospace hall.
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2. Take in the city by tram
If you're in Munich for a short trip and find yourself facing torrential downpour, there are some great alternatives to taking a walking tour.
The most cost-effective of these is to jump on one of the tram routes that take in the most scenic and historic parts of the city. Tram 19, which passes west to east from Pasing to Berg am Laim, weaves through the Munich Altstadt taking in numerous important landmarks along the way.
Along the route, you can gaze at the gates to the Altstadt on Karlsplatz, take in the magestic State Opera and National Theatre on Max-Joseph Platz, and see the imposing Upper Bavarian government buildings and the Maxmonument on Maximilianstraße.
Traversing the full route takes just over an hour, but it's worth stopping off halfway on Theatinerstraße for a coffee and pastry at one of the numerous Konditereien (specialist bakeries) in the area. If the rain has died off a little, you can also wander down to Marienplatz from here in order to see the Rathaus and the bustling Viktualienmarkt.
3. Marvel at artistic masterpieces
Though Berlin is often viewed as the artistic capital of Germany, Munich's impressive creative scene and array of world-class galleries certainly makes it a strong contender.
At the heart of these are the three Pinakotheks, which span centuries of art spanning from the medieval period to the present day. Though the Neue Pinakothek is currently closed for renovations, highlights from its collection of 19th and 20th-century masterpieces can be viewed in the Alte Pinakothek.
Here, you can take in works by Vincent van Gogh und Paul Cézanne, before moving onto the Alte Pinakothak's main collection to see great artworks from Rembrandt and Botticelli.
In the Pinakothek der Moderne, meanwhile, the most exciting and challenging contemporay works of art can be seen, alongside collections on architecture, graphic art and design.
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On a dull and rainy day, there's no better way to get your dose of high culture - and if your art knowledge is a little rusty, you can also take a guided tour.
4. Experience a wild adrenaline rush
For many residents of Munich, the best activity to do in winter is simply to head south to the mountains and get out on the slopes. If you don't have the budget or time for an Alpine skiing adventure, though, you can find all the adrenaline you need much closer to the urban sprawl.
At the Jochen Schweizer Arena in Taufkirchen, visitors can get their pulses racing with a range of exciting indoor activities.
These include a surfing experience called CityWave that rivals the Eisbachwelle surfing wave on the Isar, as well as indoor skydiving and an array of virtual reality adventures, from escape rooms to competitive gaming.
After an action-packed morning, be sure to indulge in some of the delicious regional dishes at Schweizer's Kitchen, rounded off with some silky homemade ice-cream and desserts.
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5. Get pampered for the day
If the gloomy weather is getting you down, heading to one of Munich's blissful saunas and day spas is guaranteed to lift your spirits. Here, you can escape the cold and find a haven of warmth and wellness, as well as a few hours of calm.
The most well-known of these is Dantebad, which functions as an open-air pool in summer and a sauna, steam room and indoor pool in winter. With an extensive relaxation area and hourly infusions in the sauna - not to mention a fabulous Greek restaurant on-site - Dantebad is the perfect place to pass a rainy afternoon in Munich.
For a more intimate and decadent experience, wellness-fanatics can also check out the Hamam Anatolia - an authentic Turkish steam room in Giesing. Alternatively, you can book a day pass at the luxurious Charles Hotel or Hotel Bayerische Hof, where the spa area offers breathtaking views over Munich.
Those who are seeking out a bit of history, meanwhile, should head to the Müller'sches Volksbad in Haidhausen. As a public pool, spending a few hours here costs a fraction of the cost of a day spa, but the elegant Art Nouveau architecture and Roman-style sauna area make it truly an experience to remember.
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6. Get cosy in a traditional tavern
Munich may well be famous for its beer gardens, but in the colder and wetter months, sitting with friends in a warm and toasty tavern is definitely the way to go.
In Bavaria, the term for this type of pub is a Wirtshaus, which describes a traditional local inn with wooden panels and homely decor - not to mention some hearty Bavarian grub. In these local pubs, you're bound to be greeted with a warm welcome as you bustle in from the rainy streets outside, and you won't need to leave in a hurry as long as the beer is flowing.
On a first visit to Munich, it's worth heading to Hofbrau Wirtshaus at least once, as this historic tavern is steped in dark significance as the location where Hitler presented his Nazi party manifesto for the first time. Away from the tourist trail, however, Ayinger Bräustüberl in the Altstadt, Wirtshaus in der Au and Gaststätte Rumpler are all firm local favourites.
So pick out your favourite table, order a Helles and tuck into the best local Schnitzel, Weißwürst (white sausage), Schweinebraten (roast pork) and Knödeln (dumplings) you can find in Munich.
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