walking tour map of munich

The Ultimate Free Walking Tour of Munich (For 2023)

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Ah… Munich. A city known for Oktoberfest, Munich offers more than just beer. Filled with museums and historical sites and surrounded by extravagant castles, Munich is one of the best cities in Germany. And there’s no better way to explore this delightful Bavarian city than on a free walking tour of Munich!

This self-guided Munich walking tour is not just doable — it’s called for. Where else can you find over a dozen historical monuments, breathtaking city views, and lively plazas packed into less than one kilometer?

And while some walking tours of Munich may be tiring, this one has a total walking distance of only 35 minutes . This means you’ll have plenty of time to take it easy, wander around, and dive into the legends of these unique Munich landmarks.

However, you should still set aside at least 1 day in Munich to do this tour, as there’s plenty to do at each stop.

Well, without further ado, let’s begin!

A Quick Summary of Your Free Walking Tour of Munich

• Karlsplatz-Stachus
• Bürgersaalkirche (Citizen’s Hall Church)
• Michaelskirche (St. Michael’s Church)
• Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)
• Marienplatz
• Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)
• Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
• Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church)
• Asamkirche (Asam Church)
• Viktualienmarkt (Victuals Market)
• Hofbräuhaus München

Needless to say, this free walking tour of Munich will take you to all the top spots . So get your camera ready, put on some comfortable shoes, and prepare to spend one perfect day in Munich (one of the best places to visit in Bavaria !).

The Ultimate Free Walking Tour of Munich

1) karlsplatz-stachus.

• Opening Hours : None
• Cost : Free

Your Munich walking tour starts at Karlsplatz-Stachus, the most famous square in Munich.

It practically connects all the city’s transportation lines, making it one of the top hubs in Munich. In the mid 20th century, it reportedly had the most traffic in all of Europe ! This led to a saying that spread well beyond Munich: “Da geht’s ja zu wie am Stachus,” which is similar to the UK expression “It’s like Piccadilly Circus.”

Needless to say, there is always something to do at Karlsplatz-Stachus. On the eastern side, you can admire the gothic gate “Karlstor.” In the summer, you can enjoy some ice cream while sitting by the picturesque fountain. And in the winter, this fountain turns into a huge Munich ice rink!

There are also endless shopping opportunities, including:

• Kaufhof : Built in 1950, this was the first department store in Munich.
• Stachus Passagen for some underground shopping.
• Shops, cafes, and restaurants lining the square.
• The entrance to Neuhauserstraße and Kaufingerstraße , the two main shopping streets of Munich.

But before checking out the shops or continuing with our tour, take your time to soak up the atmosphere at Stachus. We will gradually head down Neuhauserstraße for the next stops on our free walking tour of Munich!

The Funny Story Behind the Dual Name of Karlsplatz-Stachus

The square was built in 1777 when the Elector Karl Theodor took over the government of Bavaria. Like any modest ruler, he named the new square after himself — Karlsplatz. But he was so unpopular with the residents that they refused to use that name . And so the square became known as Stachus, in memory of the tavern that was displaced for the square’s construction.

2) Bürgersaalkirche (Citizen’s Hall Church)

• Opening Hours : Upper church: Monday-Saturday, 11 am-1 pm. Lower church: Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 2 pm-5 pm.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 4 minutes
• Website : https://www.mmkbuergersaal.de/

From Karlsplatz-Stachus, walk four minutes to our next stop: Bürgersaalkirche, otherwise known as the Citizen’s Hall Church.

From the outside, Bürgersaalkirche kinda looks more like a government building than a church. And, as a matter of fact, it was first built in 1709 as a “citizen’s hall” (hence the name), and was only consecrated in 1778. The church is also divided into an upper floor and a lower floor, with the exterior pink façade showing this division.

In the upper church, you’ll find the brightly lit, ballroom-like prayer room . Everywhere you look, there are works of art in the form of frescoes, paintings, and statues.

In the lower church, you can find the crypt of Ruper Mayer , a Jesuit priest known for his resistance against the Nazis. For a bit of history, I recommend walking around the small museum room containing memorabilia from his life.

If you’re planning to visit Germany but you’re still in school, click here to read my guide on how to travel as a student!

3) Michaelskirche (St. Michael’s Church)

• Opening Hours : The Crypt is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am-4:30 pm, and the weekends from 9:30 am-2:30 pm.
• Cost : Free (or 2 euros to enter the Crypt).
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 2 minutes
• Website : https://www.st-michael-muenchen.de/en/

The next stop on our walking tour of Munich is St. Michael’s Church: an art gallery, an architectural masterpiece, and a place of worship all in one!

Built in the late 16th century, Michaelskirche was modeled after the Church of the Gesù in Rome. It’s best known for having the second largest vaulted roof (after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome).

If you look between the two entrances, you’ll see St. Michael, the Archangel, slaying a dragon-like creature, which was meant to symbolize Catholicism triumphing over Protestantism in the Counter Reformation era.

And hey, if you’re craving a little company, why not visit the “Mad” King Ludwig II in the crypt ?

4) Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)

• Opening Hours : Monday to Saturday 8 am-8 pm, Sunday 9:30 am-8 pm.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 3 minutes
• Website : https://www.muenchner-dom.de/

Next, head over to Frauenkirche, one of the most popular landmarks in Munich.

The original plan for Frauenkirche was a grand church of the likes of Stephansdom in Vienna. But budgetary constraints unraveled these plans into the plain red-brick construction that it is today.

In the end, this lack of funding is what shaped the church into the remarkable mix of styles that makes it so unique. By the time the towers were finally finished, the Renaissance era had started. Thus, domes were installed instead of the intended Gothic pointed towers.

These towers are an iconic part of the Munich skyline , jutting out far past any other building. The residents of Munich are deeply passionate about their city’s “mother church”; in 2004, they even voted to prohibit building anything taller than 98.57 meters — the height of Frauenkirche.

Inside, Frauenkirche has a remarkable capacity of 20,000 people. The decorations are simple, but there are still tons to admire, including:

• Gothic pillars
• Original stained-glass windows
• 14th-18th century artwork
• A 16th-century automaton clock
• The tomb of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV

The Legend of the Devil’s Footprint

By the entrance, you’ll also notice a black mark resembling a footprint . Legend says the master builder Jörg von Halsbach struck a deal with the devil to ensure they had enough money for the church’s construction. In exchange, he promised to not build any windows, meaning the church could not be consecrated.

Stepping inside the completed church, the devil could not see the windows at first, as they were hidden from view by the columns and buttresses. But when he realized he’d been duped, he stomped his foot in anger and turned into the wind to try to blow the church down. If you stand outside the church, you can still feel the devil’s vain efforts!

If you’re planning to travel Europe in the fall, click here for my Europe fall packing list for women!

5) Marienplatz

• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/attractions/marienplatz.html

Next up on your Munich walking tour is Marienplatz, a plaza that will provide you with a short break from the stunning Munich churches and aerial city views!

This popular square dates back to the city’s founding in 1158 . It used to be a calm intersection where monks decided to settle, giving the city its name (“monks” in German).

The area soon became the city’s marketplace, then called “Schrannenplatz” (“grain plaza”). In 1854, the market outgrew the plaza and moved to Blumenstraße. The plaza was then renamed to Marienplatz after the Virgin Mary, for helping the city overcome a cholera epidemic.

The center of the plaza is marked by Mariensaule , the Virgin Mary column. It was erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish occupation of Munich. Its base depicts the city’s triumph over famine (the dragon), war (the lion), the plague (the basilisk), and heresy (the snake).

Events and Things to Do in Marienplatz

• June : Stadtgründungsfest, celebrating Munich’s birthday.
• December : a Christmas Market with 150 stalls.
• Year-round : Countless stores and restaurants — needless to say, it’s one of the best things to do in Munich on Sunday!

The Munich Marienplatz is where many of the free tours in Munich and walking tours in Munich start, so you’ll see lots of tourist groups here. The plaza itself has many interesting landmarks, which we are about to see!

6) Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)

• Opening Hours : 10 am-7 pm Monday to Saturday, 10 am-5 pm on Sundays.
• Cost : 10 euros for tours, or 4 euros to access the tower.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 0 minutes
• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/attractions/new-town-hall-neues-rathaus.html

To reach the next stop on your free walking tour of Munich, just turn around and look for the Neues Rathaus right at Marienplatz! Although it’s only one building, it has plenty to offer, including some fun things to do with kids in Munich.

It was built in the late 19th century when the old town hall was no longer able to accommodate the government. And this new one sure takes care of the space issue — 12 buildings had to be demolished to make room for it! It also holds 400 rooms and takes up over 9000 square meters of space.

Surprisingly, Neues Rathaus Munich survived WWII, so the carvings you see are original. Don’t miss the “Glockenspiel,” a storytelling music box on the exterior of the tower. It is still manually operated and uses 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures to perform two historical events, including:

• A 1568 tournament celebrating the marriage of Duke Wilheim V to Renata of Lothringen.
• “Schäfflertanz”, or Coopers’ Dance : After the plague epidemic, the barrel makers were supposedly the first to go out into the streets, where they danced to give courage and joy to the fearful citizens.

The show lasts about 15 minutes. It’s performed daily at 11 am and 12 pm, so make sure you’re there for the show!

Before you turn away, look all the way up to the top of the tower and wave hello to “the Munich child”, aka “ Münchner Kind .” This symbolic representation of Munich has had a prolific advertising career, as it’s been featured in Munich commercials for virtually everything under the sun.

The New Town Hall also offers several other things to do, including

• A 90-minute tour.
• A tourist office on the ground floor.
• An 85-meter-tall tower with a great view of the old town of Munich.
• Marienhof, a small garden at the back.
• The Ratskeller restaurant in the basement.

7) Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)

• Opening Hours : 10 am-5:30 pm daily (for the Toy Museum).
• Cost : 6 euros for the Toy Museum.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop: 1 minute
• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/attractions/altes-rathaus.html

Now that we’ve admired the New Town Hall, it’s time to check out the Old Town Hall! Walk over to the eastern end of Marienplatz to find Altes Rathaus, Neues Rathaus’ predecessor.

The building goes back as far as 1310 . But it has been damaged and rebuilt so many times that it has practically worn every architectural style since its founding. Its most recent restoration after WWII has brought it full circle to its original Gothic design . And with its plain façade, the Old Town Hall look more modern than the ornate New Town Hall Munich!

Altes Rathaus has a dark side as well. It was the location of the hate-filled speech by Joseph Goebbels that inspired Kristallnacht, “ the night of the broken glass” in 1938 . This is considered to be the start of the Holocaust.

Other things you can see at Altes Rathaus:

• A historic toy museum located on over 4 floors of the tower (it’s one of the best things to do in Munich with kids!).
• A ballroom on the second floor with an impressive ornate wooden ceiling.
• A Juliet Capulet statue on the side of the building, gifted to Munich by Verona in the 1970s.

8) Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church)

• Opening Hours : 9 am-6 pm Monday to Friday, 10 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday.
• Cost : Free for the church, 3 euros for the tower.
• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/churches/church-of-st-peter.html

Next on your Munich free walking tour is Peterskirche, the city’s oldest Catholic church dating back to the 12th century. Like many Munich landmarks, it has been reconstructed many times due to fires and wars. The inside reflects its many reincarnations with elements of the Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo styles .

The most notable aspect of Peterskirche Munich is the second chapel, as it holds the skeleton of Saint Munditia , lavishly decorated with a crown, precious stones, and luxurious clothing. You’ll also see many beautiful works of art, though most of them are restorations.

And if you haven’t had enough bird-eye views of the city yet, you can climb the 300 stairs up the tower. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Alps!

At the top, you’ll also find another peculiarity: no fewer than 8 clocks. The Munich-based comic Karl Valentin offered a whimsical reason as to why: “Well, of course, it’s so eight people can check the time at once!”

9) Asamkirche (Asam Church)

• Opening Hours : 9 am-6 pm
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 6 minutes
• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/churches/asam-church.html

Compared to the gargantuan buildings you’ve seen so far, the 22-by-8-meter Asamkirche in München might seem ludicrously tiny. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in decoration.

Through the opulent wooden door, you enter a space filled with such an excessive amount of stucco and ornamentation, it’s downright overwhelming. There’s barely an inch left undecorated.

The church is divided into three vertical levels:

• The rather gloomy lower area, where visitors sit, symbolizes worldly suffering.
• The middle level, reserved for the Emperor, is decorated in white and blue.
• The top, dedicated to God, is brightly lit.

Naturally, the space gets brighter the closer to heaven it goes. The ceiling also has a lavish fresco portraying the drowning of Saint Nepomuk, to whom the church is dedicated.

10) Viktualienmarkt (Victuals Market)

• Opening Hours : Usually 8 am-8 pm Monday to Saturday, but it depends on the stall.
• Cost : Depends on what you buy.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 7 minutes
• Website : https://www.viktualienmarkt-muenchen.de/

Remember how Marienplatz used to be a marketplace? Well, Viktualienplatz is where it moved.

Viktualienmarkt, from the late Latin word for food, stretches over 22,000 square meters. About 150 stalls offer everything your fridge and pantry could desire, from vegetables to fish, through spices and pastries, and even kitchen accessories and other trinkets. Every Munich food guide will recommend visiting this famous market!

Halls and pavilions were added as even Viktualienmarkt Munich started lacking in space for its eager shoppers. At the center, you’ll find an authentic Bavarian Maypole displaying aspects of life in Munich.

If you need to rest your feet a little, you can relax in the beer garden . Then walk around to find the fountains with statues commemorating folk singers and comedians.

11) Hofbräuhaus München

• Opening Hours : 9 am-12 am daily.
• Cost : Depends on what you order.
• Website : https://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en/hofbraeuhaus.html

Today, we associate Germany with tall glasses of beer, but 500 years ago, Bavaria was far from being a beer nation. At the time, beer was imported from Northern Germany, and boy, was it expensive! Like any beer lover, the rulers wanted more beer for less money, and commissioned their own brewery in 1589: the Hofbräuhaus München

It was initially reserved for royals , and they were only allowed to brew stout and white beer. The beer hall was then added in 1897 and eventually opened to the public.

You can take a look at the glass cellar or sit down for a refreshing drink — perhaps in the very same spot where Mozart or the Empress Elisabeth of Austria once sat! Adolf Hitler presented his “25-Point Program” in this very bar as well.

You can unwind here until as late as midnight — the Hofbräuhaus is hands down one of the best things to do in Munich at night!

If you’re also thinking of visiting Seville, Spain, click here to read my self-guided walking tour of Seville!

Got More Time to Explore Munich?

If you have time leftover after your Munich walking tour, consider adding these things to do in Munich, located close to where your tour left off:

• National Theater
• Theatine Church
• Munich Residenz

And obviously, if you’re visiting Munich in mid-September to October, you have to check out Oktoberfest! The largest beer festival in the world, Oktoberfest is a 17- to 18-day festival where you can drink tons of beer, enjoy some rides and carnival games, and wear Trachten, the traditional outfits for Oktoberfest .

Finally, if you’re wondering what else to do in Munich, here are the top attractions not yet mentioned:

• English Garden
• Nymphenburg Palace
• Alte Pinakothek
• Neuschwanstein Castle (one of the best day trips from Munich!)

And That’s It for our Free Walking Tour of Munich!

And so we have come to the end of your free walking tour of Munich. If you have 2 days in Munich or even just 1 day in Munich, this walking tour will help you make the very best of your time. Happy exploring!

Thanks for reading the article! If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below, and if you want to see more travel and hike-related content, make sure to check out my other articles.

Photos by Mia and Pixabay.

About to embark on a trip around Europe? Here are some helpful articles to make your trip as awesome and stress-free as possible:

• How to Travel Around Europe
• How to Travel Without Breaking the Bank
• 15 Things to Do Before a Trip
• My 5-Week Europe Itinerary
• The Minimalist Europe Fall Packing List for Women
• How to Start Hiking: 15 Beginner Hiking Tips

And here are some additional helpful links:

• Click here for my walking tours
• Click here for my hiking guides
• Click here for more posts on Europe
• Click here for more posts on Germany
• Click here for more resources

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Mia is the founder of Walk a While with Me, a travel blog dedicated to sharing the best self-guided walking tours, travel itineraries, and hikes for destinations around the world. A keen traveler, she has visited more than 20 countries in the past six years. She is excited for you to follow along on her adventures!

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Ernest Hemingway famously said that once you’ve seen Munich, “everything else in Germany is a waste of time”. We’re not sure about this but it is true that as far as history, beauty and German beer goes, Munich really does have it all. Join us to see this incredible city through the eyes of Munich’s best local tour guides.

The original  Free Tour of Munich  starts in the Marienplatz and covers many of Munich’s top attractions, including the Church of St Peter and Höfbrauhaus. After you’ve got the overview with the free walking tour, delve deeper with us!

No visit to the Bavarian capital is complete without a day trip to the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle. Being so close to the Austrian border, you may also be interested in joining the day trip to Salzburg. If you are interested in Nazi history, we have two tours that focus on the darkest period of Munich’s history, including the Third Reich Tour, and a day trip to the former Nazi concentration camp Dachau.

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The city tour for all those who want to get to know the most beautiful corners of Munich city centre in an uncomplicated and informative way!

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The informative tour starts at Marienplatz and leads through the beautiful historic Munich Old Town. During the entertaining tour you will discover Munich's most famous sights such as the New Town Hall , the Frauenkirche or the Hofbräuhaus .

An experienced guide informs about interesting facts about Munich and tells exciting stories about the history, the city and its people. In addition to highlights such as Maximilianstrasse , the Residenz and the Feldherrnhalle , you will learn exciting facts and amusing anecdotes about Munich. Of course, the city walk also takes you to the beautiful Hofgarten . The end point is the Viktualienmarkt , which invites you to enjoy the many specialities.

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Meeting point: Please arrive in front of the Tourist Information at the New Town Hall on Marienplatz approx. 10 minutes before your tour starts.

Duration: approx. 90 minutes

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Munich Old Town: Altstadt City Walk

Before doing anything on your visit to Munich, we absolutely recommend that you first take a walk throughout the Munich Old Town (Altstadt).

You’ll gain a fantastic orientation of the city, discover amazing places to eat, drink and relax, and best of all, you’ll grasp a good sense of the city’s decadent and historical past.

Munich barely managed to escape total destruction in World War II, and many buildings from the Renaissance era remained standing and undamaged in the aftermath of the Allies bombing efforts over the city.

As such Munich – and in particular the Munich Old Town – is noted as being one of the most beautiful cities in Bavaria.

Being free travellers ourselves, most of us likely won’t want to experience a fully structured walking tour (Unless it’s a particularly difficult to navigate destination), so in this post on the Munich Old Town , we’ve chosen a few highlighted spots, leaving the rest up to you to discover.

What is the Meaning of Altstadt?

Altstadt translated simply means Old Town or Historic City Center.

Certainly, as you weave your way through and around the small cobbled streets of this ancient part of the city, you’ll both wonder and admire the beautiful architecture of the Munich Altstadt.

Trust us when we say that you’ll definitely start to really FEEL the history of this magnificent city.

Sendlinger Tör & around

A great place to begin your discovery of the city and Munich Old Town is at Sendlinger Tor .

This is one of the three city gates ( Tör ) that remain from medieval times.

What was once the main trade road to Italy, is now a pedestrian shopping street with small boutiques and high-street fashion outlets.

This is a pleasant area to stroll around and you can also try one of our favourite Cafes, Patolli here.

Photo credit : creativecommons.org

Not far from Sendlinger Tor you’ll find the A samkirche .

This small decadently outfitted chapel is considered one of the most important buildings from the late Baroque era in southern Germany.

Don’t be deceived by the small size though as you’ll be super impressed when you see the interior.

Behind the extravagant detailed interior, you’ll start to appreciate the powerful concept behind the vision that inspired the Asam Brothers creation here .  

Clever use of the gradation of light from the lower ground to the brightly lit ceiling is the basis for the supposed depiction of a sense of transcendence, of one “arising from dark to glory”. 

A big plus here is that the Asamkirche is another of the Munich Old Town sights that are totally free to visit!

Marienplatz : The Hub of Munich Old Town

Feeling a little overwhelmed? The next stop will cheer you up!

In the heart of the city, Marienplatz (Mary’s Square), you’ll feel an energetic vibe with the fusion of the past and the present coming together.

Although no longer serving its original purpose as a grain market and as a field for tournaments, Marienplatz is now one of the most popular shopping areas of the Munich Old Town

The square is an important place for various city celebrations such as Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market).

Here you can also celebrate and enjoy the party vibe with FC Bayen fans after any of their Champions League matches (and they’ve played in plenty of them).

The most remarkable sight here is the new town hall.

Famous for the Glockenspiel, you can watch the 32 puppets reenacting the wedding fest of Herzog Wilhelm V. and Renate from Lothringen and the dance celebration ( Schläfflertanz ) after the horrific plague in the 1500s.

Top Alstadt Tip: To catch a better view of the Glockenspiel , book yourself a window seat at Café Glockenspiel just opposite. Catch the best view while enjoying a Bavarian meal without the crowd!

The Glockenspiel is played every day at 11:00, 12:00 and 21:00. (From March till October, an additional showing at 17:00)

Around Marienplatz, you can easily spend half a day exploring and looking at different historical statues and decore.

You may have visited the New Town Hall, but you should also check out the wonderfully white Munich Old Town Hall as well and perhaps if you’re interested, the Munich Toy Museum within!

A significant statue you’ll find here is the M äriensäulen (Mary’s column). This golden sculpture was built to honour Mary for keeping Munich safe from the Swedish during the Thirty Years’ War. It was, however, not until 1854, that the square was renamed as Marienplatz, to give hope to the end of the cholera epidemic.

To get a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle, you can head to the Viktualienmarkt for some gourmet goodies. There you’ll find a great variety of small stalls selling local delicacies such as cheeses, olives and deli goods.

An ideal spot to fill your picnic basket! Another awesome cafe here (and another of our favourites), found next to the soup kitchen, is Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt .

Frauenkirche: Munich's Amazing Cathedral

Not far from Marienplatz , the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady) is another iconic building that you would have recognized from many Munich postcards and other souvenirs of the city.

Distinguished by two “onion towers”, it’s one of the most important churches in Munich. Not only you can visit the cathedral itself, but you can also go up to the south tower (by lift or walking) that is close to 100m high.

It offers one of the best city viewpoints of Munich. Of course, the visit is not complete without checking out the legendary devil’s footprint at the entrance.

Wondering what the legend of the Devils Footprint is all about? Then please check out our recent post on the Frauenkirche to fulfil your curiosity and gain more insights about the cathedral!

Photo credit :  creativecommons.org

Since we are on the topic of worship, there is a bazaar pilgrimage just a block away from the Frauenkirche called Promenadeplatz (Walking Square).

Here, amongst important historical statues like the pictured statue of the elector and king of Bavaria Max Emanuel (Maximilian II), you’ll also find the “Michael Jackson Memorial”.

Not an actual official memorial site established by the government, but an initiation set up by his fans after his sudden death in 2009.

Up to this day, you’ll still find posters, fresh flowers and candles attributed to the 90’s King of Pop.

Surprisingly, although this shrine to MJ is at the foot of the statue of Orlando di Lasso , a renowned composer and conductor in the Renaissance, no one seems to mind.

Odeonsplatz: Witness the Passage of Time

Wandering further north from Promenadeplatz in the Munich Old Town you’ll find yourself passing small boutiques and cafes before arriving at Odeonsplatz .

This landmark brings a great sense of the historical background of Munich from the renaissance period to modern history.

The Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshall’s Hall) is guarded by two marble lions. They stand proudly between the war heroes, Count of Tilly and General von Wrede from the Thirty Years’ War in the 1600s and the battle against Napoleon respectively .

The centre statue at the back was later added to celebrate the victory from the Franco-German War of 1870/71, which led to the unification of Germany.

Beyond the glory, this square also has a dark history. In 1933, after the Nazi’s gained power, the hall became a memorial from the failed Beer Hall Putsch that took place ten years earlier.

A monument was installed with martyrs’ name on it and was fully guarded by the SS. Anyone who wanted to pass must give the Nazi Salute ( Deutsche Gruß ). Many eventually found a back way to bypass it.

This so-call  Drückebergergasserl , roughly translated as “dodgers’ alley”, is now marked in gold as a reminder of this resistance. The monument was also smashed into pieces shortly after the war ended.

These days, Odeonsplatz has a much more relaxing vibe. It’s a local meeting point, and throughout the year, various events are held here.

Look out for the Open-air classical music concert in July and the Streetlife Festival in September.

Whilst in Odeonsplatz, you can also visit the majestic Munich Residenz just right next to the plaza. This Versailles -like palace started life as a humble castle in 1385, but throughout the long reign of the powerful Wittelsbach dynasty, was transformed into an opulent residence and government administration center.

Here, you can see the extravagant lifestyle of the Kings and Dukes of Bavaria over the past centuries. The museum showcases different rooms with varied décor from Baroque, Rococo to Neoclassicism. Precious jewels and reliquaries are also on display.

By the end of the museum visit, you’ll probably feel you need a bit of time to absorb everything. So what a better way to relax in the court garden, and just let time pass by.

Is There An Old Town In Munich?

You bet there is, and we’ve only touched on some of the amazing sights that you can visit here in the Oldest part of Munich .

There are still many more points of interest in the Altstadt to be discovered –  but there’s no need to squeeze it all in one walk, right?

The places we suggested are just starters to inspire you to walk around the city and explore the wonderful Munich Old Town .

It can also be nice to rent a bike to snake around the city. If you don’t have your own bike, you can easily rent a city bike. Here , you can see how the city bike rental system works.

As the Altstadt captures so many layers of history, no matter if you are a visitor or a local here, there are always unexpected surprises around the corner just waiting to be discovered.

What's Your favourite spot in the Altstadt?

This post was updated in June of 2022.

We’d love to hear from you guys with any comments you have, or perhaps topics or points of interest in the Munich Old Town that you’d like us to write about.

Please send us a message via our CONTACTS PAGE .

Cheers and thanks for reading.

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Munich Old Town

Snow-covered Alps, Oktoberfest with hectolitres of beer in litre mugs, smiling Germans in leather pants, lederhosen , green vests and caps with feathers. When we think of Germany often, this is the image that comes to mind. What we see though is not Germany, it is Bavaria! When it comes to popularity, it definitely wins the race with the rest of the country! Munich, being the capital of this richest German state, with its grand Catholic churches, palaces, huge automobile industry, gigantic breweries and the Bayern Munich football team can be considered the quintessence of all of Germany.

But Munich is also the place where the darkest chapter of German history began. It was here that the young Austrian Adolf Hitler attempted to seize power in the country by force during the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, for which he ended up behind bars. It is where he wrote his “Mein Kampf”, the book that was the basis for the criminal Nazi ideology. It was also the birthplace of the NSDAP, which eventually seized power throughout the country and, with Adolf Hitler at its head, led to World War II…

During our tour we will talk about both the light and dark pages of German history. We will learn about the history of Bavaria from the Roman beginnings of the city, through 700 years during which it was ruled by one powerful family, the Wittelsbachs, to the unification of Germany by Bismarck in the 19th century. We will see the places where Nazism was born, but also those where Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, worked while still an archbishop. We will also see, perhaps the most disappointing attraction of the city – a show of knightly figure fights in the city’s carillon. 

Take a walk with us and get to know a city that combines like no other seemingly contradictory fields: history and motoring, art and technology, entrepreneurship and a specific lifestyle of Munich people, which is a mixture of self-confidence, freedom and cheerfulness. Perhaps all these contradictions are seamlessly united by what is most important to Munich people… beer! 

During the tour we will see:

• Marienplatz with its New and Old Town Hall
• the city’s cathedral Frauenkirche
• Odeonsplatz
• National Theater and State Opera
• Max Joseph Platz and the residence of Bavarian kings
• and much more!

After visiting Munich do check our tours in other German cities: Berlin and Dresden ! 

Thank you Luis for your knowledge and enthusiasm for showing me the city that many of us love. Your insights were on point and so interesting. Thank you again and I am so recommending this tour to my friends, locals and visitors alike.

A Must for a Trip to Munich

Had our tour with Luis who had lots of energy, knowledge, experience and humour. Luis made the whole experience a highly enjoyable tour.

Luis is the perfect guide for a tour like this: His energy, as well as his humor and deep connection with Munich, travelled us through the culture and some of the history of the city, without being bored for a minute! I could just listen to his stories for another 2,5 hours!

Munich con luis

Genial genial genial, luis nos enseñó el centro mientras nos contaba cosas muy interesantes sobre la ciudad y sus costumbres. Si no fuese por el no nos enteraríamos de la media la mitad, entramos en un par de sitios por q nos lo dijo el que sino hubiésemos pasado de largo por q la puerta no te indica que “eso” es la entrada.

El tiempo se pasó muy rápido y es una pena que solo tengan un tour del centro por q si tuviesen otro también me apuntaría

No duden en reservar en este tour

Highly recommended tour with Lima!

If you would like to experience Munich Old Town in a nut shell with a truly passionate guide, this tour is for you! Not only will you learn many historic and cultural background information about the sights but also gain helpful tipps from a local that makes your stay in Munich a beautiful experience! Highly recommend! Thank you Lima!

This tour is also available as a Private Tour.

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Jetsetting Fools

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Make The Most Of A Layover in Munich, Germany

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When I first traveled through Europe in 2000, I passed through Munich, Germany three times…yet, I never left the train station. That European trip was a spontaneous one and a few missteps had us slightly zigzagging through countries. Munich wasn’t on our original itinerary, so we had done little research on the city. When we arrived at the Munich train station, we had no map, no guidebook and no idea how close we were to the city center. My one and only memory of our layover in Munich is that a train station vendor refused to sell us sausages. Instead, our layover in Munich was spent – without sausage or beer – simply waiting for the next train.

Best Things To Do in Munich on a Layover

Fast-forward many years later (and numerous times since) and I was faced with another layover in Munich. Kris and I were traveling from the United States to Bohinj, Slovenia and our most practical option was a red-eye flight from Philadelphia to Munich, then a train to Lake Bled and a bus to Bohinj . This time, however, I was prepared to make the most of our layover in Munich – complete with top sights, sausage on a roll and a stein of German beer!

At first, we had considered just spending a few hours in the Munich Old City between our arriving flight and departing train, but the more we researched Munich, the more we wanted to see of Munich. In the end, we booked a hotel room, extending our layover in Munich to 26 hours, giving us ample time to see the sights. However, it is possible to see the Munich highlights with less time, so we’ve outlined two self-guided walking tours in Munich – a 4-6 hour walk and a 2-3 hour walk – for travelers who are passing through Munich and want to see more than the inside of the airport or train station. 

Our Guide To Top Munich Sights

The city center of Munich is compact, making it easy to see many sights in a short amount of time. Munich was founded in 1158 and in 1175 the small city, with Marienplatz at the center, was fortified with protective walls. By 1330, Munich had outgrew the fortifications. The walls were expanded and eight city gates were built, three of which still stand today. Munich was further strengthened in the early 1600s, but by the 18 th century, the walls were seen as useless and destroyed. The main sights of Munich remain in a centralized area that was once confined by those city walls. Historic churches, squares and lanes, beautiful buildings and Munich beer gardens are all within the Old City center. Throughout history, both fire and war destroyed many of Munich’s buildings so that today there is a mix of style and more than a few replicas.

Our Tour For A Layover in Munich

Make the most of your Munich layover with this 4-6 Hour Self-Guided Walking Tour. The Munich walk takes in the highlights of the city! 

#1 Karlsplatz, Munich

Karlsplatz, a square that emerged when the city walls were torn down and named for the man who ordered the destruction, is on the western edge of the Munich city center. On the east end of the square is Karlstor Gate, which was used as an entrance into the fortified Munich town until the 18 th century.

Walk through the arched Karlstor Gate onto the pedestrian promenade, Neuhauserstrasse, to…

#2 Burgersaalkirche (Citizen’s Hall Church)

The pink façade of Burgersaalkirche is hard to miss and resembles a government building more than a church. That’s because it was built in 1709 as a ‘citizen’s hall’ and not consecrated as a church until 1778.

On the ground floor is the crypt of Pater Rupert Mayer, a Jesuit priest who was known for his resistance against the Nazis. On the second floor is the glittering church, beautifully decorated with frescoes.

Continue walking east to…

#3 Michaelskirche (St. Michael’s Church)

The 400-year-old Michaelskirche, originally built as part of the Jesuit College, is known for two things: first, for being the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps and, second, for having the second largest barrel-vaulted roof after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Inside the expansive church is a crypt containing royal tombs, including that of “Mad” Kind Ludwig II.

Retrace your steps on Neuhauserstrasse a short distance to Eisenmannstrasse and walk south to…

#4 Damenstiftskirch (St. Anna’s Church)

Damenstiftskirche was built in 1733. The interior was designed by the Asam brothers two years later. While the church façade is quite plan, the interior is in the late Baroque style, which was the style in which the Asam brothers excelled. What exists today is a replica, as only the outer walls of the church remained after World War II. The church is often referred to as St. Anna’s for the convent next door, which is now a girls’ school.

Continue walking south to…

#5 Allerheiligenkirche am Kreuz (Church of All Saints)

Allerheiligenkirche was built in 1478 of simple red brick, including the bell tower. The interior was embellished in the Baroque style in 1620. It was the first Munich church with a cemetery for the St. Peter parish.

Across the street from the church is the entrance to…

#6 Asamhof Passage Munich

Strolling down Asamhof Passage makes the busy city seem miles away. Outdoor cafes draped in flowers line the shaded alley, making it a perfect spot for a coffee or tea.

Continue through the passage to Sendlinger Street. Turn right (southwest) and walk to…

#7 Asamkirche (Asam Church)

Asamkirche, known officially as St. Johann Nepomuk Church, is one of Munich’s most interesting churches. The small space measures just 72 feet long and 26 feet wide. It was built between 1733 and 1746 by the Asam brothers as a private chapel.

As such, they had full control over the design, covering nearly every inch of the small church in the Baroque style.

From the church, continue walking (or just look) further down the road to…

#8 Sendlinger Tor (Sendlinger Gate)

Built as part of Munich’s second city wall, Sendlinger Tor was erected in 1318. The towers on either side were added in 1420, creating 3 separate arches. They were replaced in 1906 with a single arch, which suffered only slight damage in World War II. Even part of the original Munich city wall remains on Sendlinger Tor.

Retrace your steps on Sendlinger Street heading northeast to Dultstrasse. Turn right (south) and continue across the street into Sankt-Jakobs-Platz. Pass by the museums (or stop in if you have time) curving to the left. At Sebastianspl, turn right onto the narrow alley and walk to Pralat-Zistl-Strasse. Turn left and follow it to…

#9 Viktualienmarkt (Victual’s Market)

The sight was first used as an outdoor market in 1807 when Marienplatz could no longer accommodate the size of the market. Today, there are 140 stalls selling unique and traditional products at Viktualienmarkt.

A blue and white striped Maypole stands in the center near the expansive beer garden. The shaded outdoor space is a fine place to stop for a sausage on a roll and a Bavarian beer.

Walk northeast through the center of the market on Viktualienmarkt Street to…

#10 Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church Munich)

Heiliggeistkirche was built in the late 1300s for the order of the Hospice of the Holy Ghost, but was remodeled in the 1700s. The choir buttresses and north wall of the nave are the only remaining portions of the original church. Inside are several works of art.

From the front of the church (the opposite end from the bell tower) facing the street, turn left on Viktualienmarkt. Walk along the brick-arched shops (which will be on your right) to Peterspl. Turn right and walk to…

#11 Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church Munich)

In the 11 th century, long before Munich was a city, a church stood where Peterskirche is today, on the only ‘hill’ in the area. Peterskirche is the oldest parish church in Munich, although destruction, re-building and expansions of the actual church have occurred. In the 17 th century, the 300-foot-tall spire was added.

The Peterskirche bell tower – which has 306 steps – can be climbed for 5 Euro and provides spectacular views over the Munich. Inside the church are several altars (including one of a blinged-out skeleton of St. Munditia; find it in the second altar on the left) and many paintings.

Find Rindermarkt Street near the door of the church (and entrance to the tower). Turn left and walk to…

#12 Rindermarkt (Cattle Market Munich)

Not much of a market today, Rindermarkt was once where cows were sold. The only remnants of such is the cow fountain and perhaps a few stalls selling local products. The tower to the south, Lowenturm, is a Munich water tower that dates to the 15 th century. Ruffinihaus, a group of homes at Rindermarkt #10, date to the early 1900s and are exquisitely decorated.

Leave the square on the north side on Furstenfelderstrasse. Walk a short distance to the glass doors on your right that lead to Kaufingertor Passage and walk through to Kaufingerstrasse. Cross the pedestrian street and continue on the alley, Mazaristrasse, to…

#13 Frauenkirche (Cathedral Of Our Dear Lady, Munich)

Frauenkirche, also called Munchner Dom (Munich Cathedral), has a capacity of 20,000 and is an easy-to-spot landmark in the city. The Cathedral, made of brick in the Gothic style, was built within 20 years, starting in 1468. The onion-domed towers rise 325 feet into the skyline; the originally planned Gothic spires were too expensive to complete, so the more affordable domes were used instead and not finished until 1525. The church suffered damage during World War II, but the towers never fell.

Walk to the east end of the church to Filserbraugasse Street and find…

#14 Andechser am Dom

Andechser am Dom, a small restaurant with a beer garden, serves beer from the Andechs Monastery Brewery. Beer was first made at the monastery in 1455 by seven Benedictine monks. While the brewery, still run by monks, is a distance from Munich’s city center, the restaurant offers the opportunity to taste the monks’ brew.

Continue down Filserbraugasse to Weinstrasse. Turn right (south) to…

#15 Marienplatz (Mary’s Square Munich)

The city center of Munich since 1158, Marienplatz has been used for tournaments, as an outdoor marketplace and today as a gathering place. It’s also the site of the Munich Christmas Market during the month of December. In the center is Mariensaule, Mary’s Column, which was placed in Marienplatz as a celebration of the end of Swedish occupation in 1638. The gold statue of Mary at the top dates to 1590.

On the north side of Marienplatz is the…

#16 Neues Rathaus and Glockenspiel (New Town Hall and Carillon)

The 400-room Nues Rathaus is home to Munich’s city government. The building was constructed between 1867 and 1908. The exterior is intricately decorated in the Gothic Revival style and extends 328 feet along Marienplatz. The Munich Glockenspiel, a storytelling music box on the tower, plays three times a day: 15-minute shows at 11am and 12noon – also at 5pm in the summer. The 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures spin around to tell the story of a Duke’s marriage in 1546, complete with a jousting tournament, and the story of Schafflertanz – the Coopers’ Dance – which is said to have begun in 1517 during the plague. The dancing was to give hope to the citizens of Munich.

On the east end of Marienplatz is the…

#17 Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)

On the east end of Marienplatz is Altes Rathaus, where the local government met until 1874 when the New Town Hall was opened. The building dates back to the 1300s, but was redesigned in the 1400s in the Gothic style. The two tunnels that run through it were created in 1877 and 1934. The tower marks the former Talburg Gate, one of the original entrances to Munich through the city walls.

At the base of Altes Rathaus (before going through the tunnel), turn left (north) on Burgstrasse. Walk to…

#18 Alter Hof Palace (Old Court)

The Alter Hof Palace in the center of Munich was once the residence of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV and dates back to the 12 th century. The five-winged palace had to be completely reconstructed after World War II. Now it’s a popular gathering spot on warm summer days in Munich.

Walk through the palace courtyard to Pfisterstrasse. Turn right (east) and walk to Sparkassenstrasse. Turn right (south) and walk to Munzstrasse. Turn left (east) to…

#19 Hofbräuhaus Munich

The origins of the Hofbrauhaus date to 1589 when plans for the brewery were first established by Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, as a place to make brown ale for the royal household. Today, the beer hall – which was built in 1897 – is a place of gathering for locals and tourists from around the world.

Live bands play traditional German folk songs. Wooden picnic tables are shared with new-best-friends, enormous pretzels are sold by staff in traditional Bavarian dress and waiters effortlessly carry multiple liters of Hofbräuhaus beer to thirsty patrons. Prost!

Short On Time in Munich?

Have even less time in Munich? Follow our footsteps in this 2-3 hour Self-Guided Munich Walking Tour. 

Even with extremely limited time, it is possible to see many of the best sights in Munich. This quick Munich walking tour could be done in less than an hour without stopping at all, but at least two hours are needed to see the inside of churches, climb the Munich bell tower and have a beer at the Hofbräuhaus.

Karlsplatz (Karl’s Square)

Burgersaalkirche (Citizen’s Hall Church)

Michaelskirche (St. Michael’s Church)

Continue walking east to Augustinestrasse. Turn left (north) and walk to…

Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady)

Walk to the east end of the church to Filserbraugasse. Walk east to Weinstrasse. Turn right (south) and walk to…

Marienplatz (Mary’s Square)

Neues Rathaus and Glockenspiel (New Town Hall and Carillon)

Exit Marienplatz to the south (opposite New Town Hall) on Rindermarkt and walk to…

Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church)

Leave the church to the south on Peterspl. Turn left (east) on Viktualienmarkt. Curve around to the north to the large intersection and on the left is…

Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)

Continue walking north (the name of the street changes to Sparkassenstrasse) to Munzstrasse. Turn right (east) and walk to…

Hofbräuhaus

Prost(still)!

Tips To Make The Most Of Your Layover in Munich

• The times indicated for the Munich Self-Guided Walking Tours is the time needed to see the sights starting at Karlsplatz and ending at Hofbrauhaus. Factor in extra time to get to and from the train station or airport.
• If making the trip into Munich from the airport, trains depart about every 15 minutes and take about 50 minutes to get to Munich’s main train station (Hauptbahnhof).
• Luggage lockers are available at the Munich Hauptbahnhof to store your bags for the day.
• From the Munich Hauptbahnhof, it’s a short walk – or one stop on either the U-bahn or S-bahn – to Karlsplatz, where both of our Munich Self-Guided Walking Tours begin.
• If staying for a night, there are many Munich hotel options in the city center. We stayed at Buddy Hotel . It was a 5-minute walk to Karlsplatz, clean, has free wifi , early check-in and free pretzels and rolls in the lobby. The rooms were extremely small, yet efficient.
• Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes . I (Sarah) have traveled with these shoes by Columbia , Skechers and Reef . Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell and Sanuk .
• We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip to Europe . Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for higher quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos, but can be a bit clunky) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures and is a slim and lightweight budget camera ).
• If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip to Munich, consider traveling protected with World Nomads .

Munich Walking Tour Map

CLICK HERE for a printable, text route and map of our Munich Self-Guided Walking Tours.

Looking for more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page and also check out our complete packing tips and detailed travel guides !

Visiting other cities in Germany? Read more of our detailed guides to Berlin , Frankfurt , Dusseldorf , Freiburg  and Dresden !

We want to know: Have you spent a layover in Munich? What did you see? What would you add to our list? Tell us in the comments!

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2 thoughts on “ Make The Most Of A Layover in Munich, Germany ”

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