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Munich map - Interactive map

Information about the map.

Check out the main monuments, museums, squares, churches and attractions in our map of Munich. Click on each icon to see what it is.

To help you find your way once you get to your destination, the map you print out will have numbers on the various icons that correspond to a list with the most interesting tourist attractions. This way, you’ll be able to see where each attraction is.

Icons on the Munich interactive map

The map is very easy to use:

• Check out information about the destination: click on the color indicators.
• Move across the map: shift your mouse across the map.
• Zoom in: double click on the left-hand side of the mouse on the map or move the scroll wheel upwards.
• Zoom out: double click on the right-hand side of the mouse on the map or move the scroll wheel downwards.

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Where to eat.

Pretzels, wurst, and beer: discover the best of typical Bavarian cuisine and learn the best places to eat it in Munich. Find out where and what to eat in Munich.

General Information

Learn everything you need to know for your trip to Munich, from visa requirements and currency to language tips and which plugs to bring! We'll try and answer all of your most frequently asked questions.

The Ultimate FREE Munich Tourist Map (Things to Do, Photo Spots & More!)

Last Updated: April 5, 2024

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Looking for a Munich tourist map that covers all the main sights?

Great news! Hi – I’m Christina, a shameless travel nerd who lived in Munich for 5+ years… and has already made one of those maps so you don’t have to. WITH cute stamp icons… that are colour coded.

So yes, below, you’ll find a handy Google Map that you can use on your phone that includes…

• Top Munich sights & museums
• The prettiest photo spots and views in Munich
• Munich food & drink recommendations
• Fun shops to visit in Munich

I hope you find it helpful!

Save this Free Munich Map for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

My Free Munich Tourist Map

On mobile? Click this link here and the map should automatically open on your Google Maps app.

NOTE: Free sights are marked with a green background – be sure to expand the Map Legend to see the different layers and categories I’ve included!

Things to Do in Munich Video

Want a visual of the activities mentioned? Check out this video companion guide that showcases some of the best things to do in Munich for first timers.

Munich Travel Tips Video

First time in Munich? Here’s a video that explains some of the important must-knows to keep in mind before your trip.

More Munich Travel Resources

Visiting Munich? Here are some other articles you might like: 

• [START HERE] My Munich City Guide
• My Favourite Munich Fun Facts
• Munich Public Transport Guide
• Munich Oktoberfest Guide
• Munich Christmas Market Guide
• Munich Starkbierfest Guide
• Munich Frühlingsfest Guide
• Munich Hauptbhanhof Guide
• Munich Train & Bus Stations Guide
• My Best Munich Travel Tips
• 1 Day in Munich Itinerary
• 2 Days in Munich Itinerary
• 3 Days in Munich Itinerary
• Munich Restaurants Guide
• Munich to Salzburg Day Trip Guide
• Munich to Neuschwanstein Day Trip Guide
• Munich to Eagle’s Nest Day Trip Guide

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20 Top Tourist Attractions in Munich

Munich is a glorious city that shrugs off the coldness and sternness of buildings that are so prevalent elsewhere in Germany. Sure, it has a few of these buildings, but in the old city visitors will find attractive historic buildings and monuments. Munich has a good public transportation system (bus and subway) that makes it convenient to move around the city.

Munich makes a good base for day trips to outlying areas, such as the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau or scenic Salzburg , but there is plenty to keep visitors in the city too. Here’s a look at the top tourist attractions in Munich :

Map of Munich

20. Hofgarten

Located between the famed Residenz and the Englischer Garten is the Hofgarten, a beautiful garden built at the beginning of the 17th century in the style of an Italian Renaissance garden. The Hofgarten is open to the public from dawn to dusk, and it is the perfect spot for a stroll.

Check out the gazebo in the center of the garden, or just admire the beautifully manicured gardens. Many visitors grab some food and enjoy a picnic in the Hofgarten, and there are plenty of benches throughout the area where you can sit, rest and enjoy the view.

19. Pinakothek der Moderne

There are three major art museums in Munich that combine to create what is known as the Kunstareal in the area of Maxvorstadt. The newest is the Pinakothek der Moderne. This is where you’ll find the best contemporary art in the city, and arguably even in all of Europe.

The building that houses the collection is a strikingly modern structure built in the International Style. The Pinakothek der Moderne is divided into four sections, each of which is devoted to either art, architecture, design or works on paper.

Some of the most noteworthy artists whose works are on display include Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso.

18. Olympiapark

The 1972 Olympic Games were held in Munich, and many of the venues created for the event are located in what is now known as the Olympiapark. Munich is recognized globally for its success in turning the Olympic venues into spaces that continue to be used and generate income for the city.

If you’re visiting Munich, you might watch a concert or attend a festival in the Olympic Stadium. At the Olympic Lake, you can rent a boat and paddle around. If you want to soak in the views of the Olympiapark, grab a meal at the revolving restaurant at the top of the Olympic Tower.

17. St. Peter’s Church

Peterskirche, or St. Peter’s Church, is a Catholic church located in Munich’s city center, or Altstadt. St. Peter’s Church was started in the 12th century and is the city’s oldest church, although fires and lighting strikes have damaged part of the structure over the centuries.

The Romanesque-style church hosts services several times each day, and it’s well worth attending one to admire the interior of the building. You can also climb Alte Peter, a tower accessible via more than 300 steps. The climb is worth the effort, however, because you’ll get a stunning view over Munich from the top.

16. Allianz Arena Stadium

Sports fans who’ve ever wondered if football (soccer) is popular in Munich need only visit Allianz Arena Stadium, which seats more than 75,000 spectators who want to see one of the city’s two teams take the field.

The stadium replaced the city’s Olympic stadium beginning with the 2005-2006 season. The stadium, which hosted the World Cup finals in 2006, is known for its panels that change colors, depending on which team is playing and the type of match, i.e., local or national, being played.

15. New Pinakothek

The second art museum in the Kunstareal is the New Pinakothek. Here, you’ll find an impressive collection of impressionist and expressionist art dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection is housed in a relatively new postmodern building that was constructed in 1981.

The New Pinakothek is the place to go if you’re drawn to works by painters such as Francisco de Goya, John Constable, Eugène Delacroix or Claude Monet. There are also several interesting sculptures on display like the Crouching Woman by Auguste Rodin.

14. Eisbach Wave

The Eisbach Wave is one of the more unexpected attractions located in the heart of Munich. It’s part of the Eisbach River, a man-made body of water that is just over a mile long. The Eisbach River flows through the Englischer Garten.

At one point in the river, there is a standing wave that is just three feet high. It is here that city dwellers have the chance to go surfing or even kayaking right in the heart of Munich.

It is common to see visitors standing next to the Eisbach Wave and watching surfers try to maintain their balance on the wave for as long as possible.

13. Odeonsplatz

If you’re planning to spend any time in the Altstadt, then you’ll want to visit the Odeonsplatz. This central plaza is a major landmark in the city, and it is packed with interesting and historically significant attractions.

Both Ludwigstraße and Briennerstraße, two major thoroughfares through Munich, begin at the Odeonsplatz. The plaza is also home to the Theatinerkirche, a beautiful Italian-Baroque church, and the Field Marshals’ Hall, also known as the Feldherrnhalle.

The highlight of the Odeonsplatz is the Residenz, a palace that is now open to the public and home to a collection of royal jewels, crowns and family portraits.

12. Asam Church

Asamkirche was built in the middle of the 18th century by brothers Egid Quirin Asam and Cosmas Damian Asam. Egid Quirin was the architect and sculptor, and Cosmas Damian painted the frescoes.

Built in the late Baroque style, this beautiful church was intended to be a private place of worship for the brothers. Due to public unrest, however, it was opened to the residents of the city.

The Asam Church can be toured, and make sure you look up to admire the stunning works of art on the ceiling. If you’re in Munich over the holiday season, the Christmas Eve service at Asam Church is a memorable experience, since the church looks especially beautiful in candlelight.

11. Neues Rathaus

If you’re a fan of architecture, then don’t miss a chance to see the Neues Rathaus in Munich. The New City Hall was built in the neo-Gothic style, and it is a major attraction in the Marienplatz. The building is enormous and boasts six courtyards, a beautiful spiral staircase and plenty of stained glass windows.

Many people come to see the Neues Rathaus just for its clock, which has 43 bells and goes off three times each day. Carved figures emerge from the Glockenspiel and revolve around the clock in time with the bells, and it’s well worth seeing for yourself in person.

10. Viktualienmarkt

Next to the Marienplatz in the city center of Munich is the Viktualienmarkt, a large outdoor market with generations of history. Many of the vendors at the market have a family history at the Viktualienmarkt, making it a longstanding tradition to shop there.

Many locals head to the market on the way to or from work and pick up fresh produce. You can also find some homemade baked goods, premade soups, nuts and herbs for sale.

It’s a popular place for foodies, because many of the items for sale are upscale, gourmet or otherwise exotic ingredients. You’ll also find a few restaurants and a biergarten where you can stay for a drink or two.

9. Alte Pinakothek

The third of the Kunstareal art museums in Munich is the Alte Pinakothek. This is one of the oldest art galleries in the world, and it is a must-see destination for classical art fans.

When it was ordered built in 1826 by King Ludwig I, the Old Pinakothek was the largest museum in the world; its neo-renaissance exterior soon became the model for museums located throughout Europe. The works of art displayed in the Arte Pinakothek come from the 14th through the 18th centuries.

The most celebrated works come from the Old Masters, including artists like Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals and Leonardo da Vinci. There is a heavy emphasis on German painters, so look for works by Albrecht Dürer and Matthias Grünewald, among many others.

8. Deutsches Museum

The Deutsches Museum is a world class science and technology museum that appeals to visitors of all ages, even those who profess not to be interested in such subject matter. Visitors can take free guided tours (conducted only in German though) through the museum’s 50 exhibit areas, view demonstrations on subjects ranging from electricity to musical instruments, and participate in a wide variety of hands-on activities.

The museum has a huge collection of more than 100,000 science- and technology-related objects from the Stone Age to today. The museum is family friendly, with 1,000 activities for kids 3-8 offered in Kids Kingdom.

7. Munich Residenz

The Munich Residenz was home to Bavarian rulers, the Wittelsbachs, for centuries before it was opened to the public in 1920. Its art collections and various architectural styles became symbols of the royal family’s power. The residence sustained heavy damage in World War II, but has since been restored as much as possible.

Today, it is considered one of the finest palace museums in Europe. The Wittelsbachs collected fine art and objects for centuries, so visitors will be able to see outstanding collections of porcelain, paintings, silver objects, rare furniture, chandeliers and sculptures.

6. BMW Welt & Museum

BMW is known for its fast cars and motorcycles; what better place to learn more about them than BMW Welt and the BMW museum. BMW Welt is a place to see and gain knowledge of the company’s latest product offerings.

BMW Welt also sells auxiliary accessories and parts for their vehicles, and hosts exhibitions of their latest models. It’s located near Olympic Park; park ticket holders can get a discount on BMW Welt admission.

The nearby BMW Museum has exhibits tracing the history of these famous two- and four-wheeled vehicles. Many old cars and motorcycles are on display along a spiral ramp that curls along the inside of the bowl-shaped building.

5. Nymphenburg Palace

The Nymphenburg Palace celebrates the birth of an heir to the Bavarian throne, ordered built by the parents of Maximillian II Emanuel in 1664. The palace served as the summer residence of Bavarian rulers.

When he inherited the throne, Max Emanuel significantly enlarged the palace. Today this baroque palace is one of Munich’s more popular tourist attractions, even though sections are closed to the public since it also serves as the home for the current Duke of Bavaria.

Original baroque ceilings, some with frescoes, survive to this day, as do King Ludwig I’s Galleries of Beauties that portray 36 beautiful Munich women.

4. Munich Frauenkirche

The Munich Frauenkirche is another famous Munich landmark that towers over the rest of the city. It dates back to the 15th century when it was built in an astounding 20 years’ time, though completion of some features was postponed due to lack of money.

The Munich Frauenkirche serves as the cathedral for the Archdiocese of Munich and is home to the archbishop. The Gothic cathedral is capable of holding 20,000 worshipers. The cathedral was damaged during World War II, but has been restored It is famous for its bells and as the final resting place for the Dukes of Bavaria.

3. Hofbrauhaus

Munich residents do love their beer, celebrating it annually at Oktoberfest. Travelers who won’t be here then can still sip the suds at the Hofbrauhaus, one of the oldest breweries in town.

The Hofbrauhaus dates back to 1589 when it was founded by Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, when it served as the official brewery for Munich’s royalty. Even back then, the beer had an international reputation, with Swedish invaders agreeing not to sack Munich in exchange for 600,000 barrels of beer.

The brewery and the beer hall are among the most popular tourist attraction in Munich today.

2. Englischer Garten

The size of New York City’s Central Park pales in comparison to Munich’s Englischer Garten, one of the world’s largest urban parks. The park, which stretches from the city center to northeast Munich, was established in 1789, but has been enlarged over the centuries.

It takes its name from the traditional English gardens that were popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries. It was built by soldiers during times of peace to teach them agricultural skills. The garden contains a Japanese teahouse, a meadow where nude sunbathing is permitted and an artificial wave used by surfboarders.

1. Marienplatz

Marienplatz is the most famous square in Munich, drawing thousands of tourists every day who come to see the New Town Hall that dates back to 1874. The city hall was built in the Gothic Revival style, and features most of the Wittelsbach rulers on the main façade while statues of four Bavarian kings are on a lower level.

This highly ornate building is a tourist magnet in itself, but what really draws the tourists to Marienplatz is the thrice-daily performance of the Glockenspiel. The famous Ratskeller restaurant is in the basement.

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Maps Of Munich: PDF Maps and Downloads

There are many helpful Maps of Munich you’ll need to assist you in your quest to explore our wonderful city of Munich here in beautiful Bavaria.

So to assist you, Absolute Munich has compiled a page dedicated to the best Maps of Munich . All are totally FREE , downloadable, printable and all in PDF format , to assist you in Getting Around Munich and perhaps even in Getting From Munich to Anywhere !

From A Munich City Centre Map to a Munich Tourist Map to a Map of Germany showing the location of Munich, to a Munich Train Map , we’ve got you covered!

Munich TRAIN Map PDF Download

Munich TRAM Map PDF Download

Munich CITY Limit Map PDF Download

Munich CITY Centre Map PDF Download

Munich GERMANY Location Map PDF Download

Munich NIGHT TRANSPORT Map PDF Download

Maps of Munich for PDF Download on this page are provided with thanks to the following contributors:

• The wonderful people at Munich’s awesome transport authority MVV
• The very helpful people at the amazing FreeCountryMaps.com website
• The amazing folks over at Orange Smile, go check them out Here

If there are any specific Maps of Munich you’d like to see included in this list of Free Downloadable PDF Maps please do let us know!

Currently, in the pipeline, we are also working on the following different Maps of Munich : Munich Tourist Map PDF | Munich Suburbs Map | Munich Area Map | Munich Downtown Map | Munich Parks Map | Munich Tourism Map | Munich Walking Tour Map

Full Absolute Munich Google Maps Listings

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Rindermarkt Map

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Frauenkirche Munich Map

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Munich Printable Tourist Map

Munich Map: The Attractions

Mary's Square

Hofbräuhaus am Platzl

Church of Our Lady

Residence Museum and Treasury

The Maximilianeum

The Victuals Market

St. Peter's Church

New Town Hall

Carillon at the New Town Hall

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Map of Munich — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Munich, Germany for travelers! Check out Munich’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Munich? See our Munich Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Munich. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Munich map:

• Explore the best restaurants, shopping, and things to do in Munich by categories
• Get directions in Google Maps to each place
• Export all places to save to your Google Maps
• Plan your travels by turning on metro and bus lines
• Create a Wanderlog trip plan (link to create a trip plan for the city) that keep all the places on the map in your phone
• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 18 attractions in Munich

Nymphenburg palace, marienplatz.

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

English Garden

Munich residenz.

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

Viktualienmarkt

New town hall, deutsches museum, alte pinakothek, hofbräuhaus münchen.

Olympiapark München

Pinakothek der moderne, dachau concentration camp memorial site, frauenkirche.

Don’t forget to pack anything

Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Beer and Oktoberfest Museum

Bavarian national museum, top 10 restaurants in munich.

Dallmayr Delikatessenhaus

Augustiner klosterwirt, koi restaurant, prinz myshkin.

Restaurant & Weinhandel Broeding

Nuernberger Bratwurst Gloeckl am Dom

Preysinggarten, transportation in munich, nearby airports, munich international airport, highways and major roads, top searches in munich, popular road trips from munich, what's the weather like in munich.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Munich for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Munich in January
• Weather in Munich in February
• Weather in Munich in March
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• Weather in Munich in May
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All road trips from Munich

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Explore nearby places

• Unterfohring
• Unterhaching
• Untermeitingen
• Pullach im Isartal
• Taufkirchen
• Oberhaching
• Oberschleissheim
• Garching bei Munchen
• Kirchheim bei Munich
• Vaterstetten
• Unterschleissheim
• Strasslach-Dingharting
• Groebenzell

All related maps of Munich

• Map of Moosbach
• Map of Unterfohring
• Map of Unterhaching
• Map of Untermeitingen
• Map of Neubiberg
• Map of Pullach im Isartal
• Map of Neuried
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• Map of Strasslach-Dingharting
• Map of Germering
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• Map of Groebenzell

Munich throughout the year

• Munich in January
• Munich in February
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• Munich in August
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• Munich in October
• Munich in November
• Munich in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Munich?

Get inspired for your trip to Munich with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Munich Itinerary
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World Map » Germany » City » Munich » Munich Tourist Attractions Map

Munich Tourist Attractions Map

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Munich, Germany Travel Guide Explore Bavaria's Famous Big City

Below is our interactive Munich map showing the tourist attractions. Click the map markers to see more information on Munich's top attractions.

Munich Travel Toolbox

Munich's train station or Hauptbahnhof is pretty central. You can walk easily into the historic center of Munich from the station.

From Munich's airport, Franz Josef Strauss Flughafen, you can get to the Hauptbahnhof using S-Bahn #8.

You can find public transportation maps to download from the Munich tourist office.

Many, if not most, of Munich's museums are closed on Monday.

Did You Know...

• Munich was founded: June 14th, 1158 by Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony.
• It's Germany's third largest city.
• Munich has the second biggest number of working people in Germany.
• Munich has 10 Universities as well as 45 Museums and Collections.

Tourist Information - Munich

Munich's Tourist Information Centers cen be found at the main train station and the Marienplatz, both located on our Munich map.

Getting There and Getting Around

From Munich's airport, Franz Josef Strauss Flughafen , you can get to the Hauptbahnhof (the city's main train station) by S-Bahn #8. The bus station is near the train station, which is located on the northwest corner of the old city.

To find airplane, bus, train, and even carpool options for getting to and around Munich, use the transoprtation widget below:

Weather and Climate

To see what weather is contemplated for your Munich vacation dates, or to find out the current weather conditions, see Munich travel weather and historic climate .

Lodging Map: Where to Stay in Munich

If you do one thing outside of Munich, make it a trip to Dacchau.

The memorial is well documented in English and you should have no trouble understanding what went on by simply going there yourself. However, a guided tour offers you insights you may not get by just wandering through the exhibits, and the transportation aspects of getting to Dachau from Munich are much easier with a tour.

Dachau Tours

To get to the Dachau Memorial on your own from the main train station, descend down to the S-Bahn platforms and board any train on the S2 line with a desitnation marked as Dachau or Petershausen. From Dachau station, Bus 726 or 724 will take you to the Memorial.

If you find yourself in the tourist center near the Marienplatz, The Neues Rathaus (The New City Hall) has two "kellers", a winestaube and a beer cellar. The winestaube has music (accordion when we were there) starting at 5. The beer cellar has good food, but don't be persuaded to sit in one of the empty rooms, enter the hall from the Diener Street entrance and try to find a table in the big, noisy, main room where locals eat. Waiters do try to funnel English speaking people into dull, empty rooms.

The Hotel Monaco is the budget choice in Munich. It's near the train station. The highly-rated luxury choice is Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel , which includes a spa.

Bavaria Cities Map

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Munich Tours

See the best of the area. Let professionals explain Munich to you.

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Munich Tourist Attractions Map PDF

Printable Map of Munich Attractions, Walking Tours Map

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Munich Tourist Attractions Maps | City Tours Map

As the third largest city of Germany, Munich definitely has a lot to offer. Thus, visitors to the city may be able to benefit from the use of a Munich tour map that will guide them into exploring the city on their own.

This is why here at Tripindicator we have provided a free copy of the map of Munich that will serve as your guide into exploring the most exciting attractions in the Munich , such as the Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz, Englischer Garten, the Munich Residenz, and more! For an easier and more convenient way to explore the city, do check out our Munich interactive map. This is especially ideal for tourists who would prefer to access the map online instead of looking at a physical map. For tourists who prefer to carry with them an actual physical map of the city, then check out the printable map of Munich.

Our goal is to help make it easy for visitors to discover Munich's famous attractions. If you are not sure what to see in the city on your first visit, then the Munich city sightseeing maps will be useful for you. It's also possible to explore Munich on foot! But in order not to get lost in the busy city streets, go get yourself a copy of the Munich tourist map walking.

The Munich U-Bahn is Munich's mass transportation system and a great way to explore the city. If you're going to take the train, go check out our Munich metro map with attractions so you will know which places the metro will take you to. For a more comfortable way of exploring the city, check out our Munich hop on hop off bus map.

Regardless of the kind of traveler that you are, whether you're exploring Munich on your own or with a group of friends, we have different kinds of maps available for you to use. Aside from the Munich tourist map pdf and the printable tourist map of Munich, we also have a tourist information Munich map, which comes in very handy for tourists who have no idea which places to check out during their tour of the city.

• Interactive Munich Attractions Map
• Top Rated Munich Attractions

City Sightseeing Munich Hop on Hop off Map

Munich hop on hop off grayline, munich metro map, munich transport map, munich tourist map, munich walking tour map.

Top Munich Attractions Skip-the-line Tickets & Tours

Festive concert in the Cuvillies Theater including museum tour

Concert in the Old Court Chapel with museum and dinner

The Old Court Chapel including museum tour

Master concert in the Herkules Hall including museum tour

Masterconcert in the Max-Joseph-Hall including museum tour

Kunsthalle Munich Ticket

Residence Serenade

Residenz Gala Concert with Champagne Reception and Museum Tour

Top Incredible Travel Guides of Munich

Germany Travel Guide

Munich Germany: 4-day Itinerary and Map

Munich is the capital of Bavaria and Germany ‘s third-largest city on the banks of the Isar river and the Alps .

How to spend 4 days in Munich Germany

In this 4-day itinerary in Munich , discover the main attractions of the city.

Day 1 in Munich

Start the first day in Munich by visiting the Karlstor located on Karlsplatz which served as Munich’s defensive fortification in the Middle Ages .

Head to Marienplatz , the city’s main square, where the famous and beautiful buildings of the New Town Hall ( Neues Rathaus ), the Old Town Hall ( Altes Rathaus ), and the Mariensäule are located.

Near the square, you will find other famous attractions such as the Frauenkirche , one of the symbols of Munich , and the Peterskirche .

Walking around Marienplatz is a must, as the streets are full of shops, restaurants, department stores. Head to Residenz and also visit the beautiful Hofgarten .

Max-Joseph-Platz is another famous spot where the Nationaltheater is located. Continuing through the square you will come out on the most luxurious street in Munich , Maximilianstrasse , in which several designer brands are found.

Englischer Garten is located 900 meters (0.6 miles) from Maximilianstrasse and Isartor , another city gate, is located 550 meters (0.3 miles) from Maximilianstrasse .

350 meters (0.2 miles) from the Isartor , is located the Hofbräuhaus brewery .

All these attractions can be easily visited on foot, as they are close to each other.

Things to see

Marienplatz

• Neues Ratraus
• Altes Rathaus
• Frauenkirche
• Peterskirche
• Nationaltheater

Maximilianstrasse

• Hofbräuhaus

Englischer Garten

Day 1 Itinerary Map

Day 2 – Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich

Take a day trip to visit the beautiful and famous Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle .

The castles are located 121 km (75.18 miles) from Munich and can be easily accessed by public transport or by car.

If you prefer, there are also several tours available.

• Neuschwanstein Castle
• Hohenschwangau Castle

Day 2 Itinerary Map

Day 3 in Munich

Start the day by visiting Schloss Nymphenburg located 15 minutes from the center of Munich .

After visiting the castle head to the BMW Welt and then visit the Olympiapark .

• Schloss Nymphenburg
• Olympiapark

Day 3 Itinerary Map

Day 4 in Munich

On the fourth day in Munich visit the Deutsches Museum and enjoy the view of the Isar River .

The Königsplatz is located 2.6 km (1.6 miles) from the Deutsches Museum , on the square are the Glyptothek and Staatliche Antikensammlung museums specializing in Greek and Roman art and the three “ Pinakotheken ” galleries ( Alte Pinakothek , Neue Pinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne ).

• Deutsches Museum
• Pinakotheken
• Staatliche Antikensammlung

Day 4 Itinerary Map

Sights in Munich

1. frauenkirche.

The Frauenkirche was completed in 1488. It is one of the symbols of Munich .

It has 109 meters long and 40 meters wide and two twin towers 10 meters high and its Renaissance domes.

Frauenplatz 12, 80331

2. Residenz

The Residenz served as the seat of government and residence of the Dukes of Bavaria, electors, and kings from 1508 to 1918.

It began in 1385 as a castle in the northeast corner of the city. It was transformed by the rulers over the centuries into a magnificent palace, buildings, and gardens.

Residenzstraße 1, 80333

3. Hofgarten

The creation of the Hofgarten began in 1613 at the same time that extensions and buildings were erected by Duke Maximilian I.

The garden has been redone several times. Restoration work was made after World War II.

Hofgartenstraße 1, 80538

4. Marienplatz

Marienplatz is the central square of Munich since 1807.

In addition to the Neues Rathaus, you will find the building of the old Town Hall ( Altes Rathaus ) with its reconstructed tower. Another notable landmark is the Mariensäule .

Marienplatz is also a popular shopping destination and has several department stores and restaurants.

5. Hofbräuhaus

Hofbräuhaus is Munich ‘s most famous brewery. The location is ideal to try the Bratwurst, Pretzel, and a beer in one of those large glasses.

Platzl 9, 80331 

6. Englischer Garten

The Englisher Garten is not only the largest urban park in Germany , covering an area of 910 acres with more than 100 bridges, it is also one of the most beautiful.

7. Nymphenburg Castle

The Nymphenburg Castle is located in the western part of Munich .

The castle owes its foundation as a summer residence for the birth of the expected heir to the throne, Max Emanuel, born in 1662, son of the prince-elector Ferdinand Maria and Adelaide of Savoy.

Schloß Nymphenburg 1, 80638

8. Olympiapark

The Olympiapark was built in 1972 for the Olympic Summer Games and represents one of the most impressive testimonies of modern Munich .

Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809

9. BMW Museum

The BMW Musem is located in the immediate vicinity of the Olympiapark .

The vehicles and motors on display illustrate the history of cars, motorcycles produced in the Bavarian factories.

Am Olympiapark 2, 80809

10. Deutsches Museum

The Deutsches Museum is located on the banks of the Isar river. It was founded in 1903 and is among the oldest museums in the world of science and technology.

Museumsinsel 1, 80538

11. Allianz Arena

The Allianz Arena is located in the northern part of Munich. It was inaugurated in 2005.

It is one of the most modern stadiums in Europe .

Werner-Heisenberg-Allee 25, 80939

12. Maximilianstrasse

The Maximilianstrasse is one of the main avenues in Munich .

The western part of the avenue is known for its galleries, designer shops, luxury boutiques.

13. Nationaltheather

The Nationaltheater is a historic opera house.

It houses the Bavarian State Opera, the Bavarian State Orchestra, and the Bavarian State Ballet.

Max-Joseph-Platz 2, 80539

14. Karlstor

The Karlstor served as the main defense fortification of Munich in the Middle Ages.

It is located in a portion of Munich ‘s pedestrian area a few minutes from the Marienplatz .

It is one of the busiest areas in the city.

Neuhauser Str. 47, 80331

15. Isartor

The Isartor is one of the 4 gates of the ancient fortification of medieval Munich . It was built in 1337.

The tower houses today a humorous museum dedicated to Karl Valentin.

16. Siegestor

The Siegestor is a 3-arched door with a Bavarian statue with a lion chariot.

The Siegestor is 21 meters high.

Leopoldstr. 1, 80539

17. Odeonsplatz

The Odeonsplatz is a large public square in the center of Munich .

The square has traditionally been an important venue for public events.

Odeonsplatz

18. Königsplatz

The Königsplatz is a 19th century square with neoclassical style. The area around the square houses the Kunstareal .

It is composed of three “ Pinakotheken ” ( Alte Pinakothek , Neue Pinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne ), the museums Glyptothek and the Staatliche Antikensammlung specialized in Greek and Roman art.

Königsplatz 1, 80333

19. Viktualienmarkt

The Viktualienmarkt is a daily market located in a square in the center of Munich .

The market has approximately 140 stalls offering flowers, fruits, juices, cheeses.

Viktualienmarkt 3, 80331

20. Isar River

The Isar river is a tributary of the Danube River. It has an extension of 295 km.

The source of the river is in Karwendel and from there runs through Munich .

21. Sendlinger Tor

The Sendlinger Tor is located at the south end of the city in the old town of Munich .

It separates the old town from the Isar suburb.

Sendlinger Tor

Dachau is located 20 km from Munich . It is famous for its Concentration Camp built by the Nazis in 1933.

The Dachau Concentration Camp was the first camp built in Germany .

Today it houses a museum about the prisoners and their journey to death or liberation through their biographies.

Dachau, 85221

Where to stay in Munich

1. hilton munich.

The Hilton Munich is located in the Haidhausen district.

Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar.

Rosenheimer Str. 15, 81667

2. Europa Munich

The Europa Munich is located 6 minutes by tram from the Karlsplatz .

The hotel has 162 rooms equipped with a flat-screen TV, work desk, minibar.

Dachauer Str. 115, 80335

3. Aloft Munich

The Aloft Munich is located in the heart of the city.

Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a safe.

Bayerstraße 37, 80335

4. Eurostars Munich

The Eurostars Munich is located near the Central Station .

Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, safe, minibar, coffee maker.

The hotel has a swimming pool and a sauna.

Arnulfstraße 35, 80636 

Shopping in Munich

1. oberpollinger munich.

The Oberpollinger is an elegant space that has several luxury brands of clothes, accessories.

The beauty department is the largest in the city.

Neuhauser Str. 18, 80331

2. Karstadt Munich

Karstadt is a German department store chain with many stores in Germany .

The company features brands like Cacharel, Clarins, Coach, Desigual, Estée Lauder.

Bahnhofpl. 7, 80335

3. Fünf Hofe Munich

The Fünf Hofe has exclusive shops, bistros and cafés.

Theatinerstraße 15, 80333

4. Outlet Ingolstadt Village

The Outlet Ingolstadt Village is located 40 minutes from Munich . It was opened in 2005 and has more than 70 boutiques.

Brands: Armani, Escada, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gucci, Jimmy Choo.

Otto-Hahn-Straße 1, 85055 Ingolstadt, Germany

5. Galeria Kaufhof Munich

Galeria Kaufhof is a German department store chain with many stores in Germany .

The company features brands like Esprit, S. Oliver, Tom Taylor, Gerry Weber, Tommy Hilfiger, Bugatti, Olymp.

Kaufingerstraße 1-5, 80331

Plan your Trip

Munich  has easy train access from various cities in Germany . Famous cities nearby: Füssen , Garmisch-Partenkirchen , Augsburg ,  Regensburg .

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – 89.3 km (55.5 miles)

Augsburg – 79.2 km (49.2 miles)

Regensburg – 125 km (77.7 miles)

Berlin – 585 km (363 miles)

Dresden – 462 km (287 miles)

Würzburg – 278 km (172 miles)

Bamberg – 229 km (142 miles)

Book a Train Trip

Munich Germany Map

Book your trip, book your accommodation.

Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights to Germany by using  Momondo . Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many budget carriers.

Book a Train Ticket

Check the train routes and schedules with Omio . Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com .

10 Best Luxury Hotels in Munich

Shopping in Munich: Gift Ideas, Malls, Department Stores and Boutiques

15 Best Hotels in Munich City Center and Surroundings

10 Reasons to Visit Munich

Tegernsee Lake: Destinations, Things to do & Best Hotels

10 Suggested Itineraries for Germany + Top Destinations

Outlets & Department Stores in Germany: Shopping Guide

40 Popular Train Routes in Germany

German States Map

German States and Regions

Account Options

Stories by Soumya

The Travel Blog of a Culture Addict

25 Best Places To Visit In Munich Germany + Interactive Map

Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Soumya

Traveling to Munich and not sure what to do? Looking for a list of the most beautiful places to visit in Munich Germany? Keen to find out what are the best Munich attractions that you should not miss? You are in luck because we have the just the perfect guide for you!

Munich is an amazing city filled with food, art, culture, nature, and of course a ton of history. There are so many wonderful places to visit in Munich that you will find yourself running short of time.

Munich was the first stop on my 10-day Germany itinerary . Even though I was full of enthusiasm and stuffed multiple tourist places into my 2-day Munich itinerary , I barely scratched the surface.

The city’s beautiful architecture, resplendent palaces, magnificent churches , and an interesting history (that is outright bone-chilling at times) keep calling me back. Honestly, I can go back and spend a couple of weeks in the city and not be done with all of Munich’s beautiful places.

To make it a little less overwhelming for you, I have created this ultimate Munich travel guide. In this post, you will find everything you need to plan your trip to this historic city including a list of the best places to visit in Munich, best places to stay, amazing tours, and easy travel options.

If you would like to read more about Munich, here are some related posts.

• Easy-to-plan 2-day itinerary for Munich Germany
• 11 Magnificent churches of Munich that you need to see
• The ultimate guide to Marienplatz: Munich’s historic center

Table of Contents

25 Amazing places to visit in Munich

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link on this post. This will be at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links help me keep this website up and running. Thanks for your support!

Marienplatz

Whether you are in Munich for one day or many, Marienplatz is the first place you should be stopping at. The historic center of Munich since 12th century, Marienplatz has been the venue of festivities, markets, and tournaments for nearly 1000 years now. Today, it is one the best sights to see in Munich.

Here you will find several important monuments such as the old and new town halls, a historic fish fountain, the Marian column which holds great religious importance, and the Glockenspiel – a mechanical clock that presents a free dance and joust show everyday.

There are several lovely restaurants and cafes in and around Marienplatz. It is the perfect place to start your day with pretzel, coffee, and a dip into German history.

I loved Marienplatz so much, I went ahead and wrote a dedicated guide for Marienplatz which I am sure you will love.

Neues Rathaus – New Town Hall

Location: Marienplatz

One of the most impressive places to visit in Munich is the New Town Hall or Neues Rathaus.

A very tall and long Gothic building, the New Town Hall was built between 1867 – 1909 when its old counterpart ran out of space. It is located right there on Marienplatz and is the most visible structure in the area. On its front wall, you will find the Glockenspiel.

The best part about Neues Rathaus is the observation deck at the top of the tower which provides some of the most beautiful views of central Munich . You will also be able to see the domes and steeples of iconic Munich churches – Peterskirche, Frauenkirche, and Theatinekirche.

What’s better is you don’t even need to climb steps to get there. Simply get on an elevator and you will be there in a jiffy! Check here for opening hours and admission .

Altes Rathaus – Old Town Hall

The old town hall (built in the 14th century) is just a minute away from the new one. After having undergone several changes in the 600 years of its existence, the Old Town Hall features designs from all kinds of architectural styles such as Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic.

You will find some interesting statues on the façade – of Ludwig of Bavaria and Henry, the Lion. Enter if you wish to check out a historic toy museum filled with models of trains and doll houses. Kids will love this place.

It is always fun to discover Munich’s historic sights like the Altes Rathaus on a guided tour. Here are some of my favorite ones.

• This 3-hour segway tour takes you to all popular Munich places and tourist attractions.
• Explore iconic and most beautiful Munich places of interest on this highlights of the old town tour .

St. Peter’s Church – Peterskirche

Location: Rindermarkt 1

Munich has some of the most beautiful churches in Europe. And one of my favorites is St. Peter’s Church right by the side of Marienplatz.

A 12th-century Roman Catholic church, Peterskirche is the oldest in Munich. It was rebuilt and renovated several times following the fire of 1368 and the Second World War which is why you will now see a Gothic structure complete with a Baroque high altar and some beautiful ceiling frescoes in the Rococo style.

St. Peter’s has a tall tower that you can climb up to get some stunning views of the city. Locals fondly refer to this 300ft tower as Alter Peter or Old Pete and it is one of Munich’s most remarkable landmarks.

Munich Cathedral – Frauenkirche

Location: Frauenplatz 12

Next up on our Munich bucket list of beautiful sights is another one of Munich’s beautiful churches known as Frauenkirche. This is the largest church in the city and also the Munich Cathedral.

If you have ever seen a picture of Munich with an orange-roofed Gothic church serenaded by two tall towers with green onion domes, then you must know I am talking of Frauenkirche.

Located only a stone’s throw away from Marienplatz, Frauenkirche is one of the most popular places to visit in Munich. And that is because it is home to the famous and intriguing Devil’s Footprint that you will find here. Other unmissable highlights include the Wittelsbach Monument and 20 chapels dedicated to various saints, apostles, and even merchant guilds.

Also read: 11 Beautiful churches of Munich that you need to visit

Medieval Town Gates

Did you know there were medieval gates in Munich? I had no idea when I first visited.

Apparently, Munich had 7 town gates in the medieval times, 3 of which still survive. They are called Karlstor, Isartor, and Sendlingertor. You can reach all of them within minutes of walking from Marienplatz. (Find directions in the interactive map below )

Viktualienmarkt

Location: Viktualienmarkt 3, 2-min walk from St. Peter’s Church

Fan of fresh, local produce or looking to pick some souvenirs? Stop by the Victuals Market (Viktualienmarkt) in Munich.

One of the best places to visit in Munich, the Viktualienmarkt is a treasure trove of everything German. Fruits, flowers, herbs, wine, sausages, and even garden dolls – you will find literally everything you want at the Victuals Market.

There are many good restaurants around if you are looking for a quick bite or an elaborate lunch. Two of my favorite places are Sababa and The Munich Soup Kitchen .

If you would like to explore the culinary delights of Viktualienmarkt on a guided tour, here are a couple of highly recommended ones.

• Immerse yourself in Bavarian delicacies and Victuals Market life on this 2-hour gourmet food tour .
• Sample the best Bavarian food and beer on this 3-hour evening tour .

Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall

Location: Platzl 9, 5-min walk from Marienplatz

Munich largest and most famous beer hall – Hofbrauhaus – is only a 5-min walk from Marienplatz. It was built in the late 16th century by a Bavarian Duke and hence, is more than 400 years old.

They serve different types of Hofbrau beers – Original, Dunkel, and Oktoberfestibier – and the Munchner Weisse. Plus, they have a full food authentic Bavarian menu if you are hungry. With an oompah band playing in the background and lederhosen-clad waiters milling around, the experience at Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall is as German as it gets.

That said, this place can get a little touristy and crowded during the day. But you know what they are open throughout the year – 9am – midnight!

Apart from being a quintessential beer hall, Hofbrauhaus also has a dark history that not many people will tell you about. In February 1920, Hitler presented the 25-point program in the Hofbrauhaus Festival Hall which eventually gave birth to the Nazi party. It was also here that Hitler first condemned the Jews and threatened to strip them of their rights.

Munich Residenz

Location: Residenstrasse 1, 2-mins from Odeonplatz

Visiting Munich Residenz was the highlight of my 2-day Munich itinerary . I had been so looking forward to check out this beautiful German palace and honestly, it went beyond all my expectations.

Munich Residenz was the official home of the Royal Wittelsbach family for 400 long years. It consists of 130 rooms, 10 courtyards, a church, and a theater. In short, the palace is huge and can take you an entire day to explore it all.

But if you are on a short trip like us, I suggest you check out The Hall of Antiquities (pictured here – it is even better than it seems in my photograph), The Treasury (for a glittery display of royal jewelry), and the Cuvilles Theater (where Mozart performed Idomeneo for the first time). You can even attend a gala concert at Cuvilles .

It is hard to believe that such a colossal palace complex exists in the center of a bustling city like Munich. But it is right there – only a 5-minute walk from Marienplatz.

Field Marshall’s Hall – Feldherrnhalle

Location: Odeonplatz

Feldherrnhalle or the Field Marshall’s Hall is a big hall on Odeonplatz with three prominent arches.

Doesn’t it remind you of the famous Loggia dei Lanzi beside Uffizi Gallery in Florence ? That is because Feldherrnhalle was inspired (and was in fact a copy of) by Loggia dei Lanzi. Built between 1841 – 1844 on the orders of King Ludwig I who was an avid admirer of Italian art and architecture, it is not difficult to guess why!

Feldherrnhalle is a unique Munich landmark that features sculptures of brave Bavarian commanders and two bronze lions. However, what makes it different is its connection with Germany’s Nazi past.

It was here in Feldherrnhalle that Hitler’s coup attempt in November 1923 was foiled. When Hitler eventually came to power, the Field Marshall’s Hall became a Nazi party icon. People who wanted to pass in front of it had to perform the Nazi salute.

Today, the hall is a great place to relax and people-watch after a long day of sightseeing Munich’s best places. Yet, it hides some of the worst nightmares of European history!

Are you a WW2 history buff? You are going to love these Third Reich guided tours in Munich.

Theatine Church – Theatinekirche

Right next to Feldherrnhalle is an impressive, yellow-colored Catholic church called the Theatinekirche.

Built in the High Baroque style and inspired by a minor basilica in Rome, Theatine Church is a head-turner and almost tops my list of the best places to visit in Munich. Its Rococo façade and two tall towers bordering it are the most remarkable. The bright yellow color adds an extra Mediterranean flair to the monument.

If you ever feel depressed by the dull brown color and WW II stories of Feldherrnhalle, just hop into Theatinekirche on your right. It will definitely bring a smile to your lips.

Alte Pinakothek Museum

Location: Barer Strasse 27

One of the largest art galleries in the world, Alte Pinakothek or Old Pinakothek boasts of a fine collection of paintings by European masters, all dated between 14th – 18th century.

The museum was founded by Ludwig I of Bavaria in 1836 and the private collection of the Wittelsbach monarchs formed the core of Alte Pinakothek. Some of the most unmissable paintings at the museum include self portraits by Rembrandt and Albrecht Durer, & Virgin and Child by Leonardo da Vinci.

Alte Pinakothek suffered considerable damage during WW2 and wasn’t restored until 1957. Luckily, however, much of its collection had been removed and stacked away in safety as early as 1939. Thanks to this foresightedness of the museum authorities, we are still able to enjoy such amazing art from the medieval times.

Pinakothek der Modern

Location: Barer Strasse 40, 3-min away from Alte Pinakothek

Are you a fan of modern art? Then Munich has the perfect place for you to visit – its vast contemporary art museum – Pinakothek der Modern.

Opened to the public in 2002, the museum building itself is impressive with large windows and high rise columns. Each corner of the building houses a different collection – art, design, works on paper, and architecture.

Asam Church – Asamkirche

Location: Sendlinger St. 32

Asamkirche is, by far, the prettiest church I have seen in Munich. Even though the façade is nothing remarkable, the inside of the church is gorgeous. Do not miss the ceiling fresco that depicts the life of Saint John Nepomuk. It is an absolute masterpiece.

The Asam Church was built by Asam brothers in early 18th century. It was meant to be a private chapel for the brothers (a painter and a sculptor who painted several other churches in Munich ) but was later opened to the public.

Ruhmeshalle with Bavaria Statue

Location: Theresienhöhe 16

One of the most iconic attractions of Munich, but not a very popular one, is the ensemble of Bavaria and Ruhmeshalle located near Theresienwiese, the venue of the famous beer festival Oktoberfest.

The ensemble includes a colossal bronze statue of Bavaria, the patroness of Bavarian state, and a Hall of Fame (Ruhmeshalle) commissioned by King Ludwig I. Ruhmeshalle is dedicated to the great men of Bavaria and is filled with marble busts of famous Bavarians including the artist Albrecht Durer.

If you love visiting halls of fame, check out Walhalla near Regensburg Germany . That is another iconic one.

English Garden

Englischer Garten or English Garden is a huge public park located in northeast Munich. It rivals New York’s Central Park and London’s Hyde Park in size – in fact I have heard it is bigger than the two of them.

There’s lots of interesting things to do at Englischer Garten including biergarten hopping. There are 4 beer gardens inside the park and The Seehaus at Kleinhesseloher See is the most famous.

Apart from running, jumping, and picnicking in the open green spaces of English Garden, be sure to check out some interesting monuments such as the Japanese Tea House, a Chinese Tower, and the Monopteros, a round Greek temple.

Olympiapark or Olympic Park of Munich

Location: Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21

Munich’s Olympiapark was built to host the 1972 Olympic games. Now the huge recreational park serves as a destination for sports and cultural events.

Of special interest is the tent-like roof that is an architectural delight. Today, you can participate in a roof climb activity and combine that with abseiling or flying fox experiences. Find more exciting activities and guided tours at Olympiapark here .

Sea Life Munich

Location: Olympiapark

Discover life under water at Sea Life Munich, a large aquarium that is home to more than 4500 animals in 33 displays.

They have the largest variety of sharks in Germany and a brand new tropical island. Visitors love their fish feeding time and the touch pool where you can actually feel a sea anemone in your hands. If you are visiting Munich with kids, Sea Life is the perfect place to be.

Be sure to book your Sea Life skip-the-line day ticket online to avoid queues.

BMW Welt & Museum

Automobile fans will love checking out vehicle exhibitions at BMW Welt and Museum located right next to Munich’s Olympiapark. Even the building’s futuristic architecture is ever so appealing.

You can choose to visit the exhibitions in BMW Welt, take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the company, or experience behind the scenes at the BMW Plant. Click here to learn more about their guided tours.

Deutches Museum

Location: Museumsinsel 1

Munich is the city of museums and one of the most amazing ones is the Deutsches Museum located not very far away from the historic center of Marienplatz .

It is a huge science museum (one of the largest in the world) with 35 different sections focusing on everything that you can think of. There are sections on astronomy, ceramics, computers, glass-blowing, technical toys, and what not! There’s also a kid’s section as well as a planetarium for some fun family time in Munich.

If you are science and technology geek or have a family/group full of them, plan to spend at least half-a-day at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. We were there for a couple of hours and honestly, I don’t think we saw anything at all. There was just so much to explore.

Find more information on exhibits, hours, and admission visit the official website of Deutsches Museum here .

Bavarian National Museum

Location: Prinzregentenstraße 3

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Munich, Bavarian National Museum is home to a rich collection of European art spanning over 2000 years.

Paintings, sculptures, porcelain, furniture, carvings, and musical instruments – get read to get a comprehensive tour of European art and culture here. Check here for opening hours and tickets .

NS-Documentation Center in Munich

Location: Konigsplatz

Keen to learn more about the history of National Socialism, a force that changed the face of the world? Head to Munich Documentation Center on Konigsplatz.

Built on the site of the former headquarters of the Nazi Party, the Documentation Center gives you a deeper look into the history of NSDAP and the role of Munich as its birthplace.

The permanent exhibition “Munich and National Socialism”, aided by photographs, documents, and media, is insightful and thought-provoking. Various temporary exhibitions touching upon different aspects of the Nazi regime are held throughout the year. Refer to the Documentation Center website for exhibition details and hours.

If you are a history geek and planning to visit the most iconic WW2 sites in Germany, Munich Documentation Center is a good place to start.

Beer and Oktoberfest Museum

Location: Sternecker Strasse 2

Are you in Munich not just to drink all that beer but also to learn a little about the story of beer and trace its origins?

Beer and Oktoberfest Museum in Munich is the best place to go to. Located on Sternecker Strasse 2, it is just a 5 minutes walk from Marienplatz.

Nymphenburg Palace & Gardens

Location: Nymphenburg

Schloss Nymphenburg is one of the prettiest German palaces I have been to. Resplendent palace rooms, a carefully-manicured garden as huge as the one at Versailles, and several museums on site make Nymphenburg Palace one of the most attractive places to visit in Munich.

It is located in the western fringes of Munich city and makes for a great half-day trip from Munich. If you are short on time, be sure to check out the Stone Hall and the Beauty Gallery of King Ludwig I. Do not miss walking through the gardens and checking out those pretty tea houses, bathing places (Badenburg is so cute), and hunting lodges (check out the Rococo-styled Amalienburg).

Find opening hours and admission on the official website here .

Also read: 18 Stunning palaces and castles to visit in Germany

Schleissheim Palace Complex

Location: Oberschleissheim

Another great place to visit in Munich that I, unfortunately could not explore on my last Germany trip , is Schloss Schleissheim. Located in a suburb near Munich, this is another pretty Bavarian palace and a stunning example of Baroque architecture.

Take a tour of the new and old palaces and wander through the Court Garden for a true feeling of royalty. Here is an amazing virtual tour of the palace that is enough to feed your wanderlust and make you want to pack your bags right now.

Check here for opening hours, admission, and photography restrictions.

Interactive map of best places to visit in Munich

Practical information for visiting Munich

Best time to visit munich.

The best time to visit Munich is undoubtedly in spring and summer when the weather is pleasant. It is also the time Bavaria harvest its crop of white asparagus, also known as white gold. So, be ready to find it on menus everywhere and honestly, it is one of my favorite things to eat in Bavaria.

We visited in May and it was fun walking around during the day. At night, it often got a little chilly. So, I would advise carrying a jacket.

September – October is a great time if you are planning to attend Munich uber-famous Oktoberfest. And December is good (but cold) if you are a fan of German Christmas markets.

Remember that Munich gets super crowded during Oktoberfest as well as in summers. So, be sure to make your hotel reservations well in advance.

Best places to stay in Munich

The best place to stay in Munich Old Town because that will ensure you are close to most Munich attractions. Plus, you won’t be spending a lot of time traveling between places.

Here are some great places to stay in Munich Old Town or close-by for all budgets.

• Hotel Eder : A cute, little, family-run place, Hotel Eder boasts of clean rooms, helpful staff, and a traditional German breakfast. They tend to fill up fast. So make sure you reserve your stay super soon .
• Hotel ADRIA München: This is a great 3-star option with tasteful décor is not very close to Marienplatz but walkable (15minutes). Its bright red façade makes it one of the prettiest buildings on the street. Spacious rooms and friendly staff make it one of the best places to stay in Munich. Book your stay at Hotel ADRIA München here.
• Hotel Torbrau: A historic, 4-star hotel in Old Town Munich, Hotel Torbrau is a cozy and friendly place to stay. You need to walk only 5 minutes to get to Marienplatz. Get a room at Hotel Torbrau here.

However, please keep in mind that staying in the city center is definitely going to cost more than elsewhere. So, if time and commute isn’t a constraint, please feel free to find more hotels in Munich here.

Getting to Munich

Franz Josef Strauss International Airport/Munich Airport is the closest airport to Munich city.

From Munich Airport, it is easy to get to the city center by train, bus, or taxi. Hop into an S-Bahn (S1/S8) to get to your destination. Or board the Lufthansa Express bus that is equipped with Wifi and newspapers.

If you are looking for a private transfer to or from the airport, then this one has great reviews.

Getting around Munich

You will notice that there are lots of amazing places to visit in and around Marienplatz in Munich . The best part is that you can easily walk to each and everyone of them. Frankly, if I am there in Munich for just one day, I would spend the entire day exploring Marienplatz and nearby, entirely on foot!

Munich’s hop-on hop-off bus tour is also a popular way of seeing the best of the city without having to walk. It is available in 1-day and 2-day versions.

On other days, when you need to travel to other Munich attractions such as the palaces of Nymphenburg and Schleissheim, Olympiapark and Sea Life, or the English Garden, I highly recommend using Munich’s public transport (goes by the acronym MVV).

The city has an efficient network of S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, and buses that make travel extremely convenient. We always got a MVV day ticket when we were planning ride the public transport multiple times in a day. Helped save some precious Euros!

Use MVV Journey Planner or the MVV App to plan all your local commutes. If you are looking for city cards and passes, check out the section on travel essentials below.

Munich travel FAQ

What should you not miss in munich.

When in Munich, do not miss the history and architecture at Marienplatz, the open green spaces of Englischer Garten, the mindblowing frescoes and Rococo designs of Munich’s churches , and of course a mug of beer at the beer gardens.

What area of Munich is best to stay?

The best area to stay in Munich is the old town of Munich or Altstadt-Lehel in local language. Many of Munich’s best attractions are clustered around Altstadt-Lehel which makes traveling between places super convenient.

Is Munich worth visiting?

Munich, the capital city of Bavaria, is absolutely worth visiting for its history (both medieval and WW2), stunning churches such as the Frauenkirche and Asamkirche, Bavarian food and beer. Munich also makes for a great springboard for day trips to other beautiful places in Bavaria such as Neuschwanstein, Regensburg, and Berchtesgaden.

Is Munich a walkable city?

Munich’s Old Town is very walkable. If you are only visiting the monuments in and around Marienplatz (which is quite huge in itself), then you can do everything on foot. If you wish to venture a little away from the center, I suggest you use Munich’s efficient public transport.

Munich Germany Travel Essentials

• Use  Get Your Guide  to find great deals and discounts on tours, attractions, and more across the city. I highly recommend it and use it all the time.
• Public transport system in Munich is called MVV. If you are looking for inexpensive public transport within Munich and surrounding MVV districts, I highly recommend getting a single or group day ticket on MVV.
• If you plan to do one or more day trips from Munich, use a Bayern Ticket. Read my complete Bayern Ticket guide to figure out the how, why, and where.
• Find the  best hotels in Munich Germany here .
• Get a  CityTourCard for Munich  if you wish to see a lot when you are here. It offers you free public transport and discounts on several attractions.
• I prefer to get a Turbopass for Munich because that covers a lot more of what I want to see in the city.

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• DB Bayern Ticket: How To Travel Cheap Within Bavaria…
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• Marienplatz: The Historical Heart Of Munich Germany

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‎ Germany ‎ > Munich > Free Munich Walking Tour Map

Top 10 Munich Tips | Suggested Itineraries For Munich

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Old Town Walking Tour
• English Garden Walking Tour
• Oktoberfest
• Dachau Memorial
• More Sights
• Overview & Dates
• Top 25 Oktoberfest Tips
• Best Beer Tents
• How To Dress
• Most Popular Songs
• Table Reservations
• Beer and Wine Tips
• History Of Oktoberfest
• Best Day Trips
• Helpful Tourist Tips
• Suggested Itineraries for Munich
• Transportation Tips
• Historical Overview

Free Munich Walking Tour:

Walking Tour Location : Old Town Munich ( Altstadt ) Cost : Free, Self-Guided ( Museum and sight costs below ) Style : Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided ) Start : Karlsplatz Stachus Square & Metro Stop End : Hofbräuhaus Beer Hall & Restaurant Walking Distance : 2.5 miles Time :  90 Minutes for Walk ( Full tour 6+ hours with all stops ) Fun Scale : 9.5 out of 10

Munich’s compact Old Town is one of our favorite places to walk in Europe. Primarily geared toward pedestrians, the neighborhood truly is where old meets new and is a perfect setting for a free walking tour.  Originally surrounded by a series of Medieval walls, you still enter Old Town Munich through the mighty city gates.  Once inside you’ll experience great shopping mixed in with historic beers halls, amazing museums, and even a royal palace.  The Bavarian atmosphere is very predominate everywhere you turn which adds to the fun of our free Munich walking tour.

To help you maximize your time in this wonderful city we have put together the perfect self-guided walking tour of Old Town for you.  We go to Munich often, and this walking tour will make sure you hit up all the must-see attractions along with a couple of hidden gems.  Enjoy our free Munich walking tour map!

Historical Overview of Old Town:

Settled by Benedictine Monks in the 700s, Old Town Munich is full of rich history.  While Munich ( München ) means “by the monks”, you’ll see a lot of Lion Statues on this Old Town Munich walking tour because it was officially founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion.  Early-day Munich was less than 1 square mile centered on Market Square and was surrounded by a gated Medieval wall.

As a growing trading power, Old Town Munich tripled in size by the 1300s and was surrounded by a larger wall with a wide moat to protect the booming city.  The expansion of Old Town was largely fueled by Munich’s Wittelsbach family who took over ruling Bavaria in 1180 and quickly moved the capital from Regensburg to Munich.  The powerful family formed an imperial dynasty through the year 1918 and even produced multiple Holy Roman Emperors along the way.  Old Town Munich quickly became known around Europe for its museums, its beauty, and of course its festive beer halls.

Dark days came upon Munich after Hitler helped form the Nazi Party here starting in 1919 which eventually led to Old Town being heavily bombed in World War 2.  Luckily as the new modern Munich rose out of the ashes, many of the historic sights were persevered or rebuilt.  Today, Old Town Munich has a ton of great attractions and an unbeatable atmosphere to keep you coming back again and again.  The sights on this free Munich walking tour will help you experience true Bavarian charm as you fall in love with Munich.

1. Karl’s Square – Stachus ( Karlsplatz ):

About Karlsplatz : We love to start our free Munich walking tour by entering one of Old Town’s city wall gates which date back to Medieval times.  Our favorite gate is the castle-like New House Gate ( Neuhausertor ) on the Westside of Old Town near Karlsplatz Square.  This lively square has been the primary Western entrance into Munich’s Old Town since the original Inner City Wall ( Innere Stadtmauer, built 1156-75 ) was expanded into the Outer City Wall ( Äußere Stadtmauer, built 1285-1347 ) to fit a rapidly growing city.

First built as a single tower gate called New House Tower ( Neuhauser turm ) in 1302, this was one of 4 main gates making up Munich’s new outer boundary.  The entrance you see today was added right in front of the of the tall tower in 1337 as part of a new double-walled ditch which opened up to a wide protective moat that surrounded the entire city of Munich.  The only way to access the New House Gate was over an impressive drawbridge that spanned the length of the current Karlsplatz Square until a stone bridge replaced it after the 30 Years War in the 1600s ( See Photo ).  Following this post-war expansion, there were a total of 8 main gateways into the City Wall and almost 60 watchtowers scattered throughout Old Town Munich.

Most of the Western section of the city wall was later removed by Elector Karl Theodor in 1791 to make way for an expanding and modern city.  With the wall section removed and the moat filled in, Karl gave the newly formed square and old New House Gate a facelift which both came to bear his name ( Karlstor & Karlsplatz ) after his death in 1799.

While Karl ( reign 1777-99 ) did leave a positive mark on Munich by turning the royal hunting grounds as the English Garden park and expanding salt mining in Bad Reichenhall, he was widely unliked as a Wittelsbach-cousin outsider imported from the Netherlands.  One of his missteps was ending the beloved Scarlet Horse Race ( Scharlachrennen ) in 1786 which had been held outside the city walls near today’s Karlsplatz since 1448.  Karl also ended other local celebrations like the annual Butcher’s Leap which didn’t help his popularity with the commoners.

Because locals thought of Karl as an unfair ruler, they started calling the square by its nickname Stachus Square instead, after the Beim Stachus Pub that once stood near the New House Gate.  Notice how we prefer to call the gate by its original name of New House instead of Karlstor.  The tall central watch tower just inside the New House Gate was turned into gunpowder storage in the 1800s and remained standing until an explosion blew it up in 1857.

After devastating WW2 bombings, Karlsplatz Square required a ton of renovations, but has since turned into one of Old Town Munich’s focal points.  Part of the re-build incorporated three boy musician statues under the gate’s arch which came from the Market Fountain ( now the Fish Fountain ) in Munich’s main square which was also damaged in the war.  Huge retail centers now flank the New House Gate and overlook a sprawling fountain .  The fountain shoots dozens of water jets high into the air and is a popular attraction for people of all ages, especially kids.  In the Winter months, the fountain even becomes an ice skating rink.

Our favorite fountain in Munich called the Fountain Boy ( Brunnen Buberl ) , sits just inside the New House City Gate.  This playful fountain was originally built in the middle of Karlsplatz Square in 1895 before being moved to the pedestrian zone right before the 1972 Olympics.  The fountain depicts a naked boy shielding his face as Satyr ( a drunk Greek woodland God ) spits water at him.  Citizens were initially mad that a leaf didn’t cover the boy’s privates, but it has become the most popular fountain on this free Munich walking tour.  Photos : ( Gate in the 1600s | Inside of Gate in 1700s ).  360 Degree Panoramas : ( During the Day | At Night ).

2. Citizen’s Hall Church ( Bürgersaalkirche ):

About Citizen’s Hall : Built in 1709, the Citizen’s Hall ( Bürgersaalkirche ) building has been a famous meeting and gathering point through the centuries.  The bright pink facade of Citizen’s Hall really stands out among the neighboring buildings, but it is the interior’s gold-accented alter that truly shines.  The alter and painted frescoes were added in 1778 when the Citizen’s Hall was converted into a church .  Although it was heavily damaged in WW2 and largely rebuilt, the church now looks almost exactly like it did in the 1700s thanks to renovations.

On October 17th, 1810 mass was held at the Citizen’s Hall ( Bürgersaalkirche ) followed by a procession out of the city gates where a horse race was held for the 5th and final day of Prince Ludwig I’s wedding celebration.  The race was attended by 40,000 spectators and was the start of the modern Oktoberfest festival.  The tradition of the procession to the grounds from old town Munich still takes on Oktoberfest’s opening weekend.

The religious artwork inside Citizen’s Hall Church underwhelms many visitors, but it does have some wonderful pieces.  The best works are the reliefs on the altar, an interesting series of paintings on the nave walls, and an angel statue near the entrance you’ll for sure love.  History buffs will want to visit the lower level of the church for the tomb of Rupert Mayer , a famous Jesuit priest who stood up to the Nazis occupation.   Photo : ( Interior ).  Church Website : ( HERE ).

3. Richard Strauss Fountain :

About The Richard Strauss Fountain :  Often missed by tourists, the 18 foot tall Richard Strauss Fountain was designed to pay tribute to the composure’s most famous opera, Salome .  Strauss was born in Munich in 1864 and is one of the city’s few iconic musicians from his era which was dominated by cities like Salzburg, Berlin, and Vienna.  His composing talents made him the Kapellmeister of Munich by age 22, long before Strauss’ opera Salome was released in 1905.

The six different carved reliefs around the fountain’s column each depict a different scene from Salome.  The water pouring down the column from the large bowl above is supposed to symbolize the final dance in the opera called the Dance of the Seven Veils.  While most people walk right by the wonderful fountain without inspecting it, examining the details close up will help you appreciate its beauty.

One really interesting note about Richard Strauss is that his ancestors started the Hacker Brewery in Munich back in 1417.  In the late 1700s, Strauss’s paternal grandfather Joseph Pschorr bought out other relatives and even opened a second brewery called Pschorr next to the home Strauss was born in.  These two breweries later merged as Hacker-Pschorr and are now sold worldwide in addition to their beer halls and Oktoberfest tent in Munich.  Note that we will be ending this free Munich walking tour at the most famous brewery in town, the Hofbrauhaus.   Photo : ( Fountain With Tourists ).

4. Saint Michael’s Church ( Michaelskirche ):

About Michaelskirche : As you approach the doors of the massive Saint Michael’s Church, a gleaming bronze sculpture of the Archangel Michael fighting a demon-like Protestant peers down at as you.  Completed in 1588, the beautiful sculpture signals to the religious conflicts of Munich’s past.  This work is the only part of the Church’s original facade that survived the heavy Allied bombings during WW2.  The other rows of re-created statues on the front of the Church portray the Counter-Reformation , an anti-Protestant movement in the late 1500s which Saint Michael’s Church was the center of.

As you explore Saint Michael’s, the huge interior under a barrel-vaulted roof reaffirms the claim that it is the largest Renaissance church North of the Alps .  Saint Michael’s Church is so grand in size that it actually served as the head of the Catholic Church’s Counter-Reformation efforts in the 1500s.  Because of damage from the war, Saint Michael’s Church doesn’t have the same over-the-top stucco interior as many other churches in Munich have, but its size and historic value make it worth a quick stop.

Today the Church’s main attraction is the Royal Crypt which holds 40 decorative tombs mainly of the Wittelsbach family who ruled Bavaria from 1180 through 1918 AD.  Of the royal tombs, the most visited is that of “ Mad” King Ludwig II .  Ludwig was disliked in his day for being disconnected from the people and for being an over-spender, but is loved today for the numerous castles and palaces he built.  One of this castles, Neuschwanstein Castle, is so beautiful that it inspired Walt Disney to make his version of Snow White’s Castle.

Church Hours : Daily 9am-7pm; Thursday open until 845pm; Sunday open until 10pm.   Crypt Hours : Monday-Friday 930am-530pm; Saturday 930am-230pm.   Cost : Church Free, Crypt 2 euros.   Church Website : ( HERE ).

5. Saint Anna’s Church ( Damenstiftskirche ):

About Saint Anna’s Church : The exterior is so plain that you could easily miss the grand interior of Saint Anna’s Church ( Sankt Anna ).  There has been a chapel here continuously since 1440 which later became a Gothic church with a small convent.  In 1735, the old Gothic church made way for today’s  Ladies’ Pin Church ( Damenstiftskirche ) .  Since Medieval times, a Ladies’ Pin was a convent-like foundation for unmarried noblewomen and widows to devote themselves to without giving full vows as nuns.

If you are confused by the church having two names it is because Ladies’ Pin is often referred to by its nickname Saint Anna’s Church after Princess Maria Anna of Saxony ( 1728-1797 ) who served as the abbess after her husband died in 1777.  The beloved Anna was the Princess of Saxony and Poland before her marriage to Maximilian III also made her Electress of Bavaria.

The highlight of the Saint Anna’s Church was the amazing interior done by Munich’s famous Asam Brothers during the 1735 rebuild.  The brothers became world renown church builders for their over-the-top stucco interiors.  We will see the Asam Brothers’ home and elaborate show house church later on this free Munich walking tour.

During WW2 the interior of Saint Anna’s was badly damaged including the frescoes and stucco work.  While the interior has been masterfully restored you can tell the newer work based on its color.  Because they only had black and white photos to work off of in during the post-war restoration, many of the murals were given a sepia tone instead of guessing on the original colors.  The result is not quite the over-the-top antique grotto feel the church originally had in the 1700s, but the interior is still very beautiful.  Today grounds of Saint Anna’s former convent serve as an all-girls junior high school.

Church Hours : Doors are usually unlocked Dawn-Dusk and even if the nave is closed you can still see the interior through a large grate inside.   Cost :  Free.   Photos : ( Entrance Doors ).   Address : Damenstiftstraße #1.

6. Asamhof Passage :

About Asamhof Passage : Walking South of Saint Anna’s Church you’ll pass an amazing tree sculpture and then come to pedestrian corridor known as the Asamhof Passage.  This restaurant-lined alley is a hidden gem on Munich as it is filled with umbrella tables and tons of flowers.  Most of the restaurants stay open year round and have indoor seating in the Winter.  Our favorite place to eat in the passage is Café Bricelta ( website ).  As you walk the alley there are a number of cool statues which were added during rennovations to Asamho in the 1980s.  The most playful statue is that of a homeless man slumped over on the curb from 1982 called The Cold Night ( Die kalte Nacht ) .

7. Saint Johann Nepomuk Church ( Asamkirche ):

About Asamkirche : WOW!  At just 30 feet wide, this is truly one of the most amazing church interiors in the World.  In 1740, the famous Asam brothers moved into the house next door and started building their main showroom church. The brothers were known for over-the-top Rococo interiors and spared no lavish details with what is considered their masterpiece.  Officially named after St John of Nepomuk, the church is commonly known today as Asamkirche ( pronounced Ah-Sham Kear-Sha ).

Your experience starts with a breath-taking artistic facade complete with the figure of St. John of Nepomuk looking down from above 20-foot-tall large wooden doors.  Saint John of Nepomuk was a Christian priest who was tossed off the St Charles Bridge in Prague to die when he refused to tell the King secrets he had promised to keep private. He has since become a symbol of integrity and keeping your word and was the favorite Saint of Asam brothers.

The dark Baroque interior is ornately decorated with stucco, gilding, and paintings to the point where it almost looks like it is right off of an opera set. As you enter the church, a golden skeleton figure representing death cuts a man’s string of life reminding us all that no one escapes death.  The entire focus of the storybook interior funnels to a bright golden window meant to feel like the eye of God staring down at you.

It is amazing that the brothers fit so much detail into a church that only holds 12 pews.  Living in the neighboring house, they even made sure the high altar was visible from their bedroom rooms.  The finished work left quite on the impression on congregation representatives from around Europe who would come on private tours and place orders for the Asam brother’s to build new churches for them.

Hours :  Daily 9am-5pm, often until 6pm in the Summer. Saturday-Thursday 915am-6pm.  Cost : Free.  Photos : ( Exterior  | Interior Ceiling | Interior Wall | Asam House ).   Address : Sendlingerstraße #62.

8. “ New ” Sendlinger Gate ( Sendlinger Tor ):

About Sendlinger Tor : Munich’s first city wall expanded here in the late-1200s marked with a tall multistory central gate tower.  Although the original city gate 4 blocks to the Northeast was already called Sendlinger Tor, this new tower retained the same name because it was on the important Sendlinger Road .  This road was a main trade route in Medieval times and led from Munich to Italy.

Sendlinger Tor’s two brick towers you see today were built in 1318 and remain the oldest part of the 3 city gates still standing in Munich.  The towers were added in front of the central tower as part of a double wall surrounded by a moat complete with a large drawbridge.  The gateway was further fortified in the 1600s including the drawbridge being replaced by a hefty stone bridge.

Today the mighty brick gate is beautifully covered in vines and leads visitors into a series trendy shops.  Just outside the gate is the famous Sendlinger Tor Film Theater.   Opened in 1913, this vintage theater shows new release movies, however, the movie posters are still painted on just like the early days of film.  Photos : ( Gate in the 1600s | Gate in the 1600s close up | Back of Tower in 1805 ).

9. Munich City & Jewish Museums :

About The Museums :  Sitting inside a former 15th Century city arsenal, the Munich City Museum ( Münchner Stadtmuseum ) is one of only a few museums worth a stop in Munich.  The museum highlights all periods of Munich’s history, from its monk origins, the numerous fires, its time as the seat of Bavaria, the growth of the Nazi Party, and the effects of WW2.  One of the coolest exhibits at the City Museum is one that traces the past 200 years of Oktoberfest.  While a lot of exhibits are seasonal only, the Museum still makes for a great look into Munich’s culture, especially on a rainy day.

Sitting right next door to the City Museum is one of Munich’s hidden gems, the Jewish Museum .  The first Jewish museum in Munich opened back int 1928 and it was housed in a very cramped house.  This was around the same time that Hitler started forming his Nazi party and through the horrors of the Holocaust it is amazing that items still remain to display today.

The current Jewish Museum and was opened in 2007, 69 years after the Nazis tore down Munich’s synagogues.  It is modern looking building is filled with great exhibitions centered on Jewish history in Munich.  Instead of feeling like a Holocaust museum, the Jewish Museum is more like a cultural learning experience.  This is a great stop especially if you plan on visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial  while in Munich.

Visiting Hours : Both run Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm.  Admission Cost : They are each 4 euros, but if you go to the City Museum you get the Jewish Museum half off.  City Museum Website : ( HERE ).   Jewish Museum Website : ( HERE ).

10. Old Cattle Market Square ( Rindermarkt ):

About Rindermarkt :  Serving as City’s main cattle market in Medieval times, Rindermarket was built at the Southern entrance of Munich’s original city wall.  Dominating the square was the initial Sendlinger Tower Gate ( Sendlinger Tor ) which was built in 1175 and served as an important trading crossroads  because Sendlinger Straße was the main road out of Munich toward Italy.

By the early-1200s this section of the city wall already had to be slightly expanded and bubbled out along Rosenthal Street.  This expansion included another small gate called Rose Tower ( Rosenturm ) and a seven-story-tall brick water tower called the Lion Tower ( Löwenturm ) .  The impressive Lion Tower still survives today because in the 1500s it was incorporated into a large stately home to provide water for its garden.  It had almost been completely forgotten about until bombing in WW2 ruined the home and revealed the tower once again.

A citywide expansion of Munich’s original wall from 1285 to 1347 pushed this section outward 4 blocks and included the building of the New Sendlinger Tower Gate.  Parts of the Old City Wall were removed to make way for a larger cattle market surrounded by new homes for some of the wealthiest tradesmen in Munich, but the Interior Sendlinger Tower was left standing.

One of the wealthiest traders to live near the Cattle Market Square was the salt merchant Johann Baptista Ruffini who Interior Sendlinger Tower from the City in 1708 and built his house right night to it.  The tower later became known as Ruffini Gate ( Ruffiniturm ) in his honor until it was torn down 1808.

In the late-1800s the city bought back the property and had a design competition to rebuild Ruffini’s home.  The winning design was completed in 1906 and was comprised of 3 different styles of family homes joined together around a triangle courtyard.  The result was almost perfect and the facade of the Ruffinihaus is one of our favorite buildings in Munich.  The tombstone of Johann Baptista Ruffini can be seen on the outside walls of Saint Peter’s Church which we will visit on our next stop of this free Munich walking tour.

Make sure to check out the large cascading Cattle Market Fountain ( Rindermarkt Brunnen ) before leaving the square.  It built in 1964 in honor of the old cattle market and is completed by numerous cattle figures.  Photos : ( Ruffini Tower in the 1600s | Rose & Lion Towers in the 1600s ).

11. Saint Peter’s Church ( Alter Peterskirche ):

About Saint Peter’s Church : Saint Peter’s Church is the oldest parish in town and pre-dates the city of Munich itself.  In the 700s a group of Benedictine Monks were the first to settle here and built modest monastery and chapel on what they called Saint Peter’s Hill.  Not only did this define the Munich’s location, but the name München is literally derived from Mönch, the German word for monk, basically meaning Monk Settlement.  The city of Munich was officially founded in 1158 when the Monks are given permission by Henry the Lion to hold a market.

After the Wittelsbachs took over Bavaria in 1180, the first permanent Saint Peter’s Church was built in a Romanesque style.  This new wooden church latest until 1327 when it burned down and was replaced with a larger Gothic style church complete with 2 large bell towers.  Shortly after the Gothic reconstruction, the 1st public clock in Munich was installed on Church.

Saint Peter’s Church was greatly damaged once again in the 1400s and the twin bell towers could not be saved.  Instead of rebuilding, they added a new Renaissance steeple between the former twin towers and slanted their tops to match the roof line which you can still see today.  Even more clocks were added to this new steeple with 2 on each for a total of 8 to ensure you could see the time no matter where you were.  The steeple bell tower even got a balcony in the 1600s which allowed it to become an important fire lookout until 1936.

Today you can climb up to get an amazing view of Munich from the fire balcony if you are willing to hike up 306 steps .  You will even be able to see far away sights to the North such as Olympic Stadium on a clear day.  The view will also help you get a lay of the land for the sights on this free Munich walking tour map.

Make sure to explore the richly decorated interior of St Peter’s Church, its gold-laced giant Alter, and even a skeleton?  That’s right, not only is there a Reliquary with a ton of assorted bones/skulls, but also the almost comical, gem-covered skeleton of Saint Munditia . Housed in the 2nd enclave on the left side of the church, Mundita’s wide-eyed stare and rotten tooth smile will be something you will surely remember from your trip.  Murdered in 310AD, she was decorated in 1675 before finally being put on display here.  It’s only fitting to see this odd collection as Munich is said to have more relics than any other city outside of Rome.

These relics make it easy to miss the elements of St Peter, whom the church is named for, above the altar and on the ceiling.  The painting on the ceiling represents Saint Peter being crucified upside-down on Vatican Hill in Rome which served as a springboard for the growth of Catholicism.  Most of the paintings were damaged in WW2 and it took until the year 2000 to repair them all.

Hours : Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat & Sun 10am-630pm.  Cost : Free, spire climb is 1.50 Euros.  Photos : ( Interior | Alter | St Mundita’s Remains | Reliquary | View from Bell Tower 1 | View From Bell Tower 2 ).

12. Victuals Market ( Viktualienmarkt ):

About Viktualienmarkt : Victuals is a Latin word for food, which is fitting for this daily market often called  The Stomach of the City .  The Viktualienmarkt (pronounced:  vick-tool-lee-an market ) started as a simple farmers market in the 1700s known as Green Market ( Grünermarkt ), but quickly grew to overtake Marienplatz as Munich’s main market.  Most of the markets from Munich’s main square were ordered to move here in 1807 and in just 16 years it was packed to the brim with stalls.  When the neighboring Holy Ghost Hospital was demolished in 1885 it gave the proper room for the Viktualienmarkt to expand with proper space.

The sprawling market now has over 100 produce stands organized into 6 sections and even has a welcoming shaded beer garden  which opened in 1970.   Sitting at a table with a tablecloth means you will have a server come to you and no tablecloth means it is a self-service area where you buy from the stands or bring your own food with you.  Every 6 weeks the market features a different one of Munich main breweries on tap making it the most diverse of the City’s 180 beer gardens.  This is also out favorite place to relax and people watch on this free Munich walking tour.

If you are hungry, make sure to stop by the legendary Münchner Suppenküche soup kitchen to eat like a local.  The most popular items are goulash soup, Krustis sandwiches, and sausage with sauerkraut.   There is even a wonderful umbrella lined terrace we love called  Rischart Cafe ( website ) which sits above a row of former late-Medieval butcher shops.

The blue and white, candy-striped Maypole overlooking Viktualienmarkt is an extremely iconic imagine in Munich and definitely worth a photo or two.  This one, decorated in an Oktoberfest theme, is one of 30 Maypoles scattered around town.  Maypoles date back to per-Christian times and are symbols of fertility and luck.  Each year on May Day ( May 1st ) spring celebrations are held around the Maypoles including the tapping of the new year’s batch of beer.  In Medieval times during May Day, the top of the Maypole would have market items hanging from the halo wreath on the top.  If you could climb up to the top barefoot you got to keep the prizes waiting there for you.  During the holiday season Viktualienmarkt also hosts a Christmas Market which features the Maypole covered in lights.

If it is bad weather consider stopping at the nearby Schrannenhalle  ( website )   covered shopping hall.  The hall was originally built by King Maximilian I to store grain modeled after French storehouses.  It burned down in 1932 but was rebuilt in 2005 to hold an indoor market, shops, and restaurants.  On the North side of the hall is the Der Pschorr Beer Hall   ( website ) which has very tasty beer.  Like most produce stands in Munich, it is normal for the workers to grab the fruits and vegetables you like for you instead of pulling them from the shelves yourselves.  We were a little confused by this on our first visit, but even if you don’t speak German it is easy to just point to what you want.

Market Hours : Monday-Saturday Early morning until dusk; Schrannenhalle is open the same days 10am-10pm.  Photos : ( Overview From Air ).   360 Degree Panorama : Click Here .  Market Website : ( HERE ).

13. Old Town Hall ( Altes Rathaus ):

About Old Town Hall : The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus , pronounced Alt-as Rat-house ) adds some much welcomed Medieval flair into the center of old town and is a favorite spot for photographers.  The spired watchtower, which is called the Valley Fort Tower ( Talburgtor ) , was built in 1175 as one of the five original city gates on the very 1st protective wall surrounding Old Town Munich.  Outside of the gate, the wall was protected by the Baker’s Stream ( Pfisterbach ) which served as a flowing moat.  From the late-1100s this was the Munich’s main Eastern gate until the city walls were expanded out toward Isar Gate ( built in 1337 ).

The original city council offices were inside the Small Town Hall ( Kleines Rathaus ) built onto the South side of the watchtower in 1310.  The grand hall you see today on the Northside of the watchtower is called the Dance House ( Tanzhaus ) .  It was built before 1395, housed the prison in the basement, a bakery and meeting rooms on the main floor, and had a large dancehall ballroom on the upper floor.  Notice the small square fountain in front of the Old Town Hall?  This was the central fountain the small Herb Market ( Kräutlmarkt ) which in Medieval times sold eggs, herbs, and grain as visitors entered the city.

The Old Town Hall watchtower, offices, and Dance House were given a mutual castle-like makeover after a fire in 1460 to show Munich’s power as a major trading hub.  While the buildings were almost completely leveled by WW2 bombings , they have been faithfully restored.  The only real changes were the Small Town Hall was eliminated to make room for the road and the first floor of the Dance House was turned into open arcades for pedestrian passage.

Two original Medieval statues were preserved on the watchtower including Henry the Lion who officially founded Munich in 1158 before the Wittelsbachs took over in 1180.  On the Westside of the tower is a statue of Ludwig IV , called the Bavarian, who ruled during the early 1300s in the height of the salt trade.  Ludwig ( Louis the 4th ) became the Holy Roman Emperor and declared Munich’s main square to officially be public for the people.

Since 1983, the tower has served as a 4-story Toy Museum filled with dolls, doll houses, trains, teddy bears, and vintage Barbies.  While the museum is more for toy lovers it offers great views of the square below.  Near the base of the tower is the popular bare-chested Juliet Statue given to Munich by its sister city of Verona, Italy in 1974.  The right breast of the bronze statue from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet has been polished to a golden shine by visitors rubbing it for good luck.

Tower Toy Museum Hours : Daily 10am-5:30pm.  Museum Cost : Adults 4€, Kids 1€.

14. Fish Fountain ( Fischbrunnen ):

About Fischbrunnen :  While we will visit the rest of Munich’s main square ( Marienplatz ) and the gigantic New Town Hall next on this free walking tour, it’s important to see the town’s medieval roots at the Fish Fountain ( Fischbrunnen ).   There was at one point three separate fountains and well in the vast square, but this was the most important one.

Initially called the Market Fountain and Citizen Fountain, there has been a fountain on this spot continuously since 1318 when the square was declared the property of the people by Lugwig IV.   Through the Middle Ages, the Market Fountain was used for drinking water, as a meeting point, and also by local fishmongers to store live fish to keep them fresh.  The first version of the Fish Fountain had a simple column which was later topped with a citizen/tradesmen statue.

Since the 1400s,  Purse Washing has been a significant tradition at the Fish Fountain.  Every Ash Wednesday locals would wash out their money bags in the fountain in hopes they will be filled again in the coming year.  To this day, the Mayor of Munich still washes out the City’s coffers in the fountain’s turquoise water with the town treasurer.

In the 1860s the Fish Fountain got a substantial 3-level makeover with bronze statues of four butcher apprentices tossing out buckets of water, under a row of four musical children, and capped with a tradesman ( journeymen butcher ) raising a cup.  This new design paid homage to the  Metzgersprung ( Butcher’s Leap ) which was held here every year on Rose Monday ( two days before Ash Wednesday ).  The event was considered a rite of initiation as young butchers were issued journeyman letters for the official conclusion of their apprenticeship training.  The butcher apprentices would then jump into the Fish Fountain as a baptism to wash themselves of youthful sins wearing costumes draped in sheep’s eyes hung with calf’s tails.  The newly anointed journeymen then toss coins, apples, and nuts onto the square for the children and toss buckets of water at them as they attempted to grab the prizes.

At the start of the tradition, the joyous Butcher’s Leap also helped people to get back out on the streets and stop being afraid of the water following the Plague of 1634-35 .  It took place every year from the mid-1600s until the controversial Elector Karl Theodor ended it in 1793, but was revived in 1849 by Maximilian II.  After a post-war hiatus from 1954 until 1995, the Butcher’s Leap was brought back again and moved to early September where it now happens every 3 years.

Bombings in WW2 leveled the Fish Fountain, but luckily some of the original statues from the 1860s were recovered.  Three of the musician boys were moved to the New House Gate in Karlsplatz ( which we saw earlier in this free Munich walking tour ), and three of the butcher boys were reused for today’s Fish Fountain built in 1954.  The boys still pour their buckets into the fountain’s base, one holds a fish in the air, and the whole thing is  topped with a chubby fish  to pay homage to the fishy roots.

Photos : ( Fountain In 1760 | Butcher’s Leap In 1863 | Fountain in 1890 )

15. Mary’s Square ( Marienplatz ):

About Marienplatz :  Mary’s Square ( Marienplatz ) has always been the center of Munich back to when the area was first settled by Benedictine Monks in the 700s.  When the Monks got a royal charter from Henry the Lion to start an official marketplace here in 1158 , it formerly founded the city of Munich and started the general layout of today’s Old Town.  Just two years earlier, Henry built a new toll bridge nearby over the Isar River to reroute the Salt Road from the mines in Bad Reichenhall and Hallein ( near Salzburg ) through Munich on its way to Augsburg which helped the marketplace surge.

While called both Market Square ( Marktplatz ) and Stall Square ( Schrannenplatz ) over the centuries, the lively space has been home a wide range of markets.  Since Medieval times they’ve had every type of market  from salt ( boomed in the 1300s ), to produce, fish, meat, and a Christmas market ( which is still active) .  In addition to the markets, at one point there were three separate fountains, a well, the gallows, and the stocks all in the Market Square.

While in Mary’s Square ( Marienplatz ), it is hard to miss the backdrop of the huge New Town Hall ( Neues Rathaus ) which we will visit next on this free Munich walking tour.  Before moving on, make sure to investigate the Virgin Mary Column ( Mariensäule ) in front of New Town Hall which tells an interesting story of Munich’s history.

The column was added by Maximilian the 1st in 1638 declaring Mary the new patron of the city for protecting Munich during times of trouble. Just 6 years earlier ( 1632 ) Munich had survived a 3-week  Swedish occupation  as part of The 30 Years War which was followed by an outbreak of the Bubonic Plague of 1634-35 that wiped out 1/3 of the population.  While Mary was given the credit for protecting the city in both cases, it also helped that the Swedes were paid off with 600,000 barrels of beer to spare the Munich.

The beautiful column is capped with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary which was originally crafted in 1590  for the nearby Church of Our Lady ( Frauenkirche ) which we will visit later on this free Munich walking tour.  Below the beautiful golden icon, four playful child-like warrior statues surround the sturdy base of the column on each of its corners.  These four child statues are all depicted fighting different creatures to symbolize adversities that Munich has overcome: war represented by the lion, pestilence by the rooster-headed creature, famine by the dragon, and heresy by the serpent.

This Virgin May Column is considered the 1st Marian Column built North of the Alps which inspired a wave of them around Europe after traumatic events like war and plagues.  While the fountain survived WW2, the Mary statue was knocked off the top and needed significant repair.  Seeing how pretty the dramatic column is, it is no wonder that Market Square was re-named Mary’s Square ( Marienplatz ) in 1858 as the last of the markets moved to other squares.

16. New Town Hall & Glockenspiel :

About New Town Hall :  From 1801 to 1861 the population of Munich boomed from 40,000 to 120,000 and the City’s needs quickly outgrew the Old Town Hall.  Built over 40 years starting in 1867, the sure size of Gothic-style New Town Hall ( Neues Rathaus, pronounced Noy-as Rat-house ) is stunning.  It sits over a football field long, has 6 courtyards, and  over 400 rooms .  The first phase of the New Town Hall complex was the right side built over the old Landstände Mansion ( 1740 ) which represented outside rule by the former Holy Roman Empire ( dissolved in 1806 ).  The second phase was the left side of the New Town Hall (1898-1905) complete with the iconic Glockenspiel Tower.  While the 600-year-old Gevierten neighborhood behind New Town Hall ( now Marienhof Park ) was leveled in WW2, luckily the complex was largely spared of damage.  Most of the roof burnt off, but only some decorative details and five statues on the facade were ruined.

Dominating New Town Hall’s Gothic facade is the 280-foot-tall central clock tower which is capped by the symbol of Munich, a statue of the Child Monk ( Münchner Kindl ) .  The main attraction of the clock tower is the 2-story, 28-foot-tall  Glockenspiel ( Carillon ) , complete with 43 bells, which is the largest in Germany.  Everyday mechanical figures in the Glockenspiel perform a 15 minute long miniature Medieval tournament , re-enacting numerous events in Munich’s history.  These full performances take place at 11am and Noon with an extra 5pm show in the Summer.

The Glockenspiel shows are manually operated and while the figures look small from the ground, they are actually almost life-sized .  You can get a closer look at the Glockenspiel figures and some commanding city views by taking either the stairs or elevator to the top of the tower.  For the best vantage point of the show itself, head to the third floor of the Hugendubel Bookstore (open 10am-8pm ) across the square from New Town Hall.

The upper level of the Glockenspiel show depicts the Crown Jousting Tournament ( Kröndlstechen ) held on Marienplatz in February 1568 as part of a festival for the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine.  A carnival-like parade of royal court members lead the jousters to battle and on the second rotation, the red rider ( French ) is flung from his horse by a strike from the triumphant blue rider ( Bavarian ).  The powerhouse wedding between cousins made Bavaria’s Wittelsbach rulers related to the Kings of France, Denmark, Scotland, and Spain.  The wedding was attended by royal delegations from all across Europe and was a celebration on a scale not often seen in the Middle Ags.   The day of the wedding at Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), the bride was led to Munich from nearby Dachau by a procession of over 3,500 horses and during the two-week-long party over 600 oxen were roasted.  Duke Wilhelm V went on to become well-known for his religious witch hunts, but is most famous for founding the Royal Beer House ( Hofbrauhaus ) in 1589 which we will visit later on this free Munich walking tour.

The lower level of the Glockenspiel shows the Dance of the Coopers , called Schäfflertanz in German.  The Coopers are dancing to celebrate the end of the Plague of 1517 which folklore says was spread to the people of Munich by the Wurmeck Dragon .  With the people in chaos, a city guardsman hit the dragon with a direct cannon shot, killing it, and ending the plague.  On the Southwestern corner of the New Town Hall, this same story of the Wurmeck Dragon is shown in dramatic sculpture.

Every night 9pm a mini-show called Bedtime for the Münchner Kindl is performed on the sides of the Glockenspiel.  During the show the Münchner Kindl ( Child Monk ), who is the symbol of the city who is led to bed by the Friedensengel ( Angel of Peace ) as the Night Watchman sounds out the City’s Medieval curfew on his horn.

The New Town Hall’s interior is also really cool.  As you enter City Hall’s large central courtyard, which serves as an open-air restaurant, stay to your left to see some great vertical sculptures .  We’re always fascinated by these Gothic sculptures and how they show different stages of men turning into various creatures as you follow up each tier.  Some of the men are turning into horses, another a large bird, and a couple of them even have quite creepy middle stages.

If you are looking for a taste of Medieval drinking, work your way down to the basement tavern called Ratskeller Restaurant  ( website ) which is Munich’s oldest wine cellar.  Prior to the New Town Hall being built, the Ratskeller had been housed in the neighboring mansion called the Landscape House ( now Ludwig Beck ) since Medieval Times and was limited to the upper-class and City Council.  Even if you don’t go down into the Ratskeller ( Council Resturant ) take a minute to look at the decorated details on the entrances, especially the drinking monks on the entrance from the courtyard and the masquerade dancer door knobs on the Eastern doors outside New Town Hall.

Tower Elevator Hours : May-October Daily 10am-7pm; November-April Monday-Friday only 10am-5pm.  Elevator Cost : 2 Euros.  Glockenspiel Show Times : Full 15-minute show at 11am and Noon, plus 5pm in Summer ( March-October ); 5-minute long night show daily at 9pm.  Photos : ( Exterior | At Night | View From St Peter’s | Glockenspiel | Pope at Mary’s Column | Mary’s Column Warrior ).  360 Degree Panoramas : ( Day Time | At Night ).  Video : ( Glockenspiel In Action ).

17. Pedestrian Only Shopping :

About The Shopping :  Munich’s main shopping lane called New House Street ( Neuhauser Strasse ) was turned into a pedestrian-only zone leading up to the 1972 Olympics and is a highlight of any visit.  Since Munich was established as a market town in 1158 the lane was important as the Salt Road trade route passed right through the city from Salzburg in the East to Germany in the West.  The original shopping lane went from the Lower Gate ( Talburgtor ) near Old Town Hall, through Market Square and to the Upper Gate ( Hohentor ) which stood on the West side of Old Town.

As the city wall was expanded in the 1300-1400s, the merchant family Kaufinger moved into the Upper Gate ( Hohentor ) which then became known as Kaufinger Tower ( Kaufingertor ).  Rebuilt in a Gothic style, the tower was later demolished in 1810, but the family’s name lives on along Munich’s shopping lane.  Known as  Kaufingertor Passage ( website ), one of the more modern elements is the covered alleyway that branches off of New house Street.   In 1994 a glass roof was added to the shopping gallery with an illuminated design which is pretty cool.  The lighting in the Kaufingertor Passage even copies the feel of a natural sunset as the colors change every evening gradually over a 90 minute period.  Our favorite element of the Passage is the statue of a man balancing on a beam high above the entrance.  The statue, called Man With Outspread Arms , was created by the artist Stephan Balkenhol and is meant to be inviting everyone into the world of shopping at Kaufingetor.

One block further up the main pedestrian lane from the Passage is the famous Hirmer Department Store ( website ) which is one of the most beautiful buildings in Munich.  The mega-sized clothing store carries a huge collection of high-end Men’s clothing that is almost as impressive as the building itself.  Even if you don’t go inside, your camera will love the flower-laden exterior, especially after dark when it is lit up .  Right in the middle of the intersection in front of the large Hirmer Haus was once the location Munich’s original Western city wall gate called Kaufingertor mentioned above.  A large dark square in the pavement marks the watch tower’s original location and a sculpture relief of what it looked like is on the corner of the Hirmer Haus.

Just past Hirmer is a wonderful collection of great souvenir shops housed in the former Augustiner Monastery from the 1200s.  The building was rebuilt in the 1600s and the best shop is the Max Krug Gift Shop ( website ) which is famous for its beer steins, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers and Christmas ornaments.  If you are looking for a little more high-end shopping, check out the Funf Hofe Shopping Center which we will pass by shortly on this free Munich walking tour map.

18. Cathedral of Our Lady ( Frauenkirche ):

About Frauenkirche : You will be able to see the massive 325-foot tall twin towers of the Cathedral of Our Lady ( Frauenkirche ) hovering above Old Town Munich from almost anywhere in town.  It is by far the tallest church in Munich. This mega-sized cathedral has become a symbol of Munich not only because its dominance in the skyline, but also because the brick towers survived heavy WW2 bombings even when the most of the church was leveled.  The ambitious construction of Frauenkirche started in 1468 to replace the much older Mary’s Church that already stood here.

With most of Germany being Protestant and Bavaria being Catholic, Munich wanted to make a statement with the size of their new Gothic-style City Parish.  The new church was so big that it even covered the graveyard of the previous church and today you can headstones that were incorporated right into the outside walls of Frauenkirche.  Although the builders switched from stone to brick to save money, the new Church quickly ran out of money before the Pope stepped in and saved the project.  With a Papal decree that official Catholic Church indulgences could be bought in Munich, over 120,000 pilgrims showed up over a 3 year period which provided enough money to complete the Frauenkirche.

When the church was completed in 1488, its facade was quite bare and the structure of the towers was exposed. One famous illustration from the Nuremberg Chronicle from 1493 shows the bare towers over the city from an Eastern vantage point, Click For Photo .  The towers were meant to be finished with elaborate Gothic spires to look like the style seen at Saint Stephens Church in Vienna, Cologne Cathedral, and Saint Vitus in Prague, but it never happened because of money.  In 1525, the twin towers were faced off with brick and the tops were covered in a large copper plated onion domes .  An Old Town building height restriction ensured the towers would be seen which was extended throughout the entire city in 2004 as skyscrapers started to pop up.

The interior of Frauenkirche is also gigantic.  The size seems even crazier when you learn that Munich, which was decent sized for Medieval times, only had 13,000 residents when the 20,000-person Cathedral opened.  As you enter all of your attention is funneled to the high altar as tall columns make Frauenkirche appear almost windowless from the entrance.  This is quite a feat as the detailed stained glass windows are actually huge and open up to you the further you walk into the church.

Legend has it that the architect made a deal with the Devil when the project ran out of money that he would help fund the project as long as it had no windows.  After the Church was finished and paid for the Devil realized he was tricked and stomped his foot hard in the entrance making an imprint on the marble floor.  The Devil’s footprint can still be seen today and is one of the biggest attractions at Frauenkirche.  Other highlights include the royals buried here like the huge bronze tomb of Ludwig IV , who ruled during the early 1300s during the height of the salt trade, and was elected Holy Roman Emperor.  During the Summer you can even ascent the massive 325-foot tall towers with a climb of about 90 steps plus an easy elevator ride to get some great views of the city.

Sitting in the courtyard in front of Frauenkirche is a peaceful square calls Frauenplatz.  Every time we visit the church we end up spending a couple minutes sitting by the outdoor art pieces and small pond to relax.  The pond is still feed from what was Munich’s original city moat from 1175 which flowed right around the church grounds.

Cathedral Hours : Daily 7am-7pm; Friday closes at 6pm.  Bell Tower Hours : April-October Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Closed November-March.   Cost : Church Free, Towers 3 euros.  Guided Tours : May-September on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursday at 2pm. Meeting place under the organ loft.  360 Degree Panoramas : ( As Seen From St Peter’s Tower ).  Church Website : ( HERE ).

19. Field Marshall’s Hall ( Feldherrnhalle ):

About Field Marshall’s Hall :  Built by Ludwig I in 1841, the large 4 column, open-air gallery capping the square is called the Field Marshall’s Hall ( Feldherrnhalle ).  Modeled after the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence , this Italian gallery was meant to honor the commanders of the Bavarian Army.

While the gallery was supposed to get many more statues over time, it only has three main works.  The two statues flanking both ends  were in honor of revered Bavarian military heroes, Johann Tilly and Karl Von Wrede.  The largest statue in the middle was added in 1870 in honor of the soldiers who died in the Franco Prussian War in 1870.  The two large lions guarding the steps were not added until 1900.  Notice how the lion facing the Palace is growling but the one facing the church is calm with a closed mouth.

On August 1st, 1914 the German declaration of war was announced from the Field Marshall’s Hall in front of a large crowd.  Among the audience was a young Adolf Hitler who joined the military two days later where he was awarded the Iron Cross both First and Second Class.  Hitler returned to the hall in 1923 when his failed revolution called the Beer Hall Putsch was foiled here .

The Beer Hall Putsch began when Hitler and troop of Brown Shirts stormed the Bürgerbräukeller Beer Hall at 8:30pmon November 8th, 1923.  Hitler himself fired shots into the ceiling, took hostages and declared that a revolution was at hand to overthrow the government.  His revolution stalled and by the next morning, he decided to march with 3,000 of his men in the direction of Berlin.  As the march approached the Field Marshall’s Hall, they were met by the Bavarian Police and Army a clash broke out with an exchange of fire.  During the exchange, 16 Nazis and 4 police were killed, and even Hitler wounded his shoulder before being arrested two days later and jailed for 9 months.

During the first year of Nazi rule in 1933, Hitler made the gallery a guarded memorial for the Nazis that died that day.  All citizen who passed the memorial were forced to give the Nazi salute.  Every year on the November 9th anniversary of the Putsch they would have a parade following the original route of the failed march through town.  Everything Nazi-related was quickly removed from the Hall after WW2 and a plaque honoring the 4 policemen that died during the Beer Hall Putsch was added in 1994.  Today the Hall and square in front of it often hold concerts and art installations.

20. Theatine Church ( Theatinerkirche ):

About Theatinerkirche : In 1650 Elector Ferdinand married an Italian princess in a powerhouse arranged marriage.  Ferdinand didn’t even get to meet his bride until a year after they wed as a representative of the Royal Court was sent in his place for the wedding which took place in Italy.  A decade later the couple still hadn’t produced an heir, putting the dynasty in danger.  Things looked bleak as Ferdinand’s wife was sick on her deathbed multiple times.  As a call for help, the couple prayed for a child and made a deal that when it finally happened they built a church in honor of Saint Cajetan of Theatine .  In 1662, the couple finally got their long-awaited heir, Prince Max Emanuel, and work on the Church started the next year.

Only the shell of the Theatinerkirche and adjoining monastery were finished when it opened in 1674.  It took another 16 years to complete the stunning Baroque interior and the current exterior wasn’t done until 1765.  There wasn’t much of a rush on the exterior design as the huge Schwabinger City Gate from the 1300s dominated the Odenplatz Square and many of the outside vantage points at the time the Church was built.  After the gate was torn down in 1817 it opened up the square and views of the golden-yellow Theatinerkirche.  Our favorite elements of the exterior are the Rococo tops on the bell towers and the 2 statues to sides of the main window.  The statue on the left is the church’s patron Saint Cajetan of Thiene ( 1480-1547 ) and on the right is royal heir Prince Max Emanuel who’s birth sparked the project.

The spacious, white-washed interior is one of our favorites in Europe and quite unique.  Elaborate vine and shell decorations fill every inch of the Theatinerkirche along with 100s of child-like winged angle figures.  Details on the columns and inside the 230-foot tall dome are especially beautiful.  The Theatinerkirche feels light, airy, heavenly, and has exceptional beams of light pouring in throughout the day.  As the 1st Italian inspired Baroque churches in Bavaria, you can easily see how this beautiful style became popular throughout Europe.  After the Asam Brother’s Church, we saw earlier on this free Munich walking tour, the Theatine Church is our second favorite in all of Old Town.   Photos : ( Schwabinger Gate in 1600s | Schwabinger Gate in 1765 | Inner side of Gate in 1805 ).  360 Degree Panoramas : ( From The Square | Interior Close Up ).  Church Website : ( HERE ).

21. Royal Court Garden ( Hofgarten ):

About Hofgarten :  Originally laid out between 1613-17 on the North side of the Residenz Palace, the Hofgarten was a private garden  for members of the Wittelsbach Royal Court.  At the time the Royal Court Garden was outside of Munich’s moat and the outer wall, but was quickly protected by a double wall and moat built in 1618 to protect the city during the 30 Years War.  It is said that the new fortifications around the city took a workforce of over 40,000 people 13 years to complete.

To get an idea of what we are talking about, these new fortifications with starred ramparts can be seen around the Hofgarten HERE in a drawing from 1740.  The Hofgarten was opened to the general public in 1780 as the 1st public park in Munich.   With Hofgarten open to the public, the Royal Family then used a private park on East side of the Residenz Palace near their horse stables called Lustgarten which had been laid out in 1550, but later ruined in WW2.

While the open spaces and beer garden are nice, the main draw of the flower-lined Hofgarten park is the  8 portal pavilion in the center.  Built in 1615 to honor Diana, the Greek Goddess of Hunting , the green-domed pavilion is a little plain, but a great place to people watch.  The large building on the East side of the Hofgarten that looks like a greenhouse is actually Bayerische Staatskanzlei  which is home to the office of Bavaria’s Governor and is still the state’s government seat.  Also located adjacent to the Hofgarten is the Munich War Memorial . The most striking inscription is the one covering the 22000 dead, 11000 missing Munich soldiers and 6600 citizens from WWII.

The Hofgarten has turned into an ideal place to get a quick break from the bustling city.  This is also a perfect time to fit in our  English Garden Walking Tour if you are looking to visit the best park in Munich.  The huge English Garden has river surfing, sunbathing, the amazing outdoor Chinese Tower Beer Garden, and lots of open space.  It was laid out of the Schönfeld Meadow and Royal deer hunting grounds shortly after the Hofgarten was made public.   360 Degree Panorama : Click Here .   Photos : ( Garden in 1740 ).

22. Dodgers’ Alley ( Drueckebergergasse ):

About Dodger’s Alley : Viscard Alley in Munich is known locally as Dodgers’ Alley ( Drueckebergergasse ) because of its role during Nazi occupation.  Hitler had established a Nazi memorial on the East side of the Field Marshall’s Hall in honor of his 16 comrades who died here in the failed Beer Hall Putsch of 1923.  The memorial was guarded 24 hours a day and anyone who passed was required to give the Nazi salute.  Citizens who didn’t agree with the Nazi movement would dodge the guards as they walked North from Max Joseph Square by taking a quick left at Viscard Alley passing the Field Marshall’s Hall on the West.  Today a path of bronze bricks  in the pavement has been bronzed to mark the route the dodgers would take to avoid the Nazi memorial.

At the mouth of the alley are two large lion statues marking the Western entrance into the Royal Residence.  The lions, who were the symbol of the ruling Wittlesbach family stand guard while holding shield like coat of arms.  Notice how the muzzle of the face on the shields are brightly polished?  It is said that if you touch the face while you walk by it will bring you good luck.  While the ticket office for the Residenz is on the Southeast corner of the complex, remember the corridor by the lions as it leads to the Palace’s Cuvilliés Theater.

23. Munich Royal Residence ( Residenz ):

About The Munich Residenz : After a failed citizens uprising against the Wittelsbachs, the royal family started to build a small protected retreat along the city wall in 1385 called Neuveste .  This was the perfect location for a retreat as it provided access to the countryside without going through town and was right next to the very strong Silver Tower ( Silberturm ) .  A defensive moat and separate wall were built around the small 4 winged castle which supplied ample defense.  Starting in 1474 the royal family began to split time between Alterhof Palace and Neueste Castle.  The full-time move to the castle became official when William IV set up the first Royal Court at Neuveste in 1508 following the reunification of Upper & Lower Bavaria and the castle remained the main home of the Wittelsbachs until the end of their reign in 1918.

The oddest set of rooms in the Rezidenz are the lavish Stone Rooms which were built in 1612 and filled with tapestries solely to house the Holy Roman Emperor when he would visit.  These unbelievable marble rooms were almost never used which is strange for how cool they are.  They didn’t even put furniture or tapestries in the rooms unless the Emperor was there.  At about the same time the rooms were built, parts of Neueveste Castle and Silver Tower started to be torn down to make way for the expanding Palace, which by 1701 surrounded 4 courtyards.

Like many of the rulers before him, Albrecht VII also had big ambitions for putting his own stamp on the Residenz in 1726.  The first project was the building of new Ornate Rooms to keep up with the other Palaces in Europe.  This new wing was filled with apartments stocked with over the top in rich furniture, artwork and designer wallpaper.  It seems like almost every inch of these rooms is filled with paintings.  Over the years a number the Ornate Rooms have housed many important guests such as Elizabeth II.  Albrecht VII also got working on the Ancestral Gallery with portraits tracing back his famous bloodlines.  Historians widely view the gallery as propaganda, but it worked as Albrecht VII persuaded the people he was related to Charlemagne and was elected Holy Roman Emperor.  Hidden in many of the paintings today are huge square slash marks from where they were quickly cut from their frames to preserve them right before World War 2 bombings.

The most beautiful space in the entire Palace maybe the Residence Theater ( Cuvilliés-Theater ) , constructed by Elector Maximilian Joseph III (1745-77) in 1753.  Originally this theater was located between the Residenz and the State Opera House, but it was leveled in World War 2.  Luckily just before the bombings most of the Theater’s impressive interior was removed and stored for safekeeping until after the war.  When the dust had settled from the war the Theater was rebuilt with the original woodwork where a ballroom from the 1500s once stood.  Below the Theater are a series of Gothic cellars from the ballroom that once connected to Nueveste Castle until the last parts of the Castle burned down in 1750.  While these cellars are all that remain from the castle, an outline of its original footprint shape has been created on the pavement in the Northern courtyard.

The last rounds of expansion happened in the after Bavaria officially became a Kingdom in 1806 under the rule of King Maximilian I Joseph.  His son King Ludwig I ( 1825-1848 ) added a large Festival Hall Wing, the Kings Wing, and the unreal Court Church of All Saints .  The Church was modeled after the Cappella Palatina in Palermo Sicily in a Byzantine-style and was filled with detailed golden mosaics.  Unfortunately, the Church was heavily damaged in WW2 and none of the mosaics survived by the time it reopened as a concert venue in 2003.  When King Ludwig II took over in 1864 he showed his flair for the dramatic by adding a huge greenhouse Winter Garden on the roof of the Northside of the Residenz.  The Garden was meant to feel like a fairytale and had lighting for rainbow and moonlight effects.  While it didn’t survive WW2, Ludwig’s masterpiece Neuschwanstein Castle two hours South of Munich is the most visited fairytale castle in Europe.  After the revolution of 1918, the Wittlesbachs ended their 738-year rule and the Residenz immediately became a public museum.

Residence Hours : April-October 15th Daily 9am-6pm; October 16th-March Daily 10am-5pm ( the Theater opens late Monday-Saturday at 2pm ). Last entrance 1 hour before close.  Entrance Cost : 7€ each for the Museum & Treasury or 11€ for both together, Theater is 3.5€, All 3 for 13€. All are covered by the Castle Pass.  Orchestra Concerts : Every Thursday at 7pm and Saturday at both 6 and 7:30pm the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra has concerts in the same small wedding chapel Mozart played in for 21€.  Hot Tips : If you plan on seeing other palaces and castles during your trip to Bavaria, we suggest getting the Bavarian Castles Pass which gets you into almost all Castles and Palaces for 14 days from your first use.  This pass is 24€ for one person or 40€ for 2 adults plus your kids under 18 years old.  Photos : ( Residenz Layout Map | Antiquarium After WW2 | Neuveste in 1540 | Neuveste Cellars Today ).  360 Degree Photos : ( Antiquarium | Lion Statues | Portrait Gallery | Stone Rooms ).  Palace & Museum Website : ( HERE ).

24. Max Joseph Square :

About Max Joseph Platz : Even if you don’t have time for a show, the exterior of the Opera House looking down at the statue of ruler Max Joseph is still very impressive.  Also consider grabbing a drink on the West side of the square at the outdoor tables to the Spatenhaus Beer Hall which has our favorite beer in Munich, Spaten.

Opera and the theater performances have both been big in Munich for 100s of years with opera companies operating here since the early 1600s.  Maximilian I built the current Greek columned Opera House during his last year as King in 1825 after the original opera house burned down.  The project was inspired by Pantheon in Rome and it covered with two impressive reliefs.  The lower gable has a carved relief of Greeks gods flanking Apollo in the center.  The upper gable is a beautiful golden mosaic with goddesses surrounding a bucking Pegasus.  By the time it opened, the 2100 guest State Opera House was the largest in Europe.  When Mad King Ludwig II took over in the 1860s he greatly expanded the Opera House’s offerings as he was obsessed with the work of Richard Wagner.

The Opera House was unfortunately turned to rubble during WW2 bombings, but it has since fully restored and today the building is grand as it ever was.  Make sure to check out their website if you want to catch an opera or ballet.  Opera House Guided Tours : 1 hour guided tours almost every day of the week at 2pm for 7€.  The meeting point is on the Northern entrance toward Marstallplatz, and not Max Joseph Platz.  Opera Website : ( HERE ).

25. Old Court Palace ( Alter Hof ):

About Alter Hof :  The Old Royal Court ( Alter Hof ), was first built in the 1180s as a small royal estate for the Wittelsbach family who had just taken over the rule of Bavaria from Henry the Lion after he refused to fight for the Holy Roman Emperor.  The family’s royal dynasty ( 1180-1918 ) over Bavaria would go on to last more than 700 years.

Between 1253-55, as Bavaria split into Upper & Lower states, Duke Ludwig II re-built and expanded Alter Hof turning it into the family’s formal Royal Court .  This is also considered the point when the capital of Bavaria officially moved from Regensburg, Germany to Munich.  In 1328 Ludwig IV, who was the 1st prince born in the new Alter Hof, became the King of Germany, the Romans, Italy and the  Holy Roman Emperor .  Ludwig IV’s rise power was also at the height of the regional salt trade and cemented the Wittelsbach’s as a major player in Europe.

As the Alter Hof grew, it was laid out with 5 wings around a central courtyard which housed farm-like gardens and Royal craftsmen.  The palace grounds were home to many animals including pigs, chickens, horses, lions, and monkeys.  One of the exhibits on display today has an interesting story about when a young prince Ludwig IV ( mentioned above ) was taken out of his crib as a baby and dangled high above a window by a pet monkey who eventually put him back unharmed.  Today you will see monkeys painted on the outside of the turret windows inside Alter Hof’s central square called the Monkey Tower.

After a failed citizen’s uprising , the royal family built a small moated retreat called Neuveste Castle ( now the Munich Residenz ) for protection just North of Alter Hof in 1385.  By 1474, the Wittelsbachs started to formerly split time between the two residences before official moving the Royal Court to Neuveste Castle in 1506 following the reunification of Upper & Lower Bavaria .  After the move, Alter Hof was used to house government departments, a horse stable, and the royal mint while Neuveste was slowly expanded into today’s Munich Residenz Palace.  You may remember the Munich Residenz from earlier in this free Munich walking tour.

While Alter Hof was heavily damaged in WW2, parts have been reconstructed to house exhibits where you can learn about its history and how day-to-day life was in a Medieval royal court.  We find the Gothic Hall to be the most interesting of the exhibits today.   Exhibit Cost : Free.  Exhibit Hours : Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm.  Museum Website : ( HERE ).

26. Baker’s Mill Restaurant ( Pfistermühle ):

About Pfistermühle : What an amazing vine-covered building with an interesting history!  Before becoming a restaurant in 1988, the Pfistermühle was part of the Royal baker’s mill ( Hofpfisterei ) for the Bavarian dukes going back to the Middle Ages .  There was once a stream powering the mill running right down the middle Sparkassenstraße Street ( covered since the early 1990s ) which also served as the original moat for Munich.  The current building was added as a baking and a storage house for the mill and built in 1573.

The Baker’s Mill Restaurant has great food and you are served in one of the mill’s four original storage vaults.  These happen to be the only original Medieval storage vaults still maintained in Munich.  It’s even more astonishing that this part of the building survives today as the mill was heavily bombed in WW2 and half of the complex had to be completely rebuilt which now is home to the neighboring Platz Hotel .  The hotel is one of our favorite hotels in Munich as you can’t get closer to the Medieval city center.  With the combination of beauty, history, and great food it is easy to have fond memories of Pfistermühle Restaurant.

Hours : Open Monday-Saturday Noon-Midnight; Closed Sundays.  Reservations : Reservations are suggested and can be made on their website.  Photos : ( Bakery In 1897 | Back of Bakery 1907 | Stream 1907 )   Restaurant Website : ( HERE ).

27. Royal Beer Hall ( Hofbräuhaus ):

About The Hofbräuhaus : The Hofbrauhaus, or Royal Court Brew House, is by far the most popular beer hall in Munich and maybe the most magical in the World!  While beer has been brewed in Munich since 1328, Duke Wilhelm V established this official Royal Court Brewery in 1589 as an alternative to expensively shipping in his favorite beers in from Hanover, Germany ( Saxony ).  The current 3-story beer hall complex opened in 1607 as an expansion to brew Hofbrau’s wheat beer and visiting it  was reserved for the Royal family and their guests only.  Mozart and Austrian Empress Sisi were some of the esteemed royal guests who would often visit.

In 1828, King Ludwig I opened the Hofbrauhaus beer hall to the public allowing both rich and poor to experience the World-famous atmosphere.  Ludwig’s involvement was fitting as the King’s 5-day wedding celebration in 1810 was the start of the modern Oktoberfest and also helped to unite commoners and the social elite.  The brewery has sponsored a 10,000 person beer tent during Oktoberfest since 1955,  but the Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall has an excellent party atmosphere no matter what time of year you come.

Today, the Hofbrauhaus still brings people together with community seating, traditional barmaids, delicious German food, 1-liter glasses of golden Bavarian beer, smooth wine, and even live brass band oompah music.  The food is not to be overlooked and is a highlight as much as the beer.  Yes there are a lot of tourists at the Hofbrauhaus, but it’s still our favorite stop on this free Munich walking tour!

You will need to find a seat to get served at the Hofbrauhaus, but the community seating and friendly atmosphere make it easy to join other groups and make new friends.  The only place you cannot sit is anywhere with a sign saying “Stammtisch”, which means it is reserved.  Most of the 3,500 seats in spread throughout the beer hall’s rooms are open seating so don’t be afraid to join a table of strangers if there are spots available.  The main floor is the most festive area and even has a lovely open-air beer garden with seating for 400 under the shade of chestnut trees near the beer pouring station.  While on the way to the gift shop, check out the stein storage lockers called Masskrugtresor .  There are a total of 424 mug lockers where local patrons store their custom steins between visits.  The lockers, which cost 200 euros a year, are very prestigious and can now only be acquired through inheritance.

The upper floor of the Hofbrauhaus complex is often overlooked by tourists and holds a giant Festival Hall  with a barrel ceiling.  We LOVE the traditional Bavarian dance show held most evenings in the Festival Hall.  Guests are enchanted by a musical program comprised of traditional Bavarian Schuhplattler dancers, alphorn players, yodelers, whip performers and cowbell players.  It is in the 900 seat Festival Room that Hitler had some of his private meetings during the Nazi rise and occupation of Munich which were held at numerous beer halls.  The most famous meeting in the Festival Hall was in 1920 where a speech Hitler gave which got him kicked out of the Bavarian army after unveiling his “25 Thesis”.

If you are feeling extra festive, wear your traditional lederhosen or dirndls to make friends even faster, just don’t wear tacky costume outfits from American Halloween shops, go in authentic gear.  Also please don’t try to steal the beer steins.  If you want a glass or stein to bring home, they do have a great gift shop where you can buy them.

Beer Hall Hours : Daily 9am-Midnight.  Folk Buffet : On a lot of nights they have an all-you-can-eat Folk buffet upstairs for 20€ from 630-10pm. This buffet is heavy on music and folk dancing, but check out their website for a current event schedule.  Drinking Tips :  The 1-liter beer steins are called a ‘Mass,’ light beer is ‘helles,’ dark beer is ‘dunkel,’ and they also have a half beer/half lemon soda drink called ‘Radler’.  Brewery Tours : You can also tour the official Hofbrau Brewery on the edge of town which is accessible in 40 minutes by the S2 Metro plus a short walk. ( Address Hofbräuallee 1, More Info ).  Restaurant Website : ( HERE ).

Other Sights Near Old Town:

28. english garden walking tour :.

About The English Garden : Sitting as one of the world’s largest urban parks, the English Garden is the biggest in Europe and is even larger than New York’s Central Park. There can be over 100,000 people a day here in the summer, but because the park is so vast you would never notice. While you may be tempted to skip the park if cramped for time, it is too unique to skip, and serves and a great stop to rest and recharge your batteries. The highlights include World-Class river surfing, nude sunbathers, the Chinese Tower Beer Garden, and the Monopteros hilltop acropolis.  Beer Garden Hours : Daily 9am-Late.  360 Degree Panorama : Click Here .   

Read More : English Garden Walking Tour .

29. Beer & Oktoberfest Museum :

About The Beer & Oktoberfest Museum : Housed in Munich’s oldest home from 1340, this museum highlights the history of Munich’s Beer as well as the Oktoberfest celebration. Our favorite element of the amazing home is the 3 story tall the Stairway to Heaven .  In medieval times it was common of stairs in a house to go up all the floors in a continuous unbroken line.  As you check out the Beer Museum you follow how the making of beer was perfected in Munich including original recipes from the 1400s.  The Oktoberfest Museum is a awesome step back into time showing how the marriage reception for King Ludwig I in 1810 has turned into the modern Oktoberfest.  Today 600,000 people a day visit the 10 day long celebration with is a mix of state fair and beer halls.  You wont find a better party in the World than you do in Oktoberfest’s mega tents which hold 4,000-10,000 people each.

Make your trip to the Beer & Oktoberfest Museum special is grabbing a bite to eat at in the basement Museumsstueberl Cellar Restaurant  ( website ).  The food can be a little strong on the sauerkraut, but it is about as traditional as you’ll find in Munich.  The setting can also be a very romantic place to grab a drink as the tables and chairs in the cave-like, stone walled room are actually mad out of old, wooden beer and wine kegs.   Museum Hours : Tuesday-Saturday 1-6pm.   Museum Cost : 4€.   Underground Restaurant Hours : Monday-Saturday 6pm-Midnight.   Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

30. Isartor City Wall Gate :

About The Isartor Gate : In 1175, the first fortified wall around Munich was completed, but the city quickly outgrew that footprint.  The city of Munich was greatly expanded when a second wall was built further out from 1285 to 1337 which increased the footprint by 700% .  The wall was a masterpiece, complete with a moat and eight gates, up from the original four.  If you look on the map above you can see this expansion that turned the formerly oval shaped Old Town area into more of a kidney bean shape.  This footprint is very important to see to help you feel more connect to the city as you follow our free Munich walking tour map.

Maybe the most important gate on the newly expanded wall was the mighty Isartor River Gate .  It was nearby that in 1156 Henry the Lion built his Ludwigsbrücke tool bridge to reroute the Salt Road from Bad Reichenhall and Hallein on its way to Augsburg through Munich and established it as a town.  The new Isartor Gate helped provide a curtain to protect the town as is one of only three gates still standing.  In 1835, the central tower was rebuilt and frescoes depicting the victorious return of Louis IV  in 1322 after the Battle of Mühldorf.  Louis’ victory over the Austrian Habsburgs helped earn him the title of Holy Roman Emperor and strengthen Munich as a powerhouse in the Salt Trade through the 1300s.  Today the gate is a popular spot for photographers and the attached cafe is a favorite of locals.  Photos : ( Isartor Gate in 1600s ).

*Tram 19 takes you over the river and Prater Island directly to the… 32. Bavarian Parliament ( Maximilianeum ): Home of the Bavarian Parliament, Maximilianeum is a great example of renaissance architecture.  While there isn’t a ton to see inside Maximilianeum, the atmosphere at neighboring Wienerplatz and it’s beer garden HofbrauKeller make it worth the trip.  Wienerpatz is a cute square located just southeast of Maximilianeum which has a quaint old-world feel, complete with it’s own Maypole . A favorite backdrop for photos on the square fits the square, the May Pole, and the towering St Johns church all in one picture.  If you’re starting to run short on time, feel free to bypass this stop all together by riding on Tram #17 all the way 17 to 19.  360 Degree Panorama : Click Here .  Photos : ( Wienerplatz ).

*Tram 18 is the easiest way to get to the… 33. Deutsches Museum : Huge museum of arts and science spread out in a campus of buildings. It is Germany’s equivalent to the American Smithsonian in Washington DC. Great for kids and families.  Restaurant Website : ( HERE ).

*Also sitting on the route for Tram 18 is one of Munich’s hidden gems, the… 34. Munich Puppet Theater ( Münchner Marionettentheater ): If you have never witnessed a classic Marionette production this is your chance. Skilled puppeteers carefully maneuver wooden characters, making them truly come to life with every string movement. The range of shows that are preformed in Munich is pretty big, but even if you aren’t familiar with the work the show will be amazing.   Theater Website : ( HERE ).

35. Awesome Museums : A cluster of great museums often overlooked by tourists. Glyptohek Museum Built from 1813-1860. Is Munich’s oldest public museum; the only museum in the world that is solely dedicated to ancient sculpture. Pinakothek Art Museum is made up of a building for modern art and another for the classics.

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24 Essential Things to Do in Munich, Germany ( + Day Trips)

Munich may be famous for its beer gardens, beer halls and annual Oktoberfest, but these beer-fueled attractions aren’t the only reasons to plan a visit to this cosmopolitan city. Art and culture lovers will be satisfied with the city’s variety of

• All Things To Do

Marienplatz Marienplatz free

The Marienplatz square, accessible by a U-Bahn station of the same name, is considered the heart of Munich, and has been since the city was founded in 1158. In medieval times, it hosted markets and jousting tournaments. Today, busy Marienplatz is a must-visit for its two town halls, and is also a great spot to stop for coffee and watch the world go by. For Munich day trippers, it’s the perfect starting point for a tour of the city’s main central attractions, as well as the square’s surrounding pedestrianized area, home to foodie paradise, the Viktualienmarkt , and countless restaurants, cafes and shops. At Christmastime, Marienplatz fills with vendors selling festive food, mulled wine and holiday gifts at the popular Christkindlmarkt.

Recent travelers say spending some time in this city square is a must-do, noting the distinctly Bavarian feel. Past visitors also recommended timing your visit for the daily glockenspiel shows at the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) , which take place at 11 a.m. and noon. The square is free to visit 24/7, though individual businesses operate their own hours.

English Garden (Englischer Garten) English Garden (Englischer Garten) free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you need a break from the crowds, hop on the U-Bahn to the Westpark to enjoy fewer tourists, more locals and in spring, some 20,000 roses. The Westpark is also home to Chinese and Japanese gardens and a Nepalese pagoda. – Christie Dietz

This large public park, which stretches from the city center to the northeastern city limits, is one of Munich's must-dos. Named for the informal English style of rolling hills and open landscaping, the Englischer Garten contains four popular beer gardens, jogging and biking paths, several kiosks for buying drinks and snacks, a boating lake, and monuments, including a Greek temple, a Japanese tea house and the Chinese Tower, or Chinesischer Turm. Head to the tower for one of the city’s largest beer gardens and several seasonal events throughout the year, such as a Christmas market and a traditional Bavarian dance event. One of the park’s biggest draws is the Eisbach wave (Eisbachwelle) at the garden entrance, a human-made standing wave that allows surfers to try their hand at river surfing almost all year.

Munich Residence (Residenz München) Munich Residence (Residenz München)

What originated in the late 1300s as a small, moated Gothic castle was transformed over the centuries by the Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty to become the largest city palace in Germany. From 1508 to 1918, the Munich Residence (Residenz Munich) was the residence and seat of government of the Bavarian dukes, electors and kings. Today, it’s an impressive mix of Renaissance, Baroque, rococo and neoclassicism styles – and what many travelers describe as a must-see when visiting Munich.

Inside, you can explore more than 150 ornately decorated rooms filled with tapestries, paintings, sculptures, clocks and furniture. Highlights include King Ludwig I’s neoclassical royal apartment and the treasury, which comprises 10 halls displaying a magnificent collection of exhibits, such as crowns, goblets, swords, jewelry and tableware. The Court Church of All Saints (Allerheiligen-Hofkirche), the Rococo Cuvilliés Theater (Cuvilliés-Theater) and Hercules Hall (Herkulessaal) are today all used as performance venues. The palace is surrounded by the Court Garden (Hofgarden), a beautiful park filled with courtyards, fountains, statues, pavilions and water features.

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Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg)

U.S. News Insider Tip: Head to the palace late in the day to enjoy fewer crowds and a peaceful sunset in the beautiful gardens. – Christie Dietz

Located in the northwestern district of Neuhausen-Nymphenburg, Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) was built as a gift for the wife of Elector Ferdinand Maria, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, on the birth of their long-awaited son. Designed by Italian architect Agostino Barelli, who also designed Munich’s Theatine Church (Theatinerkirche), the Baroque-style palace was completed in the 1670s. Over the centuries, it was extended and embellished with Rococo and Neoclassical elements.

Viktualienmarkt Viktualienmarkt free

The Viktualienmarkt, located off the Marienplatz U-Bahn and S-Bahn stops, began as a farmers market in 1807. Today, the 100 or so permanent stands offer everything from freshly baked bread to sausages and honey to fresh flowers. There are also several fountains featuring statues of local comedians, actors and singers, and a towering maypole decorated with emblems depicting various aspects of Munich life. You can also enjoy a locally brewed beer in the shade of the chestnut trees at the Viktualienmarkt beer garden.

Travelers say this market is perfect for an afternoon stroll, noting visitors should stop to buy and sample some of the goods available (especially the pretzels and white sausages), and finish their day with a cold drink at the beer garden.

Old Town (Altstadt) Old Town (Altstadt) free

Located in the heart of Munich, the city’s Old Town ( Altstadt ) is a hive of activity that’s as popular with tourists as it is with locals and packed with sights and attractions.

The Marienplatz is at the center of the Old Town, a former market square named, along with the victory column – St. Mary’s Column ( Mariensäule ) – in its center, after Bavarian’s patron saint, Mary. Travelers love both the sights and the atmosphere here and are impressed by the neo-Gothic New Town Hall ( Neues Rathaus ), famous for its glockenspiel and the location of both the Lord Mayor’s office and Tourist Information. During Advent, there are several Christmas markets in the Old Town, but the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz is the most traditional, dating back to the 14th century.

Asam Church (Asamkirche) Asam Church (Asamkirche) free

Munich is full of hidden gems, and the Asam Church (Asamkirche) is no exception. Nestled between stores and cafes on the city's popular shopping street Sendlinger Straße, this 18th-century church, which is officially called St.-Johann-Nepomuk-Kirche, is an unexpected masterpiece. 

Previous visitors said they were intrigued by the building's unique exterior while strolling by, so they decided to peek inside. What they found was a tiny church with enormous detail. 

Glockenspiel in the New City Hall (Rathaus-Glockenspiel) Glockenspiel in the New City Hall (Rathaus-Glockenspiel) free

In the tower of the New City Hall ( Neues Rathaus ) on Marienplatz is Munich’s world-famous glockenspiel. With its 43 bells and 32 life-size figures, the large solar-powered mechanical clock first sounded in 1908 and reenacts scenes from two famous 16th-century Munich stories twice a day; from March to October, there’s an additional reenactment at 5 p.m. The glockenspiel has a repertoire of 22 pieces of music, mostly folk songs, that are played on rotation, with four reserved especially for Advent. The only time the glockenspiel is silent is on Good Friday.

The first of its two scenes depicts a moment from a jousting tournament that took place on Marienplatz in 1568 during two weeks of celebrations held in honor of the wedding of the local Duke Wilhelm V to Renate of Lorraine: A Bavarian knight triumphs over his French opponent by thrusting him off his horse with his lance. The second scene illustrates the dance of Munich’s barrel makers ( Münchner Schäffler ), who are celebrating being allowed to venture out onto the streets again for the first time after a severe plague epidemic in 1517 and began dancing to entertain the city’s plague-ravaged residents. In a third performance every evening between March and October, a night watchman comes out to blow his horn and a guardian angel stretches a protective hand over the Munich Child ( Münchner Kindl) , the symbol on the city’s coat of arms.

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Pinakothek Museums Pinakothek Museums

Amongst the outstanding collection of museums in Munich’s art district – Kunstareal – are the three Pinakothek museums. All are within walking distance of one another and are part of the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen (Bavarian State Picture Collection), along with several other museums.

The Alte Pinakothek – translated as the “Old Picture Gallery” – is regarded by experts as one of Europe’s most significant art museums. With walls lined with works from Titian, Rembrandt and Rubens, the museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of 14th- to 18th-century paintings. Visitors appreciated the incredible collection of masterpieces and the audio guide, which can be accessed via your smartphone – so remember to bring headphones!

Deutsches Museum Deutsches Museum

A science and technology museum like no other (according to travelers), the Deutsches Museum brims with exhibits on everything from robotics and aviation to bridges and musical instruments. Sprawling across more than 200,000 square feet of space, the museum reopened in 2022 after a yearslong renovation. Today, visitors have the opportunity to explore 19 new and redesigned exhibits. There’s also Kids’ Kingdom ( Kinderreich ), a section geared toward 3- to 8-year-olds that houses interactive exhibits, including a marble run, a hall of mirrors and a giant guitar that kids can crawl inside and actually play. Beyond the exhibits, the museum also boasts a rooftop restaurant and a gift shop.

There are also two other branches of the Deutsches Museum (accessible via additional admission fees). In the west of the city, the affiliated Center for Transportation ( Verkehrszentrum) offers three exhibition halls filled with transport-related exhibits, including vintage cars and locomotives. Meanwhile, Flugwerft Schleissheim is all about aviation, and it’s located about 13 miles north in Oberschleißheim.

Olympiapark Olympiapark free

Originally constructed for the 1972 Summer Olympics, Munich's Olympiapark is now a popular tourist attraction. It houses a massive recreation center complete with skating rinks, an indoor pool, mini golf courses, tennis courts and, of course, the 77,337-seat Olympic Stadium. The stadium hosts concerts and other large-ticketed events throughout the year, but many visitors come to the park to explore the plethora of activities in and around the stadium.

The park sprawls across more than 200 acres, meaning you likely won’t see it all during one visit. If you’re limited on time, opt for a 20-minute tram tour of the grounds for 7 euros (around $7.60). Some visitors preferred this comfortable sightseeing method, but others said they wished the tram tour passed more interesting sights. For a 360-degree view of the park, city and the nearby Alps, climb up the grassy mound known as Olympic Hill (Olympiaberg). It’s one of the highest elevations in the city and a popular picnic spot in the summer. During warm weather, you can also rent rowboats and pedal boats to take out onto the park’s lake.

Augustiner-Keller Augustiner-Keller free

Augustiner-Keller, one of few remaining traditional beer gardens left in the city center, is Munich’s oldest brewery, and the last remaining one that’s owned privately. It was first mentioned in 1812 on the Munich city map as a beer storage facility, and was acquired by the owner of the Augustiner brewery in 1862.

The beer garden took its current form in 1896 and has changed very little since. Today it has some 5,000 seats and is very popular in summer, in part thanks to the shade of its 100 or so chestnut trees. You can sample traditional Bavarian food here, such as sausages or roast pork, opt for lighter international dishes and salads, or if you want to cut costs, do as the locals do and bring a picnic. In winter, the historic brewery building has a network of cozy rooms and larger beer halls to drink and dine in.

Odeonsplatz Odeonsplatz free

Despite its location in the heart of Bavaria, Munich has been called "Italy's most northerly city" because of its architecture and laid-back atmosphere. Its Italian influence is most apparent in Odeonsplatz – a historic square near the city center designed by a king who had an affinity for the Mediterranean country.  

The Field Marshals' Hall (Feldherrnhalle) – a three-arch monument built in the 1840s – stands at the south end of the Odeonsplatz square and is almost identical to  Florence 's Loggia dei Lanzi. Deeply embedded in pre-World War II history, the monument is perhaps best known as the site of the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, a failed coup by the Nazi Party following which Hitler was arrested. Nowadays, the Feldherrnhalle's steps provide an ideal spot for Munich residents and visitors to lounge. 

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St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche) St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche) free

St. Peter's Church  (Peterskirche) is Munich's oldest place of worship. Its stunning white and gold interior is filled with treasures, but its tower – fondly known as Old Peter (Alter Peter) by locals – is the real draw. Adorned with eight clocks and eight bells, the tower stands at nearly 200 feet tall. From its viewing platform, visitors are treated to 360-degree views of Munich, including City Hall (Rathaus) and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Dear Lady) .

Recent travelers were impressed by the church's glittering altar, not to mention the gold, jewel-bedecked, glass-enclosed skeleton of St. Munditia, a revered Christian martyr. Reviewers also said the view at the top of the tower is a must-see and worth the effort.

Cathedral of Our Dear Lady (Frauenkirche) Cathedral of Our Dear Lady (Frauenkirche) free

Officially called the Cathedral Of Our Dear Lady (Zu Unserer Lieben Frau) , this Munich landmark is also known locally as Munich Cathedral (Münchner Dom) and the Frauenkirche. The Gothic-period cathedral is a unique part of the city skyline, thanks to its two dome-topped towers. The dual towers stand at around 323 feet, though one is slightly higher than the other – and no one knows why! Thanks to a law passed in 2004, no buildings within Munich’s city limits are allowed to be constructed taller than the towers.

The main part of the church and two towers were constructed in the late 1400s, built with red bricks in order to save money as there were no local stone quarries. The domed tower roofs were added in 1525. The cathedral was severely damaged by bombing during World War II, and although the initial restoration was simpler than the original design, more ornate embellishments were added later.

Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein) Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein)

Neuschwanstein Castle ( Schloss Neuschwanstein ) famously served as the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Built on a rock ledge over the Pöllat Gorge on the site of two smaller castles, the medieval-style Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II in 1868. Today, it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe, and just a two-hour train ride south of Munich.

Even if you’re not interested in touring the inside of the castle, travelers say it’s still worth the trip for the views of the exterior and surrounding area. You can admire the photogenic setting on one of the many wooded trails, or from Marienbrücke, a bridge suspended over a waterfall that offers spectacular photo-ops of the castle and Bavarian Alps.

Bavarian National Museum (Bayerisches Nationalmuseum) Bavarian National Museum (Bayerisches Nationalmuseum)

The Bavarian National Museum ( Bayerisches Nationalmuseum ) is one of Germany’s largest museums and one of Europe’s largest art and cultural history museums.

Founded in 1855 by King Maximilian II, it was dedicated to the history of the Wittelsbach dynasty and the culture and history of the people they ruled. The museum was originally situated between what is today Karlsplatz and Marienplatz , but its collection quickly outgrew its space. In 1900, the museum was moved to a historic building complex on Prinzregentenstraße, close to the River Isar. Much of the museum required reconstruction following severe damage during World War II.

The Hirschgarten The Hirschgarten free

Located in the Nymphenburg district in Munich’s west, the approximately 100-acre Hirschgarten park was created in 1780 by Elector Carl Theodor as a hunting ground for the nobility. Though it’s no longer used for hunting, the park does shelter a wild animal enclosure, which is home to fallow deer and wild sheep that visitors can feed (just pay attention to the signage listing what the animals are allowed to eat). The Hirschgarten park also houses several playgrounds, including a water playground for hot summer days, a small skate park, barbeque areas and various walking trails.

The Königlicher Hirschgarten restaurant and beer garden , which dates back to 1791, is also situated in the park. With seating for more than 8,000 people, it’s the largest traditional beer garden in the world. Stop by for some hearty fare, such as white sausages with sweet mustard, käsepätzle (egg noodles with cheese and onions), or a large platter of bread, cold cuts and cheeses. Recent travelers say the beer garden has a great ambiance, excellent service and a fantastic location, and that the park is a peaceful place to escape the packed downtown area.

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St. Michael's Church (Michaelskirche) St. Michael's Church (Michaelskirche) free

Situated in Munich’s pedestrian zone halfway between Karlsplatz and Marienplatz, St. Michael’s Church (Michaelskirche) is considered to be the first Renaissance church built north of the Alps. According to past travelers, it is a must-see in Munich.

The Jesuit church was built in two stages. Commissioned by Duke Herzog Wilhelm V and modeled on the Jesuits’ mother church in Rome, its foundation stone was laid in 1583, but a vaulting system was used that turned out to be unstable and in 1590, the church’s tower collapsed and destroyed the choir, which had just been completed. In a second stage of construction, the plans for the (now towerless) church were expanded to incorporate a new choir and transept, resulting in the impressively proportioned building that still stands today.

Cuvilliés Theatre (Cuvilliés-Theater) Cuvilliés Theatre (Cuvilliés-Theater)

Named after its Belgian-born architect François de Cuvilliés, the plush Cuvilliés Theatre ( Cuvilliés-Theater ), originally called the Residence Theatre ( Residenztheater ), was built in rococo style in the mid-18th century as a theater for Elector Maximilian Joseph III and used for grand opera performances for members of the royal court.

The building was destroyed toward the end of World War II, and the theater was rebuilt in one of the wings of the Munich Residence (Residenz München) . The theater’s ornately carved wooden box paneling had been dismantled and security stored during the war and could be reused in its meticulous reconstruction and decoration in magnificent red and gold. It reopened under its new name, the Cuvilliés Theatre, in 1958. It’s also known as the Old Residence Theatre ( Altes Residenztheater ) to distinguish it from the New Residence Theatre ( Neues Residenztheater ), which was built on the Cuvilliés Theater’s original site.

NS-Dokumentationszentrum NS-Dokumentationszentrum free

The Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism (NS-Dokumentationszentrum), abbreviated to “nsdoku,” explores the history of National Socialism and the longstanding effects of the Nazi dictatorship.

The museum is located on Königsplatz on the site of the Brown House ( Braunes Haus) , the former headquarters of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party – the Nazi Party – which was almost destroyed by Allied bombing in 1945. More than any other city, Munich is most closely associated with the rise of National Socialism, and between 1933 and 1945, the area surrounding the nsdoku became a primary location for the Nazi Party and home to many of its administrative offices.

Munich Court Garden (Hofgarten) Munich Court Garden (Hofgarten) free

Bordered by the Munich Residence (Residenz München) , the Bavarian State Chancellery ( Bayerische Staatskanzlei ) and Odeonsplatz , the Munich Court Garden ( Hofgarten ) is an enjoyable place to stroll around as part of a visit to the palace, but with its plentiful benches, also makes a great spot to take a break from sightseeing and shopping.

Plans for the garden date back to 1613, when various new buildings and extensions of the palace were being constructed. It was designed in the style of formal Italian Renaissance gardens, but was redesigned several times according to changing fashions, and needed rebuilding after it was destroyed during World War II.

Bavarian State Opera House (Bayerische Staatsoper) Bavarian State Opera House (Bayerische Staatsoper)

U.S. News Insider Tip: If your Munich visit coincides with the opera’s annual summer festival and you’d like to attend a free live broadcast from the National Theatre/open-air concert at Max-Joseph-Platz, do as the locals and bring a picnic and something to sit on. – Christie Dietz

The Bavarian State Opera (Bayerische Staatsoper) is one of the world’s most acclaimed opera houses. Its history goes back some 350 years and today, it has its own orchestra, the Bavarian State Opera (Bayerische Staatsorchester), and ballet company, the Bavarian State Ballet (Bayerische Staatsballett).

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BMW World (BMW Welt) and the BMW Museum BMW World (BMW Welt) and the BMW Museum

On the east side of the Olympiapark , situated a few minutes’ walk from each other in a complex shared with BMW’s corporate headquarters and main plant, the BMW Museum and BMW Welt (which translates as “BMW World”) are dedicated to one of Germany’s most famous exports.

Housed in a strikingly modern building, the BMW Museum documents the brand’s 100-year history through temporary and permanent exhibitions that feature collections of cars, motorcycles and engines, as well as displays highlighting BMW’s technological advances and achievements from its inception to today. Directly opposite, the futuristic-looking BMW Welt is home to the newest BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles, as well as exhibitions showcasing BMW’s latest innovations. Many travelers said it the site was worth visiting, if not for the cars then for the building's contemporary architecture.

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36 Hours in Munich

By A.J. Goldmann April 18, 2024

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By A.J. Goldmann Photographs by Laetitia Vancon

A.J. Goldmann has written about European arts and culture for nearly two decades. He currently divides his time between Munich and Berlin.

Munich is giving Berlin, its longtime cultural rival, a run for its money. Shedding its reputation as the conservative Bavarian capital, Munich is emerging as a younger, laid-back hub that’s balancing tradition and innovation in unusual ways. Look to the Schlachthofviertel, a rapidly evolving cultural district centered around an active slaughterhouse (yes, really) that’s sprung to life with nightclubs and bars (including one in a decommissioned ship) and a beautiful new home for the Volkstheater , one of the city’s main playhouses. Head to the Isarphilharmonie , an ultra-modern new concert hall, to hear some of Munich's top musical ensembles, including the splendid Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra , which turns 75 this year. And if you’re visiting in the summer, don’t miss the Munich Opera Festival , which is nearing its 150th birthday.

Recommendations

• The Englischer Garten , or the English Garden, Munich’s sprawling and beloved central park, is popular with locals during the warmer months.
• The Lenbachhaus Museum has Germany’s most important collection of works by the artists of Der Blaue Reiter, the influential modern art association founded in 1911 in Munich.
• Bahnwärter Thiel , a hip cultural space in a formerly abandoned lot with graffitied freight containers and old subway cars, has a vibrant techno club at its center.
• The Viktualienmarkt , Munich’s central outdoor greengrocers market, is full of attractively displayed fresh produce and vendors selling street food.
• Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism , a sobering museum built on the former site of Nazi headquarters, traces the ideology and the crimes of the party that was founded in Munich in 1920.
• The grand Nationaltheater is home to the Bayerische Staatsoper , one of Germany’s best opera companies.
• The grassy banks of the Isar , the river that runs through Munich, form an urban oasis where locals (and their dogs) stroll, picnic and even go for a dip in the river.
• The Alte Pinakothek , in Munich’s museum quarter, houses a storied collection of European paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries in a stately building.
• The Nymphenburg Palace was the former summer residence of Bavaria’s ruling family. The palace’s sweeping and stately gardens rival those of Versailles.
• Alva-Morgaine is a delightfully overstuffed second-hand shop with an unpredictable and ever-changing assortment of elegant and eccentric vintage clothing.
• Der Dantler gives a modern and refined take on Alpine cuisine in an informal atmosphere.
• Drei Mühlen is a bustling neighborhood restaurant where you can find the best deal on weisswurstfrühstück, a traditional Bavarian breakfast of veal sausages and a pretzel.
• Café Zimt und Trallala is a bakery and cafe that makes exquisite breakfast pastries.
• Deutsche Eiche is a gay-friendly restaurant and hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace.
• Alte Utting , a decommissioned ship perched on a railway bridge, is one of the city’s most unusual and most atmospheric places to have a cocktail.
• GötterSpeise is an eye-poppingly colorful cocoa emporium with a creative and delicious assortment of hot chocolate.
• Caspar Plautz , on the Viktualienmarkt, serves baked potatoes with a variety of stuffings.
• Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt , a cafe and roastery in the middle of the market, is your best bet for coffee.
• Lea Zapf , a cafe and patisserie on the Viktualienmarkt, makes decadent cakes and small pastries.
• Eataly , in a cavernous indoor market next to the Viktualienmarkt, is a mecca for gourmet Italian products.
• Café Frischhut makes local doughnuts called schmalznudels and other deep-fried delights.
• Conviva im Blauen Haus , a restaurant attached to the Münchner Kammerspiele, one of the city’s main playhouses, is the place to go for a quick and delicious pre-theater meal.
• The Königlicher Hirschgarten , one of the world’s largest and oldest beer gardens, is a perfect place to enjoy local delicacies and have a pint with thousands of your closest friends.
• Cortiina Hotel is sophisticated and centrally located, within spitting distance of the Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s legendary beer hall, and a few blocks from the opera house. Wooden floors and furniture and stone tiling in the bathroom contribute to the sense of luxurious minimalism. Rooms start at 289 euros, or $307.
• Living Hotel Prinzessin Elisabeth , a block from the Isar River, offers a variety of tastefully furnished rooms and suites. The rooms are spacious and all come equipped with a kitchenette and free drinks in the minibar. Rooms start at €120.
• Hotel Mariandl offers elegant, rather old-fashioned rooms (some with shared bathrooms) with Belle Époque charm. Set on a leafy boulevard close to the central train station, the hotel also has an atmospheric Viennese-style cafe and restaurant, Café am Beethovenplatz. Rooms start at €69.
• For short-term rentals , consider looking in Maxvorstadt and Schwabing, two residential neighborhoods north of the center with more vacation properties than the cramped old town.
• Munich’s public transportation system, MVG , which includes trains , buses and trams , is extensive, efficient and affordable. In central Munich, a single ride costs €3.90, a day pass costs €9.20, and a week pass costs €21.10. On weekends, the system runs all night long. The MVG also offers bike sharing , which can be booked with an app . Uber operates in Germany as a regulated taxi service nearly identical to the city’s other taxi companies. A good local ride-hailing option is IsarFunk . It’s more common (and easier) to order a ride in advance than to hail one on the street.

The Eisbach in the Englischer Garten

Start by getting to know Munich’s beloved central park. From Odeonsplatz, a 19th-century square, stroll to the Hofgarten , a manicured park surrounded with hedges and crowned by an elegant central gazebo. From there, cross into the rambling Englischer Garten , which is larger than New York’s Central Park. Wave to the bathers bobbing up and down in the Eisbach, the freezing man-made river that snakes through the park, and watch the daredevil surfers who ride its waves. You can also stop for an inaugural pint at the beer garden next to the Chinese Tower, a five-story wooden pagoda; take a boat out on the placid Kleinhesseloher See lake; or visit the hilltop Monopteros , a 19th-century replica of a Greek temple that was built for the Bavarian king Ludwig I.

Germany’s culture of commemoration, seen in its willingness to examine the crimes it committed during World War II, make the country unique. The Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism , which opened in 2015 at the site of a former Nazi headquarters, charts the history of Nazism in Munich, the birthplace of the movement. It traces the rise of the party and Adolf Hitler, including his failed but deadly coup, known as the Beer Hall Putsch , in 1923, while also describing the persecution of Munich’s Jewish population, which numbered roughly 12,000 before Hitler’s rise to power, and the city’s postwar reckoning with its Nazi past. The current temporary exhibition (through July 28) examines right-wing terrorism in post-war Germany to the present day, including the 1980 Oktoberfest bombing and the 2016 attack at a Munich shopping mall. (Entry, free.)

Get a taste of modern Bavaria at Der Dantler, one of a new crop of restaurants injecting Alpine cuisine with Asian accents. The restaurant, in the former working-class neighborhood of Giesing, has a casual, hole-in-the-wall vibe; friendly and attentive staff; and, in the evenings, a frequently changing five-course menu (105 euros per person) with ambitious preparations of regional produce. A recent dinner included roasted carrots coated with preserved lemon and a spicy macadamia crunch; and a tender saddle of veal in jus, served with schupfnudeln, or German gnocchi. Vegetarian and pescatarian options available. The wine pairing (currently 56 euros per person) is a great way to get to know the menu’s German and Austrian bottles, including some adventurous natural wines. Reservations required.

The Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain) on Marienplatz, the central square in Munich’s old town, with the white Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) in the distance.

Drei Mühlen

Weisswurstfrühstück is a time-honored German tradition in the south: A pair of boiled veal sausages, eaten with sweet mustard and a chewy pretzel, washed down with beer. It’s the Bavarian breakfast of champions. Try it at Drei Mühlen , a restaurant that gets its sausages from the area’s best-known butcher, Magnus Bauch . Drei Mühlen recently raised its prices, but even so, its weisswurstfrühstück remains an unbeatable deal at €6.55 (which includes a half-liter of Augustiner lager beer). It’s a bustling locals’ hang, especially on weekends, so you might end up sitting at the cramped bar. Reservations recommended. For vegetarians, Café Zimt und Trallala , around the corner, bakes some of the best croissants in the city and not-to-be-missed franzbrötchen, a sticky, flaky, cinnamon-and butter-pastry (€2.80 each).

After you’ve polished off your beer, head to the Isar, the river that flows through Munich. Cross the Wittelsbacherbrücke, a bridge, and walk along the dirt paths on the river’s grassy bank. A bold, decade-long rewilding project , completed in 2011, widened the Isar here, purified its waters and added a series of gravel paths along its banks. Watch (and maybe even join) the courageous swimmers carried by the strong current around the Weideninsel, a small island that emerged during the rewilding. To keep exploring the banks of the Isar, walk south, past the lovingly maintained Rosengarten, whose flowers are just starting to bloom. You will soon reach the Flaucher, a series of pebbled beaches, connected by an elevated walkway, that are popular with both nudists and families who barbecue (they keep to their separate shores).

The years that Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, lived in Munich (between 1979 and 1985) made him a local hero and one of the city’s gay icons. Visit some of his haunts around Gärtnerplatz, a circular plaza, like the nearby Deutsche Eiche , nowadays a hotel and restaurant with a stunning rooftop terrace. (He was also a habitué at Pimpernel and Ochsengarten , two still-operating gay bars and nightclubs on the neighboring Müllerstrasse.) Mercury bought an apartment with the Austrian actress Barbara Valentin on Hans-Sachs-Strasse, a quaint street lined with prewar buildings. There, find Alva-Morgaine , a delightful wunderkammer (or cabinet of curiosities) of one-of-a-kind fashion, like 1920s flapper dresses. Around the corner is GötterSpeise , a cocoa emporium with a creative assortment of hot chocolates (€4 to €6).

If the Englischer Garten are the lungs of Munich, then the Viktualienmarkt , one of Europe’s best outdoor food markets, is the city’s stomach. Try the heavenly pressed sandwiches at Luiginos Bio Feinkost , which include a pastrami-Cheddar melt or grilled eggplant, chevre and spinach (from €6.90); or head to Caspar Plautz , a potato merchant that serves stuffed baked spuds (from €7.50 a plate). If the weather is inclement, duck inside the temple-like Eataly directly next door for a slice of focaccia (from about €6). For dessert, try the freshly fried schmalznudels – Bavarian doughnuts — at Café Frischhut (from €3) — or the decadent cakes and pastries at Lea Zapf (from €4). The house-roasted coffee at the Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt might be the best in town.

Der Blaue Reiter, or the Blue Rider , a group of Expressionist artists which coalesced in Munich in 1911, is arguably the city’s greatest contribution to 20th-century art. In boldly colorful works, the Blue Rider artists used modern painting as a conduit to the spiritual. The Lenbachhaus Museum , in the city’s central Kunstareal, or museum quarter, boasts the world’s largest collection of paintings by the group whose members included Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc and Paul Klee. The trove exists because of Gabriele Münter , a distinctive and prolific painter who was also Kandinsky’s lover (he eventually left her to move back to Russia). In 1957, when she turned 80, she donated more than 1,000 works by herself, Kandinsky, Marc, Klee and others to the museum. (Entry, €10.)

It’s easy to miss Conviva im Blauen Haus , an unassuming restaurant behind the Münchner Kammerspiele , one of the city’s three publicly funded theaters. The restaurant, with industrial lighting and long wooden tables, doubles as the theater’s canteen and employs people with mental and physical disabilities as cooks and servers. Prompt and attentive service ensures that everyone — actors and audience members alike — gets to the show on time. A recent evening menu featured osso buco on saffron risotto, Iberian pork loin with king oyster mushroom and potato strudel, and sea bream with artichokes and fennel puree, all in the €20 range.

Nationaltheater

Germany is home to more than 80 opera companies and the Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera), which traces its history back more than 350 years, might be the country’s finest. These days, it has a reputation for a varied operatic repertoire, often presented in avant-garde productions. Locals love to get gussied up for performances at the company’s grand main venue, the nearly 2,000-seat Nationaltheater . Germany’s lavish public subsidies mean that there are tickets for every budget, including over 300 standing room tickets for under €20. Upcoming highlights include Romeo Castellucci’s densely symbolic take on Wagner’s “ Tannhäuser ,” a new “ Tosca ,” directed by the Hungarian filmmaker Kornel Mundruczo and the summertime premiere of “ Le Grand Macabre ,” directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski, in honor of the Hungarian composer Gyorgy Ligeti’s centennial.

Alte Utting

Munich still lags behind Berlin when it comes to clubbing, but its nightlife has become much more varied over the past decade. One of the most unusual club venues is Bahnwärter Thiel , a cultural space in the edgy Schlachhofviertel district, just south of the center of town. The large outdoor area contains abandoned subway cars and sea freight containers, one of which contains the Kulturhaus, a club that attracts some of Germany’s best techno D.J.s. (Most concert tickets, €10.) A few blocks away is the Alte Utting , a bar and event space in a decommissioned passenger steam ship perched high above street level on a disused railway bridge.

The statue of Bavaria, the female personification of the southern German state, looks over the expansive Theresienwiese, the site of the annual Oktoberfest beer festival.

Alte Pinakothek

On Sundays, Munich’s state-run museums charge €1 entry to their permanent exhibitions. If you need to choose just one, head to the Alte Pinakothek , one of the world’s finest collections of European paintings, which is housed under the soaring ceiling of an early-19th-century building. Highlights include a richly varied assortment of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, which looks more stunning than ever after recent improvements to the skylights. More than 200 paintings in the main upper galleries have changed places as part of a recent reorganization that eschews traditional ordering along geographical and chronological lines in favor of a more flexible presentation. If you have time to spare, cross the road to the Pinakothek der Moderne , home to 20th- and 21st-century art. Be warned, though: It will set you back another euro.

Königlicher Hirschgarten

Man does not live by art alone. After you’re done soaking in centuries’ worth of masterpieces, head over to the Königlicher Hirschgarten , one of the world’s largest beer gardens, founded in 1791. Find a spot in the main 7,000-seat area, which is self-service and has long, shared tables and Augustiner lager on tap. Sausages, potato salad and rotisserie chicken are king here, but the steckerlfisch, a whole grilled fish on a stick, is also a local delicacy. (Half-liter beer, €4.20; beer garden food, €3 to €20.) After lunch, stroll through the nearby Nymphenburg Palace , the former summer residence of Bavaria’s ruling family. Explore the 445-acre garden and marvel at the palace’s vast main building, whose 2,000-foot-long facade is larger than that of Versailles (gardens and parks entry, free; ceremonial rooms, €8).

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Have a weekend to explore a destination we’ve got the perfect travel itinerary..

Paris: A different side of the French capital reveals smaller museums, under-the-radar spots in Montmartre and a diverse performance scene .

Montreal : Climb a mountain, wander the waterfront and enjoy a smoked-meat sandwich  in a city with a surprise around every corner.

Cartagena: With a limonada de coco in hand, explore two walkable neighborhoods over a weekend  in this coastal Colombian city.

Glasgow:  Take in Gothic architecture, green riverside walks and a global banquet  in Scotland’s largest city.

Chicago:   ​​ Cycle miles of urban trails, tour a restored Frank Lloyd Wright masterwork and catch golden hour  along Lake Michigan.

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Spring is here!

Great ideas for your next visit to Munich.

Local Love Munich

Munich's districts are diverse, contrasting and worth exploring. Immerse yourself!

Frauenkirche: Visit of the South Tower

Book a visit to the observation deck of Munich's Frauenkirche and enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

Viktualienmarkt Tasting Tour

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting historical facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Romantic Road: Rothenburg and Harburg

Hop on and be whisked away by one of the world's most beautiful stretches of street: the Romantic Road to Rothenburg and Harburg.

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Dream castles Neuschwanstein & Linderhof

Immerse yourself in the world of the fairytale king!

Visit of the Law Library: Juristische Bibliothek

Impressive architecture and unique ambience: discover the Law Library in the New Town Hall.

Pedicab tour through the old town and nature

Enjoy this special tour and pedicap ride past all the famous sights of Munich's old town and into the Englischer Garten.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

City trip incl. Munich Card and Tower Ascent

We look forward to seeing you again in Munich. Our tip: the exclusive travel package with Munich Card and Tower Ascent.

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Hop-On Hop-Off Grand Circle 24h

The hop-on hop-off Grand Circle tour of Gray Line will let you collect unforgettable impressions of Munich.

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Private guided tour through Munich's Old Town

Exclusive and safe: Discover the most beautiful sights and corners of Munich's city centre with your official personal guide.

Berchtesgaden area and Eagle's Nest

The day trip takes you along the Alpine Road to Berchtesgaden area with its dreamlike scenery.

Salzburg and the Lake District

Visit the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

Visit the birthplace of composer extraordinaire Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, stroll through the Baroque old town and then relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Dream castles Neuschwanstein & Linderhof VIP

As VIP in the footsteps of King Ludwig II. On this day tour in the luxurious long-distance coach of Gray Line Sightseeing you can visit both dream castles of the fairytale king.

A day tour in the luxurious long-distance coach of Gray Line Sightseeing.

Rental bike 1 day

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Neighbourhood Ambassadors Munich

Immerse yourself in the colorful variety of Munich's neighborhoods, and be guided by the inspiring recommendations of our neighborhood ambassadors.

Hungry for art

From the Old Masters to the new young things: Munich's museums showcase art from all branches and eras. Here are some exhibitions that you'll definitely want to catch in 2024!

Celebrating with tradition: Dult is cult!

Three times a year for nine days of shopping, searching, watching, and amusing. Maidult, Jakobidult and Kirchweihdult are cult in Munich.

The little sister of the Oktoberfest

The folk festival season starts in Munich with the Spring Festival. A good opportunity to unpack your dirndl or lederhosen again after the long winter!

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Free Public transport

Reduced or included!

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Vouchers for Mother's Day

Guided Tours

Travel Packages

Accomodation

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

As soon as the first spring-like temperatures arrive in Munich, the city's restaurants and cafés begin the big chair shuffle.

A Maze of Gold and Glitter

Our author was born and raised in Munich – and yet has never been to the Residenz (city palace). Now it's time for a first visit!

A Pot-pourri of Curiosities

For the “I've never been to...“-series, Anika Landsteiner explores the Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum for the first time.

Hey, street art fans! Munich is a treasure of colorful street art waiting to be explored. Be amazed by the artistic marvels showcased as you take a leisurely stroll through the city streets.

Great activities for families

Munich is one of the most popular destinations with children. These are our suggestions for families at any time of year and in any weather!

Event calendar

Find things to do in Munich by month with our special event calendar. See Munich's top events.

The most important sights in Munich at a glance

Places in Munich that you should definitely visit at least once!

• Book excursions
• Book the Munich-Card
• Book guided tours

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Map of Munich, Germany

Are you looking for a map of Munich ? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve created a map collection of this city located in southern Germany.

Our Munich map collection contains a highway/road map, a neighborhood map, and a list of things to do.

So if you need a map of Germany’s third-largest city (Munich), use any of the maps below to help you navigate around the big city.

Jump To: Interactive Map | Printable Road Map | 10 Things to Do | Reference Map

Munich map collection

Interactive Map of Munich

Get a visual representation of the city that is famous for its Oktoberfest . The map includes all the important restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions in Munich , so you can plan your trip with ease. With this map, you will be able to explore all the attractions Munich has to offer. From the old town to the largest breweries, you will be able to find everything you need right here.

Munich Road Map

Use this road map to better understand the city of Munich, Germany. This highway map is perfect for anyone who wants a better understanding of the city, including its transportation network . For example, this map displays highway numbers and major street names so you never get lost.

Highways: 2, 2R, 8, 9, 13, 92, 94, 96, 99, 304

Major Roads: Max-Born-Straße, Verdistraße, Arnulfstraße, Max-Born-Straße, Landshuter Allee, Bodenseestraße, Wolfratshauser Straße, Boschetsrieder Straße, Olympiastraße, Effnerstraße, Föhringer Ring, Ingolstädter Straße, Grünwalder Straße, Karlsfelder Straße, Heidemannstraße

10 Things To Do in Munich

Looking for something to do in Munich? Look no further. Get out and explore Munich with this comprehensive things-to-do map. From the top attractions to hidden gems, this map shows you the top 10 attractions in Munich. You’ll see top sights like Marienplatz, English Garden, and the BMW Museum.

Munich is the third-most populous city in Germany and the capital of the state of Bavaria. If you plan on visiting Munich, here are the top 10 things to do that we recommend seeing.

• Marienplatz
• English Garden
• Victuals Market
• Munich Residenz
• Nymphenburg Palace
• Deutsches Museum
• Olympiapark München
• Hofbräuhaus München
• Allianz Arena

Munich Reference Map

Discover all the neighborhoods and localities with this handy map. You’ll find features like parks, waterways, and forests. With all the places to explore and things to do, you’ll never run out of things to do.

Water and Park Features: Isar River, Speichersee Ismaning

Communities: Altstadt-Lehel, Maxvorstadt, Altbogenhausen, Au-Haidhausen, Schwanthalerhöhe, Friedenheim, Neuhausen, Nymphenburg, Ramersdorf, Biederstein, Herzogpark, Oberföhring, Obermenzing, Altaubing, Lochhausen, Untermenzing-Allach, Waldtrudering, Waldperlach, Solln, Untere Au

• City of Munich (Official Website)
• Munich (Google Maps)

Cities in Germany map collection

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