Munich/Altstadt

Old City Hall, East Side

New City Hall and its Glockenspiel, Munich's Frauenkirche cathedral, the Hofbräuhaus, to name only a few—most of Munich's must-see sights are in the city's very centre, the so-called Altstadt (Old City). The area within the old city wall (today best defined by the Altstadtring circular road), which is best visible at Odeonsplatz and the historic city gates, Karlstor, Isartor and Sendlinger Tor, has its centre at Marienplatz. This is Munich's core, from where it grew from a village to what it is today: a pedestrian zone, shopping paradise, and the main tourist hangout. The Lehel area, between Isartor and the river Isar and Munich's oldest original suburb, is often considered to be part of the city centre too. The whole area roughly is bounded by the river Isar to the east, Tivolistraße and Prinzregentenstraße to the north, and the Altstadtring circular road and Zweibrückenstraße to the west and south.

Get in

The Karls gate at night

By suburban train (S-Bahn)

• S-Bahn lines S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, and S27 all run in west-east direction and stop at the centre of Munich at Marienplatz, the west end of the pedestrian zone at Karlsplatz (Stachus), and the east end of the city centre at Isartor.

By subway (U-Bahn)

• 🌍 Sendlinger Tor  U1  U2  U3  U6  U7  provides connection of the city centre to northwest and southeast and east Munich.
•  U3  and  U6  - stations 🌍 Odeonsplatz  U3  U4  U5  U6 , 🌍 Marienplatz  U3  U6  (centre of Munich) - connect to north and southwest Munich.
• Subways lines  U4  and  U5  stop at 🌍 Karlsplatz (Stachus)  U4  U5 , Odeonsplatz  U3  U4  U5  U6 , and 🌍 Lehel  U4  U5 . They connect the city center with the western and southeastern districts of Munich.

Get around

The city centre is best explored on foot, which should pose no problems because of its rather compact size. However, the less able might prefer to ride on Tram line 19, which traverses the city centre in west-east direction with a lot of scenic architecture along the way. You can also hire rickshaw drivers at Marienplatz, who offer both guided sightseeing tours with explanations and direct rides, which could be useful for the less able if they want to go to the English Garden.

See

• 🌍 English Garden (Englischer Garten) (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität). The English Garden is a vast urban park to the east of the district. At over twice the size of New York's Central Park and dating back to 1789, the Englischer Garten begins at the very center of Munich just north of the Residenz museum and Odeonsplatz, and continues north just over 5 km. It is Munich's green lung and the residents' main recreational area. For practical purposes English Garden is covered in detail in another article.  
• 🌍 Eisbach River Surfing (U-Bahn: U3,U6 Odeonsplatz or U4,U5 Lehel, Bus: Line 100, Nationalmuseum/Haus der Kunst). Watch river surfers on the Eisbach wave nearby the English Garden. The history of the world's first and best known urban surfing spot dates back to the early 1970s. Up to 100 surfers can be seen here on hot summer days, and the wave is also ridden in winter. Annual surfing competitions are held on the Eisbach wave as well. The Munich scene has around 1,000 active surfers. A few hundred meters down the river there is a second, easier wave for beginners, the so-called 🌍 Kleine Eisbachwelle.  Some further surf spots are located along the river Isar.  
• 🌍 Altes Rathaus. Built in 1474 and rebuilt after World War II to its original state. Today it houses a toy museum (Spielzeugmuseum). Outside you will find a statue of Juliet (Romeo's Juliet), a present from Munich's sister city, Verona.  

Field Marshal's Hall

• 🌍 Feldherrenhalle (Field Marshal's Hall) (Odeonsplatz). 24/7. At Odeonsplatz. Built between 1841 and 1844 by Friedrich von Gärtner at the behest of King Ludwig I of Bavaria after the example of the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. The Feldherrnhalle was a symbol of the honours of the Bavarian Army. Free.  
• 🌍 Mariensäule. A golden statue in the middle of Marienplatz. The statue was built in honor of the Virgin Mary to celebrate the sparing of the city from the Swedes.  
• 🌍 Neues Rathaus/Glockenspiel. During the summer, a curious sight appears every morning in Marienplatz. Hundreds of tourists begin craning their necks skyward to see the Glockenspiel work its magic on the front facade of the Neues Rathaus (New City Hall). As the automated clockwork figures come out to dance, the bells play and the tourists gape. The Glockenspiel is truly a piece of art, it was built of handmade parts long before automation was the buzzword of the day, and it's still entrancing. There is also a view point in one of its towers.  
• 🌍 Hofgarten. The ,,Hofgarten" (courtyard garden) is located just north of the Residenz building, at Odeonsplatz. This is a splendid royal garden, inspired by Versailles, with a nice pavillion in the middle, where tango dancers gather each Thursday. Along the sides of the Hofgarten, there are paintings of important events in Bavarian history in a chronical order. So you can stroll along those and find out more. The Hofgarten is built completly geometrical. There is also a café inside the Hofgarten, which is a really nice background to drink a coffee in. As the Hofgarten and the English Garden are connected by a pedestrian tunnel, you can easily continue to walk/bike to the English Garden from here. (updated May 2015)

The State Chancellery of Bavaria next to the Hofgarten

• 🌍 State Chancellery (Staatskanzlei). The office of the Bavarian Minister-president, head of government, representing Bavaria in Germany and abroad. The Bavarian cabinet convenes in the State Chancellery. The central dome goes back to the Royal Bavarian Army Museum, which was heavily damaged during World War II. The modern side wings were built in 1989 to 1993. In front of the building there are two monuments: a memorial for Munich citizens who died during the world wars, and a statue of Otto I., who in the 12th century became the first Duke of Bavaria from the House of Wittelsbach, later the royal family of Bavaria. (updated Oct 2017)
• 🌍 Chinese Tower (Chinesischer Turm) (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität). The Chinese Tower in the center of the English Garden is a 25 m (82 ft) high pagoda with several stories, constructed in 1789 to 1790, and rebuilt after World War II in 1952. Nowadays, it is surrounded by a beer garden and a Bavarian oompah band performs on the 2nd story on the weekend. The beer garden is the oldest one in Munich, this might be the reason why it is often quite crowded with tourists. This is also where the horse carriage and the rickshaw tours through the English Garden start. As a cheaper alternative, you can hop on the bus line 54 either to Münchner Freiheit or Ostbahnhof from where you can connect to the subway.  
• 🌍 Monopteros (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität). The Monopteros is a small neo-classical Greek temple on a hilltop, built in 1836 in the English Garden. It provides a great few over the park and Munich.  

Urban surfing on the Eisbach

• 🌍 Vater-Rhein-Brunnen (S-Bahn S1–S8: Isartor, Tram 37: Deutsches Museum). This beautiful fountain on the Museumsinsel island is a popular place for relaxing and offers open air events in the summertime.  

Squares and boulevards

Englischer Garten in the summertime

• 🌍 Maximiliansplatz (Tram 19: Lenbachplatz). That square was built at the beginning of the 19th century at a place where the northern city fortifications used to be. The main sights today are the Wittelsbacherbrunnen, the most beautiful fountain in Munich, the New Stock Exchange (Neue Börse) of 1901 and the House of Artists (Künstlerhaus). Maximilianplatz becomes the place to be during the night, when the clubs, that surround the square open their gates.  
• 🌍 Brienner Straße (U-Bahn U3, U4, U5, U6: Odeonsplatz). Brienner Straße is a boulevard, that runs from Odeonsplatz in western direction. The houses along the street are built in a classicistic style and it is considered to be Munich's first avenue. On its way it crosses (from east to west) Odeonsplatz, Karolinenplatz, Königsplatz and Stiglmaierplatz.  
• 🌍 Platz der Opfer des Nationalsozialismus (Square of the Victims of the Shoa) (U-Bahn U3, U4, U5, U6: Odeonsplatz). The northern tip of Maximilianplatz is dedicated to the victims of the holocaust since 1946. During the Third Reich era the Gestapo had its headquarter across the street. Today an eternal flame burns in the center of this otherwise understated square.  

Churches

• 🌍 Asamkirche. Rococo architect and sculptor Egid Quirin Asam built this amazingly ornate church right next door to his own house. His brother, Cosmas Damian, did all the frescoes. The church is dedicated to St John Nepomuk, a Bohemian monk was thrown into the river Vltava from Charles Bridge in Prague at the behest of Wenceslaus, King of Bohemia. The Asamkirche, completed in 1746, glitters like a row of diamonds and is best seen by candlelight, especially at the yearly Christmas Eve service, replete with Bavarian singers in the choir stall.  

Inside the Frauenkirche

• 🌍 Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). It is the largest Gothic brick church north of the Alps and the largest hall church (naves of equal height) of the world. The Frauenkirche is topped by two copper onion-domed towers recognizable from a distance. The apparent difference in height between the two towers is not an optical illusion: the north tower is 12 centimetres taller than the south tower. The Frauenkirche differs from all contemporary churches in its plain brick simplicity, instead of having sculptural ornamentation in carved stone to the exterior like many other Gothic churches. The church was completed in 1488. The legendary Teufelstritt, or devil's footstep, stems from the large amount of light inside the Frauenkirche that seems to come from nowhere thanks to the large columns that block the view of the windows. According to legend, Jörg of Halspach made a deal with the devil that he could build a church that had a spot where not a single window could be seen from. From the vestibule, looking down the center aisle (as long as the high Baroque altar covered the windows at the very back of the church) there appeared to be no windows at all. The devil stamped his foot in a fit of pique, leaving his "footprint" on a paving stone immediately inside the entrance. Another version tells that this is where the devil stood when he curiously regarded and ridiculed the windowless church that Halsbach had built. In fact, it is a large casting in the square base plate, and none of the side windows can be seen from the spot when one looks to the high altar.The stone is readily visible because it is mustard yellow rather than red and grey like the other tiles. Right to the entrance is a monumental tomb of Emperor Ludwig IV of Bavaria, the work of Hans Krumpper.  
• 🌍 Michaelskirche. The largest Renaissance church north of the Alps was built between 1583-1599 thanks to Duke Wilhelm V, called The Pious. Despite nearly bankrupting Bavaria, Munich was left with an amazingly beautiful structure that houses an extremely unified iconographic program. "Iconographic program" is just an art term for the overall organized progression of religious images that corresponds to a theme. In the church crypt are the tombs of many members of Wittelsbach dynasty, including that of the "mad king" Ludwig II.  
• 🌍 Peterskirche (Alter Peter). Munich's first parish church was started in the twelfth century, but ongoing additions and renovations have kept artists busy for centuries. During a city fire in 1327, the church was damaged and in 1607, the tower (called Alter Peter) was struck by lightning. The side altars, which have already been renovated, are accessible, as is the immense, multi-columned gilded marble main altar. At the back of the church is a Lourdes grotto tucked under the choir loft stairs, as well as an educational display which shows step by step how a fresco is made (paint is applied to wet plasterwork, which dries as an integrated unit of base and color). Climb up the 306 steps inside the tower to have a nice view over the city center. €2,00/€1,00 for the tower climb.  

Theatinerkirche on Odeonsplatz

• 🌍 Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church), Odeonsplatz (North of city center on Odeonsplatz). The church is beautifully ornate and is probably the most eye-catching building in town, because its architecture departs dramatically from the rest of Munich's buildings. The church was built as a thanks to God for the birth of Maximilian II Emanuel, the son of Wittelsbach ruler, Ferdinand Maria. Free. (updated Oct 2017)

Museums and galleries

Ohel Jakob Synagogue

• 🌍 Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum). —One of the most important cultural history museums in Europe, housing a large collection of European artifacts from the Middle Ages until early 20th century. There's a wide range of important antiques here, from medieval armor to pottery, from furniture to porcelain, and seasonally displaying the world's largest collection of nativity scene sets.  
• 🌍 Deutsches Theatermuseum (German Theatre Museum), Galeriestraße 4a, ☎ [phone]. Founded around 100 years ago, the German Theatre Museum is full of memorabilia and offers an insight into the development of German Theatre.  
• 🌍 Jüdisches Museum (Jewish Museum), St.-Jakobs-Platz 16, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Adult: €6; Reduced: €3. (updated Sep 2016)

Haus der Kunst

• 🌍 Haus der Kunst. —An exhibition hall that flaunts its National Socialist architectural design, presents ever-changing graphic arts exhibitions.  
• 🌍 Kunstfoyer der Versicherungskammer Kulturstiftung, Maximilianstraße 53 (tram:Maxmonument (lines 18, 19)), ☎ [phone]. 09:00-19:00 daily. Changing art exhibitions on various topics provided by the art foundation of Versicherugnskammer Bayern. free admission. (updated Apr 2016)
• 🌍 Kunsthalle München der Hypo Kulturstiftung, Theatinerstraße 8 (S-Bahn Marienplatz (all lines), subway Marienplatz (U3/U6) or Odeonsplatz (U3/U4/U5/U6), tram: Theatinerstraße), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10:00-20:00 daily. Modern art museum with often very good exhibitions (installed by the art foundation initiated by HypoVereinsbank). 12 Euro, discounts for several groups of people. (updated Apr 2016)
• 🌍 Münchner Stadtmuseum (Munich City Museum), St.-Jakobs-Platz 1, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Apart from the permanent exhibitions Typically Munich! and National Socialism in Munich - Codes of Remembrance, the Münchner Stadtmuseum presents exhibitions on contemporary and civil history, photography, musical instruments and puppetry/fairground amusement. Permanent exhibitions: €4/€2; Special exhibitions: €6/€3.  

• National Socialism in Munich - Codes of Remembrance— Exhibits pertaining to the emergence, development, and consequences of National Socialism in Munich from 1918 – 1945. Munich as the point of origin and headquarters of the NSDAP, ‘Capital of the Movement’ and ‘Capital of German Art’: a documentation of contributors, supporters, resistance and victims.

• Collection of Photography— Contains three galleries of contemporary German photography, featuring large monographic or thematic special exhibitions.

• Collection of Puppetry and Fairground Art— The history of puppet theatre in Munich and a large selection of international puppets are on display. One of the greatest collections of fairground art with highlights of the traditional Oktoberfest.

• Collection of Musical Instruments— Contains over 1,600 instruments from Africa, Asia, America and Europe and a special section showing a dozen automatic musical instruments including the important and famous "Stern-Orchestrion". Evening concerts and free Sunday matinées at 11 o’clock transform the showrooms into a sound museum. Special tours available. Check out the special monthly programme of musical events.

• Film Museum— Important international films dating from the earliest era of cinema up to contemporary works are presented in the newly renovated film theatre. The complete oeuvre of important German film makers (from F.W. Murnau to Wim Wenders, from Fritz Lang to Herbert Achternbusch) as well as motion picture classics can be found in the collections. With projects such as the reconstruction of the estate of Orson Welles, the Film Museum has earned an outstanding international reputation. Daily shows except on Mondays.

Alpine Museum on the Prater island in the Isar river

• 🌍 Residenz, Residenzstraße 1, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Apr-15 Oct: 09:00-18:00 daily; 16 Oct-Mar: 10:00-16:00 daily. The Schatzkammer (Treasury) within the Residenz has one of the best collections of ecclesiastical treasures in Europe, not to mention the royal insignia of Bavaria (crowns, orb, scepter, etc.). The Antiquarium has the largest Renaissance room north of the Alps, and the Ahnengalerie (Ancestral Portrait Gallery) has a Wittelsbach family portrait collection. There is also a series of Rococo rooms by Cuvilliés. Combined admission for treasury and museum: Adults: €9, Reduced: €8.  

• 🌍 Residenz Museum, Residenzstraße 1, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Apr-15 Oct: 09:00-18:00 daily; 16 Oct-Mar: 10:00-16:00 daily. Step in to the life of royalty in this museum dedicated to showing off the furniture and housewares of the royal family of many generations ago. Adults: €6, Reduced: €5.  

• Schatzkammer (Treasury), Residenzstraße 1, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Apr-15 Oct: 09:00-18:00 daily; 16 Oct-Mar: 10:00-16:00 daily. Features the crown jewels and golden works of art. Adults: €6, Reduced: €5. 

• 🌍 Schack Gallery. A private collection of 19th Century, Late Romantic art. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10AM to 6PM, and until 8pm on the first and third Weds. of the month. Entrance is €4 for adults, €3 reduced, and just €1 on Sunday.  
• 🌍 Toy Museum, Marienplatz 15 (Inside the old city hall's tower), ☎ [phone]. 10:00-17:30 daily (Closed on Fasching Tuesday and 24 Dec). €4 adults, €1 children. 
• 🌍 Alpines Museum (Alpine Museum), Paterinsel 5, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. A small museum showcasing the history and evolution of alpine exploration in the Bavarian Alps. (updated Oct 2017)

Do

The Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) and the Marienplatz

• City Foundation Festival (Stadtgründungsfest), Marienplatz. Held in July around the Town hall and Marienplatz , this offers food stalls and other events. 
• 🌍 Kammerspiele. Often surprises viewers with very modern (and sometimes shocking) interpretations of famous plays.  
• 🌍 Nationaltheater. Shows ballet and opera performances almost every night. The Bavarian State Opera is said by critics to be one of the best in the world.  
• 🌍 Residenztheater. Variety of classical and modern plays  
• 🌍 Marienplatz Christmas Market (Marienplatz Weihnachtsmarkt). A large market that stretches across the shopping street, so you can mix Christmas market shopping (and eating) with "normal" shopping. The market offers some delicious treats and some great souvenirs/gifts. 
• 🌍 Christmas fair at the Chinese Tower (Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischen Turm), Englischer Garten (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität), ☎ [phone]. Beginning of December until Christmas Eve: M-F 12:00-20:30, Sa-Su 11:00-20:30. The Christmas fair at the heart of the English Garden is probably the most romantic of Munich's Christkindlmärkte. 
• 🌍 Schwabinger Bach, Englischer Garten (U-Bahn: U3,U6 Universität). This river and the lawns around it are, next to the adjacent Eisbach river, one of the most popular spots for bathing and sunbathing in central Munich. While swimming is not permitted officially in the English Garden, it is tolerated by the authorities. As the stream is fast and deep, you should enter the water only if you can swim, and you should be comfortable with nudity in the surrounding sunbathing areas.  

Buy

Kaufingerstraße is a main shopping street in Munich

• 🌍 Alois Dallmayr, Dienerstraße 14–15 (behind the Neues Rathaus). 09:30-20:00 closed on Sunday, national and regional holidays. The legendary delicatessen store, known worldwide for their coffee brand, is a must stop on any tour of Munich's Alstadt. With over 6,000 different products on sale, every taste is catered to and customers are attended to by no fewer than 300 employees in blue uniforms. It is worth coming in to experience the old-world charm of shopping, and perhaps pick up a sweet (or salty) souvenir or two. There is also a cafe, a bar and a restaurant on site. 
• 🌍 Kaufingerstr/Neuhauser Str (Between Marienplatz and Stachus). One of the main shopping streets of Munich. This is the place to go for medium- to high-end clothing retail, however, there are plenty more stores than just clothing stores like the large retailers Karstadt and Kaufhof.  
• 🌍 Oberpollinger, Neuhauser Straße 18. M-Sa, 10:00-20:00. The luxury department store was built in 1905 and became a Munich landmark due to its unique facade with three gables. It features many of the world's most renowned premium brands of apparel, shoes, accessories, and jewellery, as well as a selection of cosmetics, perfumes. Le Buffet restaurant on the fifth floor offers a rooftop terrace in the warmer months. 

Fruit stall at Viktualienmarkt

• 🌍 Viktualienmarkt. This large open-air market sells everything from soup to nuts. Just off Marienplatz, here generations of market families continue to hawk their wares from the same location. There are open-air fruit and vegetable stands similar to those scattered around the city, as well as closed stands and little year-round trinket shops. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon on the way to and from work, locals stop by the market to pick up something from dinner. At midday it's a bit slower and therefore better for browsing. Lots of the stands also sell ready-made food, so for those on a budget, this can be a good place to go to for lunch. 
• 🌍 Schrannenhalle, Viktualienmarkt 15 (Just past the outdoor stalls of the Viktualienmarkt), ☎ [phone]. Market: 10:00-20:00 every day but Sunday, eateries till 10:30pm. This former Granary houses an Eataly branch today. As this structure is just beyond the stalls of the Viktualienmarkt, the two can be easily visited in the same trip. It can also be a more comfortable place to hang out in cold weather. (updated May 2018)

Eat

The often congested Karlsplatz (also known as Stachus after a long-gone inn) is a central traffic junction in Munich and can be thought of as the gateway to an actual gate, Karlstor (visible in the center-right) and the pedestrian zone leading toward Frauenkirche (visible in the upper right corner)

Budget

• 🌍 Grano (Italian), Sebastianplatz 3 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 10:30-23:00. You might have a hard time finding a free table in this small restaurant. Although it is very centrally located not far from the new synagogue, prices are low and the quality of the food is good. However, the atmosphere and service speed meanwhile suffer from the restaurant's popularity. Pizza €8. 
• 🌍 Sasou (Asian), Marienplatz 28 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 11:00-22:00. This pan-Asian fast food restaurant on the south side of Marienplatz (same entrance as Cafe Glockenspiel) serves excellent Asian noodle soups for an affordable price. €3.80-9.40. 
• 🌍 Viktualienmarkt. On Viktualienmarkt you will find everything you need to eat. Take a Leberkaessemmel (€1.50) at one of the butcher shops, a huge bowl of soup at Münchner Suppenküche (€3-5) or go to Nordsee, a fish restaurant chain. After getting your lunch together have a seat at the beer garden, where you can have a beer with your food. (You can bring your own food to the beer garden too.) 

Mid-range

• 🌍 Am Marienplatz, Marienplatz 22 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. Claims to be the birthplace of Munich Weißwurst in 1857. Excellent food, extremely friendly staff, and a very clean place. Good beer, especially Weißbier, in copious amounts. Just drop in hungry, and you will leave almost bloated! €8. 

Mixed sausages at Bratwurst Glöckl.

• 🌍 Bratwurst Glöckl (Bavarian), Frauenplatz 9 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Sa 10:00-01:00, Su 10:00-23:00. An authentic restaurant with a good variety of sausages, including original Nürnberger Rostbratwürstl. Great place to sit and relax outside. €5.80-22.50. 
• 🌍 Bräustüberl (Bavarian), Am Platzl 9 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. Daily 09:00-23:30. The Bräustüberl restaurant is on the first floor of the Hofbräuhaus. Both the ambience and food are traditional Bavarian. There is live music most evenings. Reservations are recommended during high season and major festivals. €3.50-12.90. 
• 🌍 Haxnbauer im Scholastikahaus (Bavarian), Sparkassenstraße 6 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 11:00-24:00. Haxnbauer is a restaurant where you can taste Schweinhaxe. While ordering the waiter brings several knuckles with prices on them so that you could choose which you like best. €9.50-22. 
• 🌍 Paulaner im Tal (Bavarian), Tal 12 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 10:00-24:00. Great Bavarian food in a cosy atmosphere. €4.20-18.80. 
• 🌍 Riva, Tal 44, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Mon – Sat, 8 a.m. – 1 a.m. Sun, 12 p.m. – 1 a.m. Pizza / Pasta till 11:00 p.m.. A nice and good Italian restaurant/pizzeria near Isartor (in the street towards Marienplatz). (updated Apr 2016)
• 🌍 Weißes Bräuhaus (Bavarian), Tal 7 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 08:00-01:00. Very rustic ambience. Maybe the only typical Bavarian restaurant left in the city center. Leave Marienplatz on the east. The street is called Tal. Walk 100 m, Weißes Bräuhaus is on your left hand side. €4-23. 
• 🌍 Zum Spöckmeier (Bavarian), Rosenstraße 9 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-W 09:00-01:00, Th-Sa 09:00-03:00. Modern Bavarian cuisine, at an affordable price. €4.40-24.50. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Katzlmacher (Italian), Bräuhausstraße 6 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. M-F 12:00-15:00 & 18:30-01:00, Sa 18:30-01:00, Closed Sundays. Among Munich's best Italian restaurants, with accordingly high prices. It is just around the corner from the infamous Hofbräuhaus. Pasta €15. 
• 🌍 Prinz Myshkin - vegetarian restaurant, Hackenstraße 2 (coming from Sendlinger Tor or Marienplatz, head into Sendlinger Straße, this is a side road), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 11am-0:30am. One of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Munich, somewhat noisy if fully booked, generally a nice and comfortable atmosphere in a nice location with high ceiling; friendly staff and decent food. Entrees: 6-12.5; salads 8-14; mains up to 20. (updated Mar 2016)
• 🌍 Ratskeller, Marienplatz 8 (S- Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Offers real Bavarian food and is easy to find, as it is in the basement of the New City Hall. The restaurant occupies the entire basement. Great for experiencing Bavarian customs. 

Drink

The Hofbräuhaus is the liquid symbol of Munich

Beer Halls

• 🌍 Andechser Am Dom, Weinstraße 7a (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. Daily 10:00-01:00. This is a good place to stop off if you are going to visit the Frauenkirche. Andechs beers are all brewed at the Klosterbrauerei Andechs, which also is a fun day trip in itself and all the beers are world-class. The brewpub is much smaller than most similar places and seating is limited, but they have tables with a view of the cathedral outside in the summer time and a nice outdoor patio that is heated during the winter. The food is also quite good and varied. This place gets pretty packed at around 15:30, so get there early if you want a table. Otherwise order a beer and strike up a conversation. Beer (0.5L) €3.60. 
• 🌍 Hofbräuhaus, Am Platzl 9 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. Daily 09:00-23:00. Very touristy, but fun, with good beer and "oom-pah" bands. Hofbräuhaus, Munich's (and maybe the world's) most famous brewpub, moved to its current location in 1644. It opened to the public after 1830. Nowadays, the embodiment of Bavarian beer culture is visited only by tourists. It may be still be wort a visit, though. On the first floor, there is a big beer hall with oompah music playing in the weekend. More likely than not you will hear the famous "oans, zwoa, g'suffa!" song at least once if you spend any time there at all. Basically it means "one, two, drink up!". Bring your passport, because you're likely to be asked for ID, and without your passport bouncers will not let you in. The souvenir shop at the entrance is ridiculously over-priced, however the Bavarian food isn't and surprisingly it tastes quite good. Beer (1L) €8.90. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Zum Augustiner, Neuhauserstraße 27 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. Daily 09:00-00:00. History has it that beer has been brewed and drunk on this site since the 14th century and upon entering you may be inclined to agree with that assertion. Augustiner brews great beers (most Munich residents in fact agree that it is the best among Munich's beers) and this place has them all. Their Arnulfstraße location may have better food, though (see the first entry in Munich/Maxvorstadt#Drink). If the weather is nice, order a Weißbier and sit outside at one of the tables set up to watch pedestrian traffic along Neuhauserstraße. Beer (0.5L) €3.80. 

Beer gardens

Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm

• 🌍 Viktualienmarkt beer garden, Viktualienmarkt 6 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn U3, U6: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 9:00-22:00. Viktualienmarkt beer garden with 600 seats is only a stone-cast away from Marienplatz and the only beer garden in the city center. The special feature of this beer garden is that is serves beer from all of the big Munich breweries Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. Due to its central location it is very popular with tourists. Beer (1L) €6.80. 
• 🌍 Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm (Beer garden at the Chinese Tower), Englischer Garten (U-Bahn: U3,U6 Universität), ☎ [phone]. One of the best-known beer gardens in Munich is the Chinesischer Turm in the center of the Englischer Garten. This piece of chinoiserie doesn't seem out of place at all after a few good beers. Oompah bands play from the second story of the pagoda on summer weekends. Offering 7,500 seats Chinesischer Turm is the second biggest beer garden in Munich. It is also probably the most touristy one, though. Beer (1L): €7. 
• 🌍 Milchhäusl, Veterinärstraße 16 (U-Bahn: U3,U6 Universität), ☎ [phone]. This tradition-rich snack shop and beer garden at the Englischer Garten offers beer, bavarian food and bio sandwiches, and in winter you can have your snack within an Alpine lift gondola. 

Bars and pubs

Goldene Bar

• 🌍 Bora Beach, Praterstrand, Praterinsel 4A, 80538 München (S1,S2,S3,S4,S6,S7,S8: Isartor, Rosenheimer Platz), e-mail: [e-mail]. Mo-Fr 16:00, Sa-Su earlier. This beach bar with live electronic music, sand, beach chairs and sandbox toys for children is run by the operators of Munich's techno club MMA (Mixed Munich Arts), and offers cocktails, wine, vegan food and pizza as well as tasteful minimal, house and chillout sounds from popular DJs. 
• 🌍 Favorit Bar, Damenstiftstraße 12, 80331 München. 8:30 pm - 2 am. a hip while relaxed bar with a diverse crowd, decorated in 70ies style orange mixed with contemporary unfinished look (updated Mar 2016)

The area around Müllerstraße offers many bars and some clubs

• 🌍 Frauen 26, Frauenstraße 26 (S-Bahn: Isartor). W-Sa from 20:00. The locals call this lately very popular bar, in the absence of a real name, Frauen 26 (after its street address) or simply Bar without a Name. The only sign of a bar is the (usually huge) crowd of smokers in front of the entrance. The fair prices combined with a small dance floor and no specified closing time make this bar a popular spot for the last party-goers standing. 
• 🌍 Goldene Bar, Prinzregentenstraße 1, 80538 München, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. An established old bar and café with a large terrace at the backside of Haus der Kunst. 
• 🌍 Havana Club, Herrnstraße 30, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 18:00-01:00, F-Sa 18:00-03:00, Su 19:00-01:00. Since 1985 this place has been serving up excellent cocktails. The staff is friendly and helpful. €9-15. 
• 🌍 Kilians Irish Pub, Frauenplatz 11 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. M-Th 16:00-01:00, F-Sa 11:00-03:00, Su 12:00-01:00. Kilians is behind the Frauenkirche and offers the usual Irish beers. Occasionally it hosts live music and is a popular place among expats, tourists, and Germans alike. The staff is friendly. Beer (0.5 L) €3.60, Long Drinks €7. 
• 🌍 Kulturstrand, Vater-Rhein-Brunnen, Ludwigsbrücke, Auf der Insel, 80538 München (Tram 37: Deutsches Museum, S1,S2,S3,S4,S6,S7,S8: Isartor, Rosenheimer Platz), e-mail: [e-mail]. Mo-Su 12am-12pm. This public urban "culture beach" offers sand, beach chairs, a beach bar, DJs playing electronic music, open air cinema, readings and cultural events. It opens daily in the summer months and is located right around the Vater-Rhein-Brunnen fountain on the northern part of the Museumsinsel island. free admission. 
• 🌍 Nage und Sauge, Mariannenstraße 2 (Tram 18: Mariannenplatz & Tram 19: Maxmonument), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 17:15-1:00, Su 17:15-0:00. Nage und Sauge is one of the few bars in the Lehel neighbourhood of the city center. It's a relaxed and comfortable place, which even attracts the hip crowd, that otherwise tends to stay in the Gärtnerplatz area. The bar serves small (and delicious) dishes, but the focus is definitely on drinks. No reservations! 
• 🌍 Die Registratur Bar, Müllerstraße 42, 80469 München, e-mail: [e-mail]. Wed-Sun starting at 9pm. a mix between a club and a bar, the operators of which have established several great places of Munich nightlife (updated Mar 2016)

Clubs and Discos

• 🌍 Crux, Ledererstraße 3 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 23pm. Small and dark hip-hop club in the old city centre, be prepared for a tough door policy. 
• 🌍 Goldener Reiter, Theklastraße 1, 80469 München (S1,S2,S3,S4,S6,S7,S8, U4,U5: Karlsplatz (Stachus)), e-mail: m.me/ichbindergoldenereiter. 23:00. This bar-club in a cellar is the successor of the legendary awi bar, which had to close in 2018. DJs warm up the guests with disco and funk grooves here. Disco fever and excellent drinks. 
• 🌍 Madam Cabaret, Ledererstraße 19 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. 9pm–6am. This is Munich's oldest gentleman's club which offers a variety of dancers. It is quite small and offers an intimate atmosphere. 
• 🌍 P1 Club, Prinzregentenstraße 1 (Tram 18: Nationalmuseum/Haus der Kunst), ☎ [phone]. This club lives from its reputation as the most exclusive club in Munich it built up many years ago. The management has doubled the size and added a terrace that overlooks the English Garden; thus, it has been a problem staying exclusive and simultaneously having enough guests to guarantee a good atmosphere. The bouncers are eventually understanding that P1 is just one of many high class clubs nowadays.  
• 🌍 Pimpernel, Müllerstraße 56, 80469 München (U1,U2,U3,U6,U7,U8: Sendlinger Tor), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10pm–6am. This venue with red plush and mirrored walls once was a hotspot of Munich's gay scene and known for frequenters such as Freddie Mercury who lived nearby. Today it is a popular house and techno club where people go to when they already come from other clubs. 
• 🌍 La Nuit, Maximilianplatz 16 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn U4, U5: Karlsplatz (Stachus)), ☎ [phone]. Fr–Sa 11pm–6am. La Nuit is a small and exclusive club, where you have a hard time to get in wearing sneakers. The interior is all black leather and red columns. The rather young audience is dancing to hip-hop beats on Fridays and alternative or electronic music on Saturdays. Beer (0.33L) €4, Long drins €8. 

Sleep

The Michael Jackson memorial in front of the Bayerischer Hof

Even though the Altstadt is Munich's main draw for tourists, there is not that much choice of accommodation within the district. If you do not find anything that suits you in the Altstadt and would like to stay close to it, your best chances are in Ludwigsvorstadt near the train station, where you will find a large cluster of hotels.

Budget

• 🌍 Motel One München Sendlinger Tor, Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße 28. With a standardized decor, its simple rooms and common spaces are of modern, simple design in shades of blue and brown. 

Mid-range

• 🌍 Mercure Hotel München Altstadt, Hotterstraße 4. With patterned carpets and lots of light wood, this hotel as typical for a German Mercure as it could be. From €91. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Hotel Bayerischer Hof, Promenadeplatz 2-6 (Tram 19: Theatinerstraße), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. One of the grand old dames in Munich, the hotel's splendor and facilities reflect the personal management of the Volkhardt family who have owned the hotel for four generations. It boasts a pool well positioned on the top floor alongside a gym and spa bar. Rooms are calm and spacious with big double beds, flat screen TVs and a sitting area. The large bathrooms have a private phone and plenty of shelf space, with a shower-tub combination. Rooms are furnished with both modern and traditional pieces, marble, antiques and art decorated plentifully, and you can dine at any one of the three fabulous restaurants. Rates include champagne breakfast. 
• 🌍 Mandarin Oriental, Neuturmstraße 1 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. The hotel was bestowed the accolade of being one of the world's top ten hotels by Travel and Leisure and a Michelin star was awarded to Mark's Restaurant. Each of its 73 rooms is furnished in a neo-Renaissance style. They are some of the largest hotel rooms in the city. Double from €525. 
• 🌍 Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, Maximilianstraße 17 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz), ☎ [phone]. An elegant grand hotel with 150 years of tradition. Double from €330; early bird rebates. 
• 🌍 Hotel Louis, Viktualienmarkt 6 (Marienplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Stylish design hotel with amazing view and is home for the best japanese restaurant (Emikoin town. All 72 rooms have a French touch 
• 🌍 Hotel Torbräu, Tal 41 (S-Bhf Isartor), ☎ [phone]. Oldest hotel in town (since 1490). Traditional, family-run hotel with 90 rooms and free Internet 

Connect

The German word for Wi-Fi is W-LAN (Wireless LAN). The city of Munich provides free Wi-Fi on all the bigger squares in the city centre.

• 🌍 M-WLAN wifi hotspot Karlsplatz (Stachus), Karlsplatz (Stachus). free. 
• 🌍 M-WLAN wifi hotspot Lehel, St.-Anna-Platz. free. 
• 🌍 M-WLAN wifi hotspot Marienhof, Marienhof. free. 
• 🌍 M-WLAN wifi hotspot Marienplatz, Marienplatz. free. 
• 🌍 M-WLAN wifi hotspot Odeonsplatz, Odeonsplatz. free. 
• 🌍 M-WLAN wifi hotspot Sendlinger Tor, Sendlinger Tor. free. 

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