Munich's sights
The Frauenkirche, the Marienplatz and the famous Glockenspiel - those are not to be missed by any visitor, closely followed by the chinese Tower in the Englischer Garten and the Olympiapark. Find out what more belongs to a proper sightseeing in Munich!
Our carathotels city map
Find all of Munich's sights at one glance with our very own city map and download it here!
Download our map of Munich including our special tips here as pdf-file.
Districts
Munich's districts are as charming, unique and multilayerd as the city as a whole.
Glockenbachviertel
Young and exciting: The Glockenbachviertel and the Gärtnerplatz form a thrilling district with a flourishing restaurant scene, great boutiques and shops, arts and design and has also become one of the most sought-after neighborhood in the city. The best thing about it: the carathotel München is located right in the middle of the Glockenbach district! Learn more about the Glockenbachviertel and the Gärtnerplatz on our blog >>

Southern City Centre
The southern part of Munich’s city centre lies between Stachus square and the Isartor and Sendlinger Tor gates. Highlights include Marienplatz (St. Mary’s Square) with the column of St. Mary, the old and new town halls, the Viktualienmarkt (Victuals Market), the shopping street from Isartor to Stachus, and St. Peter’s Tower (Old Peter).
Sights:
- Marienplatz with the Glockenspiel
- Viktualienmarkt (Victuals Market)
- Frauenkirche (Cathedral Church of Our Lady)
- Isartor and Sendlinger Tor gates
- Marionettentheater (Puppet Theatre)


Northern City Centre
The exclusive quarter around Theatinerstrasse, Residenzstrasse and Maximilianstrasse contains elegant boutiques, the residence of the Bavarian kings and elegant restaurants. And right at its heart is the Hofbräuhaus.
Sights:
- Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshals’ Hall)
- The Munich Residenz royal palace
- Völkerkundemuseum (State Museum of Ethnology)
- Hofbräuhaus beer hall
- Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church)
- Hofgarten (Court Garden)

Maxvorstadt and Schwabing

Around the university is where student life and a lively cultural scene meet. Alt Schwabing is legendary, with the English Garden providing a green oasis at its heart.
Sights:
- Lenbachhaus art museum
- Art galleries
- Siegestor gate
- English Garden
- Alt-Schwabing
- Leopoldstrasse
Right of the Isar
Around the university is where student life and a lively cultural scene meet. Alt Schwabing is legendary, with the English Garden providing a green oasis at its heart.
Sights:
- Lenbachhaus art museum
- Art galleries
- Siegestor gate
- English Garden
- Alt-Schwabing
- Leopoldstrasse

Western Munich
The western part of Munich around the Olympiapark, Nymphenburg Palace and Botanical Gardens is very green.
Sights:
- Olympiapark, Olympic Village
- Nymphenburg Palace
- Old + New Botanical Gardens
- Krone Circus: Europe’s largest circus is in Munich from December to March.
- Statue of Bavaria and the Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame)


Architecture
Impressive buildings and hidden gems – don't miss those architectural highlights of the bavarian capital:
Schranne: the former market hall, which was built in 1851, burnt down in 1932. Only the cast iron skeleton of this industrial building was saved and was rebuilt to the south of Viktualienmarkt.
Uptown Munich: at 146 m, the tallest office building in Munich. Cannot be visited inside.
Feldherrenhalle (Field Marshals’ Hall): neo-classical hall.
Hypo Vereinsbank: modern architectural landmark.
Views
Enjoy the most impressive views above the city's roofs!
There is a wonderful view of Munich’s city centre from “Old Peter”. The 299 steps to the top of the tower of the Parish Church of St. Peter (Peterskirche) are well worth it!
Entry to the tower costs Euro 1.50 and a little bit of leg effort…
More vantage points:
- A walk on the roof of the Olympic stadium
- Olympic tower
- Altes Rathaus (municipal building): take the paternoster lift to the 10th floor and then another stairway on foot. View of the northern part of the Old Town.
- Southern tower of the Frauenkirche (Cathedral Church of Our Lady)


Curiosities
Munich Old Southern Cemetery
Founded in 1557, this cemetery contains the graves of many famous Munich celebrities. A good overview is offered by the layout map of the tombs (Übersichtsplan der Grabmäler) which was published by Munich’s Frank Schiermeier Verlag to mark the 850th anniversary of the city.
The southern cemetery is also ideal for discovering whilst Sightjogging >>.

Eisbach Surfers
Surfers can test their skills in the currents of the Eisbach under Eisbach Bridge close to the Haus der Kunst (House of Art). Since summer 2010 it has been officially legal to surf in the Eisbach.
There are some great pictures here on muenchen.de >>. The film, “Keep Surfin” has even better pictures and fascinating stories about surfing in the Eisbach (in cinemas, summer 2010).
Guided tours
- Express Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Grand Circle Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- Munich Greeter: echte Münchner zeigen ehrenamtlich ihre Lieblingsplätze (zu unserem Erfahrungsbericht "Mit den Munich Greetern durch München-Haidhausen" >>)
- Taxi Guide München: a personal and individual look at Munich
- Stattreisen München (Munich City Walks): walks around the city, guided tours
- Spurwechsel München (Lane Change Munich): bike tours, tram tours, walking tours and much more
- Mikes Bike Tours: explore Munich by bike
- Carriages: from midday carriages are available from the Chinese Tower in the English Garden
- Weis(s)er Stadtvogel München (White city bird Munich): all kinds of guided city tours
- Segway Tour: Various guided tours on the Segway (Read our blog post about the Segway-Tour through Munich >>)
Museums
Discover all the hidden treasures among Munich's museums!
- Deutsches Museum (The German Museum)
- Valentin-Karlstadt Museum
- Stadtmuseum (The City Museum)
- Film Museum
- Lenbachhaus art museum
- Art galleries (Alte Pinakothek (old gallery), Neue Pinakothek (new gallery), Pinakothek der Moderne (gallery of modern art)
- Stuck Villa Museum
- Bayrisches National Museum
- Völkerkundemuseum (State Museum of Ethnology)
- Haus der Kunst (House of Art)
- The Beer and Oktoberfest Museum
- Brandhorst Collection Museum
- Archäologische Staatssammlung (State Archaeological Collection)
- BMW Museum