Picture of Eberhard Kühnel with Perusastrasse in the background.

5x5 tips for the Old Town

“Explore more than 800 years of city history on foot”

Tour guide Eberhard Kühnel guided visitors through the London pub scene in his twenties. Today, he introduces visitors to Munich's popular Old Town. What fascinates him most, is how much can be discovered here on just a few square kilometres. In our 5x5 tips, he shares recommendations for eating, shopping and cultural experiences!

“The Old Town is the heart and soul of Munich. This is where the city history began and where most guests start their sightseeing tour. The Old Town is full of contrasts – where else can you experience 800 years of city history on foot? Here, love stories on Odeonsplatz (square) meet dark legends in the Frauenkirche (cathedral), historic towers rise into the white-blue sky and the ringing of bells in numerous churches takes turns with the melodies of the Carillon in the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall).

To round off the tour of the Old Town, I always recommend a beer at the Viktualienmarkt (market) beer garden, along with Leberkäs (meat loaf), sweet mustard and pretzels. Or a freshly ground coffee with a large selection of homemade cakes in one of the five coffee houses on Marienplatz (main square). Comedian and folk singer Karl Valentin looks down from his fountain on the Viktualienmarkt, harbouring good intentions for his guests: A foreigner is only a foreigner in a foreign land. Welcome to Munich!”

 

Five attractions in the Old Town

Munich's Old Town hosts the most popular attractions – like Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus and the Residenz (city palace). And the nice thing about it is: Everything is just a stone's throw away from each other. Visitors can conveniently explore the main attractions on foot – on their own tour of the Old Town. If you are particularly interested in the delicacies of the Vitualienmarkt, a tasting tour is the right choice!

 

Five restaurants, cafés and bars in the Old Town

The quarter is packed with contrasts – this is evident not only in the diverse shopping opportunities and from the guests from all over the world, but also in the gastronomic scene. The two-star restaurant in the luxury hotel is just as much a part of it as the young fine dining establishment, you can drink cocktails in Schuhmann's or a Schnitt (quart beer) in the Boazn bar, and the Italian café-bar opens next to the traditional café. No matter where you go, you'll meet again at the Viktualienmarkt!

 

Five cultural sights in the Old Town

The streets around Marienplatz are home to Munich's most important cultural institutions – and many of them have been there for centuries. The Münchener Stadtmuseum was founded in 1888, the old Residenztheater was built between 1751 and 1753, and the Kammerspiele is the only remaining Art Nouveau theatre in Germany today.

 

Experience beer culture in the Old Town

Due to the high density of pubs in the Old Town, you can experience traditional beer culture on every corner - because beer has been an integral part of Munich life since the city was founded. It tastes really good here, for example:

Special: First find out more at the Bier- und Oktoberfestmuseum, then savour a meal in the rustic museum parlour

Traditional: Experience brass band music, Bavarian lifestyle and traditional beer culture at the Hofbräuhaus

Crafty: try the different types of wheat beer in the Weißes Bräuhaus

Boazig: socialise with locals and guests from all over the world in the rustic pub Le Clou

Young: Combine modern Bavarian cuisine with Munich's art of brewing at Herrschaftszeiten

Fine: Experience the barrel change of beer and enjoy excellent food at Pschorr at Viktualienmarkt

Five shopping spots in the Old Town

Munich also boasts some historically exciting shopping destinations in its Old Town: Amidst the many traditional department stores and shopping arcades, you can still find former royal court suppliers – such as Dallmayr, Kustermann, Radspieler or Ludwig Beck.

  • Delicacies, coffee and chocolates at Dallmayr
  • Fashion, music and cosmetics at the traditional department store Ludwig Beck
  • Flowers, interior, fashion and day bar at the concept store Sois Blessed
  • Household goods, porcelain and design at Kustermann
  • Designer furniture, fabrics and an in-house carpentry workshop at Radspieler

 

The district's distinctive features: Churches

Munich has over 270 churches, the most famous of which are in the Old Town. First and foremost, of course, is the Frauenkirche, but the Alter Peter is also a popular attraction with its magnificent panoramic view all the way to the Alps. The Theatinerkirche on Odeonsplatz is reminiscent of Italy with its yellow façade and architecture, and the southern German late baroque can be discovered on the façade and inside Asamkirche.

 

 

Text & Protocol: Anja Schauberger; Photos: Frank Stolle, Sigi Müller, Sven Kolb, Redline Enterprises, istock, Schumann's, Werner Böhm, Kunsthalle München, Jörg Lutz, Alois Dallmayr, Ludwig Beck
A church window in the Salvatorkirche in Munich

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The monument to Max I. Joseph in front of the Residenz

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Flowerbed at Gärtnerplatz in Munich.

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Get in the mood for Christmas on this tour through the old town in the wonderful atmosphere of fragrant almonds and glittering lights.

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

Merchant with dried fruit on the Viktualienmarkt in Munich.
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Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting facts about Munich's most famous food market.

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Three copies of the official Munich city guide are slightly stacked on top of each other so that the image of the Frauenkirche remains visible on each one.
Official Munich City Guide

With our new city guide, you can take a relaxed stroll through the most beautiful neighbourhoods and discover insider tips from our guides - from sights to hidden highlights. Order now free of shipping costs!  a

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With our new city guide, you can take a relaxed stroll through the most beautiful neighbourhoods and discover insider tips from our guides.

With our new city guide, you can take a relaxed stroll through the most beautiful neighbourhoods and discover insider tips from our guides - from sights to hidden highlights. Order now free of shipping costs!

View of a residence serenade with candles in the court chapel.
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Exterior view of the Munich Palace of Justice on Prielmayerstraße in Maxvorstadt.
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Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich
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Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

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Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.
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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!

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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!

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

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Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.
Spaten Brewery Tour

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Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

Experience the city's diverse art & exciting graffiti on our street art tour!

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

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

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Discovery trip incl. City Pass

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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.

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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.