🗺️ Where to go in Munich: 10 addresses with tickets, hours and prices

Munich is usually measured in beer halls and Oktoberfest. But the city doesn't end there. The tower of St. Peter's Church has 306 steps (verified on 09/13/2026 on the parish's official website), and the BMW Museum houses engines and propellers spanning nearly a century of the company's history.

Below are Munich's sights: from the main square to a palace in a park. For each one, we've listed opening hours, tickets, directions, and what's worth planning ahead for.

You can cover the center on foot in one day: Marienplatz, St. Peter's Church, Frauenkirche, the bronze boar, and Hofbräuhaus are all within a few blocks of each other. The BMW Museum, the Bavaria statue, and Allianz Arena are easier to see on a single trip north, while Nymphenburg requires a separate outing.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

1. Marienplatz and the New Town Hall glockenspiel

💡 In short:

Start at Marienplatz and get to the glockenspiel 15 minutes before it starts.
Climb the tower of St. Peter's Church: from there you can see the entire center, including the square itself.
Save the BMW Museum, the Bavaria statue, and Allianz Arena for a separate trip.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Munich tourism office website.

The city's main square is named after the Virgin Mary: a gilded statue stands on a column at its center, with the Old and New Town Halls rising nearby. The square once hosted fairs and tournaments, and today it's the setting for city festivals and markets.

Crowds gather here for the glockenspiel on the New Town Hall tower. It plays every day at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., and from March through October there's an additional show at 5 p.m. (as of 09/2026, muenchen.de). Arrive 15 minutes early and stand close to the town hall: the balcony and steps are already taken by the time the show starts.

Munich New Town Hall with tower on Marienplatz

How to get there: Marienplatz station on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, the exit leads directly onto the square.
Cost: Marienplatz and the glockenspiel are free.
The catch: in summer it's packed, and from the town hall observation deck you won't see the square itself.
Who it's for / Not for: for a first introduction to the city; not for those looking for peace and quiet.

2. St. Peter's Church and its tower

The city's oldest parish church stands next to Marienplatz, and locals call its bell tower Alter Peter. Until the mid-20th century, the tower served as a fire watch post; today it's the main observation deck in the center.

Frescoes and upper clerestory windows of St. Peter's Church

The climb is 306 steps (verified on 13.09.2026 on the St. Peter's parish website). The 91-meter tower rises above the neighboring rooftops (as of 09/2026, Munich tourist office). Entry is open every day except a few holidays: for example, the climb is closed on Good Friday and New Year's Day (as of 09/2026, muenchen.de).

How to get there: from Marienplatz to the entrance on Petersplatz is a three-minute walk.
Cost: the climb is paid, check the current price on the parish's official website.
The catch: there is no elevator, you walk all 306 steps, and the platform gets crowded in summer.
Who it's for / Not for: for panorama hunters; not for those who find climbing difficult.

3. Frauenkirche with its two towers

Frauenkirche is recognizable by its two towers with green domes. The church is taller than all the buildings in the center, and the city still limits the height of new construction, so nothing blocks the towers. They are visible from afar and anchor Munich's skyline, the classic postcard view.

Munich Frauenkirche with two towers seen from above

Inside, the interior is austere: the main decoration here is the snow-white columns and bright stained glass. The crypt holds members of the Wittelsbach dynasty that ruled Bavaria.

How to get there: from Marienplatz to Frauenplatz is a five-minute walk.
Cost: entry to the cathedral is free.
The catch: there is almost no decoration, the interior looks ascetic.
Who it's for: for those who visit cathedrals for the architecture and stained glass.

4. The bronze boar by the hunting museum

Walking through the center, you will come across the bronze boar on your own: it stands opposite the Jagd- und Fischereimuseum, where the Church of St. Augustine once stood.

That church's parish was responsible for the financial well-being of the city's residents, so the sculpture is credited with special power. Rub its snout and you will return to Munich with money, so goes the local tradition.

How to find it: opposite the Jagd- und Fischereimuseum, a couple of minutes from Marienplatz.
Cost: free.
Who it's for: for a quick stop along the way and a photo with a tradition.

5. Hofbräuhaus beer hall

Bavaria's first court brewery opened in the 16th century. Today Hofbräuhaus operates a large beer hall in the center, where several varieties are poured and classic German cuisine is served.

Hofbräuhaus facade with lettering and arches

In the hall you can learn about the history and traditions of brewing, buy souvenirs, and try different varieties one after another. Set aside a whole evening: the hall is large and loud.

How to get there: from Marienplatz to Hofbräuhaus is a five-minute walk.
Cost: entry is free, you pay only for beer and food.
Who it's for / Not for: for getting to know Bavarian cuisine; not for a quiet dinner.

6. BMW Museum by the "four-cylinder" tower

The BMW Museum stands next to the company's headquarters: the high-rise building is shaped like a four-cylinder engine. The exhibition includes not only cars, but also motorcycles, engines, and propellers spanning nearly a century of the brand's history. You can take photos in some of the cars.

Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday the museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00, last entry at 17:30 (as of 09/2026, official museum ticket office). The museum is closed on Mondays. BMW Welt is nearby, and entry there is free (as of 09/2026, bmw-welt.com).

How to get there: U-Bahn to Olympiazentrum station, then a couple of minutes on foot.
Cost: museum tickets are paid, BMW Welt is free to visit.
The catch: the museum is closed on Mondays, so you will have to move your visit to another day.
Who it's for: for car enthusiasts and families with children.

7. The Bavaria statue above Theresienwiese

The bronze "Bavaria" stands above Theresienwiese and embodies the strength and glory of Bavaria. The statue is 18 meters tall (as of 09/2026, muenchen.de), and inside a spiral staircase leads to a platform in the figure's head. It is the first statue since antiquity to be cast entirely in bronze.

Only six people can go up at a time, so you often have to wait for your turn. In October the platform is open from 9:00 to 18:00, last entry at 17:30, and in winter the observation deck is closed (as of 09/2026, muenchen.de).

Bronze statue of Bavaria with a lion in Munich

How to find it: on the southwest side of Theresienwiese, enter the statue through a door at the base.
Cost: climbing up is paid.
The catch: the platform fits six people, so in summer you'll wait in line.
Who it's for: fans of observation decks and history.

8. Hall of fame with busts of Bavarians

Right behind the Bavaria statue stands the Hall of Fame: a long colonnade displaying busts of notable Bavarians, including the artist Albrecht Dürer. The roof is supported by the front columns of the gallery.

Hall of Fame colonnade with busts against a red wall

A visit takes about half an hour: you walk along the busts and read the plaques. Together with the Bavaria statue it's one stop, so see both in a single visit.

How to find it: behind the Bavaria statue, entrance from Theresienhöhe.
Who it's for: those who want to add a bit of history to the observation deck.

9. Allianz Arena and evening illumination

Allianz Arena sits in the north of Munich, far from the center. The shape of the structure resembles a white car tire, and its scale only becomes apparent up close.

Allianz Arena aerial view during the day

The stadium tour is in English; for tickets and times, see tours on GetYourGuide. The grounds have restaurants, a bookshop, and the FC Bayern club museum, the largest in the country.

In the evening the facade is lit in different colors, so the arena is visible from many of the city's viewpoints.

How to get there: U-Bahn to Fröttmaning station, a few minutes' walk from the exit to the stadium.
Cost: viewing from outside is free, the inside tour is paid.
The catch: the arena is far from the center, it's a separate half-day trip.
Who it's for / Not for: for football and architecture fans; not for those short on time.

10. Nymphenburg Palace and the park with swans

Nymphenburg was built in the 17th century as a baroque palace with a large park: canals, ponds, swans, and pavilions. In summer you can take a gondola ride along the canals, and allow at least three hours to see the palace and park.

Nymphenburg Palace silhouette behind a pond

Important: the palace is only accessible with timed-entry tickets, and available slots get booked up in advance (as of 09/2026, official palace website). Opening hours depend on the season: in summer the complex is open from morning to early evening, in winter the windows are shorter, so check the schedule on the palace website before your visit.

How to get there: tram from the center to the Schloss Nymphenburg stop.
Cost: the palace and pavilions are paid, tickets only with a time slot.
The catch: without a slot you risk not getting inside, especially on weekends and in summer.
Who it's for / Not for: for walks and a picnic in the park; not for those who want to see everything in an hour.

Tours and tickets in Munich

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on GetYourGuide

The widget loads once you give your consent.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for Munich?

One full day is enough for the center: Marienplatz, St. Peter's Church, Frauenkirche, the boar, and Hofbräuhaus are all close together. On the second day, head north to the BMW Museum and Allianz Arena. "Bayern" is in the southwest near Theresienwiese, a separate stop. Allow another half day for Nymphenburg and its park. That way you'll see the city without rushing in three days.

What can you see in Munich for free?

For free you can see Marienplatz with the glockenspiel, go inside Frauenkirche, rub the bronze boar's snout, and walk around Allianz Arena from outside. At Hofbräuhaus you only pay for beer and food. Save paid climbs and museums for a day when you're ready for queues.

Is it worth climbing the tower of St. Peter's Church?

Yes, if you want the most complete view of the city. You'll face 306 steps with no elevator (as of 09/2026, official parish website). From the platform you'll see the rooftops of the center, and on a clear day the Alps too. Come at opening time: by midday there's a steady stream on the stairs.

When should you watch the glockenspiel at Marienplatz?

The glockenspiel plays every day at 11 and 12, and from March to October there's an additional show at 5 pm (as of 09/2026, muenchen.de). Stand closer to the town hall tower and arrive 15 minutes early: the balcony and steps fill up quickly.

Where can you buy tickets for the BMW Museum and Nymphenburg?

For the BMW Museum, tickets are sold both at the entrance and at the museum's official ticket office. Nymphenburg Palace is slot-only, so get tickets in advance. It's worth comparing ticket options on Tiqets before your trip: in high season, slots run out.

In short: what to book

Munich divides into a walkable center and three excursions: north to the BMW Museum and the arena, southwest to "Bayern" near Theresienwiese, west to Nymphenburg.

Book Nymphenburg Palace in advance: time slots and lines eat up more time than the trip itself. Tickets for the BMW Museum and the Bayern grounds are sold on site. Compare museum and tour tickets in Munich and check hotel options near the center if you're planning an overnight stay.

10 Places in Munich: from Marienplatz to Nymphenburg