Country Information

Marienplatz, where the main pedestrianised streets converge, is the undisputed centre of the city, and the location of the impressive town hall, the Neues Rathaus. Many of the city's main attractions are in the immediate vicinity, so sightseeing can easily be done on foot or by hopping on and off trams. Be sure to see the Stadtmuseum just south of Marienplatz, on the fringe of Munich's famous market, the Viktualienmarkt.

Nearby are some of the city's most impressive churches, including the cathedral, Frauenkirche, with its distinctive Italian Renaissance style onion domes. Also worth seeing are the 16th-century Michaelskirche, with its imposing barrel-vaulted interior, and the Asamkirche, considered a masterpiece of south German rococo architecture.
The oldest part of the city is just east of Marienplatz, including the Alter Hof (the original royal residence) and the world-famous Hofbräuhaus. The palatial Residenz complex lies to the north.

The wide boulevard and grand palatial architecture of Ludwigstrasse and Leopoldstrasse stretches north of Odeonsplatz to the Siegestor. These grand building schemes were commissioned by Ludwig I, as were those around Königsplatz, in the part of the city known as Maxvorstadt - home to some of Munich's most important museums and galleries, including the celebrated Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne - a fascinating gallery complex spanning art from late medieval times to the present day.

From the Siegestor, Leopoldstrasse forms the central artery of the popular district of Schwabing. The former artists' quarter is now considered the most fashionable part of the city, with numerous cafes, bars, restaurants and nightlife venues.

To the east of Leopoldstrasse, side roads lead off to the Englischer Garten, a quiet retreat from the busy city.

Munich Tourist Office
Neues Rathaus (New City Hall), Marienplatz 2, Munich, 80331 Munich. Germany
Tel: (089) 2339 6500.
Internet: http://www.muenchen.de/int/en/tourism
Opening Times: Mon-Fri 1000-1900, Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1400.

There is also a second tourist office at Central Train Station, Bahnhofplatz 2.

The Munich CityTourCard (available online, from customer service centres or from ticket machines at rail, S-Bahn, tram and U-Bahn stations) entitles the holder to unlimited travel on MVV transport, as well as discounts on more than 70 attractions in Munich and its surrounds. Cards are available for one, three or four days, for either central Munich or the wider surrounding area. Cards for families or small groups (up to five adults) are also available (note: two children aged between 6 and 14 count as one adult).