Right in the center of Munich lies Mary’s Square, the city’s lively, historic core. Established back in 1158, it started out as a busy marketplace and a stage for medieval tournaments and public events. These days, it’s still the place where everything seems to converge-a perfect starting point for anyone exploring the city. Grand buildings rise on all sides, cafés spill onto the streets, and the square hums with energy from morning until night.

The star attraction is the New Town Hall, an elaborate neo-Gothic masterpiece brimming with stone figures, ornate carvings, and the famous Glockenspiel. At 11 a.m., noon, and again at 5 p.m. during the warmer months, the Glockenspiel puts on its quirky performance. Thirty-two mechanical figures spin into action, reenacting Bavarian legends to a soundtrack of bells and music. It’s theatrical, a little over-the-top, and completely delightful.

Across the square, you’ll also find the Old Town Hall, with its storybook tower and a toy museum tucked inside-great if you’re traveling with kids or just enjoy a touch of childhood nostalgia. Meanwhile in the center stands the Column of Saint Mary, raised in 1638 to mark the end of Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years' War. A gilded statue of the Virgin crowns the column-a quiet symbol in a bustling space, and the inspiration for the square’s name.

Street musicians, traditional restaurants, souvenir stalls-there’s always something happening around you. Want to shop? Stroll down Kaufinger Street, one of Munich’s busiest pedestrian avenues. If you’re more in the mood for architecture, the city’s Cathedral, with its distinctive twin domes, is just around the corner.

In short, Mary’s Square offers the perfect snapshot of Munich. Don’t rush through it-it’s a place to linger, look up, and let the city reveal itself one detail at a time.

In the second half of the 19th century, as Munich was growing rapidly and riding a wave of prosperity, city leaders decided they needed a new home for local government. The Old Town Hall had simply outgrown its purpose. They chose a prominent spot on the south side of Mary’s Square, cleared out around two dozen houses, and set the stage for something grand. Construction began in 1867 and continued all the way to 1909. Overseeing the project was a remarkably young architect-Georg Hauberrisser-just 24 when he started.

What emerged is a prime example of German pseudo-historical architecture-mock-Netherlands Gothic, to be exact. The building features six courtyards and a small garden at the back. Its façade is covered in intricate sculptures that reference Bavarian legends, local saints, and allegorical figures. At the top of the steeple stands a bronze statue of the “Munich Child,” the city’s traditional symbol. The tower also houses the fourth-largest chiming clock in Europe.

Every day, 43 bells ring out as copper figures dance in two scenes: a knightly tournament honoring the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renata of Lorraine, and the legendary “Dance of the Coopers.” That dance, by the way, is still performed in the streets every seven years during Carnival to commemorate the passing of a plague epidemic in the early 1500s. Legend has it that coopers, loyal to the Duke, danced through the streets to inspire courage during tough times. The official dance moves were defined as far back as 1871.

The full carillon performance plays at 11 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. in the summer, lasting up to 15 minutes depending on the day’s tune. As a whimsical finale, a tiny golden rooster perched above the clock lets out three soft chirps. And when evening falls, figures of a night watchman and the Angel of Peace appear in the upper windows, quietly blessing the “Munich Child” and the city below.

Visitors can ride the elevator to the viewing platform for sweeping views of the city. And beneath the building, the historic Ratskeller restaurant offers not just a good meal, but a truly atmospheric dining experience.

Saint Peter’s Church rises from the highest point of Munich’s Old Town and holds the title of the city’s oldest public building. It played a key role in the city’s early development, with roots reaching back to the 12th century. In fact, the church was once part of the original monastery that gave the city its name-“ménchen” meaning “monks.” After the first structure was lost to fire, a new Gothic-style design took its place in the 13th century. Over time, the church evolved even further, getting a Baroque facelift in the 17th century and then a Rococo reimagining in the 18th. After World War II, major restoration work was carried out to return it to its former glory.

Step inside today, and you're met with an unexpectedly lavish interior. The high altar features a commanding statue of Saint Peter, surrounded by the Church Fathers, while the choir displays five intricately carved scenes from Peter’s life. Look closely and you may even spot the jeweled remains of Saint Mundita-an ornate, if somewhat haunting, presence.

The church’s tower, known as “Old Peter,” is another highlight. Equipped with eight clocks, seven bells, and a viewing gallery, it offers panoramic views over the city-and on clear days, even as far as the Alps. A set of color-coded markers on the lower platform helps gauge visibility; if you spot a white circle, it means you’re in luck. Climbing to the top is well worth the price, but be warned: it’s a steep ascent and not ideal for anyone with a fear of heights. For those who make it, two binocular viewers let you take in the rooftops, church spires, and skyline in vivid detail. And if you arrive before noon, you’ll get an unbeatable vantage point for watching the carillon perform over at Mary’s Square.

Welcome to Munich’s oldest and most charming market. Since the early 1800s, it’s been the go-to spot for just about anything edible-fresh produce, dairy, meats, fine French wines, seafood, and rare delicacies from around the globe. Prices tend to be on the higher side, but the variety and quality are hard to beat. Of course, you’ll also find classic Bavarian favorites like pretzels, sausages, and local cheeses, all offering a true taste of the region.

People from all walks of life gather here-locals picking up ingredients for dinner, tourists exploring with wide eyes, and regulars who’ve made it part of their daily routine. Local customs involve eating white sausage, sipping hot soup, and enjoying a cold beer in one of the city’s most beloved beer gardens, set around a decorated maypole. Under the shade of chestnut trees, folks gather to sip cold brews and enjoy a break from the buzz.

But this market is more than a place to shop, drink or snack-it’s actually woven into Munich’s cultural identity. Throughout the year, it plays host to everything from folk dances and live music to seasonal festivals, and an especially lively Mardi Gras parade. The fountain erected to commemorate German cabaret artists emphasizes the spirit that has always animated this place.

In every sense, it’s a feast-for the senses, for the culture, and most definitely for the appetite.

The Beer and Oktoberfest Museum is focused on celebrating Bavaria's rich beer culture and the historical significance of Munich's Oktoberfest. This museum is privately owned and managed by the Edith-Haberland-Wagner Foundation, which also owns the Augustiner Bräu beer brand, once brewed exclusively by Augustinian monks.

Situated within Munich's oldest residence, a six-story building dating back to 1340, constructed shortly after a major fire in 1327 that devastated significant portions of the city. The building's facade paintings have been painstakingly restored, and the original wooden beams have been preserved. It comprises 12 apartments and features a distinctive medieval architectural element known as 'Heaven's Stairs,' which provides access to the upper floors for visitors.

Inside the museum, visitors can explore the global history of beer brewing, spanning from ancient Egypt to the Bavarian monks who adhered to purity laws in their brewing practices. The exhibition also highlights the history of Munich's six breweries, with a notable artifact being the wooden box known as the brewer's ark, used in Munich Brewer's initiation ceremonies. The upper floor is dedicated to recounting the evolution of Oktoberfest, which initially began as the wedding celebration of King Ludwig I in 1810 and eventually grew to become the world's largest beer festival.

Arguably the most famous ‘watering hole’ in Munich, this spot is the embodiment of Bavarian tradition and spirit. Its story began in 1589, founded as part of the Royal Brewery by Wilhelm V. Back then, it wasn’t even open to the public-reserved instead for royal use. That changed in 1828, when the doors were finally thrown open to everyone. Today, it's among the city’s most beloved gathering places, steeped in old-world charm.

On the ground floor, long tables fill the hall that can hold 1,000 drinkers while bands belt out folk tunes. The menu is full of Bavarian classics, and the atmosphere is pure celebration. Upstairs, a vaulted ceremonial hall can seat another 1,300 people, with additional side rooms for smaller gatherings. And when the weather’s warm, the beer garden becomes a favorite hangout-with its shady chestnut trees, bubbling fountain, and relaxed outdoor vibe. On a typical day, around 10,000 liters of beer are served here-that’s over 17,000 pints.

True to tradition, the beer follows the Bavarian Beer Purity Law of 1516, which allows only natural ingredients. That standard is still upheld across the city, and the brews here are no exception-crafted with care and full of flavor.

But not all of the building’s history is festive. On February 24, 1920, Adolf Hitler stood here to announce the official program of the then-fledgling Nazi Party. Just over a year later, on July 29, 1921, he was elected as the Party’s leader-right in this very hall. So while the beer house is rightly remembered for joy, music, and beer, it also witnessed one of the more sobering moments of 20th-century history.

The largest Gothic structure in southern Germany, this church was built at an astonishing pace. Construction began in 1468 and wrapped up just 20 years later, a remarkable feat for the time. With its twin towers capped by distinctive onion-shaped domes rising 99 meters high, it remains the city’s most iconic landmark.

Entry is free, though there’s a small charge if you’d rather take the elevator up the South Tower instead of making the climb yourself. The panoramic view from the top is well worth the effort-an unforgettable way to view the city from above.

Inside, the atmosphere is stark and reverent. What you may see today was rebuilt from the ruins left by World War II bombings. Having been safely stored away during the war, the Gothic windows offer a glimpse of the church’s former glory. In the choir, you’ll find sculptures of the Apostles and Prophets, created in 1502 and miraculously preserved. The north chapel holds a striking altarpiece of Christ’s baptism, alongside Jan Polack’s panels depicting scenes from the Passion. Also look out for his painting “The Protecting Cloak”, as well as an elaborate cenotaph of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV.

And then, of course, there’s the legend-the infamous Devil’s Footprint. As the story goes, architect Jörg von Halsbach made a deal with the devil: the funds to finish the church, in exchange for a design with no visible windows. From one specific spot near the entrance, the illusion holds-no windows in sight. When the devil realized he’d been tricked, he stomped his foot in rage, leaving a footprint behind. Both the footprint and the trick of perspective can still be seen today.

Since this is Munich’s mother church, photography is discouraged out of respect for those who come here to pray. So take a quiet moment, soak in the stillness, and let the space speak for itself.