Explorer Munich

Munich's central square, the city's gathering place since 1158. The neo-Gothic New Town Hall closes its north side, and the Mariensäule, a column raised in 1638 to mark the end of Swedish occupation, stands near its centre. The town hall's Glockenspiel chimes from the tower several times a day.

A permanent food market in Munich's old town, held daily except Sundays and holidays since 1807. Fixed stalls across more than two hectares sell flowers, produce, game, cheese and fish around a central beer garden, with the city's Maypole and several fountains marking the square.

An aquarium in Munich's Olympiapark, opened in April 2006 at Willi-Daume-Platz. More than 3,000 marine animals from 150 species live across 33 tanks holding 700,000 litres, arranged in themed sections such as the Danube delta, a coral cave and a shipwreck. A ten-metre tunnel runs through the 400,000-litre tropical tank, home to Germany's widest range of shark species.

BMW's exhibition, delivery and event centre beside its Munich headquarters and the Olympiapark, designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au and opened in October 2007. Its sweeping double-cone roof covers a showroom of current BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce models and the hall where customers collect specially ordered cars.

Munich's football stadium, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and opened in 2005 at Fröttmaning on the city's northern edge. Bayern Munich have played home matches here since 2005-06, and the facade's inflated ETFE panels can change colour, a first for a stadium worldwide. It seats up to 75,000 and houses the FC Bayern Erlebniswelt club museum.