Explore 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.

The neo-Gothic town hall on Marienplatz's north side, built in stages from 1867 to 1909 to a design by Georg von Hauberrisser. Its 85-metre tower holds the Rathaus-Glockenspiel, a mechanical carillon whose figures re-enact a 16th-century tournament and the coopers' dance, and a viewing gallery reached by lift.

Munich's oldest parish church, on a site used for worship since before the city's founding in 1158; the present building dates largely from the 14th century after a fire in 1327. Its 91-metre tower, nicknamed Alter Peter, can be climbed for a view over the city, and the interior holds a Baroque high altar and Gothic paintings by Jan Polack.

Munich's late-Gothic cathedral, a brick hall church begun by Jörg von Halspach in 1468 and consecrated in 1494. Its twin towers, capped with onion domes almost 99 metres high, are a symbol of the city; the south tower is reached by stairs and a lift and gives a view over Munich and, on clear days, the Alps.

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.

A beer hall in central Munich, built in 1589 as a brewery for the Bavarian ducal court and opened to the public in 1828. Rebuilt in 1897 and again after wartime bomb damage, it serves Bavarian food and beer in a historic hall, a ballroom and a beer garden, with traditional music during opening hours.

A public park stretching from Munich's city centre to its north-eastern edge, created from 1789 by Sir Benjamin Thompson for the Elector Charles Theodore and extended by Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell. At 3.7 square kilometres, it is one of the largest urban public parks in the world, laid out in the informal English landscape style.

The park built for the 1972 Summer Olympics in the Oberwiesenfeld district, known for its tent-like roof over the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Hall and swimming hall. It also includes the Olympic Tower, an artificial hill, a lake and the former Olympic Village, and still hosts concerts and other events today.

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. Admission to the building is free.