Munich Sightseeing: Towers, Palaces, Art
Two towers frame Munich: one on the Rathaus, one on the cathedral. Climbing both costs under €15 and shows how the red roofs, the Alps and the park fit together.
Marienplatz and the New Town Hall
Marienplatz is the central square, dominated by the neo-Gothic facade of the New Town Hall, about 100 metres long. The Glockenspiel chimes at 11:00 and 12:00 daily, with 32 life-size figures and 43 bells. The tower lift rises 85 metres to a gallery above the square. Tickets start from €7, with a child fare of €3.50, and entry is in timed 20-minute slots from 10:00 to 20:00. The official muenchen.de site lists the current times.
Frauenkirche
The Frauenkirche has twin brick towers topped with domes that are visible from across the city. Inside the entrance a dark footprint, the Teufelstritt or Devil’s Footstep, is set in the floor. The south tower climb costs €7.50 (€5.50 reduced) and operates Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00, and Sundays from 11:30. The last ascent is at 16:30.
The Residenz
The Residenz is the royal palace of the Wittelsbach dynasty, with the Antiquarium hall and the Treasury. The museum costs €10, the Treasury €10 and the combined ticket €15, with the Cuvilliés Theatre added in a €20 ticket. Concessions are €9, €9, €13 and €16, and under-18s are free. See residenz-muenchen.de for current opening hours.
Nymphenburg
Nymphenburg was the summer palace. The Stone Hall and the Gallery of Beauties are the interior highlights, while the park (free) has Amalienburg and Badenburg pavilions. The combination ticket costs €20 (€18 reduced) up to 15 October and €16 (€14 reduced) from 16 October.
Asamkirche and the Kunstareal
The Asamkirche on Sendlinger Straße is a narrow Baroque church built by the Asam brothers as their own chapel. In the Maxvorstadt museum quarter, the Alte Pinakothek holds Dürer’s self-portrait and large Rubens canvases, and the Pinakothek der Moderne and the Brandhorst sit close by. See pinakothek.de for opening hours.
A free documentation centre
The NS-Dokumentationszentrum on Brienner Straße is a modern white museum on the site of the former Nazi Party headquarters, covering Munich’s role in the rise of National Socialism. Admission is free. Allow an hour.
Practical tips
Munich’s centre is compact, and Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, the Residenz and the Asamkirche sit a short walk from one another. Nymphenburg is a short ride out by public transport. A Zone M single is €4.20, and a Single-Tageskarte is €10.10. Shops close on Sundays, and cash is useful at markets and beer gardens. If you prefer a guide for the main sights, you can browse sightseeing tickets and tours on Viator . Ticket-based visits are covered further in the attraction tours guide .
Tip: climb the Frauenkirche tower on a Saturday morning, then walk five minutes to Marienplatz for the 11:00 Glockenspiel.