Munich Walking Tours: Self-Guided Routes
Munich’s centre is small enough to cross on foot in half an hour, and the best routes need no guide and no booking. Three self-guided walks cover most of what visitors want to see.
Route one: the Altstadt, Stachus to Viktualienmarkt
Start at Karlsplatz (known as Stachus) and pass through the medieval Karlstor gate. Walk along the pedestrian street to St. Michael’s, a Jesuit church that holds the tomb of King Ludwig II. Continue to the Alter Hof, the old court, then to Marienplatz for the 11:00 or 12:00 Glockenspiel. Finish at Viktualienmarkt, about 140 stalls selling cheese, honey and fruit, where a pretzel costs €1.50 to €2.50 and a Leberkässemmel €3 to €4.50. Allow about two hours with stops. Most of the route is free, and the Frauenkirche and its Devil’s Footstep are on the way.
Route two: the Kunstareal in Maxvorstadt
This district holds three major art collections within a short walk: the Alte Pinakothek, the Pinakothek der Moderne and Museum Brandhorst. You can stroll between them, pausing in the lawns, and visit one or all depending on time. Check pinakothek.de for opening hours and admission. Brienner Straße and the free NS-Dokumentationszentrum are close, and the White Rose memorial at the University (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität) is another free stop for those interested in the student resistance of 1943.
Route three: Glockenbachviertel and the Isar
For a trendier stretch, walk through the Glockenbachviertel along Hans-Sachs-Straße, where independent design shops and cafes cluster. Then follow the Isar river promenade, where gravel beaches draw sunbathers in summer. Walkers can continue south along the shaded paths toward Flaucher. The Eisbach wave at the entrance to the Englischer Garten is worth a detour: surfing is limited to experienced surfers, so watch from the bank.
Guided options
Companies run guided walks of the old town, and group sizes and prices vary, so compare before you commit. You can search guided Munich walking tours on GetYourGuide to compare timings and group sizes. The self-guided routes above cost nothing apart from the food you buy on the way.
Walking tips
Cobbles are common, so wear shoes with grip. Shops close on Sundays, so the streets are quieter then, but beer gardens, bakeries and restaurants stay open. Carry some cash. If your feet need a rest, a Zone M single costs €4.20 and a short Kurzstrecke hop costs €2.10. Check MVV prices on mvv-muenchen.de . See the Munich two-day itinerary for a plan that strings the routes together, or the sightseeing guide for what to climb.
Tip: do route one in the morning, when Viktualienmarkt is fresh and the Glockenspiel is at 11:00, and save the Isar for the evening light.