Tour guide Eberhard Kühnel guided visitors through the London pub scene in his twenties. Today, he introduces visitors to Munich's popular Old Town. What fascinates him most, is how much can be discovered here on just a few square kilometres. In our 5x5 tips, he shares recommendations for eating, shopping and cultural experiences!
“The Old Town is the heart and soul of Munich. This is where the city history began and where most guests start their sightseeing tour. The Old Town is full of contrasts – where else can you experience 800 years of city history on foot? Here, love stories on Odeonsplatz (square) meet dark legends in the Frauenkirche (cathedral), historic towers rise into the white-blue sky and the ringing of bells in numerous churches takes turns with the melodies of the Carillon in the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall).
To round off the tour of the Old Town, I always recommend a beer at the Viktualienmarkt (market) beer garden, along with Leberkäs (meat loaf), sweet mustard and pretzels. Or a freshly ground coffee with a large selection of homemade cakes in one of the five coffee houses on Marienplatz (main square). Comedian and folk singer Karl Valentin looks down from his fountain on the Viktualienmarkt, harbouring good intentions for his guests: A foreigner is only a foreigner in a foreign land. Welcome to Munich!”
Munich's Old Town hosts the most popular attractions – like Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus and the Residenz (city palace). And the nice thing about it is: Everything is just a stone's throw away from each other. Visitors can conveniently explore the main attractions on foot – on their own tour of the Old Town. If you are particularly interested in the delicacies of the Vitualienmarkt, a tasting tour is the right choice!
The quarter is packed with contrasts – this is evident not only in the diverse shopping opportunities and from the guests from all over the world, but also in the gastronomic scene. The two-star restaurant in the luxury hotel is just as much a part of it as the young fine dining establishment, you can drink cocktails in Schuhmann's or a Schnitt (quart beer) in the Boazn bar, and the Italian café-bar opens next to the traditional café. No matter where you go, you'll meet again at the Viktualienmarkt!
The streets around Marienplatz are home to Munich's most important cultural institutions – and many of them have been there for centuries. The Münchener Stadtmuseum was founded in 1888, the old Residenztheater was built between 1751 and 1753, and the Kammerspiele is the only remaining Art Nouveau theatre in Germany today.
Due to the high density of pubs in the Old Town, you can experience traditional beer culture on every corner - because beer has been an integral part of Munich life since the city was founded. It tastes really good here, for example:
Special: First find out more at the Bier- und Oktoberfestmuseum, then savour a meal in the rustic museum parlour
Traditional: Experience brass band music, Bavarian lifestyle and traditional beer culture at the Hofbräuhaus
Crafty: try the different types of wheat beer in the Weißes Bräuhaus
Boazig: socialise with locals and guests from all over the world in the rustic pub Le Clou
Young: Combine modern Bavarian cuisine with Munich's art of brewing at Herrschaftszeiten
Fine: Experience the barrel change of beer and enjoy excellent food at Pschorr at Viktualienmarkt
Munich also boasts some historically exciting shopping destinations in its Old Town: Amidst the many traditional department stores and shopping arcades, you can still find former royal court suppliers – such as Dallmayr, Kustermann, Radspieler or Ludwig Beck.
Munich has over 270 churches, the most famous of which are in the Old Town. First and foremost, of course, is the Frauenkirche, but the Alter Peter is also a popular attraction with its magnificent panoramic view all the way to the Alps. The Theatinerkirche on Odeonsplatz is reminiscent of Italy with its yellow façade and architecture, and the southern German late baroque can be discovered on the façade and inside Asamkirche.
