Altstadt Travel Guide

Marienplatz-centred Old Town with museums, beer halls and shopping on every corner.

• Best for: First-time visitors and sightseers
• Vibe: Touristy but atmospheric; lively daytime and early-evening
• Nearest station: Marienplatz (U-Bahn/S-Bahn)
• Price level: $$-$$$ (hotel and restaurant mix)
• To the main sights: Most attractions within easy walking distance
• Safety: Generally safe; watch for pickpockets in crowds

Great for:

• First-time visitors
• Sightseeing on foot
• Traditional Bavarian food and beer
• Central shopping

Maybe skip it if:

• You want a low-key, residential neighbourhood
• You dislike crowds and tourist areas

Centred on Marienplatz, bounded roughly by Karlsplatz (Stachus) to the west, Isartor to the east and Odeonsplatz to the north. Main streets: Kaufingerstraße (pedestrian shopping), Maximilianstraße (luxury), Sendlinger Straße and Residenzstrasse.

• Glockenspiel timings: Arrive 10-15 minutes early for a good view at the Glockenspiel show.
• Market mornings: Visit Viktualienmarkt in the morning for the best selection and fewer crowds.
• Watch your belongings: Keep an eye on bags in busy squares and on public transport.
• Cash at beer halls: Many beer gardens accept cards, but smaller stalls may prefer cash.
• Quiet hours: Residential pockets get quiet after midnight; be mindful of noise in narrow streets.

• Marienplatz: See the New Town Hall and its Glockenspiel show; an obvious starting point for walking tours.
• Viktualienmarkt: Browse stalls selling cheeses, sausages and flowers and sit at the small beer garden tables for a snack.
• Munich Residenz: Explore the former royal palace, courtyards and its museums close to the centre.
• Frauenkirche, Munich: Munich’s imposing cathedral with twin towers; its plaza is good for photos and orientation.
• St. Peter’s Church, Munich: Climb the tower for one of the best panoramas over the Old Town and the Frauenkirche.
• Deutsches Museum: Large science and technology museum a short walk across the river, excellent for families and hands-on exhibits.

• Munich Airport (MUC): Public transport: S-Bahn S1 or S8 direct to Marienplatz in about 35-45 minutes; expect a single-fare airport ticket (roughly €11-15). Taxi/ride-hail: around 30-45 minutes depending on traffic; roughly €60-€90.
• Memmingen / Allgäu Airport (FMM): Public transport: airport shuttle or regional train to München Hauptbahnhof (coach/train ~1h15-1h45), then U-Bahn/S-Bahn one stop to Marienplatz; fares and journey times vary. Taxi/ride-hail: about 1h30-2h on the motorway; expect a high fixed fare, often €120-€200.
• From the main sights: Public transport: from Marienplatz the Old Town is on foot, most sights are 0-15 minutes’ walk. Taxi/ride-hail: a 5-10 minute taxi will get you across the centre if needed; short trips are inexpensive.

• On foot: Altstadt is compact and largely pedestrianised; walking is the best way to see most sights and shops.
• Public transport: U-Bahn, S-Bahn and trams serve the ring around the Old Town; Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz and Karlsplatz (Stachus) are main interchange points.
• Bike and scooter: City bike schemes and e-scooters are widely available for short hops; watch for cobbles and pedestrian zones.
• Taxi / ride-hail: Useful for heavy luggage or late-night returns; ranks are at main squares and apps work well.

Accommodation in Altstadt ranges from 5-star palace hotels to compact city-centre options. Most luxury properties cluster along Maximilianstraße, near the opera and around Marienplatz; mid-range hotels sit on secondary streets and around Isartor. Budget guesthouses and a youth hostel are a short walk from the core.

Luxury

• Mandarin Oriental: Central 5-star hotel close to Marienplatz, with refined rooms and a rooftop bar atmosphere.
• Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München: Landmark 5-star on Maximilianstraße, favoured for luxury shopping access and classic service.
• Hotel Bayerischer Hof: Historic 5-star hotel with multiple restaurants and bars, within easy walking distance of the Residenz.
• Platzl Hotel: Well-placed 4-star hotel beside the Platzl and close to traditional beer halls.

Mid-range

• Torbräu: Traditional 4-star hotel beside the Isartor area, good for sightseeing on foot.
• DO & CO Hotel: Boutique hotel near the Residenz offering modern rooms and a central location.
• Hotel Mercure München Altstadt: Reliable 3-star brand hotel within easy walking distance of Marienplatz and the main shopping streets.
• Hotel Isartor: Comfortable mid-range option close to the Isartor gate and riverfront walks.

Budget

• Kerschensteiner Kolleg: Youth hostel/college accommodation a short tram or walk from the Old Town; basic and budget-friendly.
• Hotel Lux: Simple, small hotel near the centre offering budget rooms and straightforward facilities.
• Pension Gärtnerplatz: Guesthouse-style accommodation a little south-east of the Old Town, handy for lively evenings at Gärtnerplatz.
• Hotel Atlanta: Basic two-star option slightly outside the very centre, suitable for budget travellers.

Altstadt is ideal for traditional Bavarian food, market snacks and a handful of international options. Head for Viktualienmarkt and the Platzl area for classic beer-hall dining; side streets off Kaufingerstraße and Residenzstraße have cafés and mid-priced restaurants. Expect price levels from $ market snacks to $$-$$$ for sit-down restaurants.

• Hofbräuhaus am Platzl: Bavarian, $; famous beer hall near the Platzl, lively and very tourist-friendly.
• Pfistermühle: Bavarian, $$; traditional regional dishes a short walk from the cathedral and Marienplatz.
• Donisl: Bavarian, $$; classic Munich-style restaurant close to the Residenz and shopping streets.
• Café Dallmayr: International/café, $$; historic delicatessen with a café, ideal for coffee and pastries.
• Schmalznudel Cafe Frischhut: Pastry, $; beloved spot for traditional Bavarian pastries and quick sweet snacks.
• Der Pschorr: Bavarian, $$-$$$; market-influenced Bavarian cooking near Viktualienmarkt with a modern bent.
• La Valle: Italian, $$; reliable Italian dining close to Marienplatz and the opera area.
• Zum Stiftl: Bavarian, $; cosy, traditional tavern-style restaurant popular with visitors.

Nightlife in the Old Town mixes traditional beer halls and cellar bars with a few high-profile clubs a short walk away. Expect convivial beer gardens and standing-in pubs until late, with clubs around the slightly younger Sendlinger Straße and Gärtnerplatz scenes. Price and formality range from casual beer-garden $ to upscale bars $$$.

• Dubliner Irish Pub: Pub, casual Irish pub atmosphere right in the centre, good for pints and live sport.
• P1: Nightclub, $$$; one of Munich’s most famous late-night venues, a short taxi ride from Marienplatz.
• Schumann’s: Bar/pub, $$$; well-known hotel bar with classic cocktails and an elegant interior.
• NV Club: Nightclub, $$$; central club for late-night dancing within easy reach of the Old Town.
• Biergarten am Viktualienmarkt: Biergarten, $; daytime and early-evening favourite for casual drinking and people-watching.
• Augustiner Stehausschank: Pub/biergarten, $; traditional standing beer bar serving Augustiner by the litre.

Shopping in Altstadt runs from souvenir stalls at Viktualienmarkt to department stores and luxury boutiques. Kaufingerstraße is the main pedestrian high street for mainstream brands, while Maximilianstraße houses designer labels; several passages and department stores sit close to Marienplatz. Expect everything from market bargains ($) to high-end boutiques ($$$$).

• Viktualienmarkt: Marketplace, fresh food stalls, regional products and small sellers; great for gifts and snacks.
• Ludwig Beck: Department store, stylish emporium for cosmetics, accessories and select fashion near Marienplatz.
• Manufactum: Department store, quality homewares and German-made goods on a street close to the Residenz.
• Kaufinger Tor: Mall, major pedestrian shopping arcade connecting the high street to central squares.
• Oberpollinger: Department store, large, upmarket department store a short walk from the Old Town core.