MUNICH MUST SEES

St. Peter’s Church Tower

One of my favorite things to do when I head to a new city is to find a lookout point to see the city from above. That is exactly what St. Peter’s Church Tower provides in Munich! Affectionately known as Alter Peter (Old Peter), this tower belongs to Munich’s oldest church, Peterskirche. Wonderfully situated in Munich just behind Marienplatz, you will walk up 306 steps to access lovely views! I will say, when you get to the top it is TIGHT on a crowded day. I inched my way around the top quickly and returned down to where the steps spill you out into the church. Please note that at the time of writing this, ascension of this tower is by cash only.

Nymphenburg Palace

Nymphenburg Palace is a gorgeous property that was once a summer residence for the Electors and Kings of Bavaria. It is hard to believe that in 1664 when construction first started on the palace, Nymphenburg was located in an open field. Since then, it has blossomed into a three-winged complex with baroque, rococo, and neoclassical elements. It is easily accessible by taxi, and as long as you purchased a ticket for that day, you can show up anytime you’d like! That being said, the palace draws quite the crowd, and I would suggest going early in the day when it opens or in the late afternoon. CJ and I went in the late afternoon, and had the palace to ourselves!

Munich Residenz

Another royal palace, Munich Residenz is easily accessible, as it is actually in the heart of the city center. It is an extravagant palatial complex, and can be overwhelming due to room after room of decadent rococo style, luxurious golden walls, and sumptuous use of marble. The two rooms I thought were the most impressive (and that I would suggest seeing first so they don’t fill up with more tourists) were the Antiquarium (aptly named for its collection of antique sculptures) and the Ancestral Gallery, where over 100 portraits of Wittelsbach family members are memorialized into carved gilded paneling.

Altstadt (Old Town) & Marienplatz

Altstadt is Munich’s medieval old town. It is known for its car-free streets lined with international stores and boutiques with traditional Bavarian clothing. It can get pretty crowded, even in the middle of the week. Marienplatz is actually in Altstadt, and is the central square of Munich. In fact, it has been at the city’s heart since 1158! One of the most popular gatherings in Marienplatz is the Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas Market. Climbing up St. Peter’s Church Tower is a lovely way to see Altstadt and Marienplatz from above!

Neues Rathaus Tower

If you do indeed find yourself looking out from St. Peter’s Church Tower, you will see not only Marienplatz, but a specific Munich landmark that lies within that central square – Neues Rathaus, or the New Town Hall. This Neo-Gothic building looks older than it is, with initial construction taking place between 1867 and 1905 when Munich’s city council outgrew the Old Town Hall. The Neues Rathaus Tower in particular looms large, and is another great way to take in the city from above. A notable difference with this viewpoint is that you don’t have to take a ton of stairs to enjoy it, as there are elevators!

Englischer Garten

If you’d like to take a break from the craziness of the city, relax in Munich’s largest public park, Englischer Garten! Most notably, this park has a man-made river flowing through it called Eisbach. The waves on the Eisbach river attract surfers to catch some waves, and onlookers to catch some cool views (and wipeouts!) It is recommended that only professional surfers attempt river surfing, as it is a pretty tight space. However, you don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy the water! As we sat on a rock overlooking the river, plenty of people stripped down to their undergarments to take a refreshing plunge! (Despite the numerous signs saying not to do it, but the rules are not strictly enforced!)

Alte Pinakothek

For a bit of culture, make your way to Alte Pinakothek. As the name implies, Alte Pinakothek, or “Old Picture Gallery,” covers work from an older time period, specifically from the 14th to the 18th century. The plethora of paintings can be attributed to the art collections of the rulers of the House of Wittelsbach. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays.

24 HOURS IN MUNICH

PILGRIMAGE CHURCH OF WIES