Famous icons fill Munich City Centre, the historic heart of Bavaria's capital. From the world's greatest beer hall to the Glockenspiel, it's a destination that's rich in atmosphere and architecture. Traditionally, Munich City Centre was defined by the old city walls, although only a small part of these fortifications are still standing. The modern boundary is the Altstadtring, a busy road that loops around the mostly pedestrianised centre. Munich City Centre is packed with sights and is one of the most visited places in Germany, with enough attractions to keep visitors entertained for days.
Glamorous old-world buildings fill most of this area and the streets are lined with 19th century townhouses. A handful of attractions are unmissable and easily recognisable from popular photos of Munich. Odeonsplatz is the iconic place to start and marks the northern boundary of Munich City Centre. Draped over this busy square is the baroque Theatine Church, the Field Marshals' Hall, and the gloriously ornate Munich Residence. On the opposite side of the city centre is Marienplatz, where a golden statue stands atop of Mariensaule, a majestic column. Both these squares make a great summer place to enjoy outdoor terraces with a Bavarian beer in hand.
The Old City Hall comes from the 15th century and evokes its medieval period. Of the various museums in Munich City Centre, Hausder Kunst and Residenz contain some of Europe's finest art collections. Their elegance contrasts the often raucous atmosphere inside the huge Hofbrauhaus am Platzl, which is arguably the world's greatest and most famous beer hall.
Various suburban S-Bahn trains run through Munich City Centre with the major stops being Karlsplatz, Marienplatz, and Isartor. The U-Bahn subway lines also connect these stations, as well as serving Odeonsplatz in the north and the central Sendlinger Tor. Once in Munich City Centre, it's easy to explore on foot and much of the area is pedestrianised.
The New City Hall is hundreds of years old and its front facade features Munich's most loved attraction, the Glockenspiel. This handmade automated clock is a dazzling work of art that springs to life on the hour, with enchanting figures coming out to dance and play bells that signify the time.