Marienplatz has been the beating heart of Munich since the city’s founding in 1158. This grand central square is dominated by the New Town Hall, a neo-Gothic masterpiece whose ornate facade stretches across an entire block with pinnacles, statues, and the famous Glockenspiel that draws crowds every day at 11 and noon. The mechanical clock features 32 life-sized figures reenacting two stories from Munich’s history: a 16th-century jousting tournament and the Schafflertanz, a coopers’ dance performed to drive away the plague. Above the square, the golden Mariensaule column has watched over the city since 1638, placed there in gratitude for Munich surviving both the Swedish invasion and plague.

The square serves as the natural starting point for exploring Munich’s old city center. From here, you can stroll to the Viktualienmarkt, a beloved open-air food market just steps south, or wander through the pedestrian shopping streets that radiate outward. The Old Town Hall at the east end of the square houses a delightful toy museum, while underground, a modern transit hub connects the entire city. During Advent, Marienplatz transforms into one of Germany’s most enchanting Christmas markets, with wooden stalls selling ornaments, roasted chestnuts, and steaming cups of Gluhwein beneath a towering tree.

Pro tip: Take the elevator to the top of the New Town Hall tower for a bird’s-eye view of Marienplatz, the red rooftops of the Altstadt, and on clear days, the distant peaks of the Bavarian Alps. It is far less crowded than the tower at nearby St. Peter’s Church and offers equally impressive views.