Self-Guided Tours

• Start Michaelskirche
• End Chinesischer Turm
• Length 5km, 2½ hours

This circuit takes in the key sights in Munich’s historic centre and the Englischer Garten. Commence at the richly ornamented Michaelskirche, final resting place of King Ludwig II. Proceed east along the main shopping drag, passing by the Frauenkirche, Munich’s landmark church. The way opens into Marienplatz, punctuated by the Mariensäule in front of the neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus. The blue-bottomed Fischbrunnen gushes peacefully near the entrance. The steeple of St Peterskirche affords a great vista of the old town, including the Altes Rathaus, now home to a toy museum. To see Asam frescoes, peek inside the Heiliggeistkirche.

Head east on Im Tal, taking a left into Maderbräustrasse to Orlandostrasse, site of the Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s most (in)famous beer hall. Then zigzag through the backstreets – west on Münzstrasse, left into Sparkassenstrasse and then into the alley Ledererstrasse. At Burgstrasse, turn right into the courtyard of the Alter Hof, the Wittelsbachs’ early residence in Munich. Exit north and proceed along Hofgraben, past the former Münzhof (mint). The street opens into Maximilianstrasse and Max-Joseph-Platz, address of the grand Nationaltheater and fine opera. A treasure-filled palace and museum, the Residenz was the seat of the Wittelsbach rulers for over four centuries.

Stroll north on Residenzstrasse to reach Odeonsplatz, site of the Nazis’ first lunge at power. Here looms the Feldherrnhalle, a hulking shrine to war heroes. The bombastic, mustard-yellow Theatinerkirche contains the Wittelsbachs’ family crypt. Head into green territory from here, starting with the neoclassical Hofgarten. Cross it diagonally and go through the underpass to enter the Englischer Garten. Proceed past the sinister-looking Haus der Kunst, a gallery and one-time forum for Nazi-propaganda art. The route winds past the ceremonial Japanisches Teehaus and into a vast meadow popular with Frisbee enthusiasts and nude sunbathers. A little hill with a classical folly, the Monopteros, completes the leisurely scene. At the end, take a seat in the beer garden alongside the curious, multi-tiered Chinesischer Turm, where an oompah band often pumps out traditional tunes.

• Start Marienplatz
• Finish Englischer Garten
• Length 6km, two hours

Kick off at central Marienplatz where the glockenspiel chimes from the Neues Rathaus, the impressive Gothic town hall. The steeple of the St Peterskirche affords great views of the old town, including the Altes Rathaus. Turn left as you leave St Peters and walk down Petersplatz to the Viktualienmarkt. Head south from here to Sebastiansplatz and the well-curated Münchner Stadtmuseum. The big cube opposite on St-Jakobs-Platz is Munich's synagogue, flanked by the Jüdisches Museum.

From here follow Unterer Anger, turn right on Klosterhofstrasse, which continues as Schmidstrasse and reaches Sendlinger Strasse. Turn right for a peek inside the Asamkirche. Backtrack a few steps on Sendlinger Strasse, turn left on Hackenstrasse, right on Hotterstrasse, past the tiny Hundskugel, the city’s oldest restaurant, left on Altheimer Eck and immediately right on Färbergraben. This takes you to Kaufinger Strasse, the Altstadt's pedestrianised shopping strip. Continue on Augustinerstrasse to the twin-onion-domed Frauenkirche with great views from the top. Lanes behind the church lead to Weinstrasse; turn left and continue on Theatinerstrasse, taking a break at the postmodern Fünf Höfe shopping arcade. Backtrack a few steps on Theatinerstrasse, then turn left on tiny Perusastrasse, which delivers you to the grand Residenz.

Continue north on Residenzstrasse to reach Odeonsplatz, dominated by the Feldherrnhalle, a shrine to war heroes. The mustard-yellow Theatinerkirche contains the Wittelsbachs' crypt. Cross the neoclassical Hofgarten and take the underpass, then turn right on Prinzregentenstrasse and proceed past the Haus der Kunst, a gallery. Just beyond, don't miss the surfers riding the artificial wave on the Eisbach creek. Across the creek, turn left into the Englischer Garten and the multitiered Chinesischer Turm for a well-deserved beer.