MUNICH, GERMANY
The Best Viewing Points
1_ Olympic Tower
On its top the Olympic Tower (German: Olympiaturm) features a four-storey outside and inside observation deck with a self-service cafe and the revolving Restaurant 181. A high speed lift takes you up to the viewing platform at 190 meters (620 ft) where you have a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of Munich and the Alps which is definitely worth the price of the ticket. The tower is part of the Olympic Park & Village which was built for the 1972 Games.
How to get there
Where: Olympiapark Munich, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 7 (open in Google Maps)
Hours: Monday – Tuesday 10:00 am – 22:00 pm / Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 am – 24:00 pm
Admission: Adults €11.00 / Reduced €7.00
Website: www.olympiapark.de
2_ Olympic Hill
The Olympic Hill (German: Olympiaberg) is located in the Olympic Park close to the Olympic Tower, just on the other side of a small lake. The height of the viewing point at the top of the hill is ‘only’ 60 meters (200 ft), but in contrast to the much higher tower the hill can be accessed for free and at all times since it is a public park. Several footpaths from different directions lead up to the top and you also have a great panoramic view over Munich and the Alps. Just a 5-minute walk away you will find the small beergarden Olympia Alm for Bavarian food and drinks.
How to get there
Where: Olympiapark Munich (open in Google Maps)
Hours: accessible 24 hours all year around
Admission: free, public park
Website: www.olympiapark.de
3_ St. Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Church (German: Peterskirche or ‘Alter Peter’) is the oldest church in Munich and is located in the very centre of the old town next to the town hall and the main square Marienplatz. Climb up the 106 stairs to the viewing platform in the bell tower at a height of 56 meters (180 ft) and you will have one of the best panoramic views of Munich.
How to get there
Where: Petersplatz 1, Munich (open in Google Maps)
Hours: daily 12:00 pm – 16:30 pm
Admission: Adults €5.00 / Reduced €3.00
Website: alterpeter.de
4_ Town Hall Clock Tower
Even though it was completed already in 1905 and looks very old, the town hall in Munich is actually called New City Hall (German: Neues Rathaus). You can’t miss it. It’s the biggest building right on the main square Marienplatz built in a Neo-Gothic architectural style. Inside the town hall two elevators take you up to a viewing platform in the clock tower at a height of 85 meters (280 ft) from where you have an excellent panoramic view over Munich.
How to get there
Where: Marienplatz 8, Munich (open in Google Maps)
Hours: temporarily closed
Admission: Adults €4.00 / Reduced €3.00
Website: www.muenchen.de
5_ Luitpold Hill
The Luitpold Hill (German: Luitpoldhügel) is a little hill in a public park called Luitpoldpark in a residential area of Munich. Like the Olympic Hill it is artificial and consists of the rubble of destroyed buildings piled up after World War II, something you will find quite often in big cities in Germany. Several footpaths lead up to a viewpoint at the top of the hill at 37 meters (120 ft). On a clear day you can see the Alps in the South. The park itself is great for strolling or hanging around since it has a lot of green space, several playgrounds, a public swimming pool which is open in summer and the restaurant Bamberger Haus which has a nice beergarden.
How to get there
Where: Luitpoldpark Munich (open in Google Maps)
Hours: accessible 24 hours all year around
Admission: free, public park
Website: www.muenchen.de
ABOUT MUNICH
First mentioned in 1158, Munich (German: München) is today the third-largest city in Germany and the capital of the state of Bavaria. It is situated on the elevated sandy plateau of the Alpine Foreland along the river Isar about 50 km north of the Alps at an altitude of about 520 m above sea level. On days with good visibility the mountain range of the Alps is clearly visible on the Southern horizon, stretching from Austria in the East to Switzerland in the West.