Munich layout

City layout and maps of Munich, Germany

Munich is one European city where the sights are not confined to its Altstadt, or old center—Munich's museums and cultural attractions are spread all across town.

The Altstadt is a district of medieval streets tangled at the core of the city. Much of it was bombed during World War II, and then subsequently restored or replaced with modern structures, giving the city center a medieval-meets-contemporary look.

The city's heart is Marienplatz, a bustling pedestrian square with a major light-rail juncture underneath.

Running through Marienplatz is one of the city's main east-west arteries, Neuhauserstrasse, which begins at Karlsplatz (a few blocks east of Hauptbahnhof station).

It changes names to Kaufingerstrasse and then beyond Marienplatz becomes Im Tal (the only non-pedestrianized bit). This street leads east into Isartorplatz. Isartorplatz is on the Altstadt's eastern edge, a few blocks from the Isar River, which runs along the city's eastern flank.

Munich's other main east-west drag is Maximilianstrasse, a wide street of art galleries and designer boutiques several blocks north of, and parallel to, Im Tal. Fashionable Maximilianstrasse runs from the Isar River west into the Altstadt, ending at Max Joseph Platz—another important square and the location of the Residenz royal palace—just a few blocks north of Marienplatz.

Residenzstrasse runs from Max Joseph Platz to Odeonsplatz. Odeonsplatz is an elegant, if heavily trafficked, square surrounded by neo-Renaissance buildings that marks the Altstadt's northern edge.

West (and slightly north) of Odeonsplatz down Briennerstrasse lies Karolinenplatz, whuch marks the southern end of the museums district, a zone of neoclassical buildings off the northwest corner of the Altstadt home to the Alte Pinakothek (Old Masters paintings), Neue Pinakothek (19th and early 20th century art), and Pinakothek der Moderne (late 20th century and contemporary art).

From Odeonsplatz, the boulevard Ludwigstrasse/Leopoldstrasse heads due north toward the University district and Schwabing, a bohemian and trendy quarter from the first half of the 20th century (now gentrified but still fun) filled with restaurants and cafes.

Prinzregentenstrasse runs east-west just north of the city center. It passes along the southern border of huge Englischer Garten park and is lined with several museums (including the Bavarian National Museum).