It's closed on Sundays — go on a weekday morning for the freshest stalls.
Discover Local Munich: What to Do Around Mercure Munich
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Munich, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as St. Peter's tower, the Viktualienmarkt and the English Garden, alongside our Mercure hotels.
Munich in 5 picks
Viktualienmarkt
Munich's 200-year-old market, about five minutes' walk from Mercure Hotel Muenchen Altstadt. Go early for the Bavarian breakfast stalls.
Ludwigsvorstadt
the neighbourhood right outside Mercure Hotel Muenchen City Center — indie coffee shops and global eateries, not beer halls.
Schwabing
once home to Munich's artists and intellectuals, now the gateway to the English Garden.
English Garden
bigger than Central Park, and free. Rent a bike near Schwabing.
A walk along the Isar
the river that shapes the city. Go for the golden hour, keep a jacket handy after dark.
Explore Munich's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Munich
We've mapped local spots in Munich, from its oldest church to the home of Bavarian beer.
Sights & museums
St. Peter's Church (Alter Peter)
Munich's oldest parish church, Alter Peter to the locals, with a 300-year-old baroque high altar and the relics of St Munditia. Climb the 306 steps to the platform 56 metres up for views over Marienplatz, the city hall and the Frauenkirche.
Marienplatz · Church and viewpoint · Perfect for views
Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum)
Four floors of the Old Town Hall tower filled with toys from antiquity to today: teddy bears, dolls, tin toys, trains, robots. Nostalgia for grown-ups, fun for kids.
Old Town Hall, Marienplatz · Museum · Great for families
Beer and Oktoberfest Museum
In Munich's oldest townhouse, from 1340, the story of Bavarian beer: from a 1487 brewing rule that became the 1516 Purity Law to Oktoberfest, now drawing almost seven million visitors. Prost!
Old Town · Museum · Made for beer lovers
BMW Welt & Museum
BMW was founded in Munich in 1916. The museum covers more than 100 years of the brand; BMW Welt pairs futuristic architecture with a look at the future of mobility. Entry to BMW Welt is free.
Olympiapark · Museum and showroom · Perfect for car lovers
Glockenbachviertel
One of Munich's prettiest, hippest quarters, by the Isar just south of the centre: independent shops, bars and lively nights.
South of the centre · Neighbourhood · Ideal for nightlife
French Quarter (Franzosenviertel)
Streets with French names, village charm, bars and cafés among classic Munich architecture. Take it slow.
Haidhausen · Neighbourhood · Perfect for a slow day
Food & parks
Viktualienmarkt
Daily except Sundays and holidays since 1807: around 140 stalls of fruit, vegetables, honey, wine, spices and Bavarian specialities such as speck and Weisswurst. Stop at Karnoll's Standl for what's said to be the city's finest pretzel.
City centre · Food market · Made for foodies
English Garden (Englischer Garten)
One of the world's largest inner-city parks: 78 kilometres of paths and several beer gardens. In the warmer months, watch the surfers ride the standing wave on the Eisbach at the southern tip.
City centre to Schwabing · Park · Perfect for walks, cycling and beer gardens
Atzinger
A classic Bavarian restaurant and bar next to the English Garden, serving hearty regional dishes to locals and visitors for decades.
Maxvorstadt · Bavarian restaurant · Great for local food
Der Verrückte Eismacher
Munich's best-known ice-cream parlour – 'the crazy ice-cream maker' – with ever-changing flavours: beer, cheese, even fish, alongside the classics. Dare you?
Ice-cream parlour · Made for adventurous tastes
FAQ
Yes. It's a public park, open year-round, no ticket required.
Mercure Hotel Muenchen Altstadt sits three minutes from Marienplatz and about five from Viktualienmarkt.
Climb the 306 steps of St. Peter's Church, known as Alter Peter, to the viewing platform 56 metres up, with views over Marienplatz, the city hall and the Frauenkirche.
Head to the southern end of the English Garden, where surfers ride the standing wave on the Eisbach. Only experienced surfers are allowed in the water.
Yes, BMW Welt at the Olympiapark is free of charge. The BMW Museum next door covers more than 100 years of the brand's history.
Where to sleep
These Mercure hotels appear on our map:
- Mercure Muenchen City Center
- Mercure München Altstadt
- Mercure Hotel Muenchen Sued Messe
- Mercure Hotel München Neuperlach Süd
- Mercure Muenchen Schwabing
- Mercure Muenchen am Olympiapark