11 of the Best Views in Munich and Where To Find Them

On a clear day, you can see not only Munich’s historical center from the New Town Hall Tower, but also the often snow-capped Alps jutting out of the horizon. To get there, head to the Marienplatz (which has been the central square of Munich since the 12th century) and seek out the massive, Gothic-style New Town Hall building.

From there, you can take the elevator up to the town hall tower’s observation deck for a view that includes direct access to monuments such as St. Peter’s Church, Frauenkirche, and Old Town Hall.

St. Peter’s is already one of the key stops on any Munich travel itinerary, and it just so happens that the St. Peter’s church tower view is one of the best in the city ... though it comes at a cost of more than 300 stairs.

However, the 13th-century church is perched on top of a small hill, meaning you’re already boosted a little above the historic center, and can look out on the city as well as the mountains if the weather allows.

Did you know?: The tower itself is nicknamed “Alter Peter,” or Old Peter, and is just about 300 feet (91 meters) tall.

The Frauenkirche is one of the most historic buildings in Munich, a Gothic-style cathedral that was constructed in the 15th century. You can learn more about the Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady when visiting on a walking tour of the Old Town, or go inside and buy a ticket for the tower.

Choose from spiral stairs or an elevator that takes you to a covered viewing platform, where you can look out over the city’s rooftops and beyond. The towers sit at 320 feet (98 meters), and no new buildings built in Munich are allowed to be any taller, which means these really are some of the best-of-the-best Munich views.

Monopteros Temple, situated on top of a hill in the English Garden, was constructed in honor of Bavarian King Maximilian in the early 19th century. Now, it offers great views of the city’s most famous park as well as the urban sprawl beyond.

After admiring the scenery, tour the English Garden—it's one of the biggest city parks in the world and the perfect place for a summer picnic. There, you can also explore the woods, meadows, beer gardens, and even a wave park built into the river where you can watch surfers practice their skills.

The Angel of Peace (Friedensengel) statue near the Haidhausen and Bogenhausen neighborhoods of Munich was built to commemorate the Franco-Prussian War that took place in the late 19th century between the French Empire and Northern German Confederation.

From the angel’s terrace, you get great views down the grand Prince Regent Street. Because it’s located in a residential area, this statue and terrace is not very touristy, making it one of the best places for sunset views in Munich that also gives you a sense of the true spirit of the Bavarian capital.

Though the Olympiapark observation tower has been closed for renovations for a while, it’s set to reopen in early 2026, offering the chance to get some of the best panoramic views in Bavaria again. On a clear day, you can see not only the city skyline but also the distant Alps—plus the fields and sports complexes of the Olympiapark, which was built for the summer Olympics in 1972 and now serves as a park and event venue. There are many other ways to spend your time in the park once you’ve soaked up the views, so plan on spending a couple of hours here.

While you’re in Munich, make sure to visit the Deutsches Museum, the world’s largest museum of science and technology. Start by checking out its 20 permanent exhibits on everything from chemistry and physics to optics, robotics, and more.

Once you’ve had your fill, head up to the museum’s rooftop terrace to admire the views and enjoy lunch or a coffee. This is one of the best places for cityscape views in Munich, with 360-degree vistas of the Isar River, city center, and even the giant Allianz Arena soccer stadium.

Until the 19th century, the prehistoric artifacts now found in the State Archaeological Collection belonged to physician and anthropologist Johannes Ranke. He then gave them to the state of Bavaria, which combined them with artifacts from the Historical Society of Upper Bavaria to create a complete collection.

Now, they’re all on display in the State Archaeological Collection, a museum directly next to the National Museum. At the State Archaeological Collection’s rooftop bar, you can get panoramic views of the English Garden, church spires, and the historical neighborhoods of the city.

Luitpoldpark in the Schawbing neighborhood may not be the most famous or scenic park in the city, but it’s worth a visit to sit for a while on top of Luitpold Hill, a 120-foot (37-meter) structure built of rubble left over from houses that were bombed during World War II.

From your vantage point there, you can see the rooftops of the neighborhood and even the towers of the Frauenkirche in the distance. In the winter, Luitpold Hill turns into a prime sledding hill and a fun place for families.

The Ruby Rosi Hotel, located in the Munich Central Station, offers great rooftop views that make you feel like you’re in on the action, from the movement of the trains down below to the heart of the old city.

The area around the station is also a great place for shopping and an ideal destination from which to embark on a food tour, while the train station itself is your gateway to farther away sights, from the Kloster Benediktbeuern to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Regensburg, and all the way to London, Budapest, and beyond.

If you’ve seen all the highlights and are ready for a Munich day trip, head to the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein. For the best photo opportunity, with views of Neuschwanstein and the surrounding thickly forested hills and turquoise alpine lakes, walk to Queen Mary’s Bridge.

The bridge was originally built over the Poellat Gorge in the 1840s, before the castle itself was constructed. Now the wooden bridge has been replaced with a more stable steel one, which conveniently offers views of the castle as well as the gorgeous nature surrounding it.