Discover Munich i it all starts here Landmarks & city

Hotel Excelsior enjoys one of Munich's finest locations – right at Karlsplatz/Stachus, just a five-minute walk from the Central Station. From here, the entire city centre is within easy reach on foot or by metro. Munich is a city of contrasts: world-class museums and medieval lanes, vibrant markets and tranquil parks, traditional beer gardens and international fine dining. The Excelsior places you right at the centre of it all.

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Karlsplatz / Stachus

Right at your doorstep

Step out of the Excelsior and you are immediately in the heart of the action. Karlsplatz – affectionately known to locals as "Stachus" – is one of the city's most vibrant squares, with its sweeping fountain plaza, the pedestrian zone, and direct access to the historic Old Town. It is the natural starting point for any city walk.

In summer, the fountain invites you to linger; in winter, the square transforms into a beautifully lit Christmas market. Shopping, cafés, and restaurants are all within steps – Stachus is Munich distilled into a single square.

Marienplatz & Old Town

approx. 10 min walk

The heart of Munich beats at Marienplatz: here stands the magnificent New Town Hall with its neo-Gothic façade and the world-famous Glockenspiel, which performs its chiming show daily at 11 am and noon – and at 5 pm in summer. The gilded Marian Column at the centre of the square is one of the city's oldest landmarks.

From here, narrow lanes and lively shopping streets lead in every direction. Within minutes on foot you reach the Viktualienmarkt – Munich's beloved daily food market with regional specialities, fresh produce, and a traditional beer garden shaded by ancient chestnut trees. The pedestrian zone with its many shops, boutiques, and street cafés is perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Frauenkirche

approx. 8 min walk

The twin onion-domed towers of the Frauenkirche are Munich's most recognisable landmark. By a city ordinance dating to 1524, no building within the city centre may exceed the height of the cathedral's 99-metre towers – a rule that has preserved Munich's distinctive, low-rise skyline to this day. The Gothic cathedral is just a short walk from the Excelsior.

Inside, the simple, spacious nave and significant works of art make a deep impression. Those who climb the south tower are rewarded with a sweeping panoramic view across Munich's rooftops all the way to the Alps – on a clear day, an unforgettable experience.

Deutsches Theater Munich

approx. 3 min walk

World-class entertainment is literally at the Excelsior's doorstep: the Deutsches Theater Munich, one of Germany's most prestigious musical theatres, is just a few steps from the hotel. Its programme features major international musicals, distinguished guest productions, and exceptional concert evenings throughout the season.

The Excelsior and the Deutsches Theater share a special partnership. Our "Deutsches Theater" package combines a stay at the hotel with tickets to a performance of your choice. Ask our team – we are happy to arrange everything for you.

English Garden

approx. 10 min by metro

Covering more than 370 hectares, the English Garden is one of the largest urban parks in the world – larger than New York's Central Park and London's Hyde Park combined. It is a place of recreation, cultural heritage, and social life all in one, and it is alive with visitors throughout every season.

In summer, Münchners and guests from around the world enjoy swimming in the Isar, sunbathing on vast meadows, and relaxed hours at the beer garden beside the Chinese Tower – one of Bavaria's most famous outdoor venues. A remarkable sight close to the Haus der Kunst is the Eisbach wave, where surfers ride a standing river wave in the middle of the city, every single day of the year.

Königsplatz & Munich's Museum District

approx. 15 min walk

Munich's museum district around Königsplatz is one of the most important cultural quarters in Europe. The neoclassical Königsplatz itself – conceived by Ludwig I as a "Munich Acropolis" – impresses with its grand proportions and the Propyläen gate, modelled on its Athenian namesake.

Close by stand the three Pinakothek museums: the Alte Pinakothek houses one of the world's most significant collections of European painting from the 14th to 18th centuries. The Neue Pinakothek covers art from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Pinakothek der Moderne brings together contemporary art, design, and architecture under one roof. The Lenbachhaus completes the quarter with the world's largest collection of works by the Blue Rider group – including Kandinsky, Marc, and Münter.

Theresienwiese – Oktoberfest & Spring Festival

approx. 5 min by metro

No place embodies the Munich spirit of celebration more than Theresienwiese – arguably the world's most famous festival ground. Each autumn it becomes the legendary Oktoberfest: enormous tents, traditional brass bands, litre steins of Bavarian beer, and festive dirndls and lederhosen draw millions of visitors to Munich from every corner of the globe. From the Excelsior, a quick metro ride is all it takes to reach the Wiesn.

Yet Theresienwiese has much to offer beyond the Oktoberfest. The Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) in April is a charming, somewhat more relaxed folk festival – ideal for those who wish to experience Bavarian festival culture in a more leisurely atmosphere. Nearby, the Bavaria statue – one of Munich's iconic symbols – allows visitors to step inside the bronze figure and look out over the city.

Maximilianstraße & Fünf Höfe

approx. 15 min walk

Maximilianstraße is one of Germany's most exclusive shopping addresses – international luxury brands including Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès line the boulevard side by side. Commissioned by King Maximilian II, the grand avenue is also an architectural landmark: imposing Neo-Renaissance façades lead the eye towards the Maximilianeum building at the banks of the Isar.

Just a short distance away, the Fünf Höfe offer an entirely different kind of shopping experience. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, this interconnected system of five inner courtyards creates a light-filled world of boutiques, galleries, cafés, and restaurants. The architecture – with its glass roofing and planted walls – makes a visit a genuine aesthetic experience in its own right.