Marienplatz Guide: Glockenspiel, Town Hall & What to See

Every Hop-On Hop-Off tour in Munich either starts at or revolves around Marienplatz. It has been the city's main square since 1158. When you hop off here, you are stepping into the living room of Bavaria.

The New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)

Despite looking incredibly medieval, this stunning Flemish Gothic building was actually completed in 1905. It dominates the square with its 300-foot-long facade and intricate stone carvings of Bavarian kings, folklore legends, and saints. The sheer scale of the building is breathtaking, contrasting sharply with the simpler Old Town Hall nearby.

The Famous Glockenspiel

This is the main event. Crowds gather daily to watch the mechanical clock perform.

• Showtimes: 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM daily (plus 5:00 PM from March to October).
• The Story:
  • Upper Level: Depicts the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine. Look for the jousting knights—the Bavarian knight (white and blue) wins every time against the Frenchman (red and white).
  • Lower Level: Shows the Schäfflertanz (Coopers' Dance). According to legend, the cooper guild performed this dance to cheer up the frightened citizens after the plague epidemic ended in 1517.
• The Finale: Wait for the very end! A small golden rooster at the top chirps three times to conclude the show.

Photo Tip: For the best angle of the Glockenspiel without craning your neck, go to the 3rd or 4th-floor café of the Hugendubel bookstore directly opposite the Town Hall/Marienplatz. You get an eye-level view of the figures.

Hop-Off Activities

1. Climb the Tower: You can take an elevator up the Town Hall tower for a spectacular view of the roofs of the Old Town. On a clear day, the Alps are visible on the horizon.
2. Visit St. Peter's Church (Alter Peter): Just steps away, this is the oldest parish church in Munich. Its tower offers a better view of the Rathaus itself (since you're not standing in it). Be warned: there is no elevator, just 306 steps!
3. Viktualienmarkt: Walk through the archway to find Munich's famous open-air food market.
4. Fish Fountain (Fischbrunnen): A popular meeting point on the square. Tradition says washing your wallet here on Ash Wednesday ensures it will never be empty.

Nearby Connections

Marienplatz is a central hub. From here, you can walk to the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady) with its iconic onion domes in less than 5 minutes. The shopping street Kaufingerstraße also begins here.

When you're done exploring, simply head back to the designated bus stop. Note that due to pedestrian zones, the bus stop is usually located on a nearby street like Tal or near Karlsplatz depending on the operator's traffic restrictions. Check your map carefully!