Munich
Contents
- München Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station)
- The Munich Residenz
- Marienplatz
- St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche)
- Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady)
- Hofbräuhaus
- Overall Assessment
Munich is the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany’s most visited cities — and for good reason. It offers a remarkable combination of world-class museums, stunning royal architecture, centuries-old churches, legendary beer halls, and a rollable city center that manages to feel both grand and approachable. It is also, happily, a very wheelchair-accessible city in Europe.On my visit, I arrived by train in the afternoon, checked into my hotel — located just about a block from the Hauptbahnhof — and then set out to explore. I was able to visit all of the major landmarks described below in a single day, without draining my power chair batteries or needing to stop and recharge. The distances between sites are manageable, the terrain is far gentler than most historic European cities, and the people I encountered throughout Munich were warm, helpful, and a genuine pleasure to be around.
München Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station)
Munich’s Hauptbahnhof is a major rail hub serving both regional and long-distance trains throughout Germany and across Europe, and it is very wheelchair accessible. The main concourse is wide, level, and easy to navigate. Signage is clear and, because the station is so well-trafficked, staff are generally easy to find throughout the building.
DB Assistance — How It Works
Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany’s national rail operator, offers a dedicated wheelchair assistance program that works very well. Arrange your assistance in advance through the DB website — the earlier the better, though at least 24 hours ahead is generally recommended. When you arrive at the station, head to the DB Info stand (the central service desk in the main hall) at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure. Staff there will coordinate your boarding (which should already be booked), escort you to the correct platform, and help load you onto the train. The lifts used to bridge the gap between the platform and the train car are straightforward, and the staff who assist are practiced and professional. It is a smooth, well-organized process.
The Munich Residenz
The Munich Residenz is one of the most extraordinary royal palace complexes in Europe. Originally constructed beginning in the 14th century as a fortified residence for the Wittelsbach dynasty — the ruling family of Bavaria — it was expanded continuously over the following centuries into the sprawling complex visitors see today. By the time the Wittelsbachs were deposed following World War I and the palace was opened fully to the public in 1920, it had grown to encompass over 130 lavishly decorated rooms representing a remarkable sweep of European artistic styles, from Renaissance through Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and beyond. The complex also includes the separate Treasury (Schatzkammer), home to the Bavarian crown jewels and one of the finest collections of royal regalia in the world, as well as the exquisite Cuvilliés Theatre, a perfectly preserved Rococo gem still used for performances today.
Getting There
The Residenz is an easy roll from the train station and from nearby hotels. From the Hauptbahnhof, it is roughly a mile — a pleasant route through the city center that passes through several of Munich’s attractive streets and squares. I rolled the entire distance without difficulty.
Tickets
I booked my tickets in advance online, which I would recommend during peak travel periods — though it is not necessarily required. Tickets can also be purchased at the entrance. A combination ticket covering the Residenz Museum and the Treasury represents good value and is worth considering if you plan to see both.
Accessibility Inside
Accessibility at the Residenz requires a bit of planning. There is a slight step — approximately two inches — at the main entrance going from ground level into the building. It is a small barrier but one to be aware of, particularly for power chair users—I was able to just roll down the step, but it was a definite bump and thud. Once inside, staff can direct you to the lift, which serves the upper floors. The Residenz is mostly wheelchair accessible: the ground floor — including the Ancestral Gallery, the Grotto Courtyard, and the Antiquarium — is reachable by wheelchair, as is the second floor via the lift. The Treasury is also accessible. The official Bavarian Palace Administration website notes that special tours for wheelchair users can be arranged on request, and staff were helpful in orienting me to which sections were most easily reached. Note that the ticket office and museum shop involve steps and are not fully step-free — staff can assist if needed.
Marienplatz
Marienplatz has been the beating heart of Munich since the city was founded in 1158, and it remains the natural starting point for any exploration of the city center. The square takes its current name from the Mariensäule — the golden column of the Virgin Mary erected at its center in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish occupation of Munich during the Thirty Years’ War, the first Marian column north of the Alps. Dominating the north side of the square is the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), a sweeping neo-Gothic masterpiece designed by architect Georg von Hauberrisser and built between 1867 and 1909. Its soaring tower is home to the world-famous Glockenspiel — a carillon of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures that perform daily at 11am and noon (with an additional 5pm performance from March through October), re-enacting two scenes from Munich’s history: the 1568 royal wedding of Duke Wilhelm V, complete with a jousting tournament, and the traditional Schäffler (coopers’) dance. The show runs approximately 12–15 minutes and is free to watch from the square.
Accessibility
Marienplatz is a fantastic area to simply roll around and take in. The square itself and the main pedestrian zones radiating from it are very accessible and very flat. The surface is a mix of cobblestone and smoother pavement, with some sections of more traditional cobblestone — but the stones are well-set and worn smooth enough over the centuries that they are quite manageable. There are a few bumpier stretches, but nothing like the difficult terrain found in other historic European city centers. Overall, Marienplatz is one of the more wheelchair-friendly historic squares I have experienced in Europe. The Gothic-style architecture surrounding the square — and the sheer visual spectacle of the Neues Rathaus facade — makes it worth lingering here.
Tip The Glockenspiel performs at 11am and noon daily. Arrive a few minutes early to position yourself with a good sightline to the tower — the square fills up quickly as performance time approaches, and finding a spot with clear access before the crowd forms is easier than navigating through it afterward.
St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche)
St. Peter’s Church — known affectionately to Münchners as Alter Peter (Old Pete) — is Munich’s oldest parish church, predating even the city’s first documented mention in 1158. It stands just steps from Marienplatz, making it an easy and very worthwhile stop. The church has been rebuilt and remodeled over the centuries, and its current interior reflects a rich Baroque sensibility — white walls and gilded accents, a dramatic high altar, and an atmosphere that feels both grand and intimate.
Accessibility
The church is accessible, with an accessible entrance on the side opposite Marienplatz — look for the signage that directs you to the step-free entry point. Once inside, the nave and side aisles are navigable by wheelchair. The interior is stunning, and well worth the stop even if the tower climb is not an option.
The Bejeweled Skeleton of Saint Munditia
One of the most memorable and unusual sights inside St. Peter’s is the bejeweled skeleton of Saint Munditia, displayed in a glass-and-silver case in the second chapel on the left as you enter. Munditia is believed to have been a Christian martyr from the early 4th century — beheaded, by some accounts, in the year 310 AD. Her remains were discovered in the Roman catacombs and brought to Munich in 1675 by a local businessman, Franz Benedikt Höger, before being transferred to Peterskirche in 1677, where they have remained ever since. The skeleton is dressed in a transparent cloth covering embroidered with gold and decorated with red and green jewels. She holds a golden palm frond — a symbol of martyrdom — and a small goblet said to contain dried blood. Her glass eyes gaze out at visitors from behind a wrought iron gate. She was hidden away behind a wooden structure in 1804 due to growing public unease about skeletal displays, but was uncovered again in 1883 and has been on view ever since.
Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady)
No building defines the Munich skyline more than the Frauenkirche. Its twin towers, each rising to nearly 99 meters (325 feet) and crowned with distinctive green onion-shaped domes, are visible from throughout the city — and by law, they always will be: Munich residents voted in a 2004 referendum to prohibit any new building within the city from exceeding the height of the Frauenkirche. Construction of the cathedral began in 1468 under the direction of master builder Jörg von Halsbach, commissioned by Duke Sigismund of Bavaria. Built in the late Gothic style from red brick — an unusual material choice driven by budget constraints and the absence of local quarries — the cathedral was completed in just 20 years, a remarkable achievement for its era, and was consecrated in 1494. The iconic onion domes were added to the towers later, in 1525, and became the building’s most recognizable feature. The Frauenkirche is officially known as Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady) and serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising.
The cathedral suffered severe damage during Allied bombing raids in World War II and was painstakingly reconstructed between 1948 and 1955 — an effort that preserved its essential character while necessitating a somewhat plainer finish than the original. Later restoration work has gradually reintroduced more ornate features. Inside, the soaring main nave reaches a height of 120 feet, and the side aisles are lined with artworks spanning several centuries, including the tomb of Holy Roman Emperor Ludwig IV (Louis the Bavarian). The cathedral also contains the famous Teufelstritt — the “Devil’s Footprint” — a mysterious imprint near the main entrance. According to legend, the devil visited the church during its construction, convinced that no windows had been built (an optical illusion created by the alignment of the columns), and stamped his foot in satisfaction. Upon realizing he had been deceived, he tried to tear the building down — and locals say the draft of wind often felt around the cathedral is the devil still trying.
Accessibility
The Frauenkirche is accessible and a short, easy roll from Marienplatz. There is an accessible entrance to the left of the main entrance and the nave is fully navigable by wheelchair. Entry to the cathedral is free of charge. One of the south tower’s observation decks can be reached by elevator — a small fee applies for the tower visit — offering views that on clear days extend all the way to the Alps.
Tip As you enter the cathedral, look down near the entrance for the famous Teufelstritt (Devil’s Footprint). It is easy to roll right past it in the flow of other visitors, but it is right there underfoot — a surprisingly small and unassuming mark for such a dramatic legend.
Hofbräuhaus
No visit to Munich is complete without a stop at the Hofbräuhaus — and it absolutely lives up to its reputation. The history of the Hofbräuhaus stretches back to September 27, 1589, when Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria commissioned the construction of a state brewery. The impetus was characteristically Bavarian: the duke and his court were dissatisfied with Munich’s locally available beer and were spending too much money importing better beer from elsewhere. The solution was to build their own. The brewery first produced a dark brown ale, but when Duke Wilhelm V’s son Maximilian I took over and was granted exclusive rights to produce wheat beer in 1602, that became the focus — and the beer became so popular it was impossible to keep up with demand. The Hofbräuhaus was opened to the general public in 1828 by King Ludwig I of Bavaria, and it quickly became one of the most famous gathering places in the world, counting figures as varied as Mozart, Lenin, and multiple U.S. presidents among its patrons. The current building dates to 1897, when the brewery itself relocated to the outskirts of the city and the historic hall was rebuilt as a dedicated beer hall on its original site. The Schwemme — the vast ground-floor taproom — was heavily damaged in World War II but was restored and reopened to the public in 1958.
The Experience
The Hofbräuhaus today is a massive, extraordinary structure — a true Bavarian institution that somehow manages to be exactly as advertised. The ground-floor Schwemme seats over a thousand guests and features live oompah music performed throughout the day and evening. The atmosphere is festive and convivial in a way that feels genuinely rooted rather than manufactured for tourists. The servers are excellent — traditionally dressed, efficient, and impressively skilled at balancing multiple one-liter steins at a time. The food, which I found surprisingly good and reasonably priced, is hearty traditional Bavarian fare: pretzels, roasted meats, sausages, and the like. The beer itself, brewed according to the centuries-old Bavarian Purity Law (only water, malt, and hops), is quite good. The Festival Hall on the upper level, with its vaulted ceilings and chandeliers, is also worth a look. In warmer weather, an outdoor beer garden provides additional seating.
Accessibility
The Hofbräuhaus is within easy rolling distance of Marienplatz and the other city center attractions described above. Entry and navigation within the main hall are accessible, and the scale of the Schwemme means there is generally ample space to maneuver. This is one stop that is well worth the effort — a true Bavarian experience that I would recommend without reservation.
Overall Assessment
Munich is a very accessible city, and my experience there was one of the most positive I have had in Europe. Curb cuts are prevalent throughout the city center, making street-level navigation far easier than in most historic European destinations. The sidewalks are a mix of smooth concrete and pavers — some sections near the Altstadt feature bumpier cobblestone-style surfaces, but they are not as challenging as the rough, uneven stones found in cities like Brussels or London. The city’s layout, with its major attractions concentrated in a relatively compact area around Marienplatz, makes it genuinely possible to see a great deal without covering excessive distances.
I arrived by train in the afternoon, checked into my hotel about a block from the Hauptbahnhof, and rolled to all of the locations described on this page in a single day — the train station, the Residenz, Marienplatz and its surrounding churches, the Frauenkirche, and the Hofbräuhaus — without draining my power chair batteries or needing to stop and recharge. That is a meaningful vote of confidence in Munich’s accessibility. The people of Munich were fantastic throughout — helpful, friendly, and welcoming in a way that made the entire experience feel easy and enjoyable. For wheelchair users looking for a major European city that combines world-class attractions with genuine accessibility, Munich belongs near the top of the list.
Further Reading For a comprehensive general travel overview of Munich — neighborhoods, additional sights, day trips, and practical logistics — Rick Steves’ Munich guide is an outstanding resource and a natural complement to the accessibility-focused information here.