Munich's most elegant boulevard, built by King Maximilian II between 1852 and 1875 in a neo-Gothic style unique to Munich, stretches from the central Maxmonument east to the banks of the Isar. The avenue is lined with luxury boutiques, the Kammerspiele theatre, and culminates at the Maximilianeum — home to the Bavarian State Parliament. The adjacent Altstadt streets contain Munich's finest churches including the Frauenkirche, Peterskirche, and Theatinerkirche.
Maximilianstraße, laid out by King Maximilian II between 1852 and 1875 in a neo-Gothic style found nowhere else, runs from the Max-Joseph-Platz area of Munich's Altstadt east to the Isar River, ending at the Maximilianeum, seat of the Bavarian State Parliament, visible in the distance from the boulevard's start. The wide, tree-lined avenue is Munich's premier shopping street, its arcaded buildings housing international luxury boutiques alongside the Kammerspiele theatre. Just off the boulevard, the Altstadt's church cluster rewards a detour: the twin onion domes of the Frauenkirche, the Baroque Theatinerkirche on Odeonsplatz with its striking yellow facade and free interior, and St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche), whose tower can be climbed for the best rooftop panorama of Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche's towers. A walk covering the boulevard and the nearby churches takes 2-3 hours, including the climb up Peterskirche's roughly 300 steps. The street is calmest on weekday mornings before the boutiques open fully; by early afternoon it fills with shoppers and tour groups moving between Marienplatz and the Isar, and the Peterskirche tower queue lengthens accordingly.
| Admission | Adult Peterskirche tower €5 · Child Peterskirche tower €3 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Always accessible; Peterskirche tower 9AM-7PM |
| Address | Maximilianstraße 1, 80539 München |
Good to know
- Best for
- architecture, shopping, photography, sightseeing
Location
Maximilianstraße 1, 80539 München
48.1398, 11.5844 View on map
Highlights
- Neo-Gothic Maximilianstraße boulevard and luxury boutiques
- Maximilianeum seat of the Bavarian State Parliament
- St. Peter's Church tower view over Marienplatz
- Theatinerkirche's free Baroque interior on Odeonsplatz
- Frauenkirche's twin onion-domed towers
Tips for visiting
- Climb the Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church) tower for the best aerial view of Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche towers
- The Theatinerkirche on Odeonsplatz has a free and stunning Baroque interior worth 20 minutes
- Maximilianstraße is best explored on a weekday morning before the luxury shops get busy
When to visit
Weekday mornings before the shops open fully are the quietest time to walk the boulevard and visit the churches.
Accessibility
Maximilianstraße itself is flat and wheelchair accessible, but the Peterskirche tower is reached only by a narrow spiral staircase with no elevator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Maximilianstraße and the Altstadt take?
Walking the boulevard and visiting the nearby churches, including the Peterskirche tower climb, takes about 2-3 hours.
Is this area worth it for kids?
The boulevard itself is more geared to shopping adults, but children generally enjoy the climb up the Peterskirche tower for the view.
Is photography allowed inside the churches?
Non-flash photography is generally permitted in the Theatinerkirche and Frauenkirche, though visitors should remain quiet during services.