The Karlstor
A fourteenth-century gate opening into the pedestrian zone — old Munich's western face.
Meister Eiskalt derivative work: MagentaGreen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0 · HugendubelBuchhandlungen — CC BY-SA 4.0
Karlsplatz — which Munich locals call "Stachus" and nothing else — is the western gateway to the heart of the city. The main pedestrian zone starts here, running along Neuhauser and Kaufinger streets to Marienplatz, one of the busiest shopping stretches in all of Europe. The centre of the square is a great fountain that becomes the city's summer meeting point; in winter it turns into an ice-skating rink with a small market. Behind it stands the fourteenth-century Karlstor, one of the three surviving gates of the old wall, through which you pass into the pedestrian zone. The nickname "Stachus" comes from a tavern that stood here before the square existed — a king named it Karlsplatz, and the locals have been pointedly ignoring him for two centuries.
A fourteenth-century gate opening into the pedestrian zone — old Munich's western face.
The largest in the city centre, summer's spot for sitting and cooling feet.
Neuhauser and Kaufinger from here to Marienplatz — every major brand in one walk.
Karlsplatz, 80335 Munich
KarlstorThe Karlstor is one of three surviving gates from the second medieval wall that 1 minute walk4.5
The BrunnenbuberlA small bronze fountain on the pedestrian Neuhauser Straße in central Munich, fr1 minute walk4.7
The Old Botanical GardenThe Old Botanical Garden is a small green space between the central station and 4 minutes walk4.1
St Michael's ChurchSt Michael's is the Jesuit church in central Munich, built by Duke Wilhelm V bet4 minutes walk4.8
German Hunting and Fishing MuseumThe German Hunting and Fishing Museum occupies a fifteenth-century Augustinian c5 minutes walk4.5The official Karlsplatz was imposed by the unpopular Prince Karl Theodor, so locals clung to the name of the old Stachus tavern out of spite. Even station announcements now say "Karlsplatz — Stachus", conceding that the locals won.
It is the start of a route more than a destination: arrive by train, take in the gate and fountain, then set off through the pedestrian zone past St Michael's church and the Frauenkirche to Marienplatz. Done in that order, you cover Munich's whole heart on foot.
In winter: the rink around the fountain, with lights and a small market, makes it one of Munich's loveliest cold-season scenes, especially for families.