Visiting Munich Germany? Be sure to check out these 11 beautiful churches in Munich featuring various architectural styles. Each of these Munich churches is stunning and unique featuring unique architectural styles, interesting history, and gorgeous views of the city. When in Munich, you cannot miss visiting one or more of Munich's beautiful churches.

11 Most Beautiful Churches In Munich That You Need To Visit


Last Updated on October 9, 2024 by Soumya

The churches in Munich are stunning. Their frescoes and facades are some of the most beautiful I have seen in the world. Plus, they are steeped in history.

Many of Munich’s churches are nearly a thousand years old! They have seen multiple royal families, epidemics, fires, wars, and so much more. Many were severely damaged during WW II.

Yet, today, we see an enviable collection of churches that could put any other European city to shame.

Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, Renaissance – Munich’s churches come in all styles and kinds. Here, you can stand right where the Devil stood, view remarkable ceiling frescoes, and catch a gorgeous view from a tall observation deck – all within walking distance.

In this article, you will find a list of Munich’s 11 most beautiful churches and a map with directions. If you are staying in Munich for two days or more, you can easily see most of them.

If you are strapped for time, I suggest you check out the churches in and around Marienplatz. Some of the most incredible ones are there.


Please note: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link on this post. This will be at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links help me keep this website up and running. Thanks for your support!


11 Beautiful Churches of Munich, Germany

Visiting Munich Germany? Be sure to check out these 11 beautiful churches in Munich featuring various architectural styles. Each of these Munich churches is stunning and unique featuring unique architectural styles, interesting history, and gorgeous views of the city. When in Munich, you cannot miss visiting one or more of Munich's beautiful churches.

St. Peter’s Church – Peterskirche

  • Location: Rindermarkt 1, 80331 Munich
  • Style: Gothic
  • Highlights: Spectacular view of the city from Alter Peter + 300-year-old High altar with a golden statue of St. Peter

Peterskirche, or St. Peter’s Church in the historical center, is one of my favorite places to visit in Munich. Rightfully so, because it is one of the prettiest churches in Munich.

St. Peter’s is the oldest Roman Catholic parish church in Munich. Its roots date back to the 12th century when a Romanesque church existed at this site. In the 14th century, it was expanded in the Gothic style. Following the fire of 1368 and WW II, the church was rebuilt and renovated several times.

Inside, you will find an almost 300-year-old Baroque high altar topped by an impressive golden figure of St. Peter.

The church also houses the relics of St. Munditia, a saint who lived in Rome around 250.

Inside Peterskirche - a must have in your Munich 2 days itinerary

Peterskirche’s 300-foot tower can be seen anywhere in Munich. Locals fondly refer to it as Alter Peter or Old Pete. You can climb 306 steps of Old Pete to the observation deck, where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the city.

Trivia: St. Peter’s tower clocks and bells are the oldest documented in Munich.

Pro Tip: Peterskirche is easily included in your Munich itinerary because it is right by Marienplatz. It is a one-minute walk from the New Town Hall.

Munich Cathedral – Frauenkirche

  • Location: Frauenplatz 12, 80331 Munich
  • Style: Late Gothic
  • Highlights: Devil’s footstep + Wittelsbach Monument
Two towers of Frauenkirche or Munich Cathedral

Officially known as Cathedral Church of Our Lady, Frauenkirche is also called Munich Cathedral and is one of Munich’s most unmissable sights.

The church was constructed in the late Gothic style in the second half of the 15th century. Today, it dominates the city’s skyline with its sheer size and two tall towers topped off by distinct green onion domes.

Frauenkirche is one of Germany’s largest hall churches. Its interior has 22 octagonal pillars and can hold more than 20,000 people at once. Additionally, are 20 chapels inside dedicated to saints, apostles, and trade guilds.

Some of Munich Cathedral’s unmissable highlights are the Wittelsbach Monument (many from the royal Wittelsbach family are buried here) and a Devil’s Footprint. According to an interesting legend, Satan visited this cathedral hundreds of years ago and left the print of his foot.

Be sure to check out panoramic views of the city, especially of the New Hall and Peterskirche, from the southern tower. An elevator can take you up there.

📖 Read Next: 12 Best Attractions of Marienplatz that you should not miss

Theatine Church – Theatinekirche

  • Location: Odeonplatz, 80333 Munich
  • Style: High Baroque
  • Highlights: Bright yellow Rococo facade + High Baroque architecture style from Italy
Beautiful yellow-colored Theatine Church of Munich
Image Courtesy: manfredxy via Canva Pro

Theatinekirche is an unmissable, yellow-colored Catholic church in Munich. It is just five minutes away from the glamorous Munich Residenz.

Built in the 17th century, the Theatine Church of St. Cajetan is said to have been inspired by Sant ‘Andrea della Valle, a minor basilica in Rome, ItalyThat is why the architecture amply reflects the High Baroque style from Italy. In fact, this was the first religious building north of the Alps to be designed in this style.

Two towers, each 66 meters high, were added later. The façade was designed much later, in the 18th century, by a Belgian architect in the Rococo style.

The church’s bright yellow color and typical Mediterranean appearance (see my article on Sicilian Baroque to see the similarities) make the Theatinekirche a unique landmark in Munich.

📖 Read Next: 25 Amazing Places to Visit in Munich

Church of the Savior – Salvatorkirche

  • Location: Salvatorstrasse 17, 80333 Munich
  • Style: Gothic
  • Highlights: A unique interior with yellow ribbed vaults complementing the white walls.
Salvatorkirche Munich
Image Courtesy: Borisb17 via Canva Pro

Formerly a cemetery for Frauenkirche, this small Gothic church is now used by the Greek Orthodox community of Munich. It was built in 1493 and even served as a storage unit for a while.

The church has a modest Gothic exterior and a typical Greek Orthodox interior. Be sure to check out the yellow ribbed vaults inside, which look remarkable against the white walls.

If you are looking for offbeat churches in Munich, this is one you should visit. Located just a minute from the Theatine church, it is not difficult to get to either.

Asam Church – Asamkirche

  • Location: Sendlinger St. 32, 80331, Munich
  • Style: Late-BaroqueRococo
  • Highlights: Ceiling fresco + A variegated interior showing 3 different stages of life/world
Asam Church in Munich Germany
Image Courtesy: Borisb17 via Canva Pro

Asam Church is a beautiful Late-Baroque church on Sendlingerstraße, built by the Asam brothers in the early 18th century. It was meant to be a private chapel for the brothers but was opened to the public in 1746.

Two brothers, Egid Quirin Asam (sculptor) and Cosmas Damian Asam (painter), built the stunning Asamkirche to achieve salvation. They chose to dedicate it to St. John of Nepomuk, who is believed to be the Protector of Bavaria. A ceiling fresco depicting the life of Saint John Nepomuk is an absolute masterpiece.

One of the highlights of Asamkirche is the stunning interior, divided into three different layers by the varied intensity of lighting. 

The lowest layer, which includes church benches, is dark and symbolizes suffering. The middle layer, which is reserved for the king, is white and blue. The third and topmost layer, which includes the ceiling, is well-lighted and represents God and eternity.

📖 Read Next: Visiting Munich? Check out our ultimate 2 days in Munich itinerary.

St. Ludwig Munich – Ludwigskirche

  • Location: Ludwigstrasse 22, 80539 Munich
  • Style: Romanesque
  • Highlights: Huge frescoes of the Last Judgement, Nativity, and Crucifixion & round arches called Rundbogenstil.
Beautiful spires of Ludwig Church in Munich
Image Courtesy: FooTToo via Canva Pro

Ludwigskirche of the University Church of St. Ludwig was built under the patronage of King Ludwig I of Bavaria in the early 19th century in the neo-Romanesque style because of King Ludwig’s love for Italian architecture.

Highlights of this beautiful white-washed church on Ludwigstrasse include the second-largest altar fresco in the world and a series of round arches called the Rundbogenstil. Rundbogenstil is said to have influenced the architecture of many churches, synagogues, and train stations in Germany and the USA.

Be sure to check out the large fresco of the Last Judgement behind the high altar. The frescoes of the Nativity and the Crucifixion are also huge. They were created by German painter Peter von Cornelius, one of the main representatives of the Nazarene movement.

St. Michael’s Church – Michaelskirche

  • Location: Neuhauser St. 6, 80333, Munich
  • Style: Renaissance
  • Highlights: Impressive façade with statues of Bavarian kings in the niches almost appearing like a family tree.
White facade with niches at Michaelskirche Munich
Image Courtesy: Borisb17 via Canva Pro

The Jesuit church of St. Michael was built by William V, Duke of Bavaria, between 1583 and 1597. Apparently, this is the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps and has its fair share of history and controversy.

William V built Michaelskircke as a center for Counter-Reformation. In the process of building it, he demolished 87 houses in the neighborhood without heeding residents’ protests.

If you can get past that unpalatable truth and decide to enter the church, you will notice a high altar and enormous vaulted ceilings adorned with frescoes. The church crypt contains the tombs of several influential members of the royal Wittelsbach family.

However, what caught my eye was the impressive white and gold façade of St. Michael’s Church. 13 niches on the façade contain standing statues of Duke Wilhelm and other Bavarian rulers. This makes the church unique and very different from the usual medieval churches in Munich.

Heiliggeistkirche – Church of the Holy Ghost

  • Location: Pralat-Miller-Weg 1, 80331 Munich
  • Style: Gothic followed by Baroque
  • Highlights: Beautiful ceiling frescoes
Church of the Holy Ghost, Munich Germany
Image Courtesy: Tree4Two via Canva Pro

As a non-German, I found the name of this church the most difficult to pronounce. But you know what? You can break it into pieces to pronounce and understand it better. Heilig-Geist-Kirche or the Holy-Ghost-Church!

Located just 2 minutes from Viktualienmarkt, this smaller but pretty Holy Spirit Church has an interesting history, a Baroque facade, and some stunning frescoes created by the Asam brothers.

In the 13th century, a hospice and a Romanesque chapel stood at the same spot. After a fire in 1327, they were replaced by a new hospice and a Gothic church in the late 14th century.

The church got a new look in the 18th century when its façade was redone in the Baroque style, and its interiors received a fresh Rococo makeover complete with beautiful frescoes.

Heilig-Geist-Kirche is one of the most eclectic churches in Munich. Having lived through many eras, it is the perfect place to explore 800 years of German architectural history.

Holy Trinity Church

  • Location: Pacellistrasse 6, 80333 Munich
  • Style: Baroque
  • Highlights: Remarkable dome fresco + The only church to remain undestroyed in WW II

The Church of Holy Trinity is Munich’s first church, built in the late Baroque style. It was constructed between 1711 and 1718 and is known for its stunning dome fresco, created by Cosmas Damian Asam.

The Trinity Church is unique because it is the only church in Munich that suffered no damage during WWII. Here, you can still see the original features from 300 years ago.

St. Paul’s Church – Paulskirche

  • Location: St. Pauls Platz 11, 80336 Munich
  • Style: Gothic Revival
  • Highlights: Gargoyles on the façade + Splendid views from the observation tower
St. Paul's Church in Munich Germany
Image Courtesy: Rhombur via Canva Pro

Built between 1892 and 1906 in Gothic-Revival style, St. Paul’s Church, with its massive central tower of 320 feet, is one of the most dominating landmarks on Munich’s horizon. The church also has two Western towers, 250 feet in height.

The Gothic facade of the church is decorated with carvings, turrets, and interesting sculptures such as gargoyles – some of them scary.

Be sure to spot the rose window right above the arched entrance. Unlike other Munich churches, St. Paul’s has a more austere interior bereft of Baroque designs and Rococo frescoes.

Paulskirche is located near Theresienwiese, the grounds that host Oktoberfest every year. So, if you feel like visiting an architectural masterpiece on your way to Oktoberfest next time, just drop by.

The church has a small observation deck from which, on a sunny day, you can catch splendid views of the city and the Alps.

Abbey Church of St. Anna

  • Location: St. Annastrasse 19, 80538 Munich
  • Style: Rococo
  • Highlights: Opulent Rococo interior
Klosterkirche St Anna in Lehel - Churches of Munich Germany
Image Courtesy: Borisb17 via Canva Pro

This is one of Munich’s smaller churches, yet it has a rich history. It was Old Bavaria’s first Rococo church and had one of the most lavishly decorated interiors.

Behind the simple white and yellow façade, you will find an opulent Rococo church interior. Ceiling and wall frescoes created by the Asam brothers adorn every nook and corner.

Spending an hour here appreciating the beautiful frescoes and altars is easy.

Interactive Map for Churches in Munich

Map of churches in Munich
Click here to open in Google Maps and access directions to 11 Munich churches.

Munich Churches FAQ

What is the Frauenkirche in Munich?

Frauenkirche is Munich’s largest church and one of the most impressive ones. It houses the tombs of many Royal Wittelsbach Family members and features the intriguing Devil’s Footprint.

What is the name of the oldest church in Munich?

The name of the oldest church in Munich is Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church). It was built in the 12th century.

Where is the cathedral with the Devil’s Footprint?

The cathedral with the Devil’s Footprint is located at Frauenplatz 12, 80331, in Munich, just a few minutes away from Marienplatz. It is called Frauenkirche or the Cathedral Church of Our Lady.

What is the name of the cathedral in Munich?

The name of the cathedral in Munich is Frauenkirche, or Cathedral Church of Our Lady.

How many churches are in Munich?

There are more than 25 churches in Munich, many of which are located in and around the city’s historic center.

Loved our Best Munich Churches Guide? Pin it for later!

Visiting Munich Germany? Be sure to check out these 11 beautiful churches in Munich featuring various architectural styles. Each of these Munich churches is stunning and unique featuring unique architectural styles, interesting history, and gorgeous views of the city. When in Munich, you cannot miss visiting one or more of Munich's beautiful churches.


Soumya is an acclaimed travel writer who has traveled to 30+ countries and lived in 8 while pursuing her passion for history and culture. Her writings have been published in BBC Travel, Architectural Digest, National Herald, and many more. She loves exploring world heritage sites and has a deep affinity for everything ancient, especially the lost civilizations of Mesoamerica!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel.

Back To Top