Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz, Munich (composite)

If you have over four hours of layover at the Munich international airport (MUC, Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport), you can go out and visit the incredible mechanical show put up by the glockenspiel clock at the main Marienplatz square of the city of Munich. It is incredibly easy to ride Munich's commuter trains to watch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel in action. Here is how exactly to do it comfortably and efficiently.

The Rathaus-Glockenspiel in Munich: A Must-See Attraction

The Rathaus Glockenspiel is a large mechanical clock located in the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) on Marienplatz square in the heart of Munich, Germany. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and for good reason. The clock is famous for its life-size moving figures, which reenact scenes from Munich's history twice daily at 11am and 12pm (and also at 5pm from March to October).

The Glockenspiel was added to the New Town Hall when it was completed in 1908. It has 43 bells and 32 life-size figures, which are powered by a complex system of gears and weights. The clock tells two stories from Munich's history: the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine in 1568, and the Schäfflerstanz, or Cooper's Dance.

The Schäfflerstanz is a traditional dance performed by coopers every seven years to celebrate the end of a plague epidemic in 1517. The dance is performed by 16 coopers dressed in colorful costumes, and it is one of the highlights of the Glockenspiel performance.

The Glockenspiel mechanized performance lasts about 15 minutes, and it is a truly unique and memorable experience. The figures move and dance to the sound of the bells, and the performance is set against the backdrop of the beautiful New Town Hall and Marienplatz Square. The Rathaus-Glockenspiel is a must-see attraction and a great way to learn about Munich's history and culture. It is also a lot of fun to watch in action.

Visiting Munich's Rathaus Glockenspiel from Munich international airport

Map of Schnellbahnnetz München (Munich rapid transit network)

1. At Munich airport, avoid the crowded transfer queue and head directly to Passport Control booths marked with the EU Symbol to get your passport stamped and exit the airport. US passport holders do not need a visa in advance to enter the EU.
2. Climb two levels down and follow signs for the S Trains.
3. Buy a convenient all-day pass (€12.50) from one of the ticket vending machines before the airport exit doors.
4. Get a little amount of € currency from an ATM for incidentals. The ATMs are next to the ticket vending machines before the exit doors of the airport.
5. Head out of the airport.

6. From the airport exit door, walk across the square and climb down the escalators to the S Train station. The following picture was taken from the exit doors of the airport. The stairs down to the train station are straight across the square on the other side.
   

   Munich Airport exit to S-Bahn Train Station

   
   

7. Take the S1 or S8 train to Marienplatz. The S1 is faster by 4 minutes and takes the opposite route of S8. Looking at the Schnellbahnnetz map above, the Flughafen München station is at the top right. Both the blue S1 and orange S8 lines terminate at the Flughafen München station. You will see the orange S8 line going south and then west to Marienplatz, while the blue S1 line goes west and then south and then east to Marienplatz.
   

   Munich Airport S-Bahn Train Station (Flughafen München)

   
   
8. Exit the Marienplatz station on the north towards Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) that has the Glockenspiel. As you come up, you will see the grand Gothic City Hall with the toy figures in the tower. The following picture was taken as soon as I came up out of the Marienplatz station.
   
   

   Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz, Munich

   
   

   The Glockenspiel Clock Tower of the Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz

   
   

   Some of the toys that put on the glockenspiel show

   
   

   Closeup of golden bird at top of toys that put on the glockenspiel show Christoph Braun, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Keep in mind:

• To get back, take the S1 or S8 to the Airport (Flughafen).
• S1 goes west, S8 goes east, from Marienplatz to Flughafen.
• On S1 to Flughafen, the next stop from Marienplatz is Karlsplatz. Avoid S1 to Freising, make sure the board says Flughafen. Looking at the Schnellbahnnetz map above, some S1 trains terminate at Freising instead of Flughafen München!
• On S8 to Flughafen, the next stop from Marienplatz is Isartor
• S8 IS SIMPLER!
• The Marienplatz square can get very crowded, especially during the summer months.
• Be sure to look up at the top of the clock tower to see the golden bird, which chirps three times at the end of each performance.
• There is free public wifi all across the square.
• Get a tall glass of the world's best and oldest beer - Weihenstephaner - at any of the pub/cafe/restaurants around Marienplatz.
• And don't forget to take your camera! The Glockenspiel is a beautiful and unique sight, and you'll want to capture your memories of it with something better than an iPad like I did.

If you have more time in your hands, you can explore the incredible city of Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Among my favorite attractions: the BMW Museum at Am Olympiapark 2, and the legendary Bräustüberl Weihenstephan - the oldest brewery in the world - in Nährberg, Freising easily reachable by the S1 line trains to Freising or in 25 minutes by foot from Marienplatz. It is located on the site of the Weihenstephan Abbey monastery where monks have been brewing the world's best beer for over 1,200 years.

Also check out our epic trip across three charming countries at "Switzerland, France, and Germany: A Tri-Country Adventure in the Heart of Europe".