In this guide
💡 The Short Version: The Glockenspiel plays every day at 11:00 and 12:00, and at 17:00 from March to October. A short night performance at 21:00 has the night watchman, an angel and the Münchner Kindl. It is silent all day on Good Friday. It is in the tower of the Neues Rathaus on Marienplatz, and watching from the square is free. Stand in front of the town hall a few minutes early: the square fills quickly, and the night show is quieter. The 43 bells play two scenes: a 1568 wedding with a joust, and the barrel makers’ Schäffler dance. Or book a tour: the city’s own two-hour Old Town walking tourad is from €22 (GetYourGuide) and starts at the Tourist Information in the same building.
When it plays
| Performance | When |
|---|---|
| Morning | Daily at 11:00 |
| Noon | Daily at 12:00 |
| Afternoon | Daily at 17:00 from March to October |
| Night show | Daily at 21:00, with the night watchman, an angel and the Münchner Kindl |
| Good Friday | Silent all day |
The times are from the City of Munich. The tunes change by month.
The Neues Rathaus on Marienplatz, with the Mariensäule and the Frauenkirche domes to the left. Photo: Guido Radig, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
What the figures show
The Glockenspiel has 43 bells and shows two events from the city’s history.
- The upper scene is the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renate of Lorraine, celebrated in February 1568. A jousting tournament was held on Marienplatz in their honour, and the Bavarian knight beats his opponent from Lorraine.
- The lower scene is the Schäffler dance. After a severe plague epidemic, the barrel makers are said to have been the first to venture out into the streets, dancing to cheer the people.
The lower tier of the Glockenspiel, with the Schäffler dancers and the jester. Photo: DALIBRI, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stand
Stand on Marienplatz in front of the Neues Rathaus, a few minutes before the hour, to see the tower. The square is crowded in the peak tourist season. The 21:00 performance is often quieter and less well known than the midday ones. Marienplatz is public and free, and the U-Bahn and S-Bahn stop beneath it.
Tours worth paying for
A walking tour puts the square into the Old Town. Prices are GetYourGuide’s lowest “from” prices, per person.
The city’s own Old Town tour
From €22 · 2 hours · 4.6 stars from 564 reviews
Munich: Old Town Guided Walking Tourad is run by München Tourismus in English or German. It takes in the Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, Maximilianstraße, Odeonsplatz and the Residenz, and the price includes a city map and 50% off the official city guide at the Tourist Information. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Walkative’s Old Town tour
From €26 · 2.5 hours · 4.8 stars from 577 reviews
Munich: Guided Old Town Walking Tour Featuring Marienplatzad is run by Walkative Tours in English and German. An expert local guide takes you through the old town. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. Munich walking tours sets the operators side by side.
What to see
Marienplatz is the central square of the Old Town, and the Frauenkirche, Alter Peter, the Viktualienmarkt and Kaufingerstraße are a few minutes on foot.
- The Neues Rathaus. It looks older than it is: it was built between 1867 and 1909 in the neo-Gothic style by Georg von Hauberrisser, and it is the seat of the Lord Mayor and the city council. Its tower has the Glockenspiel and, above it, the viewing platform. The tower lift takes you to a booked 20-minute slot from €7. See Munich’s viewpoints.
- The Old Town Hall. The Gothic building of 1470 to 1475 closes the east side of the square, towards the Tal district. It is used for ceremonies, and its hall for events.
- The Mariensäule. The Column of St Mary in the middle of the square was set up in 1638 in thanks for Munich surviving the Thirty Years’ War. Its base shows four plagues: heresy as a serpent, war as a lion, famine as a dragon and the plague as a basilisk.
- The Fish Fountain, on the square.
- Alter Peter, the tower of St Peter’s church, a few steps away, is €5 and 306 steps.
What to skip: the daytime performances in peak season, if you can come at 21:00, when the show is quieter. The order that works: Alter Peter in the morning, then the Glockenspiel at 11:00 from the square.
Practical information
- Where: Marienplatz 1, 80331 Munich, with the U-Bahn and S-Bahn at Marienplatz. The Tourist Information is in the Neues Rathaus and sells tower and tour tickets.
- Entry: Marienplatz is a public space and free.
- Advent: the Christkindlmarkt fills the square before Christmas. See the Munich Christmas markets 2026.
- The one thing that ruins a visit: arriving on the hour. The square fills quickly, so be there a few minutes early.
Munich’s viewpoints compares Alter Peter and the Rathaus tower with the Skylift, and the Residenz is a short walk from the square. Where to eat in Munich has the Viktualienmarkt’s stalls, and Munich’s beer halls has the Hofbräuhaus, about 500 m from the square. Munich walking tours compares the guided options, and free things to do in Munich lists the Glockenspiel with the other free sights. What to book in Munich has the closed days for every sight, and 3 days in Munich starts a day at the square. For a bed nearby, see where to stay in Munich, and Munich public transport has the fares. The self-guided Munich old town walk puts the square in a route from Karlsplatz to Odeonsplatz.
Common questions
What time does the Munich Glockenspiel play?
Every day at 11:00 and 12:00. From March to October it also plays at 17:00. A short night performance at 21:00 features the night watchman, an angel and the Münchner Kindl. It is silent all day on Good Friday.
What does the Munich Glockenspiel show?
Two scenes from the city's history. The upper scene is the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renate of Lorraine in February 1568, with a jousting tournament on Marienplatz in which the Bavarian knight beats the knight from Lorraine. The lower scene is the Schäffler dance of the barrel makers, who are said to have been first out on the streets after a plague.
How many bells does the Glockenspiel have?
43. It sits in the tower of the Neues Rathaus, which was built between 1867 and 1909. The carillon was refurbished, cleaned and retuned in 2007.
Is it free to watch the Glockenspiel?
Yes. Marienplatz is a public space, and the performance can be watched from the square at no cost. A tower ascent, the Rathausturm, is a separate booked ticket from €7.
Where is the best place to stand for the Glockenspiel?
On Marienplatz, in front of the Neues Rathaus, a few minutes before the hour. The square fills quickly in the tourist season, and the 21:00 night performance is usually quieter than the daytime ones.
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