Kaufingertor Passage Munich: 25th Anniversary and What Happened Next
In June 2019, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Kaufingertor Passage. What has become of Munich’s most traditional shopping arcade since then, and is it still worth a visit for you today?
When the Kaufingertor Passage celebrated its 25th birthday in 2019, one open question remained: Can a glass-roofed city-center arcade compete against online retail and larger malls? The short answer six years later is yes. If you walk past Marienplatz today, newly opened flagship stores are once again drawing foot traffic into the arcade. We look back at the celebration and assess where the passage stands in 2025.
- The Kaufingertor Passage opened in May 1994 and has connected Kaufinger Straße with Fürstenfelder Straße ever since.
- About 70 meters long, glass-roofed, with approximately 4,600 square meters of retail space in the middle of Munich’s pedestrian zone.
- In 2019, the 25th anniversary was the focus, featuring a public celebration on June 14.
- In 2025, the passage remains in operation, featuring fashion, jewelry, lifestyle, and dining, as well as new flagship addresses.
- For you, this means: a short walk from Marienplatz, protected from the rain, and quieter than the main thoroughfare.
What was celebrated in 2019
On Friday, June 14, 2019, the Kaufingertor Passage hosted a public anniversary celebration starting at 2 p.m. Sand art, balloon artists, and stand-up magic provided the entertainment, and everyone was welcome. The motto back then: modern, friendly, and cosmopolitan. It is precisely this self-image that has transformed the passage from a mere thoroughfare into a destination in its own right in the heart of the old town. Those who were there remember it less as a typical day of sales and more as an afternoon when the passage itself became a stage.
The history goes back further than the opening year of 1994. The eponymous Kaufingertor was one of Munich’s historic city gates, and the street is one of the city’s oldest commercial axes. The passage picks up on this tradition and translates it into contemporary retail architecture under a glass roof. You are not walking through just any shopping center here, but through a piece of Munich’s commercial history that has reinvented itself.
A recurring highlight over the years has been the seasonal installations under the ceiling. Floating objects and light displays turned the walkway into a photo opportunity that made visitors stop in their tracks. Such installations may sound minor, but they are exactly the lever that distinguishes a passage from a mere shortcut.
An inner-city passage thrives not on its floor space, but on the reason to stop there instead of just walking through.
Six years later: the status in 2025
The fear that small inner-city passages would be overrun by structural changes in retail has not been confirmed here. The Kaufingertor Passage remains open in 2025, typically Monday to Saturday from about 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The tenant mix still covers fashion, jewelry, travel, and lifestyle, complemented by gastronomy for a break in between. So, if you want to wait out a rain shower or simply escape the hustle and bustle for a moment, the passage is a reliable stop.
It is remarkable that international brands have rediscovered the location at Marienplatz. With Ray-Ban and a Lego flagship store, addresses have recently been added that specifically focus on foot traffic and experience. This is a good sign: a passage that started in 1994 remains a sought-after address some 30 years later for brands that want a physical presence in a prime Munich location. It is precisely this mix of brands that makes a stroll more varied for you than clicking through an online shop.
Those who visit the passage today rarely look for just one product. It is about the short walk from Marienplatz, the sheltered roof when it rains, and the mix of shopping and a café break. These qualities cannot be replicated online, and this is exactly where the strength of compact inner-city passages lies compared to pure mail-order retail. You get atmosphere, short distances, and the feeling of being in the middle of the city without having to push through the crowds of the main thoroughfare.
Why the location makes the difference
The connection between Kaufinger Straße and Fürstenfelder Straße makes the passage a logical shortcut in the flow of pedestrians around Marienplatz. Once inside, people are more likely to stay, look around, and stop for a bite to eat. For retailers, this means reliable footfall; for you, a quieter alternative to the crowds on the main street. This silent logic of a good location is the real reason why the passage has thrived since 1994.
Added to this is the weather factor, which should not be underestimated in Munich. In the rain or in the height of summer, the glass roof is a real advantage; you shop dry and cool without losing your connection to the city. It is best to plan your visit on a weekday morning, when you will have the passage almost to yourself before the afternoon rush from Marienplatz spills in.
How to plan your visit
The fastest route takes you via Marienplatz into Kaufinger Straße, from where you turn into the passage and emerge on Fürstenfelder Straße. Combine your stroll with a coffee in the passage and add a detour to the surrounding shopping streets. If you want to think further about the topic of shopping in Munich, you can find an overview of the most important shopping streets in the city on our site. And if you would like to combine your city stroll with culture, read our notes on the Culture Night in Munich.
Quick Answers
▸When did the Kaufingertor Passage open?
The passage opened in May 1994. The 25th anniversary was celebrated accordingly on June 14, 2019, with a public festival; in 2025, it will be around 31 years old.
▸Where exactly is the passage located and how do you get there?
It is located in the heart of Munich’s Old Town near Marienplatz and connects Kaufinger Straße with Fürstenfelder Straße over a distance of about 70 meters. You can reach it on foot from Marienplatz in just a few minutes; the retail space covers approximately 4,600 square meters under a glass roof.
▸Is the Kaufingertor Passage still open in 2025?
Yes. The passage remains in operation, typically Monday to Saturday from about 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring fashion, jewelry, lifestyle, and dining, as well as new flagship stores like Ray-Ban and Lego.
▸Is it still worth a visit for you today?
If you are in the area around Marienplatz, yes. You benefit from short walking distances, a glass roof to keep the rain out, and a quieter mix of brands than on the main thoroughfare. The passage is ideal for a relaxed stop between appointments.
