Mira variables are attractive for galactic centre studies because (1) they are numerous there; (2) they have high luminosities (MK ∼ −7.5) in the infrared where they can be seen through heavy absorption; (3) good radial velocities can be obtained from emission lines even for very faint objects; (4) at least in the solar neighbourhood and in globular clusters the period seems a good indicator of age and/or chemical composition.