Bavaria is a historic region in the heart of Germany. The capital city of Munich has a long, rich history dating back to the 14th century. It is best known for it’s annual Oktoberfest celebrations. But Munich has a dark chapter too, it was where the Third Reich began its rise to power. Visitors will be delighted by the mix of medieval with modern. Much of Old Town is pedestrian-only and here, you can see Marienplatz Square, the Neo-Gothic town hall and be delighted by glockenspiel show that chimes and re-enacts stories from the 16th century. With so much to see and do it may be hard to figure out what to see first. Well, one of these 10 top day tours in Munich would be a great place to start. Scroll down to learn more.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site and Third Reich walking tour
This tour takes about eight and a half hours to complete. You will be transported by train from Munich to Dacha, where you will meet your guide. Your guide will show you around the first concentration camp built in Germany and other historical buildings such as the former Gestapo headquarters. After touring the camp, you will take the train back to Munich for the two-and-a-half-hour walking tour. You will be guided through Old Town where you will tour important sites including the building where Hitler first joined the Nazi party.
2. Take a bike ride around Old Town and end with tasty beer
You will meet up with your guide in the center of the city. Helmets and bicycles will be provided along with a brief introduction to some of Munich’s history. Then you will set off for a three-hour ride through the medieval streets, with stops for pictures and information on the sites you see scheduled along the way. You will see Europe’s largest city park and take a break at the Chinese Tower Beer Garden for refreshments and to rest a bit. After the bike tour, you will have about three hours before you need to meet back at the main station for the Bavarian food and beer tour.
3. Get a local's perspective on a private walking tour
A local guide will meet you at your hotel and take you through the neighborhood. They will share their tips and secrets for getting the most out of your trip to Munich. You can customize this tour to see the areas of the city that most interest you. Your tour can last from two hours to six, it is up to you. Visiting a new place is even more fun when you get a local’s perspective.
Book Tours : Munich: Private Walking Tour with a Local
4. Enjoy a scavenger hunt through the Old Town
If you are visiting the city with the kids, take them on this fun scavenger hunt through Old Town. You will be given numbered envelopes with clues and puzzles to solve that will lead you from one site to the next. The whole family will enjoy the learning experience on this interactive tour. Some of the sites you will see include the Karlstor, Frauenkirche, and Viktualienmarkt.
Book Tours : Munich: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour
5. Munich city and Oktoberfest tour
Oktoberfest is the most popular time for tourists to visit Munich. Who doesn’t love a month-long festival celebrating all things beer? The tour begins with a 90-minute guided walk through the city streets. You will learn much of the history of this medieval city. Then tour the festival grounds where the main activities of Oktoberfest are at. You will get a spot inside one of the tents and two liters of beer to top it all off.
6. Enjoy a five-hour bike tour of Munich
While Munich’s history has a dark side, it has a bright side too. The city has many great attractions to offer visitors. This five-hour bicycle tour will take you from the beaches on the Isar River to the Chinese Tower Beer Garden. Along the way, you will be entertained by a knowledgable guide who knows the stories of the city. The tour begins and ends near the Toy Museum.
Book Tours : Munich: Mike's Superior 5-Hour Bike Tour
7. Experience the Bavarian lifestyle
This eight-hour tour takes you out of the city to explore local villages for a true Bavarian experience. You will travel in a minivan with a local guide who will regale you with stories of how beer is made and the daily life of the locals. You will stop at a few villages along the way, to taste local beers. The three main stops include a monastery, a palace, and a traditional Bavarian inn.
Book Tours : Munich Rural Beer Tour
8. Half-day historical walking tour
This five-hour walking tour will take you through the rise of the Third Reich. You will see many of the historic buildings where secret, and not so secret meetings took place. You will see landmarks such as the Hofgarten and Königsplatz. Along the way, you will eat lunch at Hitler’s favorite restaurant, the Hofbräuhaus ( the price of lunch is not included in the tour price). You won’t just learn about the beginning of Nazism, the tour will also show you sites of the resistance.
9. Munich bike tour
This basic tour starts with a four-hour bike ride through the medieval streets and alleyways of Munich. See the best sites, like the Toy Museum and Odeonsplatz. Your guide will fill you in on interesting facts and stories about the places you visit. Upgrade the tour to five hours and it includes Königsplatz, and if you want to see Olympic Park and Nymphenburg Palace, then go for the seven-hour ride. You will get to stop and rest at the Chinese Tower Beer Hall.
10. Tour the sites at your own pace
A hop-on-hop-off bus tour is a great way to see the city at your own pace. Purchase either a 24- or 48-hour pass and explore Munich the way you want. The bus makes a one-hour loop and passes the main attractions of Nymphenburg Palace, Odeonsplatz and Olympic Park. You can listen to an audio guide while on the bus. Stop where you want, when you want, like the Marienplatz or Hofbräuhaus beer hall to wet your whistle or grab a bite to eat.
History and beer
When visiting the city of Munich, you can choose to see what interests you the most with one of these tours. Learn the history of this fascinating city that was central to the Nazi Party. Or choose to visit the many museums, like the Toy Museum, to see the lighter side of Munich. And if you are a beer connoisseur this is the city for you.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
