best walking tours munich

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WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN MUNICH

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Free Tour of Munich

Book the original Munich free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guid ...

Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.

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Munich Third Reich Tour

Learn about the Nazi’s history in Munich and see scars on the city from these dark days

Discover the many faces of Munich with a passionate local guide

Ernest Hemingway famously said that once you’ve seen Munich, “everything else in Germany is a waste of time”. We’re not sure about this but it is true that as far as history, beauty and German beer goes, Munich really does have it all. Join us to see this incredible city through the eyes of Munich’s best local tour guides.

The original  Free Tour of Munich  starts in the Marienplatz and covers many of Munich’s top attractions, including the Church of St Peter and Höfbrauhaus. After you’ve got the overview with the free walking tour, delve deeper with us!

No visit to the Bavarian capital is complete without a day trip to the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle. Being so close to the Austrian border, you may also be interested in joining the day trip to Salzburg. If you are interested in Nazi history, we have two tours that focus on the darkest period of Munich’s history, including the Third Reich Tour, and a day trip to the former Nazi concentration camp Dachau.

However, if you are more interested in the Bavarian beer, you might be interested in joining our Beer Tour, with an overview of the local breweries, and a visit to one of the most popular beer halls in the city. One thing’s for sure, the top things to do and see in Munich can all be found on a SANDEMANs tour!

What is the SANDEMANs Partner Network?

Tours in Munich are offered by a partner, not SANDEMANs NEW Europe.

We only work with partners we know, trust, and who have been vetted by us to ensure they meet the same standards you are used to enjoying in SANDEMANs’ own cities.

We are proud to partner with Todo Tours and are sure you’ll love their tours as much as we do.

Book a tour with one of our partners

• SANDEMANs only works with partners that meet the same quality standards as we do
• Tours are chosen by our specialists from an array of offers based on their quality and value
• We connect the best local guides with travelers from all around the world

Things to do in Munich

Ready to start exploring Munich? Check out these useful tips and don't miss any of the city's main attractions

The best accommodation in town

Finding the right place to stay can be difficult - that's why we have sorted you out with a list of our favourite hostels and hotels in Munich

The best places to eat in Munich

Don't fall into any tourist trap! Here's a list of the top places to eat in Munich recommended by locals

The greatest bars in the city

Discover our selection of popular spots among the locals to taste from Bavarian beer to delicious cocktails

The best shopping in Munich

Find everything you are looking for with this guide to the best shops, markets and shopping streets in Munich

Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, its staff members, nor any of the freelance guides we work with will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides and tour leaders reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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THE 10 BEST Munich Walking Tours

Walking tours in munich.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Third Reich Walking Tour Munich

2. Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour in Munich

3. Salzburg Sightseeing Day Trip from Munich by Rail

4. Munich Old Town Walking Tour

5. Munich Ghosts and Spirits Evening Walking Tour

6. Munich Oktoberfest Tour With Hofbräu Beertent Tickets, Beer, Food

7. Lunch Like a Local: Munich's ORIGINAL Viktualienmarkt Food Tour

8. Nuremberg Guided Day Trip from Munich by Train

9. Private Historical Munich Tour, Old Town and English Garden

10. Munich Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local

11. Munich World War II Sites Including Dachau Concentration Camp

12. Munich City Walk and Oktoberfest Tour With Beer Tent Reservation

13. Dachau Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Munich By Train

14. Munich Beer and Bavarian Bites Small-Group Tour

15. Beer and Brewery Tour in Munich

16. Dachau Tour from Munich

17. Munich in the 3rd Reich and WW2 private walking tour

18. Paul's Private Tour in Munich old City

19. Munich Viktualienmarkt and Beyond Small-Group Food Tasting Tour

20. Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Private Tour from Munich

21. Fall in Love with Munich in a Private Old Town Walking Tour

22. Munich Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

23. Bavarian Food Walking Tour from Munich

24. Munich Half Day Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private

25. Tour at Oktoberfest Munich 2024 with Table Reservation

26. Guided Walking Tour of Munich Old Town with Beer Garden Visit

27. Beer and Schnapps Day-Drinking Tour of Munich

28. Open Group Munich City Immersion

29. Munich Oktoberfest Tour with Beer Hall Table Reservations

30. Private - Viktualienmarkt Food Tour and Beyond - best Munich tastings

What travellers are saying.

The Best Old Town Munich Walking Tour for First Timers

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Taking a walking tour of Munich from Radius Tours was the perfect way to spend my one full day there! I only had time for a quick way to see this fantastic city in Germany, so booking this tour online to see Old Town Munich via Viator was time well spent as, unfortunately, the one full day I had was on a holiday, so many of the places you’d typically visit were closed. Luckily, the day I arrived, I had gone over to Nymphenburg Palace , so I had fitted that in during the previous afternoon. If you’re luckier than I and have more time in Munich, then there’s plenty to do with 3 days in Munich .

If you have more time in Germany, make sure to check out some great day trips from Munich . A friend recommended the Radius Tours Old Town Munich walking tour, and I’m sure glad she did, as it’s the best walking tour of Munich I could have asked for!

Booking a Old Town Munich Walking Tour

It was super simple to book this tour before my trip to Munich, Germany. I visited the Viator website to search for the Old Town Munich walking tour by Radius Tours. There are several different tours available on the Viator site, but this one had specifically been recommended. You can also buy tickets at the Radius Tours office, which also happens to be at the starting point of this walking tour.

Tours in English are available at 10:15 am and 2:30 pm.

What to Expect on This Walking Tour of Munich

If this is your first time in Munich, as it was mine, then this is the perfect tour for you. It is specifically geared towards people who have never visited before. During this two-hour walking tour of Munich’s Old Town, you will see the highlights of the Bavarian capital.

The Old Town part of Munich consists of its medieval old town, the Altstadt. Primarily known for its pedestrian streets and shops, some of which sell those adorable traditional Bavarian costumes. It also boasts several architecturally gorgeous buildings, such as the Frauenkirche and Rathaus-Glockenspiel. If you’re there on a non-holiday day, you can also check out the Viktualienmarkt, which is a lovely market. There are also many wonderful Christmas markets in Germany if you happen to be there in winter.

Starting the Old Town Munich Walking Tour

On this tour, an expert guide accompanies you to each location while providing tons of fascinating facts about Munich’s history! Our lovely guide was a woman who had been doing the tour for a while, so she was very seasoned. She spoke English well (this walking tour of Munich is available in English and Spanish) and was great about projecting her voice. We were mostly outside, so it can sometimes be hard to hear people in open spaces, but we had no issues hearing her.

We started the Old Town Munich walking tour at the Munich Central Station (or München Hbf). I’d recommend showing up a bit early so you have time to find the Radius Tours ticket office. It wasn’t hard to find, but it is located inside the station.

Departure Point Address

Arnulfstraße 3, 80335 München, Germany

Ending Point Address

Marienplatz, München, Germany

Karlsplatz (Stachus)

The first spot after the Radius Tours ticket office is Karlsplatz (Stachus). It’s a large square and the start of the city center of Munich. The reason that it has two names, Karlsplatz and Stachus, is that the former was named for the unpopular Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria. The later, Stachus, is what locals usually call it.

Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)

The next spot is Frauenkirche, also known as “Münchner Dom” (Munich Cathedral), a landmark and symbol of the Bavarian capital city. It’s gorgeous, so you can absolutely see why!

One of the fascinating pieces of trivia our guide mentioned was the legend of The Devil’s Footprint (Der Teufelstritt). According to the legend, in 1468, the architect of Frauenkirche went looking for money to build this new cathedral. He wound up making a bargain with the Devil, who agreed to provide the funds for the Frauenkirche. On the condition that it was a celebration of darkness, meaning there would be no windows to let in light.

Upon completion, von Helpach brought the Devil in to show him that he held up his end of the bargain. No windows, but still with light, this satisfied the Devil. He then stepped further in and realized that columns had blocked his view of the windows. He had been tricked and stamped his foot in anger. Marking the floor to this day with his footprint.

Rathaus-Glockenspiel

The next stop on this walking tour of Munich was a personal favorite of mine! My Grandmother and Aunt had visited Munich many years ago, and I recalled photos of the Rathaus-Glockenspiel from her trip. So, seeing it in person with my Mom was extra special.

You can hear the clock chime and see its re-enactments of two stories from the 16th century every day at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. (and 5 p.m. in the summer). The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of  Duke Wilhelm V (who founded Hofbräuhaus) to Renata of Lorraine . To honor them, a joust is held with life-sized knights on horseback representing Bavaria (in white and blue) and Lothringen (in red and white). As our guide pointed out, the Bavarian knight always wins as we are in Bavaria. This scene consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures!

The bottom half then starts the story of Schäfflertanz (the coopers ‘ dance). There is a myth that in 1517, a plague took place in Munich. The coopers (people trained to make wooden casks, barrels, vats, buckets, tubs, troughs, and other containers) then danced through the streets to “bring fresh vitality to fearful dispositions.” Symbolizing perseverance and loyalty to authority through difficult times. Even today, the tradition continues, with the dance performed every seven years in Munich.

The two parts of the show last between twelve and fifteen minutes long. The end of the show is marked by a small golden rooster chirping three times at the top of the Glockenspiel.

A View from New City Hall (Neues Rathaus)

You can go to the top of Rathaus-Glockenspiel if you wish to. As I’m afraid of heights, I wasn’t super keen on this, but I figured I should. You can go up 255 feet (85 meters) in an elevator to the tower of New City Hall (Neues Rathaus). There’s an observation deck that offers a view of the city. As it started raining and thundering while I was up there, I didn’t see the Alps, which you can supposedly see during better weather. All I saw was those dark clouds rolling in!

Note: This was not part of the walking tour of Munich; my mom and I did it afterward.

Marienplatz

Marienplatz has been Munich’s main square since 1158. As you can see on the Munich walking tour map below, it is also where Rathaus-Glockenspiel, New City Hall (Neues Rathaus), and Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus) are located.

Viktualienmarkt

Again, unfortunately, the Viktualienmarkt was closed on the day I went as it was a holiday. However, if you’re there on a non-holiday day, you can check out Munich’s largest and most famous market! It’s also where you can find the best beer garden in Munich.

St. Peter’s Church

At 299 feet (91 meters), St. Peter’s Church (also known as Alter Peter or Old Pete) is the oldest recorded parish church in Munich. We learned on this walking tour of Munich that it is also supposedly the origin point for the whole city.

The Alter Hof (Old Court) is the former imperial residence of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor , and the first royal residence of the Wittelsbach family. 

After the walking tour, you can visit the exhibition “Münchner Kaiserburg“ (Munich Imperial Castle), which tells the history of the city of Munich in a multimedia presentation.

Munich Residenz

The Munich Residenz is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria and the largest city palace in Germany. Though it was closed on the day I visited, it’s usually open to visitors showcasing its rooms and displays from the former royal collections.

Odeonsplatz

The Odeonsplatz is another square developed in the early 19th century. It’s important to the city of Munich as it has been the site of several parades and public events. Including funeral processions, victory parades, and the Oktoberfest annual parade follows this route.

Ending at the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl

The  Hofbräuhaus am Platz  isn’t the official ending of this walking tour of Munich. As you can see on the Munich walking tour map below, we had passed it earlier. However, since most places were closed for the holiday, my mother and I found ourselves here. This famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall was initially built in 1589 as an extension of the Staatliches Hofbräuhaus in München brewery.

If you’re looking for a great traditional Bavarian place to eat and drink, I highly recommend Hofbräuhaus am Platz. Its menu features traditional favorites such as  Brezn (soft pretzel), Obatzda (cheese dip), Hax’n , and sausages such as Bratwurst and Weisswurst . Grab yourself a large stein of beer while listening to traditional Bavarian music and enjoy!

Old Town Munich Walking Tour Map

Below is a map of the locations I’ve mentioned above on this Munich walking tour. The entire tour was on flat ground should you have any issues with hills, steps, etc. It was a pretty leisurely walk around Munich at a comfortable pace. I never felt as if we were running from one place to another, so I highly recommend it even if you aren’t a super active person.

Munich Walking Tour Map

Starting Point:  Munich Central Station

.4 miles to Karlsplatz (Stachus)

.3 miles to Frauenkirche

.2 miles to Rathaus-Glockenspiel / Marienplatz

.2 miles to Viktualienmarkt

.1 miles to St. Peter’s Church

.2 miles to Alter Hof (Old Court)

.2 miles to Munich Residenz

.1 miles to Odeonsplatz

Ending Point: .5 miles to Hofbräuhaus am Platz

Total Distance: 2.2 miles

Old Town Munich Tour Details

You can book this tour for $17.94 per person (as of posting). For an approximately two-hour tour of Munich’s Old Town, this was a steal. Again, this Munich walking tour is offered in English and Spanish.

As this was my first time in Munich, I covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time by doing this tour. Our guide was very helpful and filled with interesting information. She gave advice and directions and offered her help during and even after the tour ended. I would highly recommend this tour by Radius Tours , as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tours in English are available for 10:15 am and 2:30 pm.

Want to remember this? Pin this The Best Old Town Munich Walking Tour for First Timers  article to your favorite Pinterest board!

Michelle is a nerdy wanderluster with a love of history. A thirty-something occasional female solo traveler who you’ll find road-tripping across the United States or hostel-hopping in Europe. Currently residing in Southern California with a day job in marketing.

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Munich Sightseeing: The 8 Best Munich Tours & Day Trips

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One of Germany ’s most celebrated cities, Munich is famous for its beer culture, traditional Bavarian food, excellent museums, and, of course, Oktoberfest. From the opulence of the Residenz to bustling beer halls, you’ll never run out of things to do and see in Munich. It’s actually quite difficult to narrow down all the sightseeing in Munich to a few highlights, especially if you have just a couple of days to see this captivating German city.

To help you make the most of your time in Munich, we have selected our list of the top Munich tours and day trips to the surrounding German countryside. Here you will discover Munich’s best sights , as well as fun short trips outside of the city. From extravagant castles to quaint picturesque European towns, Germany’s scenic Bavarian region has something for everyone.

Read on to discover the best 8 tours in Munich for your German holiday!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

How to Book Tours in Munich

While there is no shortage of tour agents in Munich, we actually prefer booking our tours online.  GetYourGuide  is our go-to for booking tours. You can compare all the tour options around Munich in one place and choose the excursion that is just right for you. Plus,  GetYourGuide  has an excellent cancellation policy in case your holiday plans change.

Munich: Top 8 Tours & Day Trips

1. see munich’s top spots on a walking tour.

What better way to start sightseeing in Munich than with a walking tour of Munich’s most famous locations ? The guides are knowledgeable, entertaining, and work for tips so these walking tours are the best in Munich. There is so much to discover in Munich beyond beer and Oktoberfest. On this tour, you’ll see all of the highlights, conveniently wrapped into two hours. If you only have one day in Munich then this is the tour for you.

This Munich sightseeing tour starts in the Marienplatz , Munich’s central square and the epicenter of this city’s long history. With a distinctly Bavarian feel to it, the Marienplatz is full of street performers, musicians, restaurants, and shops. Located in the center of Old Town, your guide will tell you about the history of Munich and point out buildings of historical significance, like the impressive gothic-style New Town Hall . You’ll also get to see Munich’s famous mechanical clock, the Rathaus-Glockenspiel .

Continuing, the group will visit the landmark Church of Our Lady, or Frauenkirche . Most visitors will recognize it immediately because of its two domed towers that distinguish it from the rest of the Munich skyline. Next, you’ll pass by the famed Hofbräuhaus beer hall , one of the most celebrated beer taverns in the world. 

You’ll explore the vibrant outdoor market of Viktualienmarkt, full of delicious German food and Bavarian handicrafts. And at the Royal Residence , you will learn the stories of the Bavarian royal family. For the final stop on your tour of Munich, you’ll visit the Church of Peter , Munich’s oldest church that has stunning ornate frescos and interiors.

You’ll leave this Munich walking tour more knowledgeable about the origins of Oktoberfest and Bavarian beer culture. It’s the perfect way to explore one of Germany’s most picturesque cities. 

Your walking city tour of Munich will include:

• An English or Spanish-speaking guide
• Tips of the best locations to eat or drink beer

Book A Free Walking Tour of Munich

2. Eat and Drink Your Way Through Munich on a Bavarian Beer and Food Tour

Munich is known worldwide for its tasty brews and for its annual Oktoberfest celebration. So, of course, in Munich, there’s no shortage of renowned German breweries, lively Bier gardens, traditional Bier halls, and famous taverns.

On this Bavarian beer and food tour , you will sample local delicacies. You will also learn all about the history, culture, and production of beer. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll visit several of Munich’s best beer halls and swap tales with fellow travelers. All of this while sampling the best Bavarian-style food and beer. Highlights of your evening out in Munich will include an exclusive tour of the Oktoberfest Museum and a stop at the world-renowned Hofbräuhaus Tavern.

Be sure not to eat before the tour, you’ll be offered plenty of traditional Bavarian food, like Weisswurst (a white sausage that this region is known for), dumplings, and roast pork. The food is paired with several different delicious varieties of German beer.

You are more than welcome to continue on your own after the tour ends with the new friends that you meet during your tour. If you are lucky, you might even see a performance from a traditional Bavarian Oompah band!

Your Bavarian beer & food tour will include the following:

• Fully guided tour by English-speaking local resident
• Personal advice and recommendations
• Transport to the historic center of Munich
• Entrance to an exclusive private tour of the Oktoberfest Museum
• Beer sampling session
• Table reservation at a traditional beer hall
• A giant platter of traditional Bavarian food

Book a Bavarian Beer & Food Tour

3. Attend a Concert at the Munich Residenz

Looking for a unique Munich sightseeing opportunity? Every Thursday and Saturday at 6:30 pm,  the Residenz Soloists and members of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra perform in the Hofkapelle (Court Chapel) of the Munich Residenz.  

The Hofkapelle is an amazing venue – small and intimate – that will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. In fact, Mozart himself once played at the Hofkapelle. The interior of the chapel is exquisitely decorated. You’ll enjoy marveling at the colorful frescos while listening to the orchestra perform.

Immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the 17th and 18th centuries makes for one of the most memorable evenings out in Munich. The performance is lively and is suitable for classical music lovers and those that are new to the genre.

The concert program at the Residenz changes weekly and you’ll hear masterpieces by Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, and other great composers of the Baroque and Classical periods. You’ll also have the option of adding a meal or a 3-Course dinner with beer when booking at an additional cost.

Make sure you book your Munich Residenz concert tickets well in advance as this small venue frequently sells out!

Buy Tickets for a Concert at the Munich Residenz

4. Explore Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace

For one of the best day trips from Munich, you’ll want to visit Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace . Both are exquisite architectural gems and should not be missed during your trip to Southern Germany !

This German castle tour includes visits to both Neuschwanstein and Linderhof as well as a stop for shopping and exploring in Oberammergau , a charming Bavarian town that resembles something out of a fairytale.

Your full-day Bavarian castle tour will depart near the main railway station in Munich at 8:30 am, where you’ll board a comfortable bus for a smooth 1.5-hour bus ride. Your first stop, Linderhof palace was inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the French influence is readily apparent.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the immaculately manicured gardens as well as the interior of the palace (tickets purchased separately). Your guide will tell you all about the crazy King Ludwig II of Bavaria and how he built the castles of his dreams, both of which you will see today.  

After a stop for photos and lunch in Oberammergau, the group will arrive at the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle where you’ll get a few hours to explore this breathtaking landmark. It’s one of the most impressive sites in Germany , thanks to its prime location at the foot of the Alps. If you think Neuschwanstein Castle looks familiar, that’s probably because it was the inspiration for the castle at Walt Disney World. When it comes to Munich sightseeing, you simply can’t miss Neuschwanstein Castle!

The entire tour lasts 10.5 hours and you will arrive back in Munich at approximately 6:30 pm. 

Your Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace tour will include:

• Travel in a luxury tour bus with a tour guide
• Audio guides
• You’ll need to purchase your castle entry ticket separately: 8.50€ for Linderhof Palace and 13€ for Neuschwanstein Castle. You can buy tickets during the tour.

Book a Tour of Neuschwanstein Castle & Linderhof Palace

5. Learn about the Holocaust at Dachau Concentration Camp

Did you know that Germany’s first concentration camp, Dachau, is located just thirty miles outside of Munich? The site is now home to the Dachau Memorial . It is a place to learn about the significance and tragedy of the Dachau concentration camp during the time of National Socialism in Germany.

The advantage of booking a tour of the Dachau Memorial is that a qualified guide will show you the grounds of the former camp, the historical buildings, and parts of the permanent exhibition all while providing additional background about World War II and further insight into the horrors that occurred at Dachau. 

On your tour, you will be guided through the prison cells and gas chambers. You will hear firsthand accounts of the prisoners’ own experiences and the suffering they faced. During this tour, you will imagine everyday life in the camp from its beginnings to its liberation by the US Forces in 1945. The knowledgeable guide will explain the meaning behind the pictures and exhibits in the museum.

Learn about the dark history of the holocaust during this thought-provoking tour and experience the somber atmosphere of Dachau firsthand – it’s a grim but important sight to see in Munich.

Your Dachau Memorial tour will include:

• Guided tour of the Dachau Memorial Site
• Transportation by train

Book a Guided Tour of the Dachau Memorial Site

6. Drive the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, Germany’s most Instagrammable town

For another amazing Munich sightseeing experience, you should visit the cozy medieval village of Rothenburg , one of Germany’s most colorful towns. This full-day tour traverses the Romantic Road , a route that links together some of Bavaria’s most picture-perfect towns and famous castles. During the drive, you’ll soak in the beauty of the German countryside. 

The first stop will be Harburg Castle , one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved castle complexes in southern Germany . You’ll be able to explore the castle and see how residents protected themselves within the high walls and defended against invaders in the middle ages.

After a short rest and coffee, the tour continues to Rothenburg, a charming medieval town. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander along the beautiful cobblestone streets exploring this unique walled city. Shop for a souvenir in the boutiques, have a meal, or sip a Bier in one of Rothenburg’s traditional pubs .

One thing that makes Rothenburg so special is the plethora of traditional half-timbered houses that Germany is known for. You’ll want to make sure you have your camera with you as Rothenburg is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the country! 

Your drive back to Munich will be through one of the largest hops-growing regions in the world, the Hallertau . This full-day tour is a great way to see one of the most beautiful regions of southern Germany .

Your Romantic Road and Rothenburg tour will include:

• Travel in a luxury bus with a tour guide
• Skip-the-line tickets
• Entry to the Harburg is not included in the tour price (€8)

Book a Tour of Rothenburg and Germany’s Romantic Road

7. Discover beautiful Salzburg, including sites from “The Sound of Music”

Not too far from Munich lies beautiful Salzburg , surrounded by lakes and the stunning snow-capped Alps. Though most famous for being the setting of the film, The Sound of Music , Salzburg is also the hometown of Mozart and you can still see his residence and the cafes he frequented. 

While Salzburg is located in Austria, it’s actually quite easy to visit as a part of this Salzburg day trip from Munich . Your tour will start at Munich Central Train Station at 9 am, where a guide will meet you for a 2-hour train ride from Munich to Austria.

Upon arriving in Salzburg, your guide will give you a map and during the 1.5-hour tour, you will be shown the major sights. You’ll then have an additional three hours to explore the city on your own once you are oriented. 

Salzburg is an old-world beauty. Stroll down the city’s UNESCO-protected streets, admiring the extravagant chapels and palaces. Wander through the beautiful Mirabelle Gardens to see sights filmed in The Sound of Music . Be sure to see the stunning Domkirche ( Salzburg Cathedral ), one of Salzberg’s most striking buildings. And you can’t miss the Festung Hohensalzburg set high on the hill above the city, it’s one of the oldest and best-preserved fortresses in Europe.

This memorable tour is a great way to see the medieval churches, monasteries, and catacombs that Salzburg offers. After a day of exploring, you’ll meet back up with the group to return to Munich.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to bring your passport as you’ll be traveling from Germany to Austria. Passport checks sometimes occur when traveling via train between two countries in the EU. 

Your Salzberg day tour will include:

• Transport on the 1.5-hour train journey from Munich to Salzburg and back
• Fully-guided tour
• Map of Salzburg

Book a Day Trip to Salzburg

8. Visit Historic Nuremberg, One of Germany’s Most Famous Cities

For another great day trip, take a scenic train ride north of Munich to the historic city of Nuremberg . It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon exploring Nuremberg’s quaint old town, sampling delicious regional food in its cafes, and shopping in its world-famous Christmas markets – even if you’re visiting in the summer (they are actually open year-round).

Nuremberg is also known for its involvement with the Nazi Party, and if you’re a history buff you can see the actual Nazi Party Rally Grounds and some of the largest Third Reich buildings. Art lovers will enjoy Nuremberg’s Gothic churches, which contain pieces by some of Germany’s most talented artists. And photographers will love the colorful markets that have been part of the city for nearly 700 years. There is something for every taste in this enchanting German city.

This full-day tour from Munich to Nuremberg departs at 8:40 am from Munich’s central station for the short 90-minute train ride to Nuremberg. During the tour, you will learn all about the unofficial capital of the first Germanic Empire and the role that the city played during the Second World War. The city also played an important role in the Reformation era as well as in the scientific and printing revolution.

Your tour will also include a visit to one of the most iconic landmarks, the stunning Nuremberg Castle that overlooks the city. Nuremberg is one of Germany’s most famous cities, and there is so much to see that it’s easy to miss some of the best sights if you don’t have a guide. Luckily, this tour ensures you’ll see the best of Nuremberg even if you only have a day to explore!

Your tour of Nuremberg will include:

• English speaking guide
• Fully-guided tour of the historic city center and the Nazi Party rally grounds
• 2-way ticket for the transport from Munich to Nuremberg via train 

Book a Day Trip to Nuremberg

That’s it! The best tours and day trips in Munich, Germany. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.

Planning a trip to Germany? Check out our favorite books and travel guides.

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Nick took his first solo trip abroad to Ireland and Scotland when he was just 19. Since then he has visited over 70 countries around the world (plus 45 states in the USA). He coupled his passion for travel photography with Val’s passion for writing and thus Wandering Wheatleys was born. He now lives in Asheville with his two rambunctious kids, Humphrey and Wilhelminha. Besides photography, Nick loves eating the weirdest food he can find in a country (sheep’s brain currently sits in first place) and making Val get up an hour before sunrise to make sure he gets “the good light”.

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THE 10 BEST Munich Walking Tours

Walking tours in munich.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
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• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Third Reich Walking Tour Munich

2. Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour in Munich

3. Salzburg Sightseeing Day Trip from Munich by Rail

4. Munich Old Town Walking Tour

5. Munich Ghosts and Spirits Evening Walking Tour

6. Munich Oktoberfest Tour With Hofbräu Beertent Tickets, Beer, Food

7. Lunch Like a Local: Munich's ORIGINAL Viktualienmarkt Food Tour

8. Nuremberg Guided Day Trip from Munich by Train

9. Death and Chocolate: Walking Tour of Munich's Old South Cemetery

10. Munich Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local

11. Munich World War II Sites Including Dachau Concentration Camp

12. Munich City Walk and Oktoberfest Tour With Beer Tent Reservation

13. Dachau Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Munich By Train

14. Munich Beer and Bavarian Bites Small-Group Tour

15. Beer and Brewery Tour in Munich

16. Private Historical Munich Tour, Old Town and English Garden

17. Dachau Tour from Munich

18. Munich in the 3rd Reich and WW2 private walking tour

19. Paul's Private Tour in Munich old City

20. Munich Viktualienmarkt and Beyond Small-Group Food Tasting Tour

21. Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Private Tour from Munich

22. Munich Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

23. Bavarian Food Walking Tour from Munich

24. Munich Half Day Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private

25. Fall in Love with Munich in a Private Old Town Walking Tour

26. Tour at Oktoberfest Munich 2024 with Table Reservation

27. Guided Walking Tour of Munich Old Town with Beer Garden Visit

28. Beer and Schnapps Day-Drinking Tour of Munich

29. Open Group Munich City Immersion

30. Munich Oktoberfest Tour with Beer Hall Table Reservations

What travellers are saying.

The Ultimate Free Walking Tour of Munich (For 2023)

This article may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. Please refer to my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Table of Contents

Ah… Munich. A city known for Oktoberfest, Munich offers more than just beer. Filled with museums and historical sites and surrounded by extravagant castles, Munich is one of the best cities in Germany. And there’s no better way to explore this delightful Bavarian city than on a free walking tour of Munich!

This self-guided Munich walking tour is not just doable — it’s called for. Where else can you find over a dozen historical monuments, breathtaking city views, and lively plazas packed into less than one kilometer?

And while some walking tours of Munich may be tiring, this one has a total walking distance of only 35 minutes . This means you’ll have plenty of time to take it easy, wander around, and dive into the legends of these unique Munich landmarks.

However, you should still set aside at least 1 day in Munich to do this tour, as there’s plenty to do at each stop.

Well, without further ado, let’s begin!

A Quick Summary of Your Free Walking Tour of Munich

• Karlsplatz-Stachus
• Bürgersaalkirche (Citizen’s Hall Church)
• Michaelskirche (St. Michael’s Church)
• Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)
• Marienplatz
• Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)
• Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
• Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church)
• Asamkirche (Asam Church)
• Viktualienmarkt (Victuals Market)
• Hofbräuhaus München

Needless to say, this free walking tour of Munich will take you to all the top spots . So get your camera ready, put on some comfortable shoes, and prepare to spend one perfect day in Munich (one of the best places to visit in Bavaria !).

The Ultimate Free Walking Tour of Munich

1) karlsplatz-stachus.

• Opening Hours : None
• Cost : Free

Your Munich walking tour starts at Karlsplatz-Stachus, the most famous square in Munich.

It practically connects all the city’s transportation lines, making it one of the top hubs in Munich. In the mid 20th century, it reportedly had the most traffic in all of Europe ! This led to a saying that spread well beyond Munich: “Da geht’s ja zu wie am Stachus,” which is similar to the UK expression “It’s like Piccadilly Circus.”

Needless to say, there is always something to do at Karlsplatz-Stachus. On the eastern side, you can admire the gothic gate “Karlstor.” In the summer, you can enjoy some ice cream while sitting by the picturesque fountain. And in the winter, this fountain turns into a huge Munich ice rink!

There are also endless shopping opportunities, including:

• Kaufhof : Built in 1950, this was the first department store in Munich.
• Stachus Passagen for some underground shopping.
• Shops, cafes, and restaurants lining the square.
• The entrance to Neuhauserstraße and Kaufingerstraße , the two main shopping streets of Munich.

But before checking out the shops or continuing with our tour, take your time to soak up the atmosphere at Stachus. We will gradually head down Neuhauserstraße for the next stops on our free walking tour of Munich!

The Funny Story Behind the Dual Name of Karlsplatz-Stachus

The square was built in 1777 when the Elector Karl Theodor took over the government of Bavaria. Like any modest ruler, he named the new square after himself — Karlsplatz. But he was so unpopular with the residents that they refused to use that name . And so the square became known as Stachus, in memory of the tavern that was displaced for the square’s construction.

2) Bürgersaalkirche (Citizen’s Hall Church)

• Opening Hours : Upper church: Monday-Saturday, 11 am-1 pm. Lower church: Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 2 pm-5 pm.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 4 minutes
• Website : https://www.mmkbuergersaal.de/

From Karlsplatz-Stachus, walk four minutes to our next stop: Bürgersaalkirche, otherwise known as the Citizen’s Hall Church.

From the outside, Bürgersaalkirche kinda looks more like a government building than a church. And, as a matter of fact, it was first built in 1709 as a “citizen’s hall” (hence the name), and was only consecrated in 1778. The church is also divided into an upper floor and a lower floor, with the exterior pink façade showing this division.

In the upper church, you’ll find the brightly lit, ballroom-like prayer room . Everywhere you look, there are works of art in the form of frescoes, paintings, and statues.

In the lower church, you can find the crypt of Ruper Mayer , a Jesuit priest known for his resistance against the Nazis. For a bit of history, I recommend walking around the small museum room containing memorabilia from his life.

If you’re planning to visit Germany but you’re still in school, click here to read my guide on how to travel as a student!

3) Michaelskirche (St. Michael’s Church)

• Opening Hours : The Crypt is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am-4:30 pm, and the weekends from 9:30 am-2:30 pm.
• Cost : Free (or 2 euros to enter the Crypt).
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 2 minutes
• Website : https://www.st-michael-muenchen.de/en/

The next stop on our walking tour of Munich is St. Michael’s Church: an art gallery, an architectural masterpiece, and a place of worship all in one!

Built in the late 16th century, Michaelskirche was modeled after the Church of the Gesù in Rome. It’s best known for having the second largest vaulted roof (after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome).

If you look between the two entrances, you’ll see St. Michael, the Archangel, slaying a dragon-like creature, which was meant to symbolize Catholicism triumphing over Protestantism in the Counter Reformation era.

And hey, if you’re craving a little company, why not visit the “Mad” King Ludwig II in the crypt ?

4) Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)

• Opening Hours : Monday to Saturday 8 am-8 pm, Sunday 9:30 am-8 pm.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 3 minutes
• Website : https://www.muenchner-dom.de/

Next, head over to Frauenkirche, one of the most popular landmarks in Munich.

The original plan for Frauenkirche was a grand church of the likes of Stephansdom in Vienna. But budgetary constraints unraveled these plans into the plain red-brick construction that it is today.

In the end, this lack of funding is what shaped the church into the remarkable mix of styles that makes it so unique. By the time the towers were finally finished, the Renaissance era had started. Thus, domes were installed instead of the intended Gothic pointed towers.

These towers are an iconic part of the Munich skyline , jutting out far past any other building. The residents of Munich are deeply passionate about their city’s “mother church”; in 2004, they even voted to prohibit building anything taller than 98.57 meters — the height of Frauenkirche.

Inside, Frauenkirche has a remarkable capacity of 20,000 people. The decorations are simple, but there are still tons to admire, including:

• Gothic pillars
• Original stained-glass windows
• 14th-18th century artwork
• A 16th-century automaton clock
• The tomb of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV

The Legend of the Devil’s Footprint

By the entrance, you’ll also notice a black mark resembling a footprint . Legend says the master builder Jörg von Halsbach struck a deal with the devil to ensure they had enough money for the church’s construction. In exchange, he promised to not build any windows, meaning the church could not be consecrated.

Stepping inside the completed church, the devil could not see the windows at first, as they were hidden from view by the columns and buttresses. But when he realized he’d been duped, he stomped his foot in anger and turned into the wind to try to blow the church down. If you stand outside the church, you can still feel the devil’s vain efforts!

If you’re planning to travel Europe in the fall, click here for my Europe fall packing list for women!

5) Marienplatz

• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/attractions/marienplatz.html

Next up on your Munich walking tour is Marienplatz, a plaza that will provide you with a short break from the stunning Munich churches and aerial city views!

This popular square dates back to the city’s founding in 1158 . It used to be a calm intersection where monks decided to settle, giving the city its name (“monks” in German).

The area soon became the city’s marketplace, then called “Schrannenplatz” (“grain plaza”). In 1854, the market outgrew the plaza and moved to Blumenstraße. The plaza was then renamed to Marienplatz after the Virgin Mary, for helping the city overcome a cholera epidemic.

The center of the plaza is marked by Mariensaule , the Virgin Mary column. It was erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish occupation of Munich. Its base depicts the city’s triumph over famine (the dragon), war (the lion), the plague (the basilisk), and heresy (the snake).

Events and Things to Do in Marienplatz

• June : Stadtgründungsfest, celebrating Munich’s birthday.
• December : a Christmas Market with 150 stalls.
• Year-round : Countless stores and restaurants — needless to say, it’s one of the best things to do in Munich on Sunday!

The Munich Marienplatz is where many of the free tours in Munich and walking tours in Munich start, so you’ll see lots of tourist groups here. The plaza itself has many interesting landmarks, which we are about to see!

6) Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)

• Opening Hours : 10 am-7 pm Monday to Saturday, 10 am-5 pm on Sundays.
• Cost : 10 euros for tours, or 4 euros to access the tower.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 0 minutes
• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/attractions/new-town-hall-neues-rathaus.html

To reach the next stop on your free walking tour of Munich, just turn around and look for the Neues Rathaus right at Marienplatz! Although it’s only one building, it has plenty to offer, including some fun things to do with kids in Munich.

It was built in the late 19th century when the old town hall was no longer able to accommodate the government. And this new one sure takes care of the space issue — 12 buildings had to be demolished to make room for it! It also holds 400 rooms and takes up over 9000 square meters of space.

Surprisingly, Neues Rathaus Munich survived WWII, so the carvings you see are original. Don’t miss the “Glockenspiel,” a storytelling music box on the exterior of the tower. It is still manually operated and uses 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures to perform two historical events, including:

• A 1568 tournament celebrating the marriage of Duke Wilheim V to Renata of Lothringen.
• “Schäfflertanz”, or Coopers’ Dance : After the plague epidemic, the barrel makers were supposedly the first to go out into the streets, where they danced to give courage and joy to the fearful citizens.

The show lasts about 15 minutes. It’s performed daily at 11 am and 12 pm, so make sure you’re there for the show!

Before you turn away, look all the way up to the top of the tower and wave hello to “the Munich child”, aka “ Münchner Kind .” This symbolic representation of Munich has had a prolific advertising career, as it’s been featured in Munich commercials for virtually everything under the sun.

The New Town Hall also offers several other things to do, including

• A 90-minute tour.
• A tourist office on the ground floor.
• An 85-meter-tall tower with a great view of the old town of Munich.
• Marienhof, a small garden at the back.
• The Ratskeller restaurant in the basement.

7) Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)

• Opening Hours : 10 am-5:30 pm daily (for the Toy Museum).
• Cost : 6 euros for the Toy Museum.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop: 1 minute
• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/attractions/altes-rathaus.html

Now that we’ve admired the New Town Hall, it’s time to check out the Old Town Hall! Walk over to the eastern end of Marienplatz to find Altes Rathaus, Neues Rathaus’ predecessor.

The building goes back as far as 1310 . But it has been damaged and rebuilt so many times that it has practically worn every architectural style since its founding. Its most recent restoration after WWII has brought it full circle to its original Gothic design . And with its plain façade, the Old Town Hall look more modern than the ornate New Town Hall Munich!

Altes Rathaus has a dark side as well. It was the location of the hate-filled speech by Joseph Goebbels that inspired Kristallnacht, “ the night of the broken glass” in 1938 . This is considered to be the start of the Holocaust.

Other things you can see at Altes Rathaus:

• A historic toy museum located on over 4 floors of the tower (it’s one of the best things to do in Munich with kids!).
• A ballroom on the second floor with an impressive ornate wooden ceiling.
• A Juliet Capulet statue on the side of the building, gifted to Munich by Verona in the 1970s.

8) Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church)

• Opening Hours : 9 am-6 pm Monday to Friday, 10 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday.
• Cost : Free for the church, 3 euros for the tower.
• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/churches/church-of-st-peter.html

Next on your Munich free walking tour is Peterskirche, the city’s oldest Catholic church dating back to the 12th century. Like many Munich landmarks, it has been reconstructed many times due to fires and wars. The inside reflects its many reincarnations with elements of the Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo styles .

The most notable aspect of Peterskirche Munich is the second chapel, as it holds the skeleton of Saint Munditia , lavishly decorated with a crown, precious stones, and luxurious clothing. You’ll also see many beautiful works of art, though most of them are restorations.

And if you haven’t had enough bird-eye views of the city yet, you can climb the 300 stairs up the tower. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Alps!

At the top, you’ll also find another peculiarity: no fewer than 8 clocks. The Munich-based comic Karl Valentin offered a whimsical reason as to why: “Well, of course, it’s so eight people can check the time at once!”

9) Asamkirche (Asam Church)

• Opening Hours : 9 am-6 pm
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 6 minutes
• Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/en/sights/churches/asam-church.html

Compared to the gargantuan buildings you’ve seen so far, the 22-by-8-meter Asamkirche in München might seem ludicrously tiny. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in decoration.

Through the opulent wooden door, you enter a space filled with such an excessive amount of stucco and ornamentation, it’s downright overwhelming. There’s barely an inch left undecorated.

The church is divided into three vertical levels:

• The rather gloomy lower area, where visitors sit, symbolizes worldly suffering.
• The middle level, reserved for the Emperor, is decorated in white and blue.
• The top, dedicated to God, is brightly lit.

Naturally, the space gets brighter the closer to heaven it goes. The ceiling also has a lavish fresco portraying the drowning of Saint Nepomuk, to whom the church is dedicated.

10) Viktualienmarkt (Victuals Market)

• Opening Hours : Usually 8 am-8 pm Monday to Saturday, but it depends on the stall.
• Cost : Depends on what you buy.
• Walking Time from the Previous Stop : 7 minutes
• Website : https://www.viktualienmarkt-muenchen.de/

Remember how Marienplatz used to be a marketplace? Well, Viktualienplatz is where it moved.

Viktualienmarkt, from the late Latin word for food, stretches over 22,000 square meters. About 150 stalls offer everything your fridge and pantry could desire, from vegetables to fish, through spices and pastries, and even kitchen accessories and other trinkets. Every Munich food guide will recommend visiting this famous market!

Halls and pavilions were added as even Viktualienmarkt Munich started lacking in space for its eager shoppers. At the center, you’ll find an authentic Bavarian Maypole displaying aspects of life in Munich.

If you need to rest your feet a little, you can relax in the beer garden . Then walk around to find the fountains with statues commemorating folk singers and comedians.

11) Hofbräuhaus München

• Opening Hours : 9 am-12 am daily.
• Cost : Depends on what you order.
• Website : https://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en/hofbraeuhaus.html

Today, we associate Germany with tall glasses of beer, but 500 years ago, Bavaria was far from being a beer nation. At the time, beer was imported from Northern Germany, and boy, was it expensive! Like any beer lover, the rulers wanted more beer for less money, and commissioned their own brewery in 1589: the Hofbräuhaus München

It was initially reserved for royals , and they were only allowed to brew stout and white beer. The beer hall was then added in 1897 and eventually opened to the public.

You can take a look at the glass cellar or sit down for a refreshing drink — perhaps in the very same spot where Mozart or the Empress Elisabeth of Austria once sat! Adolf Hitler presented his “25-Point Program” in this very bar as well.

You can unwind here until as late as midnight — the Hofbräuhaus is hands down one of the best things to do in Munich at night!

If you’re also thinking of visiting Seville, Spain, click here to read my self-guided walking tour of Seville!

Got More Time to Explore Munich?

If you have time leftover after your Munich walking tour, consider adding these things to do in Munich, located close to where your tour left off:

• National Theater
• Theatine Church
• Munich Residenz

And obviously, if you’re visiting Munich in mid-September to October, you have to check out Oktoberfest! The largest beer festival in the world, Oktoberfest is a 17- to 18-day festival where you can drink tons of beer, enjoy some rides and carnival games, and wear Trachten, the traditional outfits for Oktoberfest .

Finally, if you’re wondering what else to do in Munich, here are the top attractions not yet mentioned:

• English Garden
• Nymphenburg Palace
• Alte Pinakothek
• Neuschwanstein Castle (one of the best day trips from Munich!)

And That’s It for our Free Walking Tour of Munich!

And so we have come to the end of your free walking tour of Munich. If you have 2 days in Munich or even just 1 day in Munich, this walking tour will help you make the very best of your time. Happy exploring!

Thanks for reading the article! If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below, and if you want to see more travel and hike-related content, make sure to check out my other articles.

Photos by Mia and Pixabay.

About to embark on a trip around Europe? Here are some helpful articles to make your trip as awesome and stress-free as possible:

• How to Travel Around Europe
• How to Travel Without Breaking the Bank
• 15 Things to Do Before a Trip
• My 5-Week Europe Itinerary
• The Minimalist Europe Fall Packing List for Women
• How to Start Hiking: 15 Beginner Hiking Tips

And here are some additional helpful links:

• Click here for my walking tours
• Click here for my hiking guides
• Click here for more posts on Europe
• Click here for more posts on Germany
• Click here for more resources

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Mia is the founder of Walk a While with Me, a travel blog dedicated to sharing the best self-guided walking tours, travel itineraries, and hikes for destinations around the world. A keen traveler, she has visited more than 20 countries in the past six years. She is excited for you to follow along on her adventures!

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‎ Germany ‎ > Munich > Free Munich Walking Tour Map

Top 10 Munich Tips | Suggested Itineraries For Munich

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Old Town Walking Tour
• English Garden Walking Tour
• Oktoberfest
• Dachau Memorial
• More Sights
• Overview & Dates
• Top 25 Oktoberfest Tips
• Best Beer Tents
• How To Dress
• Most Popular Songs
• Table Reservations
• Beer and Wine Tips
• History Of Oktoberfest
• Best Day Trips
• Helpful Tourist Tips
• Suggested Itineraries for Munich
• Transportation Tips
• Historical Overview

Free Munich Walking Tour:

Walking Tour Location : Old Town Munich ( Altstadt ) Cost : Free, Self-Guided ( Museum and sight costs below ) Style : Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided ) Start : Karlsplatz Stachus Square & Metro Stop End : Hofbräuhaus Beer Hall & Restaurant Walking Distance : 2.5 miles Time :  90 Minutes for Walk ( Full tour 6+ hours with all stops ) Fun Scale : 9.5 out of 10

Munich’s compact Old Town is one of our favorite places to walk in Europe. Primarily geared toward pedestrians, the neighborhood truly is where old meets new and is a perfect setting for a free walking tour.  Originally surrounded by a series of Medieval walls, you still enter Old Town Munich through the mighty city gates.  Once inside you’ll experience great shopping mixed in with historic beers halls, amazing museums, and even a royal palace.  The Bavarian atmosphere is very predominate everywhere you turn which adds to the fun of our free Munich walking tour.

To help you maximize your time in this wonderful city we have put together the perfect self-guided walking tour of Old Town for you.  We go to Munich often, and this walking tour will make sure you hit up all the must-see attractions along with a couple of hidden gems.  Enjoy our free Munich walking tour map!

Historical Overview of Old Town:

Settled by Benedictine Monks in the 700s, Old Town Munich is full of rich history.  While Munich ( München ) means “by the monks”, you’ll see a lot of Lion Statues on this Old Town Munich walking tour because it was officially founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion.  Early-day Munich was less than 1 square mile centered on Market Square and was surrounded by a gated Medieval wall.

As a growing trading power, Old Town Munich tripled in size by the 1300s and was surrounded by a larger wall with a wide moat to protect the booming city.  The expansion of Old Town was largely fueled by Munich’s Wittelsbach family who took over ruling Bavaria in 1180 and quickly moved the capital from Regensburg to Munich.  The powerful family formed an imperial dynasty through the year 1918 and even produced multiple Holy Roman Emperors along the way.  Old Town Munich quickly became known around Europe for its museums, its beauty, and of course its festive beer halls.

Dark days came upon Munich after Hitler helped form the Nazi Party here starting in 1919 which eventually led to Old Town being heavily bombed in World War 2.  Luckily as the new modern Munich rose out of the ashes, many of the historic sights were persevered or rebuilt.  Today, Old Town Munich has a ton of great attractions and an unbeatable atmosphere to keep you coming back again and again.  The sights on this free Munich walking tour will help you experience true Bavarian charm as you fall in love with Munich.

1. Karl’s Square – Stachus ( Karlsplatz ):

About Karlsplatz : We love to start our free Munich walking tour by entering one of Old Town’s city wall gates which date back to Medieval times.  Our favorite gate is the castle-like New House Gate ( Neuhausertor ) on the Westside of Old Town near Karlsplatz Square.  This lively square has been the primary Western entrance into Munich’s Old Town since the original Inner City Wall ( Innere Stadtmauer, built 1156-75 ) was expanded into the Outer City Wall ( Äußere Stadtmauer, built 1285-1347 ) to fit a rapidly growing city.

First built as a single tower gate called New House Tower ( Neuhauser turm ) in 1302, this was one of 4 main gates making up Munich’s new outer boundary.  The entrance you see today was added right in front of the of the tall tower in 1337 as part of a new double-walled ditch which opened up to a wide protective moat that surrounded the entire city of Munich.  The only way to access the New House Gate was over an impressive drawbridge that spanned the length of the current Karlsplatz Square until a stone bridge replaced it after the 30 Years War in the 1600s ( See Photo ).  Following this post-war expansion, there were a total of 8 main gateways into the City Wall and almost 60 watchtowers scattered throughout Old Town Munich.

Most of the Western section of the city wall was later removed by Elector Karl Theodor in 1791 to make way for an expanding and modern city.  With the wall section removed and the moat filled in, Karl gave the newly formed square and old New House Gate a facelift which both came to bear his name ( Karlstor & Karlsplatz ) after his death in 1799.

While Karl ( reign 1777-99 ) did leave a positive mark on Munich by turning the royal hunting grounds as the English Garden park and expanding salt mining in Bad Reichenhall, he was widely unliked as a Wittelsbach-cousin outsider imported from the Netherlands.  One of his missteps was ending the beloved Scarlet Horse Race ( Scharlachrennen ) in 1786 which had been held outside the city walls near today’s Karlsplatz since 1448.  Karl also ended other local celebrations like the annual Butcher’s Leap which didn’t help his popularity with the commoners.

Because locals thought of Karl as an unfair ruler, they started calling the square by its nickname Stachus Square instead, after the Beim Stachus Pub that once stood near the New House Gate.  Notice how we prefer to call the gate by its original name of New House instead of Karlstor.  The tall central watch tower just inside the New House Gate was turned into gunpowder storage in the 1800s and remained standing until an explosion blew it up in 1857.

After devastating WW2 bombings, Karlsplatz Square required a ton of renovations, but has since turned into one of Old Town Munich’s focal points.  Part of the re-build incorporated three boy musician statues under the gate’s arch which came from the Market Fountain ( now the Fish Fountain ) in Munich’s main square which was also damaged in the war.  Huge retail centers now flank the New House Gate and overlook a sprawling fountain .  The fountain shoots dozens of water jets high into the air and is a popular attraction for people of all ages, especially kids.  In the Winter months, the fountain even becomes an ice skating rink.

Our favorite fountain in Munich called the Fountain Boy ( Brunnen Buberl ) , sits just inside the New House City Gate.  This playful fountain was originally built in the middle of Karlsplatz Square in 1895 before being moved to the pedestrian zone right before the 1972 Olympics.  The fountain depicts a naked boy shielding his face as Satyr ( a drunk Greek woodland God ) spits water at him.  Citizens were initially mad that a leaf didn’t cover the boy’s privates, but it has become the most popular fountain on this free Munich walking tour.  Photos : ( Gate in the 1600s | Inside of Gate in 1700s ).  360 Degree Panoramas : ( During the Day | At Night ).

2. Citizen’s Hall Church ( Bürgersaalkirche ):

About Citizen’s Hall : Built in 1709, the Citizen’s Hall ( Bürgersaalkirche ) building has been a famous meeting and gathering point through the centuries.  The bright pink facade of Citizen’s Hall really stands out among the neighboring buildings, but it is the interior’s gold-accented alter that truly shines.  The alter and painted frescoes were added in 1778 when the Citizen’s Hall was converted into a church .  Although it was heavily damaged in WW2 and largely rebuilt, the church now looks almost exactly like it did in the 1700s thanks to renovations.

On October 17th, 1810 mass was held at the Citizen’s Hall ( Bürgersaalkirche ) followed by a procession out of the city gates where a horse race was held for the 5th and final day of Prince Ludwig I’s wedding celebration.  The race was attended by 40,000 spectators and was the start of the modern Oktoberfest festival.  The tradition of the procession to the grounds from old town Munich still takes on Oktoberfest’s opening weekend.

The religious artwork inside Citizen’s Hall Church underwhelms many visitors, but it does have some wonderful pieces.  The best works are the reliefs on the altar, an interesting series of paintings on the nave walls, and an angel statue near the entrance you’ll for sure love.  History buffs will want to visit the lower level of the church for the tomb of Rupert Mayer , a famous Jesuit priest who stood up to the Nazis occupation.   Photo : ( Interior ).  Church Website : ( HERE ).

3. Richard Strauss Fountain :

About The Richard Strauss Fountain :  Often missed by tourists, the 18 foot tall Richard Strauss Fountain was designed to pay tribute to the composure’s most famous opera, Salome .  Strauss was born in Munich in 1864 and is one of the city’s few iconic musicians from his era which was dominated by cities like Salzburg, Berlin, and Vienna.  His composing talents made him the Kapellmeister of Munich by age 22, long before Strauss’ opera Salome was released in 1905.

The six different carved reliefs around the fountain’s column each depict a different scene from Salome.  The water pouring down the column from the large bowl above is supposed to symbolize the final dance in the opera called the Dance of the Seven Veils.  While most people walk right by the wonderful fountain without inspecting it, examining the details close up will help you appreciate its beauty.

One really interesting note about Richard Strauss is that his ancestors started the Hacker Brewery in Munich back in 1417.  In the late 1700s, Strauss’s paternal grandfather Joseph Pschorr bought out other relatives and even opened a second brewery called Pschorr next to the home Strauss was born in.  These two breweries later merged as Hacker-Pschorr and are now sold worldwide in addition to their beer halls and Oktoberfest tent in Munich.  Note that we will be ending this free Munich walking tour at the most famous brewery in town, the Hofbrauhaus.   Photo : ( Fountain With Tourists ).

4. Saint Michael’s Church ( Michaelskirche ):

About Michaelskirche : As you approach the doors of the massive Saint Michael’s Church, a gleaming bronze sculpture of the Archangel Michael fighting a demon-like Protestant peers down at as you.  Completed in 1588, the beautiful sculpture signals to the religious conflicts of Munich’s past.  This work is the only part of the Church’s original facade that survived the heavy Allied bombings during WW2.  The other rows of re-created statues on the front of the Church portray the Counter-Reformation , an anti-Protestant movement in the late 1500s which Saint Michael’s Church was the center of.

As you explore Saint Michael’s, the huge interior under a barrel-vaulted roof reaffirms the claim that it is the largest Renaissance church North of the Alps .  Saint Michael’s Church is so grand in size that it actually served as the head of the Catholic Church’s Counter-Reformation efforts in the 1500s.  Because of damage from the war, Saint Michael’s Church doesn’t have the same over-the-top stucco interior as many other churches in Munich have, but its size and historic value make it worth a quick stop.

Today the Church’s main attraction is the Royal Crypt which holds 40 decorative tombs mainly of the Wittelsbach family who ruled Bavaria from 1180 through 1918 AD.  Of the royal tombs, the most visited is that of “ Mad” King Ludwig II .  Ludwig was disliked in his day for being disconnected from the people and for being an over-spender, but is loved today for the numerous castles and palaces he built.  One of this castles, Neuschwanstein Castle, is so beautiful that it inspired Walt Disney to make his version of Snow White’s Castle.

Church Hours : Daily 9am-7pm; Thursday open until 845pm; Sunday open until 10pm.   Crypt Hours : Monday-Friday 930am-530pm; Saturday 930am-230pm.   Cost : Church Free, Crypt 2 euros.   Church Website : ( HERE ).

5. Saint Anna’s Church ( Damenstiftskirche ):

About Saint Anna’s Church : The exterior is so plain that you could easily miss the grand interior of Saint Anna’s Church ( Sankt Anna ).  There has been a chapel here continuously since 1440 which later became a Gothic church with a small convent.  In 1735, the old Gothic church made way for today’s  Ladies’ Pin Church ( Damenstiftskirche ) .  Since Medieval times, a Ladies’ Pin was a convent-like foundation for unmarried noblewomen and widows to devote themselves to without giving full vows as nuns.

If you are confused by the church having two names it is because Ladies’ Pin is often referred to by its nickname Saint Anna’s Church after Princess Maria Anna of Saxony ( 1728-1797 ) who served as the abbess after her husband died in 1777.  The beloved Anna was the Princess of Saxony and Poland before her marriage to Maximilian III also made her Electress of Bavaria.

The highlight of the Saint Anna’s Church was the amazing interior done by Munich’s famous Asam Brothers during the 1735 rebuild.  The brothers became world renown church builders for their over-the-top stucco interiors.  We will see the Asam Brothers’ home and elaborate show house church later on this free Munich walking tour.

During WW2 the interior of Saint Anna’s was badly damaged including the frescoes and stucco work.  While the interior has been masterfully restored you can tell the newer work based on its color.  Because they only had black and white photos to work off of in during the post-war restoration, many of the murals were given a sepia tone instead of guessing on the original colors.  The result is not quite the over-the-top antique grotto feel the church originally had in the 1700s, but the interior is still very beautiful.  Today grounds of Saint Anna’s former convent serve as an all-girls junior high school.

Church Hours : Doors are usually unlocked Dawn-Dusk and even if the nave is closed you can still see the interior through a large grate inside.   Cost :  Free.   Photos : ( Entrance Doors ).   Address : Damenstiftstraße #1.

6. Asamhof Passage :

About Asamhof Passage : Walking South of Saint Anna’s Church you’ll pass an amazing tree sculpture and then come to pedestrian corridor known as the Asamhof Passage.  This restaurant-lined alley is a hidden gem on Munich as it is filled with umbrella tables and tons of flowers.  Most of the restaurants stay open year round and have indoor seating in the Winter.  Our favorite place to eat in the passage is Café Bricelta ( website ).  As you walk the alley there are a number of cool statues which were added during rennovations to Asamho in the 1980s.  The most playful statue is that of a homeless man slumped over on the curb from 1982 called The Cold Night ( Die kalte Nacht ) .

7. Saint Johann Nepomuk Church ( Asamkirche ):

About Asamkirche : WOW!  At just 30 feet wide, this is truly one of the most amazing church interiors in the World.  In 1740, the famous Asam brothers moved into the house next door and started building their main showroom church. The brothers were known for over-the-top Rococo interiors and spared no lavish details with what is considered their masterpiece.  Officially named after St John of Nepomuk, the church is commonly known today as Asamkirche ( pronounced Ah-Sham Kear-Sha ).

Your experience starts with a breath-taking artistic facade complete with the figure of St. John of Nepomuk looking down from above 20-foot-tall large wooden doors.  Saint John of Nepomuk was a Christian priest who was tossed off the St Charles Bridge in Prague to die when he refused to tell the King secrets he had promised to keep private. He has since become a symbol of integrity and keeping your word and was the favorite Saint of Asam brothers.

The dark Baroque interior is ornately decorated with stucco, gilding, and paintings to the point where it almost looks like it is right off of an opera set. As you enter the church, a golden skeleton figure representing death cuts a man’s string of life reminding us all that no one escapes death.  The entire focus of the storybook interior funnels to a bright golden window meant to feel like the eye of God staring down at you.

It is amazing that the brothers fit so much detail into a church that only holds 12 pews.  Living in the neighboring house, they even made sure the high altar was visible from their bedroom rooms.  The finished work left quite on the impression on congregation representatives from around Europe who would come on private tours and place orders for the Asam brother’s to build new churches for them.

Hours :  Daily 9am-5pm, often until 6pm in the Summer. Saturday-Thursday 915am-6pm.  Cost : Free.  Photos : ( Exterior  | Interior Ceiling | Interior Wall | Asam House ).   Address : Sendlingerstraße #62.

8. “ New ” Sendlinger Gate ( Sendlinger Tor ):

About Sendlinger Tor : Munich’s first city wall expanded here in the late-1200s marked with a tall multistory central gate tower.  Although the original city gate 4 blocks to the Northeast was already called Sendlinger Tor, this new tower retained the same name because it was on the important Sendlinger Road .  This road was a main trade route in Medieval times and led from Munich to Italy.

Sendlinger Tor’s two brick towers you see today were built in 1318 and remain the oldest part of the 3 city gates still standing in Munich.  The towers were added in front of the central tower as part of a double wall surrounded by a moat complete with a large drawbridge.  The gateway was further fortified in the 1600s including the drawbridge being replaced by a hefty stone bridge.

Today the mighty brick gate is beautifully covered in vines and leads visitors into a series trendy shops.  Just outside the gate is the famous Sendlinger Tor Film Theater.   Opened in 1913, this vintage theater shows new release movies, however, the movie posters are still painted on just like the early days of film.  Photos : ( Gate in the 1600s | Gate in the 1600s close up | Back of Tower in 1805 ).

9. Munich City & Jewish Museums :

About The Museums :  Sitting inside a former 15th Century city arsenal, the Munich City Museum ( Münchner Stadtmuseum ) is one of only a few museums worth a stop in Munich.  The museum highlights all periods of Munich’s history, from its monk origins, the numerous fires, its time as the seat of Bavaria, the growth of the Nazi Party, and the effects of WW2.  One of the coolest exhibits at the City Museum is one that traces the past 200 years of Oktoberfest.  While a lot of exhibits are seasonal only, the Museum still makes for a great look into Munich’s culture, especially on a rainy day.

Sitting right next door to the City Museum is one of Munich’s hidden gems, the Jewish Museum .  The first Jewish museum in Munich opened back int 1928 and it was housed in a very cramped house.  This was around the same time that Hitler started forming his Nazi party and through the horrors of the Holocaust it is amazing that items still remain to display today.

The current Jewish Museum and was opened in 2007, 69 years after the Nazis tore down Munich’s synagogues.  It is modern looking building is filled with great exhibitions centered on Jewish history in Munich.  Instead of feeling like a Holocaust museum, the Jewish Museum is more like a cultural learning experience.  This is a great stop especially if you plan on visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial  while in Munich.

Visiting Hours : Both run Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm.  Admission Cost : They are each 4 euros, but if you go to the City Museum you get the Jewish Museum half off.  City Museum Website : ( HERE ).   Jewish Museum Website : ( HERE ).

10. Old Cattle Market Square ( Rindermarkt ):

About Rindermarkt :  Serving as City’s main cattle market in Medieval times, Rindermarket was built at the Southern entrance of Munich’s original city wall.  Dominating the square was the initial Sendlinger Tower Gate ( Sendlinger Tor ) which was built in 1175 and served as an important trading crossroads  because Sendlinger Straße was the main road out of Munich toward Italy.

By the early-1200s this section of the city wall already had to be slightly expanded and bubbled out along Rosenthal Street.  This expansion included another small gate called Rose Tower ( Rosenturm ) and a seven-story-tall brick water tower called the Lion Tower ( Löwenturm ) .  The impressive Lion Tower still survives today because in the 1500s it was incorporated into a large stately home to provide water for its garden.  It had almost been completely forgotten about until bombing in WW2 ruined the home and revealed the tower once again.

A citywide expansion of Munich’s original wall from 1285 to 1347 pushed this section outward 4 blocks and included the building of the New Sendlinger Tower Gate.  Parts of the Old City Wall were removed to make way for a larger cattle market surrounded by new homes for some of the wealthiest tradesmen in Munich, but the Interior Sendlinger Tower was left standing.

One of the wealthiest traders to live near the Cattle Market Square was the salt merchant Johann Baptista Ruffini who Interior Sendlinger Tower from the City in 1708 and built his house right night to it.  The tower later became known as Ruffini Gate ( Ruffiniturm ) in his honor until it was torn down 1808.

In the late-1800s the city bought back the property and had a design competition to rebuild Ruffini’s home.  The winning design was completed in 1906 and was comprised of 3 different styles of family homes joined together around a triangle courtyard.  The result was almost perfect and the facade of the Ruffinihaus is one of our favorite buildings in Munich.  The tombstone of Johann Baptista Ruffini can be seen on the outside walls of Saint Peter’s Church which we will visit on our next stop of this free Munich walking tour.

Make sure to check out the large cascading Cattle Market Fountain ( Rindermarkt Brunnen ) before leaving the square.  It built in 1964 in honor of the old cattle market and is completed by numerous cattle figures.  Photos : ( Ruffini Tower in the 1600s | Rose & Lion Towers in the 1600s ).

11. Saint Peter’s Church ( Alter Peterskirche ):

About Saint Peter’s Church : Saint Peter’s Church is the oldest parish in town and pre-dates the city of Munich itself.  In the 700s a group of Benedictine Monks were the first to settle here and built modest monastery and chapel on what they called Saint Peter’s Hill.  Not only did this define the Munich’s location, but the name München is literally derived from Mönch, the German word for monk, basically meaning Monk Settlement.  The city of Munich was officially founded in 1158 when the Monks are given permission by Henry the Lion to hold a market.

After the Wittelsbachs took over Bavaria in 1180, the first permanent Saint Peter’s Church was built in a Romanesque style.  This new wooden church latest until 1327 when it burned down and was replaced with a larger Gothic style church complete with 2 large bell towers.  Shortly after the Gothic reconstruction, the 1st public clock in Munich was installed on Church.

Saint Peter’s Church was greatly damaged once again in the 1400s and the twin bell towers could not be saved.  Instead of rebuilding, they added a new Renaissance steeple between the former twin towers and slanted their tops to match the roof line which you can still see today.  Even more clocks were added to this new steeple with 2 on each for a total of 8 to ensure you could see the time no matter where you were.  The steeple bell tower even got a balcony in the 1600s which allowed it to become an important fire lookout until 1936.

Today you can climb up to get an amazing view of Munich from the fire balcony if you are willing to hike up 306 steps .  You will even be able to see far away sights to the North such as Olympic Stadium on a clear day.  The view will also help you get a lay of the land for the sights on this free Munich walking tour map.

Make sure to explore the richly decorated interior of St Peter’s Church, its gold-laced giant Alter, and even a skeleton?  That’s right, not only is there a Reliquary with a ton of assorted bones/skulls, but also the almost comical, gem-covered skeleton of Saint Munditia . Housed in the 2nd enclave on the left side of the church, Mundita’s wide-eyed stare and rotten tooth smile will be something you will surely remember from your trip.  Murdered in 310AD, she was decorated in 1675 before finally being put on display here.  It’s only fitting to see this odd collection as Munich is said to have more relics than any other city outside of Rome.

These relics make it easy to miss the elements of St Peter, whom the church is named for, above the altar and on the ceiling.  The painting on the ceiling represents Saint Peter being crucified upside-down on Vatican Hill in Rome which served as a springboard for the growth of Catholicism.  Most of the paintings were damaged in WW2 and it took until the year 2000 to repair them all.

Hours : Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat & Sun 10am-630pm.  Cost : Free, spire climb is 1.50 Euros.  Photos : ( Interior | Alter | St Mundita’s Remains | Reliquary | View from Bell Tower 1 | View From Bell Tower 2 ).

12. Victuals Market ( Viktualienmarkt ):

About Viktualienmarkt : Victuals is a Latin word for food, which is fitting for this daily market often called  The Stomach of the City .  The Viktualienmarkt (pronounced:  vick-tool-lee-an market ) started as a simple farmers market in the 1700s known as Green Market ( Grünermarkt ), but quickly grew to overtake Marienplatz as Munich’s main market.  Most of the markets from Munich’s main square were ordered to move here in 1807 and in just 16 years it was packed to the brim with stalls.  When the neighboring Holy Ghost Hospital was demolished in 1885 it gave the proper room for the Viktualienmarkt to expand with proper space.

The sprawling market now has over 100 produce stands organized into 6 sections and even has a welcoming shaded beer garden  which opened in 1970.   Sitting at a table with a tablecloth means you will have a server come to you and no tablecloth means it is a self-service area where you buy from the stands or bring your own food with you.  Every 6 weeks the market features a different one of Munich main breweries on tap making it the most diverse of the City’s 180 beer gardens.  This is also out favorite place to relax and people watch on this free Munich walking tour.

If you are hungry, make sure to stop by the legendary Münchner Suppenküche soup kitchen to eat like a local.  The most popular items are goulash soup, Krustis sandwiches, and sausage with sauerkraut.   There is even a wonderful umbrella lined terrace we love called  Rischart Cafe ( website ) which sits above a row of former late-Medieval butcher shops.

The blue and white, candy-striped Maypole overlooking Viktualienmarkt is an extremely iconic imagine in Munich and definitely worth a photo or two.  This one, decorated in an Oktoberfest theme, is one of 30 Maypoles scattered around town.  Maypoles date back to per-Christian times and are symbols of fertility and luck.  Each year on May Day ( May 1st ) spring celebrations are held around the Maypoles including the tapping of the new year’s batch of beer.  In Medieval times during May Day, the top of the Maypole would have market items hanging from the halo wreath on the top.  If you could climb up to the top barefoot you got to keep the prizes waiting there for you.  During the holiday season Viktualienmarkt also hosts a Christmas Market which features the Maypole covered in lights.

If it is bad weather consider stopping at the nearby Schrannenhalle  ( website )   covered shopping hall.  The hall was originally built by King Maximilian I to store grain modeled after French storehouses.  It burned down in 1932 but was rebuilt in 2005 to hold an indoor market, shops, and restaurants.  On the North side of the hall is the Der Pschorr Beer Hall   ( website ) which has very tasty beer.  Like most produce stands in Munich, it is normal for the workers to grab the fruits and vegetables you like for you instead of pulling them from the shelves yourselves.  We were a little confused by this on our first visit, but even if you don’t speak German it is easy to just point to what you want.

Market Hours : Monday-Saturday Early morning until dusk; Schrannenhalle is open the same days 10am-10pm.  Photos : ( Overview From Air ).   360 Degree Panorama : Click Here .  Market Website : ( HERE ).

13. Old Town Hall ( Altes Rathaus ):

About Old Town Hall : The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus , pronounced Alt-as Rat-house ) adds some much welcomed Medieval flair into the center of old town and is a favorite spot for photographers.  The spired watchtower, which is called the Valley Fort Tower ( Talburgtor ) , was built in 1175 as one of the five original city gates on the very 1st protective wall surrounding Old Town Munich.  Outside of the gate, the wall was protected by the Baker’s Stream ( Pfisterbach ) which served as a flowing moat.  From the late-1100s this was the Munich’s main Eastern gate until the city walls were expanded out toward Isar Gate ( built in 1337 ).

The original city council offices were inside the Small Town Hall ( Kleines Rathaus ) built onto the South side of the watchtower in 1310.  The grand hall you see today on the Northside of the watchtower is called the Dance House ( Tanzhaus ) .  It was built before 1395, housed the prison in the basement, a bakery and meeting rooms on the main floor, and had a large dancehall ballroom on the upper floor.  Notice the small square fountain in front of the Old Town Hall?  This was the central fountain the small Herb Market ( Kräutlmarkt ) which in Medieval times sold eggs, herbs, and grain as visitors entered the city.

The Old Town Hall watchtower, offices, and Dance House were given a mutual castle-like makeover after a fire in 1460 to show Munich’s power as a major trading hub.  While the buildings were almost completely leveled by WW2 bombings , they have been faithfully restored.  The only real changes were the Small Town Hall was eliminated to make room for the road and the first floor of the Dance House was turned into open arcades for pedestrian passage.

Two original Medieval statues were preserved on the watchtower including Henry the Lion who officially founded Munich in 1158 before the Wittelsbachs took over in 1180.  On the Westside of the tower is a statue of Ludwig IV , called the Bavarian, who ruled during the early 1300s in the height of the salt trade.  Ludwig ( Louis the 4th ) became the Holy Roman Emperor and declared Munich’s main square to officially be public for the people.

Since 1983, the tower has served as a 4-story Toy Museum filled with dolls, doll houses, trains, teddy bears, and vintage Barbies.  While the museum is more for toy lovers it offers great views of the square below.  Near the base of the tower is the popular bare-chested Juliet Statue given to Munich by its sister city of Verona, Italy in 1974.  The right breast of the bronze statue from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet has been polished to a golden shine by visitors rubbing it for good luck.

Tower Toy Museum Hours : Daily 10am-5:30pm.  Museum Cost : Adults 4€, Kids 1€.

14. Fish Fountain ( Fischbrunnen ):

About Fischbrunnen :  While we will visit the rest of Munich’s main square ( Marienplatz ) and the gigantic New Town Hall next on this free walking tour, it’s important to see the town’s medieval roots at the Fish Fountain ( Fischbrunnen ).   There was at one point three separate fountains and well in the vast square, but this was the most important one.

Initially called the Market Fountain and Citizen Fountain, there has been a fountain on this spot continuously since 1318 when the square was declared the property of the people by Lugwig IV.   Through the Middle Ages, the Market Fountain was used for drinking water, as a meeting point, and also by local fishmongers to store live fish to keep them fresh.  The first version of the Fish Fountain had a simple column which was later topped with a citizen/tradesmen statue.

Since the 1400s,  Purse Washing has been a significant tradition at the Fish Fountain.  Every Ash Wednesday locals would wash out their money bags in the fountain in hopes they will be filled again in the coming year.  To this day, the Mayor of Munich still washes out the City’s coffers in the fountain’s turquoise water with the town treasurer.

In the 1860s the Fish Fountain got a substantial 3-level makeover with bronze statues of four butcher apprentices tossing out buckets of water, under a row of four musical children, and capped with a tradesman ( journeymen butcher ) raising a cup.  This new design paid homage to the  Metzgersprung ( Butcher’s Leap ) which was held here every year on Rose Monday ( two days before Ash Wednesday ).  The event was considered a rite of initiation as young butchers were issued journeyman letters for the official conclusion of their apprenticeship training.  The butcher apprentices would then jump into the Fish Fountain as a baptism to wash themselves of youthful sins wearing costumes draped in sheep’s eyes hung with calf’s tails.  The newly anointed journeymen then toss coins, apples, and nuts onto the square for the children and toss buckets of water at them as they attempted to grab the prizes.

At the start of the tradition, the joyous Butcher’s Leap also helped people to get back out on the streets and stop being afraid of the water following the Plague of 1634-35 .  It took place every year from the mid-1600s until the controversial Elector Karl Theodor ended it in 1793, but was revived in 1849 by Maximilian II.  After a post-war hiatus from 1954 until 1995, the Butcher’s Leap was brought back again and moved to early September where it now happens every 3 years.

Bombings in WW2 leveled the Fish Fountain, but luckily some of the original statues from the 1860s were recovered.  Three of the musician boys were moved to the New House Gate in Karlsplatz ( which we saw earlier in this free Munich walking tour ), and three of the butcher boys were reused for today’s Fish Fountain built in 1954.  The boys still pour their buckets into the fountain’s base, one holds a fish in the air, and the whole thing is  topped with a chubby fish  to pay homage to the fishy roots.

Photos : ( Fountain In 1760 | Butcher’s Leap In 1863 | Fountain in 1890 )

15. Mary’s Square ( Marienplatz ):

About Marienplatz :  Mary’s Square ( Marienplatz ) has always been the center of Munich back to when the area was first settled by Benedictine Monks in the 700s.  When the Monks got a royal charter from Henry the Lion to start an official marketplace here in 1158 , it formerly founded the city of Munich and started the general layout of today’s Old Town.  Just two years earlier, Henry built a new toll bridge nearby over the Isar River to reroute the Salt Road from the mines in Bad Reichenhall and Hallein ( near Salzburg ) through Munich on its way to Augsburg which helped the marketplace surge.

While called both Market Square ( Marktplatz ) and Stall Square ( Schrannenplatz ) over the centuries, the lively space has been home a wide range of markets.  Since Medieval times they’ve had every type of market  from salt ( boomed in the 1300s ), to produce, fish, meat, and a Christmas market ( which is still active) .  In addition to the markets, at one point there were three separate fountains, a well, the gallows, and the stocks all in the Market Square.

While in Mary’s Square ( Marienplatz ), it is hard to miss the backdrop of the huge New Town Hall ( Neues Rathaus ) which we will visit next on this free Munich walking tour.  Before moving on, make sure to investigate the Virgin Mary Column ( Mariensäule ) in front of New Town Hall which tells an interesting story of Munich’s history.

The column was added by Maximilian the 1st in 1638 declaring Mary the new patron of the city for protecting Munich during times of trouble. Just 6 years earlier ( 1632 ) Munich had survived a 3-week  Swedish occupation  as part of The 30 Years War which was followed by an outbreak of the Bubonic Plague of 1634-35 that wiped out 1/3 of the population.  While Mary was given the credit for protecting the city in both cases, it also helped that the Swedes were paid off with 600,000 barrels of beer to spare the Munich.

The beautiful column is capped with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary which was originally crafted in 1590  for the nearby Church of Our Lady ( Frauenkirche ) which we will visit later on this free Munich walking tour.  Below the beautiful golden icon, four playful child-like warrior statues surround the sturdy base of the column on each of its corners.  These four child statues are all depicted fighting different creatures to symbolize adversities that Munich has overcome: war represented by the lion, pestilence by the rooster-headed creature, famine by the dragon, and heresy by the serpent.

This Virgin May Column is considered the 1st Marian Column built North of the Alps which inspired a wave of them around Europe after traumatic events like war and plagues.  While the fountain survived WW2, the Mary statue was knocked off the top and needed significant repair.  Seeing how pretty the dramatic column is, it is no wonder that Market Square was re-named Mary’s Square ( Marienplatz ) in 1858 as the last of the markets moved to other squares.

16. New Town Hall & Glockenspiel :

About New Town Hall :  From 1801 to 1861 the population of Munich boomed from 40,000 to 120,000 and the City’s needs quickly outgrew the Old Town Hall.  Built over 40 years starting in 1867, the sure size of Gothic-style New Town Hall ( Neues Rathaus, pronounced Noy-as Rat-house ) is stunning.  It sits over a football field long, has 6 courtyards, and  over 400 rooms .  The first phase of the New Town Hall complex was the right side built over the old Landstände Mansion ( 1740 ) which represented outside rule by the former Holy Roman Empire ( dissolved in 1806 ).  The second phase was the left side of the New Town Hall (1898-1905) complete with the iconic Glockenspiel Tower.  While the 600-year-old Gevierten neighborhood behind New Town Hall ( now Marienhof Park ) was leveled in WW2, luckily the complex was largely spared of damage.  Most of the roof burnt off, but only some decorative details and five statues on the facade were ruined.

Dominating New Town Hall’s Gothic facade is the 280-foot-tall central clock tower which is capped by the symbol of Munich, a statue of the Child Monk ( Münchner Kindl ) .  The main attraction of the clock tower is the 2-story, 28-foot-tall  Glockenspiel ( Carillon ) , complete with 43 bells, which is the largest in Germany.  Everyday mechanical figures in the Glockenspiel perform a 15 minute long miniature Medieval tournament , re-enacting numerous events in Munich’s history.  These full performances take place at 11am and Noon with an extra 5pm show in the Summer.

The Glockenspiel shows are manually operated and while the figures look small from the ground, they are actually almost life-sized .  You can get a closer look at the Glockenspiel figures and some commanding city views by taking either the stairs or elevator to the top of the tower.  For the best vantage point of the show itself, head to the third floor of the Hugendubel Bookstore (open 10am-8pm ) across the square from New Town Hall.

The upper level of the Glockenspiel show depicts the Crown Jousting Tournament ( Kröndlstechen ) held on Marienplatz in February 1568 as part of a festival for the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine.  A carnival-like parade of royal court members lead the jousters to battle and on the second rotation, the red rider ( French ) is flung from his horse by a strike from the triumphant blue rider ( Bavarian ).  The powerhouse wedding between cousins made Bavaria’s Wittelsbach rulers related to the Kings of France, Denmark, Scotland, and Spain.  The wedding was attended by royal delegations from all across Europe and was a celebration on a scale not often seen in the Middle Ags.   The day of the wedding at Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), the bride was led to Munich from nearby Dachau by a procession of over 3,500 horses and during the two-week-long party over 600 oxen were roasted.  Duke Wilhelm V went on to become well-known for his religious witch hunts, but is most famous for founding the Royal Beer House ( Hofbrauhaus ) in 1589 which we will visit later on this free Munich walking tour.

The lower level of the Glockenspiel shows the Dance of the Coopers , called Schäfflertanz in German.  The Coopers are dancing to celebrate the end of the Plague of 1517 which folklore says was spread to the people of Munich by the Wurmeck Dragon .  With the people in chaos, a city guardsman hit the dragon with a direct cannon shot, killing it, and ending the plague.  On the Southwestern corner of the New Town Hall, this same story of the Wurmeck Dragon is shown in dramatic sculpture.

Every night 9pm a mini-show called Bedtime for the Münchner Kindl is performed on the sides of the Glockenspiel.  During the show the Münchner Kindl ( Child Monk ), who is the symbol of the city who is led to bed by the Friedensengel ( Angel of Peace ) as the Night Watchman sounds out the City’s Medieval curfew on his horn.

The New Town Hall’s interior is also really cool.  As you enter City Hall’s large central courtyard, which serves as an open-air restaurant, stay to your left to see some great vertical sculptures .  We’re always fascinated by these Gothic sculptures and how they show different stages of men turning into various creatures as you follow up each tier.  Some of the men are turning into horses, another a large bird, and a couple of them even have quite creepy middle stages.

If you are looking for a taste of Medieval drinking, work your way down to the basement tavern called Ratskeller Restaurant  ( website ) which is Munich’s oldest wine cellar.  Prior to the New Town Hall being built, the Ratskeller had been housed in the neighboring mansion called the Landscape House ( now Ludwig Beck ) since Medieval Times and was limited to the upper-class and City Council.  Even if you don’t go down into the Ratskeller ( Council Resturant ) take a minute to look at the decorated details on the entrances, especially the drinking monks on the entrance from the courtyard and the masquerade dancer door knobs on the Eastern doors outside New Town Hall.

Tower Elevator Hours : May-October Daily 10am-7pm; November-April Monday-Friday only 10am-5pm.  Elevator Cost : 2 Euros.  Glockenspiel Show Times : Full 15-minute show at 11am and Noon, plus 5pm in Summer ( March-October ); 5-minute long night show daily at 9pm.  Photos : ( Exterior | At Night | View From St Peter’s | Glockenspiel | Pope at Mary’s Column | Mary’s Column Warrior ).  360 Degree Panoramas : ( Day Time | At Night ).  Video : ( Glockenspiel In Action ).

17. Pedestrian Only Shopping :

About The Shopping :  Munich’s main shopping lane called New House Street ( Neuhauser Strasse ) was turned into a pedestrian-only zone leading up to the 1972 Olympics and is a highlight of any visit.  Since Munich was established as a market town in 1158 the lane was important as the Salt Road trade route passed right through the city from Salzburg in the East to Germany in the West.  The original shopping lane went from the Lower Gate ( Talburgtor ) near Old Town Hall, through Market Square and to the Upper Gate ( Hohentor ) which stood on the West side of Old Town.

As the city wall was expanded in the 1300-1400s, the merchant family Kaufinger moved into the Upper Gate ( Hohentor ) which then became known as Kaufinger Tower ( Kaufingertor ).  Rebuilt in a Gothic style, the tower was later demolished in 1810, but the family’s name lives on along Munich’s shopping lane.  Known as  Kaufingertor Passage ( website ), one of the more modern elements is the covered alleyway that branches off of New house Street.   In 1994 a glass roof was added to the shopping gallery with an illuminated design which is pretty cool.  The lighting in the Kaufingertor Passage even copies the feel of a natural sunset as the colors change every evening gradually over a 90 minute period.  Our favorite element of the Passage is the statue of a man balancing on a beam high above the entrance.  The statue, called Man With Outspread Arms , was created by the artist Stephan Balkenhol and is meant to be inviting everyone into the world of shopping at Kaufingetor.

One block further up the main pedestrian lane from the Passage is the famous Hirmer Department Store ( website ) which is one of the most beautiful buildings in Munich.  The mega-sized clothing store carries a huge collection of high-end Men’s clothing that is almost as impressive as the building itself.  Even if you don’t go inside, your camera will love the flower-laden exterior, especially after dark when it is lit up .  Right in the middle of the intersection in front of the large Hirmer Haus was once the location Munich’s original Western city wall gate called Kaufingertor mentioned above.  A large dark square in the pavement marks the watch tower’s original location and a sculpture relief of what it looked like is on the corner of the Hirmer Haus.

Just past Hirmer is a wonderful collection of great souvenir shops housed in the former Augustiner Monastery from the 1200s.  The building was rebuilt in the 1600s and the best shop is the Max Krug Gift Shop ( website ) which is famous for its beer steins, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers and Christmas ornaments.  If you are looking for a little more high-end shopping, check out the Funf Hofe Shopping Center which we will pass by shortly on this free Munich walking tour map.

18. Cathedral of Our Lady ( Frauenkirche ):

About Frauenkirche : You will be able to see the massive 325-foot tall twin towers of the Cathedral of Our Lady ( Frauenkirche ) hovering above Old Town Munich from almost anywhere in town.  It is by far the tallest church in Munich. This mega-sized cathedral has become a symbol of Munich not only because its dominance in the skyline, but also because the brick towers survived heavy WW2 bombings even when the most of the church was leveled.  The ambitious construction of Frauenkirche started in 1468 to replace the much older Mary’s Church that already stood here.

With most of Germany being Protestant and Bavaria being Catholic, Munich wanted to make a statement with the size of their new Gothic-style City Parish.  The new church was so big that it even covered the graveyard of the previous church and today you can headstones that were incorporated right into the outside walls of Frauenkirche.  Although the builders switched from stone to brick to save money, the new Church quickly ran out of money before the Pope stepped in and saved the project.  With a Papal decree that official Catholic Church indulgences could be bought in Munich, over 120,000 pilgrims showed up over a 3 year period which provided enough money to complete the Frauenkirche.

When the church was completed in 1488, its facade was quite bare and the structure of the towers was exposed. One famous illustration from the Nuremberg Chronicle from 1493 shows the bare towers over the city from an Eastern vantage point, Click For Photo .  The towers were meant to be finished with elaborate Gothic spires to look like the style seen at Saint Stephens Church in Vienna, Cologne Cathedral, and Saint Vitus in Prague, but it never happened because of money.  In 1525, the twin towers were faced off with brick and the tops were covered in a large copper plated onion domes .  An Old Town building height restriction ensured the towers would be seen which was extended throughout the entire city in 2004 as skyscrapers started to pop up.

The interior of Frauenkirche is also gigantic.  The size seems even crazier when you learn that Munich, which was decent sized for Medieval times, only had 13,000 residents when the 20,000-person Cathedral opened.  As you enter all of your attention is funneled to the high altar as tall columns make Frauenkirche appear almost windowless from the entrance.  This is quite a feat as the detailed stained glass windows are actually huge and open up to you the further you walk into the church.

Legend has it that the architect made a deal with the Devil when the project ran out of money that he would help fund the project as long as it had no windows.  After the Church was finished and paid for the Devil realized he was tricked and stomped his foot hard in the entrance making an imprint on the marble floor.  The Devil’s footprint can still be seen today and is one of the biggest attractions at Frauenkirche.  Other highlights include the royals buried here like the huge bronze tomb of Ludwig IV , who ruled during the early 1300s during the height of the salt trade, and was elected Holy Roman Emperor.  During the Summer you can even ascent the massive 325-foot tall towers with a climb of about 90 steps plus an easy elevator ride to get some great views of the city.

Sitting in the courtyard in front of Frauenkirche is a peaceful square calls Frauenplatz.  Every time we visit the church we end up spending a couple minutes sitting by the outdoor art pieces and small pond to relax.  The pond is still feed from what was Munich’s original city moat from 1175 which flowed right around the church grounds.

Cathedral Hours : Daily 7am-7pm; Friday closes at 6pm.  Bell Tower Hours : April-October Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Closed November-March.   Cost : Church Free, Towers 3 euros.  Guided Tours : May-September on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursday at 2pm. Meeting place under the organ loft.  360 Degree Panoramas : ( As Seen From St Peter’s Tower ).  Church Website : ( HERE ).

19. Field Marshall’s Hall ( Feldherrnhalle ):

About Field Marshall’s Hall :  Built by Ludwig I in 1841, the large 4 column, open-air gallery capping the square is called the Field Marshall’s Hall ( Feldherrnhalle ).  Modeled after the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence , this Italian gallery was meant to honor the commanders of the Bavarian Army.

While the gallery was supposed to get many more statues over time, it only has three main works.  The two statues flanking both ends  were in honor of revered Bavarian military heroes, Johann Tilly and Karl Von Wrede.  The largest statue in the middle was added in 1870 in honor of the soldiers who died in the Franco Prussian War in 1870.  The two large lions guarding the steps were not added until 1900.  Notice how the lion facing the Palace is growling but the one facing the church is calm with a closed mouth.

On August 1st, 1914 the German declaration of war was announced from the Field Marshall’s Hall in front of a large crowd.  Among the audience was a young Adolf Hitler who joined the military two days later where he was awarded the Iron Cross both First and Second Class.  Hitler returned to the hall in 1923 when his failed revolution called the Beer Hall Putsch was foiled here .

The Beer Hall Putsch began when Hitler and troop of Brown Shirts stormed the Bürgerbräukeller Beer Hall at 8:30pmon November 8th, 1923.  Hitler himself fired shots into the ceiling, took hostages and declared that a revolution was at hand to overthrow the government.  His revolution stalled and by the next morning, he decided to march with 3,000 of his men in the direction of Berlin.  As the march approached the Field Marshall’s Hall, they were met by the Bavarian Police and Army a clash broke out with an exchange of fire.  During the exchange, 16 Nazis and 4 police were killed, and even Hitler wounded his shoulder before being arrested two days later and jailed for 9 months.

During the first year of Nazi rule in 1933, Hitler made the gallery a guarded memorial for the Nazis that died that day.  All citizen who passed the memorial were forced to give the Nazi salute.  Every year on the November 9th anniversary of the Putsch they would have a parade following the original route of the failed march through town.  Everything Nazi-related was quickly removed from the Hall after WW2 and a plaque honoring the 4 policemen that died during the Beer Hall Putsch was added in 1994.  Today the Hall and square in front of it often hold concerts and art installations.

20. Theatine Church ( Theatinerkirche ):

About Theatinerkirche : In 1650 Elector Ferdinand married an Italian princess in a powerhouse arranged marriage.  Ferdinand didn’t even get to meet his bride until a year after they wed as a representative of the Royal Court was sent in his place for the wedding which took place in Italy.  A decade later the couple still hadn’t produced an heir, putting the dynasty in danger.  Things looked bleak as Ferdinand’s wife was sick on her deathbed multiple times.  As a call for help, the couple prayed for a child and made a deal that when it finally happened they built a church in honor of Saint Cajetan of Theatine .  In 1662, the couple finally got their long-awaited heir, Prince Max Emanuel, and work on the Church started the next year.

Only the shell of the Theatinerkirche and adjoining monastery were finished when it opened in 1674.  It took another 16 years to complete the stunning Baroque interior and the current exterior wasn’t done until 1765.  There wasn’t much of a rush on the exterior design as the huge Schwabinger City Gate from the 1300s dominated the Odenplatz Square and many of the outside vantage points at the time the Church was built.  After the gate was torn down in 1817 it opened up the square and views of the golden-yellow Theatinerkirche.  Our favorite elements of the exterior are the Rococo tops on the bell towers and the 2 statues to sides of the main window.  The statue on the left is the church’s patron Saint Cajetan of Thiene ( 1480-1547 ) and on the right is royal heir Prince Max Emanuel who’s birth sparked the project.

The spacious, white-washed interior is one of our favorites in Europe and quite unique.  Elaborate vine and shell decorations fill every inch of the Theatinerkirche along with 100s of child-like winged angle figures.  Details on the columns and inside the 230-foot tall dome are especially beautiful.  The Theatinerkirche feels light, airy, heavenly, and has exceptional beams of light pouring in throughout the day.  As the 1st Italian inspired Baroque churches in Bavaria, you can easily see how this beautiful style became popular throughout Europe.  After the Asam Brother’s Church, we saw earlier on this free Munich walking tour, the Theatine Church is our second favorite in all of Old Town.   Photos : ( Schwabinger Gate in 1600s | Schwabinger Gate in 1765 | Inner side of Gate in 1805 ).  360 Degree Panoramas : ( From The Square | Interior Close Up ).  Church Website : ( HERE ).

21. Royal Court Garden ( Hofgarten ):

About Hofgarten :  Originally laid out between 1613-17 on the North side of the Residenz Palace, the Hofgarten was a private garden  for members of the Wittelsbach Royal Court.  At the time the Royal Court Garden was outside of Munich’s moat and the outer wall, but was quickly protected by a double wall and moat built in 1618 to protect the city during the 30 Years War.  It is said that the new fortifications around the city took a workforce of over 40,000 people 13 years to complete.

To get an idea of what we are talking about, these new fortifications with starred ramparts can be seen around the Hofgarten HERE in a drawing from 1740.  The Hofgarten was opened to the general public in 1780 as the 1st public park in Munich.   With Hofgarten open to the public, the Royal Family then used a private park on East side of the Residenz Palace near their horse stables called Lustgarten which had been laid out in 1550, but later ruined in WW2.

While the open spaces and beer garden are nice, the main draw of the flower-lined Hofgarten park is the  8 portal pavilion in the center.  Built in 1615 to honor Diana, the Greek Goddess of Hunting , the green-domed pavilion is a little plain, but a great place to people watch.  The large building on the East side of the Hofgarten that looks like a greenhouse is actually Bayerische Staatskanzlei  which is home to the office of Bavaria’s Governor and is still the state’s government seat.  Also located adjacent to the Hofgarten is the Munich War Memorial . The most striking inscription is the one covering the 22000 dead, 11000 missing Munich soldiers and 6600 citizens from WWII.

The Hofgarten has turned into an ideal place to get a quick break from the bustling city.  This is also a perfect time to fit in our  English Garden Walking Tour if you are looking to visit the best park in Munich.  The huge English Garden has river surfing, sunbathing, the amazing outdoor Chinese Tower Beer Garden, and lots of open space.  It was laid out of the Schönfeld Meadow and Royal deer hunting grounds shortly after the Hofgarten was made public.   360 Degree Panorama : Click Here .   Photos : ( Garden in 1740 ).

22. Dodgers’ Alley ( Drueckebergergasse ):

About Dodger’s Alley : Viscard Alley in Munich is known locally as Dodgers’ Alley ( Drueckebergergasse ) because of its role during Nazi occupation.  Hitler had established a Nazi memorial on the East side of the Field Marshall’s Hall in honor of his 16 comrades who died here in the failed Beer Hall Putsch of 1923.  The memorial was guarded 24 hours a day and anyone who passed was required to give the Nazi salute.  Citizens who didn’t agree with the Nazi movement would dodge the guards as they walked North from Max Joseph Square by taking a quick left at Viscard Alley passing the Field Marshall’s Hall on the West.  Today a path of bronze bricks  in the pavement has been bronzed to mark the route the dodgers would take to avoid the Nazi memorial.

At the mouth of the alley are two large lion statues marking the Western entrance into the Royal Residence.  The lions, who were the symbol of the ruling Wittlesbach family stand guard while holding shield like coat of arms.  Notice how the muzzle of the face on the shields are brightly polished?  It is said that if you touch the face while you walk by it will bring you good luck.  While the ticket office for the Residenz is on the Southeast corner of the complex, remember the corridor by the lions as it leads to the Palace’s Cuvilliés Theater.

23. Munich Royal Residence ( Residenz ):

About The Munich Residenz : After a failed citizens uprising against the Wittelsbachs, the royal family started to build a small protected retreat along the city wall in 1385 called Neuveste .  This was the perfect location for a retreat as it provided access to the countryside without going through town and was right next to the very strong Silver Tower ( Silberturm ) .  A defensive moat and separate wall were built around the small 4 winged castle which supplied ample defense.  Starting in 1474 the royal family began to split time between Alterhof Palace and Neueste Castle.  The full-time move to the castle became official when William IV set up the first Royal Court at Neuveste in 1508 following the reunification of Upper & Lower Bavaria and the castle remained the main home of the Wittelsbachs until the end of their reign in 1918.

The oddest set of rooms in the Rezidenz are the lavish Stone Rooms which were built in 1612 and filled with tapestries solely to house the Holy Roman Emperor when he would visit.  These unbelievable marble rooms were almost never used which is strange for how cool they are.  They didn’t even put furniture or tapestries in the rooms unless the Emperor was there.  At about the same time the rooms were built, parts of Neueveste Castle and Silver Tower started to be torn down to make way for the expanding Palace, which by 1701 surrounded 4 courtyards.

Like many of the rulers before him, Albrecht VII also had big ambitions for putting his own stamp on the Residenz in 1726.  The first project was the building of new Ornate Rooms to keep up with the other Palaces in Europe.  This new wing was filled with apartments stocked with over the top in rich furniture, artwork and designer wallpaper.  It seems like almost every inch of these rooms is filled with paintings.  Over the years a number the Ornate Rooms have housed many important guests such as Elizabeth II.  Albrecht VII also got working on the Ancestral Gallery with portraits tracing back his famous bloodlines.  Historians widely view the gallery as propaganda, but it worked as Albrecht VII persuaded the people he was related to Charlemagne and was elected Holy Roman Emperor.  Hidden in many of the paintings today are huge square slash marks from where they were quickly cut from their frames to preserve them right before World War 2 bombings.

The most beautiful space in the entire Palace maybe the Residence Theater ( Cuvilliés-Theater ) , constructed by Elector Maximilian Joseph III (1745-77) in 1753.  Originally this theater was located between the Residenz and the State Opera House, but it was leveled in World War 2.  Luckily just before the bombings most of the Theater’s impressive interior was removed and stored for safekeeping until after the war.  When the dust had settled from the war the Theater was rebuilt with the original woodwork where a ballroom from the 1500s once stood.  Below the Theater are a series of Gothic cellars from the ballroom that once connected to Nueveste Castle until the last parts of the Castle burned down in 1750.  While these cellars are all that remain from the castle, an outline of its original footprint shape has been created on the pavement in the Northern courtyard.

The last rounds of expansion happened in the after Bavaria officially became a Kingdom in 1806 under the rule of King Maximilian I Joseph.  His son King Ludwig I ( 1825-1848 ) added a large Festival Hall Wing, the Kings Wing, and the unreal Court Church of All Saints .  The Church was modeled after the Cappella Palatina in Palermo Sicily in a Byzantine-style and was filled with detailed golden mosaics.  Unfortunately, the Church was heavily damaged in WW2 and none of the mosaics survived by the time it reopened as a concert venue in 2003.  When King Ludwig II took over in 1864 he showed his flair for the dramatic by adding a huge greenhouse Winter Garden on the roof of the Northside of the Residenz.  The Garden was meant to feel like a fairytale and had lighting for rainbow and moonlight effects.  While it didn’t survive WW2, Ludwig’s masterpiece Neuschwanstein Castle two hours South of Munich is the most visited fairytale castle in Europe.  After the revolution of 1918, the Wittlesbachs ended their 738-year rule and the Residenz immediately became a public museum.

Residence Hours : April-October 15th Daily 9am-6pm; October 16th-March Daily 10am-5pm ( the Theater opens late Monday-Saturday at 2pm ). Last entrance 1 hour before close.  Entrance Cost : 7€ each for the Museum & Treasury or 11€ for both together, Theater is 3.5€, All 3 for 13€. All are covered by the Castle Pass.  Orchestra Concerts : Every Thursday at 7pm and Saturday at both 6 and 7:30pm the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra has concerts in the same small wedding chapel Mozart played in for 21€.  Hot Tips : If you plan on seeing other palaces and castles during your trip to Bavaria, we suggest getting the Bavarian Castles Pass which gets you into almost all Castles and Palaces for 14 days from your first use.  This pass is 24€ for one person or 40€ for 2 adults plus your kids under 18 years old.  Photos : ( Residenz Layout Map | Antiquarium After WW2 | Neuveste in 1540 | Neuveste Cellars Today ).  360 Degree Photos : ( Antiquarium | Lion Statues | Portrait Gallery | Stone Rooms ).  Palace & Museum Website : ( HERE ).

24. Max Joseph Square :

About Max Joseph Platz : Even if you don’t have time for a show, the exterior of the Opera House looking down at the statue of ruler Max Joseph is still very impressive.  Also consider grabbing a drink on the West side of the square at the outdoor tables to the Spatenhaus Beer Hall which has our favorite beer in Munich, Spaten.

Opera and the theater performances have both been big in Munich for 100s of years with opera companies operating here since the early 1600s.  Maximilian I built the current Greek columned Opera House during his last year as King in 1825 after the original opera house burned down.  The project was inspired by Pantheon in Rome and it covered with two impressive reliefs.  The lower gable has a carved relief of Greeks gods flanking Apollo in the center.  The upper gable is a beautiful golden mosaic with goddesses surrounding a bucking Pegasus.  By the time it opened, the 2100 guest State Opera House was the largest in Europe.  When Mad King Ludwig II took over in the 1860s he greatly expanded the Opera House’s offerings as he was obsessed with the work of Richard Wagner.

The Opera House was unfortunately turned to rubble during WW2 bombings, but it has since fully restored and today the building is grand as it ever was.  Make sure to check out their website if you want to catch an opera or ballet.  Opera House Guided Tours : 1 hour guided tours almost every day of the week at 2pm for 7€.  The meeting point is on the Northern entrance toward Marstallplatz, and not Max Joseph Platz.  Opera Website : ( HERE ).

25. Old Court Palace ( Alter Hof ):

About Alter Hof :  The Old Royal Court ( Alter Hof ), was first built in the 1180s as a small royal estate for the Wittelsbach family who had just taken over the rule of Bavaria from Henry the Lion after he refused to fight for the Holy Roman Emperor.  The family’s royal dynasty ( 1180-1918 ) over Bavaria would go on to last more than 700 years.

Between 1253-55, as Bavaria split into Upper & Lower states, Duke Ludwig II re-built and expanded Alter Hof turning it into the family’s formal Royal Court .  This is also considered the point when the capital of Bavaria officially moved from Regensburg, Germany to Munich.  In 1328 Ludwig IV, who was the 1st prince born in the new Alter Hof, became the King of Germany, the Romans, Italy and the  Holy Roman Emperor .  Ludwig IV’s rise power was also at the height of the regional salt trade and cemented the Wittelsbach’s as a major player in Europe.

As the Alter Hof grew, it was laid out with 5 wings around a central courtyard which housed farm-like gardens and Royal craftsmen.  The palace grounds were home to many animals including pigs, chickens, horses, lions, and monkeys.  One of the exhibits on display today has an interesting story about when a young prince Ludwig IV ( mentioned above ) was taken out of his crib as a baby and dangled high above a window by a pet monkey who eventually put him back unharmed.  Today you will see monkeys painted on the outside of the turret windows inside Alter Hof’s central square called the Monkey Tower.

After a failed citizen’s uprising , the royal family built a small moated retreat called Neuveste Castle ( now the Munich Residenz ) for protection just North of Alter Hof in 1385.  By 1474, the Wittelsbachs started to formerly split time between the two residences before official moving the Royal Court to Neuveste Castle in 1506 following the reunification of Upper & Lower Bavaria .  After the move, Alter Hof was used to house government departments, a horse stable, and the royal mint while Neuveste was slowly expanded into today’s Munich Residenz Palace.  You may remember the Munich Residenz from earlier in this free Munich walking tour.

While Alter Hof was heavily damaged in WW2, parts have been reconstructed to house exhibits where you can learn about its history and how day-to-day life was in a Medieval royal court.  We find the Gothic Hall to be the most interesting of the exhibits today.   Exhibit Cost : Free.  Exhibit Hours : Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm.  Museum Website : ( HERE ).

26. Baker’s Mill Restaurant ( Pfistermühle ):

About Pfistermühle : What an amazing vine-covered building with an interesting history!  Before becoming a restaurant in 1988, the Pfistermühle was part of the Royal baker’s mill ( Hofpfisterei ) for the Bavarian dukes going back to the Middle Ages .  There was once a stream powering the mill running right down the middle Sparkassenstraße Street ( covered since the early 1990s ) which also served as the original moat for Munich.  The current building was added as a baking and a storage house for the mill and built in 1573.

The Baker’s Mill Restaurant has great food and you are served in one of the mill’s four original storage vaults.  These happen to be the only original Medieval storage vaults still maintained in Munich.  It’s even more astonishing that this part of the building survives today as the mill was heavily bombed in WW2 and half of the complex had to be completely rebuilt which now is home to the neighboring Platz Hotel .  The hotel is one of our favorite hotels in Munich as you can’t get closer to the Medieval city center.  With the combination of beauty, history, and great food it is easy to have fond memories of Pfistermühle Restaurant.

Hours : Open Monday-Saturday Noon-Midnight; Closed Sundays.  Reservations : Reservations are suggested and can be made on their website.  Photos : ( Bakery In 1897 | Back of Bakery 1907 | Stream 1907 )   Restaurant Website : ( HERE ).

27. Royal Beer Hall ( Hofbräuhaus ):

About The Hofbräuhaus : The Hofbrauhaus, or Royal Court Brew House, is by far the most popular beer hall in Munich and maybe the most magical in the World!  While beer has been brewed in Munich since 1328, Duke Wilhelm V established this official Royal Court Brewery in 1589 as an alternative to expensively shipping in his favorite beers in from Hanover, Germany ( Saxony ).  The current 3-story beer hall complex opened in 1607 as an expansion to brew Hofbrau’s wheat beer and visiting it  was reserved for the Royal family and their guests only.  Mozart and Austrian Empress Sisi were some of the esteemed royal guests who would often visit.

In 1828, King Ludwig I opened the Hofbrauhaus beer hall to the public allowing both rich and poor to experience the World-famous atmosphere.  Ludwig’s involvement was fitting as the King’s 5-day wedding celebration in 1810 was the start of the modern Oktoberfest and also helped to unite commoners and the social elite.  The brewery has sponsored a 10,000 person beer tent during Oktoberfest since 1955,  but the Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall has an excellent party atmosphere no matter what time of year you come.

Today, the Hofbrauhaus still brings people together with community seating, traditional barmaids, delicious German food, 1-liter glasses of golden Bavarian beer, smooth wine, and even live brass band oompah music.  The food is not to be overlooked and is a highlight as much as the beer.  Yes there are a lot of tourists at the Hofbrauhaus, but it’s still our favorite stop on this free Munich walking tour!

You will need to find a seat to get served at the Hofbrauhaus, but the community seating and friendly atmosphere make it easy to join other groups and make new friends.  The only place you cannot sit is anywhere with a sign saying “Stammtisch”, which means it is reserved.  Most of the 3,500 seats in spread throughout the beer hall’s rooms are open seating so don’t be afraid to join a table of strangers if there are spots available.  The main floor is the most festive area and even has a lovely open-air beer garden with seating for 400 under the shade of chestnut trees near the beer pouring station.  While on the way to the gift shop, check out the stein storage lockers called Masskrugtresor .  There are a total of 424 mug lockers where local patrons store their custom steins between visits.  The lockers, which cost 200 euros a year, are very prestigious and can now only be acquired through inheritance.

The upper floor of the Hofbrauhaus complex is often overlooked by tourists and holds a giant Festival Hall  with a barrel ceiling.  We LOVE the traditional Bavarian dance show held most evenings in the Festival Hall.  Guests are enchanted by a musical program comprised of traditional Bavarian Schuhplattler dancers, alphorn players, yodelers, whip performers and cowbell players.  It is in the 900 seat Festival Room that Hitler had some of his private meetings during the Nazi rise and occupation of Munich which were held at numerous beer halls.  The most famous meeting in the Festival Hall was in 1920 where a speech Hitler gave which got him kicked out of the Bavarian army after unveiling his “25 Thesis”.

If you are feeling extra festive, wear your traditional lederhosen or dirndls to make friends even faster, just don’t wear tacky costume outfits from American Halloween shops, go in authentic gear.  Also please don’t try to steal the beer steins.  If you want a glass or stein to bring home, they do have a great gift shop where you can buy them.

Beer Hall Hours : Daily 9am-Midnight.  Folk Buffet : On a lot of nights they have an all-you-can-eat Folk buffet upstairs for 20€ from 630-10pm. This buffet is heavy on music and folk dancing, but check out their website for a current event schedule.  Drinking Tips :  The 1-liter beer steins are called a ‘Mass,’ light beer is ‘helles,’ dark beer is ‘dunkel,’ and they also have a half beer/half lemon soda drink called ‘Radler’.  Brewery Tours : You can also tour the official Hofbrau Brewery on the edge of town which is accessible in 40 minutes by the S2 Metro plus a short walk. ( Address Hofbräuallee 1, More Info ).  Restaurant Website : ( HERE ).

Other Sights Near Old Town:

28. english garden walking tour :.

About The English Garden : Sitting as one of the world’s largest urban parks, the English Garden is the biggest in Europe and is even larger than New York’s Central Park. There can be over 100,000 people a day here in the summer, but because the park is so vast you would never notice. While you may be tempted to skip the park if cramped for time, it is too unique to skip, and serves and a great stop to rest and recharge your batteries. The highlights include World-Class river surfing, nude sunbathers, the Chinese Tower Beer Garden, and the Monopteros hilltop acropolis.  Beer Garden Hours : Daily 9am-Late.  360 Degree Panorama : Click Here .   

Read More : English Garden Walking Tour .

29. Beer & Oktoberfest Museum :

About The Beer & Oktoberfest Museum : Housed in Munich’s oldest home from 1340, this museum highlights the history of Munich’s Beer as well as the Oktoberfest celebration. Our favorite element of the amazing home is the 3 story tall the Stairway to Heaven .  In medieval times it was common of stairs in a house to go up all the floors in a continuous unbroken line.  As you check out the Beer Museum you follow how the making of beer was perfected in Munich including original recipes from the 1400s.  The Oktoberfest Museum is a awesome step back into time showing how the marriage reception for King Ludwig I in 1810 has turned into the modern Oktoberfest.  Today 600,000 people a day visit the 10 day long celebration with is a mix of state fair and beer halls.  You wont find a better party in the World than you do in Oktoberfest’s mega tents which hold 4,000-10,000 people each.

Make your trip to the Beer & Oktoberfest Museum special is grabbing a bite to eat at in the basement Museumsstueberl Cellar Restaurant  ( website ).  The food can be a little strong on the sauerkraut, but it is about as traditional as you’ll find in Munich.  The setting can also be a very romantic place to grab a drink as the tables and chairs in the cave-like, stone walled room are actually mad out of old, wooden beer and wine kegs.   Museum Hours : Tuesday-Saturday 1-6pm.   Museum Cost : 4€.   Underground Restaurant Hours : Monday-Saturday 6pm-Midnight.   Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

30. Isartor City Wall Gate :

About The Isartor Gate : In 1175, the first fortified wall around Munich was completed, but the city quickly outgrew that footprint.  The city of Munich was greatly expanded when a second wall was built further out from 1285 to 1337 which increased the footprint by 700% .  The wall was a masterpiece, complete with a moat and eight gates, up from the original four.  If you look on the map above you can see this expansion that turned the formerly oval shaped Old Town area into more of a kidney bean shape.  This footprint is very important to see to help you feel more connect to the city as you follow our free Munich walking tour map.

Maybe the most important gate on the newly expanded wall was the mighty Isartor River Gate .  It was nearby that in 1156 Henry the Lion built his Ludwigsbrücke tool bridge to reroute the Salt Road from Bad Reichenhall and Hallein on its way to Augsburg through Munich and established it as a town.  The new Isartor Gate helped provide a curtain to protect the town as is one of only three gates still standing.  In 1835, the central tower was rebuilt and frescoes depicting the victorious return of Louis IV  in 1322 after the Battle of Mühldorf.  Louis’ victory over the Austrian Habsburgs helped earn him the title of Holy Roman Emperor and strengthen Munich as a powerhouse in the Salt Trade through the 1300s.  Today the gate is a popular spot for photographers and the attached cafe is a favorite of locals.  Photos : ( Isartor Gate in 1600s ).

*Tram 19 takes you over the river and Prater Island directly to the… 32. Bavarian Parliament ( Maximilianeum ): Home of the Bavarian Parliament, Maximilianeum is a great example of renaissance architecture.  While there isn’t a ton to see inside Maximilianeum, the atmosphere at neighboring Wienerplatz and it’s beer garden HofbrauKeller make it worth the trip.  Wienerpatz is a cute square located just southeast of Maximilianeum which has a quaint old-world feel, complete with it’s own Maypole . A favorite backdrop for photos on the square fits the square, the May Pole, and the towering St Johns church all in one picture.  If you’re starting to run short on time, feel free to bypass this stop all together by riding on Tram #17 all the way 17 to 19.  360 Degree Panorama : Click Here .  Photos : ( Wienerplatz ).

*Tram 18 is the easiest way to get to the… 33. Deutsches Museum : Huge museum of arts and science spread out in a campus of buildings. It is Germany’s equivalent to the American Smithsonian in Washington DC. Great for kids and families.  Restaurant Website : ( HERE ).

*Also sitting on the route for Tram 18 is one of Munich’s hidden gems, the… 34. Munich Puppet Theater ( Münchner Marionettentheater ): If you have never witnessed a classic Marionette production this is your chance. Skilled puppeteers carefully maneuver wooden characters, making them truly come to life with every string movement. The range of shows that are preformed in Munich is pretty big, but even if you aren’t familiar with the work the show will be amazing.   Theater Website : ( HERE ).

35. Awesome Museums : A cluster of great museums often overlooked by tourists. Glyptohek Museum Built from 1813-1860. Is Munich’s oldest public museum; the only museum in the world that is solely dedicated to ancient sculpture. Pinakothek Art Museum is made up of a building for modern art and another for the classics.

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Looking for the best private Munich walking tours to help you explore Germany’s heart of historic Bavaria? Our passionate local insiders have got you covered. On walking tours of Munich with City Unscripted, there’s no such thing as a wrong turn and the path you’re on will always take you somewhere special. Our local insiders can navigate this iconic capital of quirk with their eyes closed, and they'll plot the perfect route for Munich walking tours tailored to you. Whether you stay along the tourist trail and explore the must-sees or head off the beaten track down narrow streets free from tourists, our walking tours in Munich will make sure every step counts.

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When you’re on Munich walking tours, it’s too easy to get sucked in by the city’s endless attractions that illustrate Bavarian heritage and history. But it’s not all Lederhosen and beer halls, and on walking tours of Munich with our local hosts, you’ll see so much more than the must-sees. You might feast on a giant pretzel while strolling down streets lined with quirky stores loved by locals or spend a night out in a bohemian borough. The friendly local hosts leading our walking tours in Munich open the city up for exploration far beyond the famous sights listed in your guidebook.

Anyone with Google and a guidebook can explore the crowded streets of the city center, where many of Munich’s iconic attractions can be found. But on City Unscripted’s walking tours of Munich, you’ll be able to step off the beaten track onto unknown paths with exciting secrets and must-sees of their own. We plan the best private Munich walking tours because we take you to the places loved by people who call the city home. You’ll strike the perfect balance between the tourist sights and secret gems on unforgettable walking tours of Munich with us. What are you waiting for?

From weisswurst to weiss beer, historic Bavaria’s iconic culinary contributions are all found right here, and walking tours of Munich are the perfect time to taste them. Our food walking tours in Munich will have you swapping jeans for your stretchiest pants, so you have plenty of room for local delights like slow-roasted pork shoulder, pretzels with mustard, and chocolate tortes. Book the “Ultimate Munich food experience” to dine like a local, or our Bavarian food and beer experience to squeeze in a couple of beer halls along the way. Munich walking tours never tasted this good!

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Free tours in Munich

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Free Walking Tours in Munich: Guided tours and trips with Freetour.com

Are you planning to spend your next vacation in Germany? Don’t forget to visit Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Often called the city with the best-preserved typical German customs, Munich gives you delicious cuisine, exceptional beer, and Oktoberfest, among other things. 

But if you really want to feel the city vibe, you have to book our free walking tour in Munich. Let the professional guides passionately show you this metropolis and tell you more about its history, customs, and traditions! Let’s take a look at some traveling tips and dive deeper into the atmosphere of Bavaria with our walking tours in Munich. We guarantee you’ll undoubtedly remember this adventure!

About Munich

Let’s take a closer look at the captivating city of Munich. Founded in 1158, this vibrant metropolis is located in the center of Bavaria. People usually visit this city to explore its stunning architecture and historical places. There are many places that won’t leave even the most exacting travelers cold. When in Munich, you should definitely visit Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus, the Englishcher Garten, Numphenburg Palace, and Munich Residenz. If you want to taste local delicacies, go to the bustling Viktualienmarkt. When booking our Munich tours, you can see these places. All you need to do is to book your tour via the website and be at the meeting point on time.

Beyond this, this old city is also home to one of the biggest opera houses in the world, the National Theatre. If you like opera, you can check the schedule of performances and book your tickets in advance. You can visit one of Munich's beer gardens to experience and taste the local culture. However, if you want to dive deeper into the city atmosphere, we recommend booking one of our free walking tours in Munich. 

Things to Do in Munich

Have you already booked your tickets to Munich? Well, that’s a commendable ambition! It’s time to plan your trip to make sure you don’t miss anything. Here are some of the most exciting things to do in this old German city after our Munich walking tour.

Visit Marienplatz: You can begin your Munich adventure with the city's center, Marienplatz. It’s an old square surrounded by old, picturesque buildings. Here, you can also see the Glockenspiel, an old clock tower with animated figures.

Go to the Frauenkirche: It’s the oldest and most beautiful cathedral in Munich, the most famous city sight. To see the panoramic views, you must climb to the top.

Visit Nymphenburg Palace: Visiting this place is a must, especially if you want to learn more about ​Bavarian royalty.

Walk in the Englischer Garten: Here, you can rent a bike and explore one of the largest urban parks in Germany.

Visit Viktualienmarkt: It’s the best place to taste German culinary delights. You can taste everything here, from traditional Bavarian treats to fresh produce.

Where to Stay in Munich?

The answer to this question depends on your budget and plans for this trip. Munich has many fantastic locations where you can stay for a night. For example, if you plan to walk around the city center, you can stay in the Altstadt-Lehel district. But if you are looking for a more bohemian atmosphere, you should book apartments in Gärtnerplatzviertel, the district with many modern boutiques and shops. However, if you prefer a quieter place, why not opt for Haidhausen? This district is quiet and has many charming streets and small local cafes.

If you are looking for budget-friendly options, you should opt for hostels. 

The Best Places to Eat in Munich

As Munich is the third largest city in Germany, there are hundreds of cafes and restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine. But what if it’s your first trip to this metropolis, and you have no idea which places to choose? Let’s list the most high-rated restaurants:

- Wurstimbiss Teltschik 

- Beef Room 61

- Hungriges Herz

- LAX Eatery

- Kalypso Restaurant

After our informative Munich tours, you can visit one of these places and delight your taste buds with a culinary experience you won't forget. 

The Best Bars in the City

Do you want to raise your glass to the vibrant nightlife of Munich? You can easily do this after our free tour in Munich. This city has many fantastic bars where you can experience the social scene, like:

- Die Goldene Bar

- Zephyr Bar

- Augustiner-Keller

- Bürgerhaus Glockenbachwerkstatt

Where to Shop in Munich?

After our enjoyable Munich free walking tour, it’s time to go shopping and buy some things that will remind you of your trip. This city attracts shoppers from all over Europe. Let’s examine the most popular shopping hotspots where you can find everything you need:

- Maximilianstrasse (the best shopping district in Munich)

- Victuals Market (an open-air market located in the Old Town)

- Kaufingertor Passage (a long shopping hall where you can find everything)

- Olympia Shopping Mall (a shopping mall located in the district of Moosach)

- Neuhauserstrasse (the oldest street in the city with many shops)

Which free walking tours in Munich are highly recommended?

If you want to explore the city center, you should opt for the “Munich Center Free Walking Tour,” the best city tour in Munich, where our friendly guides will help you discover more about the city. If you want a unique travel experience, we highly recommend the “Knowing the Stories and Secrets of Munich” tour. You’ll learn more about the opera, the royal palace, and the best city landmarks.

What languages are available for free walking tours in Munich?

Our tours of Munich are available in English, German, and Spanish.

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About Munich

Within Germany there are a large number of high quality tourist destinations, totally recommended for those visitors who want to discover the purest German essence. The capital of Bavaria is a clear example of this, a city where tradition, culture and the best of environments come together to offer a unique experience. An enclave north of the Alps that means "in the place of the monks", in reference to the monacal settlement of the early tenth century. To speak of Munich is to refer to the most typical German customs , such as its exceptional beer and exquisite cuisine that have their maximum representation in Oktoberfest. In this city the breweries -The mythical Hofbräuhaus-, the monuments, the architecture and the culture help to form a really enviable tourist offer. Next to a tasty gastronomy such as the "Kartoffelsalat" potato salad or the "Dampfnudeln" fritters or the typical "Weisswurst" white sausages. This town is one of the most important destinations in the country, both for its important weight in the German economy, and for the wide cultural and leisure offer that is in it throughout the year. The best way to tour the city is to sign up for a free walking tour in Munich , an excellent opportunity to make the most of your stay in this beautiful town, where you can see such important places as your center "Marienplatz" typical meeting point. Other essential places to see are the new town hall “Neues Rathaus” or the Odeon Square “Odeonsplatz”, as well as the Cathedral of Our Lady in Munich . Museum lovers have the "Deutsches Museum", the Old Pinacoteca, the Gliptoteca or the Brandhorst Museum , an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the city's wide cultural offer. Other recommended visits are the beautiful “Karlsplatz” building, as well as its lively and colorful “Viktualienmarkt” market, as well as the impressive Nymphenburg Palace, of great beauty and charm. Given the immensity of this German city, it is important to concentrate the visit on the most interesting and tourist points. In this way the free tour in Munich is the best way to approach the most important, the most recommended and essential places to this beautiful Teutonic city. Other destinations where you can also find free paid guided tours with local guides are Berlin, Cologne or Dresden.

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Munich walking tour with a young child

Are you planning a visit to Munich with a small child? Follow our tips and take our walking tour to see the best of the old town – with kid appropriate highlights, of course. Enjoy your trip!

Why do we always seem to end up in Munich? I think we have been to Munich four times already this year. We visited twice in a week on the way to and from Italy and we have another trip planned. As often as we have been, I thought it was time to share some of our Munich tips, starting with our Munich walking tour.

As with all our trips, we are travelling (or in this case walking) with a young child in tow. Miss Just-turned-four put this tour through its paces, adding her input. At her insistance, this walking tour includes playgrounds and other kid-friendly distractions.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our full  disclosure  for more information. 

Where to stay

To do this Munich walking tour justice, you really need to stay overnight to get the full day. We have stayed at nearly all Motel One hotels in Munich and can very much recommend them. Each has it’s own theme, but all have the same high standards, fair prices and thoughtful basic design.

You can book a Motel One (or any other hotel of your choice) via booking.com.

If you’re reading this post to prepare for your European adventure, don’t forget your travel insurance! Try AXA Travel Insurance for a quote!

Where to start

Our original plan was to start our Munich walking tour at Sendlinger Tor. However, on the day of our tour, major works on the tram lines made Sendlinger Tor difficult to reach. We started at Karlsplatz instead.

It was a hot Summer’s day, so our first stop was for Miss M to play in the fountain at Karlsplatz and try to dodge the water sprays. She was not that successful.

Neuhauser Strasse

To start your Munich walking tour, pass under Karlstor and head down Neuhauser Straße towards Marienplatz. If you are looking to do some shopping – perhaps for a Dirndl or Lederhosen – this is a good place to start.

Don’t miss the statues of the wild boar and fish in front of the Hunting and Fishing Museum . They are a great photo opportunity!

After snapping a few happy pics, turn left towards the Frauenkirche.

Frauenkirche

The Frauenkirche – or the Cathedral of our Dear Lady – with its onion spires is a quintessential silhouette in the Munich skyline.

Before the spires could be completed, the church ran out of money. Consequently, the spires remained unfinished for 30 years. Eventually, a leaky roof forced a change and a new budget-friendly design, modelled after the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

This change sparked a craze. Onion spires are now common throughout southern Bavaria.

You can see the Frauenkirche spires from almost anywhere in Munich – and this will remain the case. The city administration decree that no building in the inner city may be higher than 100 metres. As both towers of the Frauenkirche are nearly 99 metres high, they are unlikely to be dwarfed.

If it is a hot day, your child will probably enjoy cooling off in the fountain. Miss M and numerous other children did!

If you are getting hungry and looking for something to eat, we can recommend the Augustiner am Dom . Miss M loves Weisswurste for breakfast, but not all children will. For lunch, she recommends Brezels and Nurenburger sausages (grilled pork sausages about 10 cm long).

Marienplatz

Neues rathaus.

Marienplatz is the centre of Munich and the focus of Marienplatz is the Neues Rathaus, or New Town Hall. Both are a must-see on any Munich walking tour.

While it looks significantly older, the Town Hall is actually only a little more than 100 years old. The 100-metre long facade in neo-gothic style is an imposing sight on the square. This facade hides 400 rooms, most of which are closed to the public.

Glockenspiel

One of the highlights is the world-famous Glockenspiel on the tower balcony of the Town Hall.

With 43 bells and 16 figurines, the nearly 12-minute long Glockenspiel tells the story of the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V. with Renate von Lothringen in 1568. It includes the duel between two knights (Wilhelm’s knight wins of course). On the lower level of the Glockenspiel, the coopers (barrel-makers) dance and twirl and celebrate their survival from the plague.

The Glockenspiel plays at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.; from March to October, it also plays at 5 p.m. Try and time your visit to Marienplatz to catch the Glockenspiel. You also have a great view from the Café across the other side of the square.

Tower of the New Town Hall

We have Miss M to thank for the next suggestion.

For the best view over Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche and the old town, view them from the top: the 85-metre high tower of the New Town Hall. Fortunately, access is via a lift – so much easier than the 306 stairs of Alten Peter with a child! On clear days, you can even see as far as the Alps.

Old Town Hall and the Toy Museum

The other building on Marienplatz that deserves a look is the Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall, which sits at the eastern edge of Marienplatz.

Built between 1470 and 1475, the Altes Rathaus was almost completely destroyed during World War II. It was rebuilt in the 1950s in its original gothic style.

I like its unpretentious nature, especially compared to the New Town Hall. Now, its primary use is representative purposes.

The Alte Rathaus now houses a toy museum. The collection includes vintage model trains, stuffed animals, dolls and dollhouses and tin toys from Europe and America spread over four floors.

The rooms of the museum are small and the staircases are narrow. Visiting it is almost like being in a dolls house.

If your child is like Miss M, they will not enjoy looking at toys that they can’t touch. Knowing what would await us, we gave it a miss this time.

Viktualienmarkt

If you visited the tower of the Neue Rathaus and don’t want to visit Alte Peter for a view over Munich or plan to do that later, continue your Munich walking tour with a visit to the Viktualienmarkt. Walk under the tower of the Altes Rathaus then turn right. The Viktualienmarkt should be on your left.

For more than 200 years, the Viktualienmarkt has been a Munich landmark and is Munich’s biggest market. It’s name stems from the latin word “ victus “, which means food or stocks.

The Viktualienmarkt is the perfect place to pick up the ingredients for a simple picnic or afternoon snack. You can find fruit and vegetables, bakeries, butchers, fishmongers, delicatessen and speciality stores and flower stalls – all of it fresh.

Alternatively, wander around the market then find a seat in the Biergarten and grab something to eat and drink from one of the German-style “hot dog stands”. Miss M recommends the Bratwurst and the buttered Brezels.

If you are lucky (and the chances are good), you will even see some locals in traditional German dress: Lederhosen, Dirndl and “Janker” (like a thick wool cardigan).

Jewish Museum

To continue on the Munich walking tour, make your way to the Jewish Centre at Sankt-Jakobs-Platz. The architecture is definitely worth a look!

The Ohel Jakob Synagogue (Hebrew for ‘Jacob’s Tent’), the Jewish Museum and the Community Centre together form the Jewish Centre.

On its inauguration in 2006, the synagogue became the main synagogue for Munich’s Jewish community – the second largest in Germany. This was the first time that there had been a main synagogue in Munich since the Pogromnacht or Night of Broken Glass in 1938.

As the picture shows, the synagogue consists of two cubes, one on top of the other. The base resembles the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.The glass cube that sits above it is interlaced with Stars of David and encased in a bronze metal veil. This represents a tent, which is both, part of the name of the synagogue and a symbol of the 40 years that Jews spent wandering the Sinai desert. The first ten letters of the Hebrew alphabet are on the doors to the Synagogue, representing the Ten Commandments.

You reach the interior of the synagogue via the “Corridor of Memory”. The walls of this passage bear the names of the 4,500 Munich Jews who were murdered under the Nazi regime.

Many young children will not appreciate the symbolism of the synagogue or understand what happened under the Nazi regime. However, between the museum and the synagogue is a small playground. The main feature is a sandpit, with shade, and the museum café next door makes great coffee.

On hot days, there is also a fountain in the square in front of the synagogue. Miss M had great fun (again) playing in the fountain with a number of other children.

Gay and Lesbian Monument

Continue your Munich walking tour by walking the short distance along Sankt-Jakobs-Strasse and cross Oberranger to reach the start of Dultstrasse. On the footpath in front of you is a mosaic of coloured concrete blocks which form the “Monument to the Gays and Lesbians Persecuted under the Nazi Regime”.

In 1934, a gay bar stood where the blocks now lie. On 20 October of that year, Nazis raided the bar. This marked the start of the systematic persecution of homosexuals under the Nazi regime. The monument was unveiled in June 2017.

While the significance was lost on Miss M, she found the colours pretty. I assume most children will be the same. These colours represent the rainbow flag, as well as the pink and black of the triangles that gays and lesbians were forced to wear in concentration camps.

The next stop on our Munich walking tour (before turning around and heading back towards Marienplatz) is the St-Johann-Nepomuk-Kirche. It is better known as the Asamkirche or Asam church.

The Asam brothers, Cosmas Damian and Egrid Quirin, built the church between 1733 and 1746. They were builders, plasterers, painters and decorators and were commissioned to decorate numerous churches in Germany, the most famous of which is the Freising Cathedral.

Officially, they built the church as a private chapel. In reality, the church was their showroom, providing examples almost every form of decoration they could produce.

The chapel is a testament to their prowess in late Baroque decorations. While it is somewhat overwhelming – no corner has been spared – it is still worth a visit.

Alter Peter

Alter Peter, or Old Peter, is the tower of Munich’s oldest church, the Peterskirche. The 91-metre high tower has some of the best views over Munich’s rooftops, with 309 drawbacks – that’s the number of steps it takes to reach the top.

If you don’t mind arriving out of breath and going painfully slowly on the way up and then down again so that your child can see the views too, then climb Alter Peter. If you hate steps as much as my knees do and your child would not make it up and down all those stairs, try the tower in the New Town Hall instead – it has a lift. The views are very similar.

Odeonsplatz

Odeonsplatz is the next stop on our Munich walking tour (don’t worry, you are getting close to the end).

Munich is often referred to as Italy’s northernmost city. Why? King Ludwig I fell in love with Italy while he was studying in Rome. When he returned to Munich, he commissioned Leo von Klenze to design Ludwigstrasse in the Italian (baroque) style. This culminated in the square at Odeonsplatz.

Feldherrnhalle

At the southern end of Odeonsplatz is the Feldherrnhalle or Field Marshalls’ Hall. It is almost an exact copy of the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence and was erected in 1844 in honour of the Bavarian army.

The Feldherrnhalle was where Hitler’s Beerhall Putsch was defeated on 9 November 1923. Unsurprisingly, the site later became iconic for the National Socialists. An SS guard of honour watched the memorial at all times and anybody intending to pass by had to give the Nazi salute.

Locals would often detour down Viscardigasse to avoid the Feldherrnhalle (and the salute). As a result, Viscardigasse earned the nickname “Drückerbergergasserl” or “shirkers alley”. Gold paving stones now memorialize this resistance.

Theatinekirche

The other point of interest at Odeonplatz is the Theatinekirche. We were too late to go inside during our walking tour of Munich. However, it is a nice contrast to the busy, extravagant Asamkirche: almost everything in the church is white.

The Residence

The Munich Residence is one of the most important palace museums in Europe.

From 1508 to 1918, the Munich Residence was the seat of government and residence of the Bavarian dukes, electors and kings. Over the four centuries, each ruler put his mark on the palace, expanding, decorating and transforming it. The room designs and art collections reflect this passage of time, which span from the renaissance through the baroque and rococo to neoclassicism.

World War II saw much of the Residence destroyed. Painstaking and slow reconstruction work has seen the palace, the treasury and the Cuvilliés Theatre restored to their former glory.

Whether or not you wish to visit with your child will depend on your other Munich plans. If you will be seeing Schloss Nymphenburg or Neuschwanstein while you are in the area, I would skip the Residence. It also depends on how much time you have for your Munich walking tour.

While the Residence is impressive, it is also very large and can start to get very repetitive. It takes around 3 hours just to see the highlights. Miss M can only appreciate so many rooms of fine china (even just passing through) before she will have a meltdown. While she loves feeling like a princess, the Residence would have been one palace too many for Miss M on the weekend.

Even if you decide not to enter the palace, have a look at the impressive structure from the outside and visit the palace gardens.

The Palace Gardens and the neighbouring Englisher Garten are green oas e s in Munich’s old town.

Built at the start of the 17th century, the Hofgarten is based on an Italian renaissance garden. Originally, only royals stroll ed in the gardens; in 1789 Karl Theodor opened the gardens to the public.

Arcade-style passages surround the garden. A pavilion, known as the Diana temple, sits in the middle. Spotted throughout the garden are park benches that are an ideal place to relax (and have that picnic food you bought at the Viktualienmarkt). With luck, you may even have a spontaneous concert in the pavillion  to listen to while you eat.

Englischer Garten

Finish your Munich walking tour with some time in the Englischer Garten, the largest inner-city park in the world.

Let your child run around and explore the woods, meadows, streams and lakes and burn off any last energy. Don’t be surprised if you see nude sunbakers. In Winter, if it is cold enough, you can even go ice-skating on the Kleinhesseloher See.

If you don’t have any other plans, finish your walking tour of Munich with a visit to one of the park’s beer gardens. Aumeister (which has a kids playground) and the beer garden at the Chinesischer Turn (Chinese tower ) are our favo u rites.

Milchhäusl (the milk house) and the Chinese Tower are the closest to the Hofgarten. Even so, they are quite a walk, especially for tired little legs. You may want to consider using one of the bike taxis or rickshaws to get there.

And that’s the end of our ultimate Munich walking tour

If you are visiting Munich with your kids, follow our walking tour and our tips and enjoy your trip.

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Walking Tours in Munich

A walk through Munich is the only true way to get to know it. The Altstadt (Old Town/historic center) is the traditional walking tour for most visitors; however, travelers with more time may enjoy visiting some of the lesser known but equally interesting sights near this historic city center. A walk through Schwabing is also a must for those who want to have a more offbeat experience.

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10 best holiday cities for retirees to take their next trip

Posted: May 17, 2024 | Last updated: May 17, 2024

10. Singapore

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Singapore fared:

9. Munich, Germany

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Munich fared:

8. Oslo, Norway

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Oslo fared:

7. Helsinki, Finland

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Helsinki fared:

6. Brisbane, Australia

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Brisbane fared:

5. Auckland, New Zealand

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Auckland fared:

4. Berlin, Germany

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Berlin fared:

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Amsterdam fared:

2. Sydney, Australia

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Sydney fared:

1. Melbourne, Australia

In terms of the retirement considerations, this is how Melbourne fared:

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The best holiday destinations for retired travellers

By Connor Sturges

Gone are the days when retirees were considered little more than the ‘settled down’ sort. For many eager explorers, retirement means more time to see the world – a chance to gallivant globally.

A recent poll by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines found that 37 per cent of retirees surveyed described themselves as adventurous, while 24 per cent said they’ve got more adventurous with age. While the study found that 35 per cent of those over 55 believe a cruise is the best way to explore multiple destinations, a quarter claimed they never take the same trip twice.

In response to the trend, travel insurance company Paying Too Much compiled a list of the best destinations around the world for venturesome sixty-somethings. The company’s deciding factors are the number of three-to-five-star hotels, the average costs of these hotels, the number of off-peak tours, healthcare quality, the number of things to do, and the number of walking routes.

Here's the top 10.

10. Singapore

The futuristic metropolis of Singapore ranks highly across much of the board, notably besides off-peak group tours – we’re assuming Singaporeans are an independent bunch. Unsurprisingly, there's hundreds of exquisite hotels , a whooping 825 things to do, and a high-ranking health system.

9. Munich, Germany

While Munich can’t quite compete with the German capital regarding things to do or the number of three-to-five-star hotels, it offers a great selection of activities – not forgetting the iconic Oktoberfest celebrations that take over the city each autumn .

8. Oslo, Norway

Norway is well known for its world-class healthcare and, similarly to Finland, happy residents. Its hotel scene is as sleek as it gets, as we found out on a recent stay at Villa Inkognito , while there’s no shortage of bucket list sights within easy reach, including the stunning fjords and, a bit further north, glimpses of the majestic Northern Lights .

7. Helsinki, Finland

Condé Nast Traveller called it – Helsinki really is the new Scandi star . While exploring the 146 local walking routes and ticking off as many of the 266 things to do, expect help and smiles at every turn, as Finland recently topped the list of the happiest countries in the world (again).

6. Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane is undoubtedly one of the best destinations in the world for beach lovers, retired or not. The Gold Coast metropolitan region is within easy reach, and the central city’s modern infrastructure makes getting around a breeze – even when the sweltering temperatures leave travellers needing a literal one.

5. Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand ’s cosmopolitan North Island city of Auckland is the cheapest destination in the top 10, with the average off-peak week-long stay at £822. 310 walking routes mean there’s always ample time for a pleasant stroll, while the fabulous arts and culture scene is a great starting point when planning an itinerary.

4. Berlin, Germany

Indeed, Berlin often attracts a younger crowd – think of the notorious Berghain queue – but there’s lots for retirees to do if techno raves aren’t their vibe. There are museums, galleries and historical sites everywhere, from the Berlin Wall Memorial to the iconic Brandenburg Gate. The hotel scene is pretty impressive but comes at the third-highest cost on the list at an average of £1,924 for a week, off-peak.

3. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Do you love a tour? Amsterdam ’s the place for you. Paying Too Much’s study counts 361 off-peak tours designed with over-60s in mind, which is no surprise considering the significant number of things to do in the bustling city. Out of all the destinations on the list, it has the lowest number of walking routes – but we expect that’s because most are on their bikes.

2. Sydney, Australia

Sydney claims second place. While it’s an increasingly popular destination for younger gap year travellers, there are tons for mature travellers. It falls just behind Melbourne on things to do at a still-impressive 1,598, but it has almost double the amount of off-peak tours; popular excursions include sampling all the nearby wine regions have to offer and exploring the local food scene.

Olivia Morelli

Anna Prendergast

Sarah James

1. Melbourne, Australia

Proud Australians will be delighted to see Melbourne top the list of the best holiday destinations in the world for retired travellers. Furthermore, it’s the third Australian city on the list.

The southeastern Australian hotspot claims the top spot thanks to excellent infrastructure, an incredible number of things to do (Paying Too Much counts 1,838, to be exact), and a low average price for three-to-five star hotels – the average week-long stay costs just £860. Best of all, more than 15 per cent of Melbourne’s population are 60 and over, meaning new, like-minded friends are never far away, especially with 40 off-peak tours catered to retirees. None of this takes into account the fabulous food scene , which we’ve kept a keen eye on, of course.

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7 of the best river cruises around the world for 2024

Take a tour of the world’s most famous waterways on your next holiday, article bookmarked.

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A cruise holiday isn’t always about setting sail across vast oceans. For an alternative type of break on the water, winding your way inland might sound similar but it’s a vastly different experience.

From crossing deep into the untouched areas of the Amazon rainforest to exploring some of Europe ’s finest cities, the river cruise experience is one that allows tourists to get to grips with the history, culture and tradition of a destination in a slow, immersive fashion.

This could be in the form of sampling Creole cuisine in Mississippi or discovering historic sites in Vietnam , but whatever it is, there’s plenty of choice across Europe , Asia , South America and North America .

Read on for a selection of the best cruises, from the Mississippi to the Mekong.

Europe’s second longest river – and arguably its most famous – river takes you through amazing capital cities and host of charming towns, as well as plenty of scenic countryside in Austria , Hungary , Slovakia and Romania. Cruises along the Danube can vary from a handful of days to almost three weeks, giving you time to explore the elegance of cities like Vienna , Budapest, Bratislava or Belgrade.

Emerald Cruises lets you see the best of the Danube with the addition of a hefty dose of traditional German culture in Munich. Leaving the Bavarian capital, you’ll travel to Passau before a quick cross-border trip to the Unesco-listed Czech city of Cesky Krumlov. Vienna is the next city, replete with opulent architecture, before a quick overnight stay in Bratislava on the sixth night. Guided tours and hikes around the castle are included, before you get three nights to explore Budapest, the Hungarian capital that is blessed with picturesque buildings, relaxed thermal baths and a buzzing nightlife scene. 

From £1,999pp, including nine nights’ accommodation, full board, tours of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest and airport transfers. Departing 7 May 2024 to 20 October 2024.

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• The lesser-known Croatia destinations you may not have considered
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This famous river runs for over 4,000 miles throughout South America and is a major part of the eponymous rainforest, one of the most biodiverse and important natural areas on the planet. A river cruise remains the best way to reach deeper into the jungle, with many cruises beginning in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus or in the Peruvian city of Lima.

Start in Peru’s enchanting capital with the Peruvian Rivers and Rainforest Discovery cruise from Uniworld. You’ll fly to Iquitos, the largest city in the Amazon as your next stop, before delving into some of the most remote areas in the world as you take to the waters. From here, nature takes centre stage, with a variety of experiences – including jungle walks and kayaking on a lake – added to the enjoyment of natural features such as giant lilies, towering barrigona trees and around 10 per cent of the world’s known animal species.

From £8,799pp, including 10 nights’ accommodation, full board, return flights from London, domestic flights and various excursions. Departing regularly from 17 January until 6 November 2024.

Start in  Cairo  and make your way down to Aswan over a few days (though many shorter routes operate between  Aswan and Luxor  only). For a relaxing way to take in riverside scenery and some of Egypt’s most important historical sites, a river cruise is the ideal choice.

AP Touring’s  Egypt Discovery  trip takes you on a round trip from Cairo. You’ll cross thousands of years of history, starting with West Bank the Valley of the Kings, before a short flight to Aswan to explore Abu Simbel and a sighting of the landmark Pyramids of Giza near the Egyptian capital. The scenery along the route is exceptional, too, with palm trees, green spaces and mini oases dotted in between the yellow-hued rock.

From £6,995pp, including 12 nights’ accommodation, 30 meals (including unlimited local beer and wine) return flights from London Heathrow, domestic flights within Egypt and activities in each of the 10 destinations. Departing regularly from September 2024 to April 2025.

Exploring this land of castles and fairytales is a worthwhile European trip, with tours often starting in the pretty Dutch capital of Amsterdam and weaving across the German and French countryside, with the route broken up by cities such as Cologne, Dusseldorf and Strasbourg. Many of the towns located on the banks of the Rhine, such as Koblenz, are incredibly picturesque, with a range of medieval castles and natural sites like the Black Forest also featuring.

Ama Waterways provide a seven-night cruise that runs from Basel to Amsterdam. Get your cultural fix at either end of your trip in either of these two cities, before admiring the vistas around the Rhine Valley, the medieval castles that loom over towns like Heidelberg and the timber-framed buildings that line the streets of Riquewihr and Strasbourg. Stops in both Freiburg and Dusseldorf are also included, as well as an optional excursion to Cologne.

From £2,399pp, including seven nights’ accommodation, full board and tours in each destination. Departing regularly between 18 February and 28 December 2024.

The views around the Douro Valley are some of the best in Portugal , whether you’re sitting by the banks in Porto or admiring the verdant hills and vineyards around Pinhao. This region, well-known for its port production, has cruises lasting roughly one week that usually begin and end in Porto – where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean – with a brief crossing over into Spain and Salamanca.

The Riviera Travel package offers an affordable eight-day Douro option starting and ending in Porto , with two nights to explore Portugal’s magnificent second city (and to go on a guided tour of a well-known port producer). Days three and four take you to sleepy Castelo de Rodrigo and the historic Spanish city of Salamanca (with guided tours and time to explore at your leisure) before traversing the cascading vineyards of the valley on your way back to Porto via the beautiful Peso de Regua (and a local wine tasting).

From £1,599pp, including seven nights’ accommodation, full board, flights from a London airport, one excursion one each day and airport transfers. Departing regularly from 7 April 2024.

The Mississippi

Discovering the Deep South is often done by car, but with new routes recently from Viking Cruises, exploring Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota and Tennessee has never been more idyllic. The famed cities of New Orleans and Memphis can bookend your tour, with lesser-known locations such as Baton Rouge, Natchez and Darrow making up the other stops.

Opt for Viking’s ‘Heart of the Delta’ cruise to if you really want to immerse yourself in the Deep South. The cruise begins with a few days exploring the French influences and Creole cuisine of New Orleans , before moving on to Baton Rouge – a haven of Creole and Cajun culture – and then onto Natchez, the oldest city on the river. You’ll travel through other towns on the Mississippi – complete with walking tours or excursions to the Atchafalaya Swamp basin – before reaching Memphis, the atmospheric home of blues music.

From £6,545pp, including 12 nights’ accommodation, full board, return flights from London and one excursion per destination. Departing weekly from March 7 until 13 June, with additional departures on 7 November and 13 November.

The Mekong flows through a host of Asia’s most fascinating countries, including Vietnam , Thailand , China and Cambodia. Most cruises only take in parts of Vietnam and Cambodia , though this mix of floating fishing villages, traditional markets and the two capitals of Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh will be enough for most travellers. With Avalon Waterways , you’ll combine energetic, modern cities with some of the most vibrant culture in Asia and a history that is equal parts sobering and fascinating.

It starts in Siem Reap, site of the Angkor Wat temple, before moving on to the Cambodian capital, where you can learn about the dictatorship of Pol Pot and visit several must-see landmarks. After this, Vietnam beckons, with a visit to the dizzying Ho Chi Minh City to see its admirable architecture. Visits to markets, old Vietnam War tunnels, temples and cooking classes are dotted in between these city trips for good measure, with stops at characterful towns like Vinh Long, too.

From £4,229pp, including seven nights’ accommodation, full board and activities on each day of the trip. Departing regularly from 15 January to 11 March and from 12 August to 2 December 2024.

Read more: Best hotels in Europe: Where to stay for a city, beach or retreat break

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