The Frauenkirche, officially the Cathedral of Our Dear Lady, is Munich’s most famous church and a defining feature of the city’s skyline. Built in the late 15th century in Gothic style, it is best known for its two massive towers topped with distinctive onion-shaped domes, which serve as one of Munich’s most recognizable landmarks. Inside, the cathedral is strikingly simple yet impressive, with soaring vaulted ceilings and notable works of religious art. One of its curiosities is the so-called “Devil’s Footprint,” a mysterious mark on the floor linked to local legend.
The Frauenkirche is also the burial site of members of the Wittelsbach dynasty, including Emperor Ludwig IV. Despite damage during World War II, it was carefully restored and remains a central place of worship as well as a symbol of Munich’s resilience and heritage.
A visit to Munich offers a captivating blend of traditional Bavarian culture and a bustling modern city, where you’ll find eclectic architecture, plenty of green spaces and of course, one of the most celebrated beer scenes in the world. There is so much to see in Munich’s charming Old Town that our half-day private tour is a great way to make the most of your time in the city, embarking on a well-planned route around the most important sites to help you peel back the layers of the city’s past and get a feel for what makes it such a worthwhile stop on any European adventure.
On your half-day private tour, you will:
Discover Munich in depth on a private half-day walking tour that brings the Bavarian capital’s layered history vividly to life. Over the course of your time together, your expert local guide will lead you on a journey through the city’s medieval beginnings, royal grandeur, and turbulent 20th-century chapters, as well as the cultural traditions that still shape everyday life. The tour begins in Marienplatz, Munich’s historic heart, where the neo-Gothic spires of the New Town Hall dominate the square. Here, you’ll step inside the building to admire its ornate interiors and, if timing allows, watch the famous Glockenspiel chime and whirl above. You will then make your way into the Frauenkirche to explore its vast, light-filled nave and hear the enduring legend of the ‘Devil’s Footstep’ hidden in the stone floor.
As you make your way through the Old Town, your guide will draw connections between the elegant architecture and the events that have unfolded here. At Odeonsplatz, the grandeur of Munich’s neoclassical buildings is underscored by the memory of the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, while the quiet Viscardigasse pays tribute to those who quietly resisted Nazi rule. The leafy Hofgarten offers a moment of serenity before the imposing Residenz Palace recalls the power and opulence of the Wittelsbach dynasty. Heading further back in time, you’ll pause at the Isartor, one of the city’s medieval gates, where original 14th-century frescoes survive. The route also brings you past the Oktoberfest museum, celebrating Munich’s world-famous festival, and inside the Hofbräuhaus itself to soak up the atmosphere of the world’s most iconic beer hall.
No orientation to Munich would be complete without a stroll through the Viktualienmarkt, where colourful produce stalls offer flowers, spices and traditional German treats. From there, the tour explores the New Jewish Quarter, home to a striking synagogue and cultural centre that symbolise the resilience and renewal of Munich’s Jewish community. Last but certainly not least, you’ll discover the exquisite Asamkirche, a jewel of Bavarian Baroque often considered one of Europe’s most beautiful churches.
By the end of this intriguing itinerary, you’ll not only have seen Munich’s most important landmarks but also gained a deeper understanding of the threads that have shaped the city across the centuries, ideal for travellers seeking a rich and nuanced introduction to Munich.
Nestled in the heart of Bavaria, Munich is one of Germany’s most vibrant and authentic destinations, both steeped in tradition and imbued with a transformative modern spirit. Munich's charming old town (Altstadt) is filled with historic landmarks that showcase the city's rich heritage, and there is no better way to explore it than in the company of a knowledgeable local guide, making sure you get a feel for the city and its many stories and secrets.
On this 2-hour private walking tour, you will:
Uncover centuries of history, tradition, and culture on this private two-hour walking tour through Munich's majestic Old Town. Beginning in the lively Marienplatz, a major social and political hub since the Middle Ages, your guide will introduce you to the landmarks and legends that shaped the Bavarian capital. You’ll stand before the ornate New Town Hall and, if the timing is right, look up to watch the famous Glockenspiel spring to life in a colourful display of moving figures and chiming bells.
Just around the corner, the soaring twin towers of the Frauenkirche will draw you into Munich’s most iconic church. Inside, you’ll hear the myths and marvels of this 15th-century cathedral, including the mysterious ‘Devil’s Footstep’ said to be stamped into its floor. From there, the route carries you through Odeonsplatz, a grand neoclassical square that has witnessed triumphs, pageantry, and darker chapters of history alike. As you take in the impressive façade of the Residenz, once home to Bavarian monarchs, your guide can regale you with the story of Munich’s royal past.
As the walk continues, you’ll pause outside the Hofbräuhaus, the legendary beer hall that has been welcoming drinkers, thinkers, and revellers for centuries. Your guide will also lead you into the Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s beloved outdoor food market. Here, between stalls piled high with Bavarian specialities, fresh produce, and beer garden benches shaded by chestnut trees, you’ll get a true taste of the city’s culinary soul.
With your local guide providing insight at every stop, this tour is the perfect introduction for travellers eager to understand Munich’s origins, its defining moments, and the traditions that still shape daily life today. Ending back in Marienplatz, you’ll come away with both a deeper appreciation of the city’s rich past and a feel for what makes modern Munich tick.
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