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:
- Explore Munich with a knowledgeable local guide, well-versed in the city’s history and culture;
- Delve into Munich’s origins and the moments that have shaped the city’s development across the centuries;
- Begin in Marienplatz, Munich’s geographical and cultural epicentre;
- Admire the neo-Gothic facade and the opulent interior of the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), and hear its famous Glockenspiel;
- Step inside Frauenkirche, the city’s striking twin-domed cathedral, and uncover the legend of the ‘Devil’s Footstep’;
- Pass through Odeonsplatz, and learn about the dramatic events of the notorious Beer Hall Putsch, which unfolded there in 1923;
- See the Hoftgarten, a serene public garden that dates back to the 16th Century;
- Pause at the majestic Residenz Palace, once the home of illustrious Bavarian royalty;
- Stop by Isartor, one of Munich's three remaining medieval city gates, and discover the lovely 14th-century frescoes;
- Visit the world-renowned Hofbräuhaus and hear about its lively history, royal brewery roots, and cultural significance;
- Soak in the atmosphere at the vibrant Viktualienmarkt, a popular outdoor food hall offering plenty of Bavarian delicacies;
- Venture into the New Jewish Quarter and hear how it serves as a powerful symbol of Munich’s Jewish community’s revival and cultural renaissance;
- Check out the exquisite Asam Church, often called the “most beautiful Baroque church in Europe”.
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.
