Munich Old Town Walking Tour: City History & Highlights
Intruduction to Munich’s history in the Old Town: from Wittelsbach Bavaria and Bismarck-era unification to the Nazi origins and the Beer Hall Putsch. We visit Marienplatz with the New and Old Town Halls, Hofbräuhaus, Odeonsplatz, Max-Joseph-Platz with the Residenz, and the National Theater/State Opera.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 30m
Language
English, German (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
St. Peter Church main gate Nearest public transport: U-Bahn / S-Bahn Marienplatz
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Munich guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour suitable for people with reduced mobility and strollers
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. We’re always here for you! The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide’s sudden illness, or if there are fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Snow-covered Alps, Oktoberfest with hectolitres of beer in litre mugs, smiling Germans in leather pants, lederhosen, green vests and caps with feathers. When we think of Germany often, this is the image that comes to mind. What we see though is not Germany, it is Bavaria! When it comes to popularity, it definitely wins the race with the rest of the country! Munich, being the capital of this richest German state, with its grand Catholic churches, palaces, huge automobile industry, gigantic breweries and the Bayern Munich football team can be considered the quintessence of all of Germany.
But Munich is also the place where the darkest chapter of German history began. It was here that the young Austrian Adolf Hitler attempted to seize power in the country by force during the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, for which he ended up behind bars. It is where he wrote his “Mein Kampf”, the book that was the basis for the criminal Nazi ideology. It was also the birthplace of the NSDAP, which eventually seized power throughout the country and, with Adolf Hitler at its head, led to World War II…
During our tour we will talk about both the light and dark pages of German history. We will learn about the history of Bavaria from the Roman beginnings of the city, through 700 years during which it was ruled by one powerful family, the Wittelsbachs, to the unification of Germany by Bismarck in the 19th century. We will see the places where Nazism was born, but also those where Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, worked while still an archbishop. We will also see, perhaps the most disappointing attraction of the city – a show of knightly figure fights in the city’s carillon.
Take a walk with us and get to know a city that combines like no other seemingly contradictory fields: history and motoring, art and technology, entrepreneurship and a specific lifestyle of Munich people, which is a mixture of self-confidence, freedom and cheerfulness. Perhaps all these contradictions are seamlessly united by what is most important to Munich people… beer!
After visiting Munich do check our tours in other German cities: Berlin and Dresden!
Highlights
- 1
Marienplatz
Munich's central square, featuring the New and Old Town Halls and its famous Glockenspiel carillon.
- 2
Hofbräuhaus
One of the world's most famous beer halls, central to Munich's beer culture and history.
- 3
Rise of Nazism
Discover the dark history of the Nazi movement's origins, including the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch.
- 4
Wittelsbach Dynasty
Learn about the powerful family that ruled Bavaria for 700 years and shaped the city.
- 5
Odeonsplatz
An elegant square known for its Italian-style architecture and as a site of historical events.
- 6
Bavarian State Opera
See the magnificent National Theatre, home to world-renowned opera and ballet on Max-Joseph-Platz.
- 7
Marienplatz (with its New and Old Town Hall)
Munich's central square, featuring the New and Old Town Halls and its famous Glockenspiel carillon.
- 8
Hofbräuhaus
One of the world's most famous beer halls, central to Munich's beer culture and history.
- 9
National Theater and State Opera
See the magnificent National Theatre, home to world-renowned opera and ballet.
- 10
Max Joseph Platz (and the residence of Bavarian kings)
Munich’s royal square, created in the early 19th century, and home to the Munich Residence—the seat of Bavarian power for over 400 years.
Map
St. Peter Church main gate Nearest public transport: U-Bahn / S-Bahn Marienplatz
Our customers said about us
Munich
5.0Patricia
Jean was superb!
The tour was absolutely amazing, I have learned so much about the city. He has also a great sense of humor. 😉
Munich
5.0Pleasant experience
Pleasant experience despite the bad weather.
Munich
5.0Emily
Wonderful tour
Alex was a wonderful tour guide. Lots of history about the city and tied things back to current day. He was very considerate of everyone and had fun jokes.
Munich
5.0Peri Hicks
Rainy afternoon in munich
We had so much fun with Jean on this tour. The city is beautiful, even in the rain, and there was so much to see and learn. Jean gave us some inside tips after the tour for more specific activities we wanted to do in Munich.
Munich
5.0Nicolas Sweet
Great tour by Alex!
Very good information to have a first lesson about Bayern’s history and society. Highly recommended!
Munich
5.0Shan
Very informative
Great tour by Alex, very informative and really deep in the history.
Munich
5.0Maria
Fabulous
Educational, fun and engaging. Jean provided information about the history of Munich in a that made it interesting, surprising and engaging. Even the history of the darkest period of Munich was told in a respectful and hopeful way. My group of 13 enjoyed this tour.
Munich
5.0Braden
Jean’s Tour was Incredible!
We loved being on Jean’s tour for his knowledgable and relatable information about Munich’s history! Thank you so much, Jean!
Munich
5.0Lauren Graham
Munich old town tour
Jean was so informative and very interesting. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
Munich
5.0Christian
Interesting and friendly
Really enjoyed the tour with Alex. From Aloisius at the Hofbräuhaus, the king of Neuschwanstein, and the plague dancers to the Nazi time and popes and high towers and snacks. Highly recommended.
