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The Ultimate Free Walking Tour of Munich (For 2023)

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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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Free Walking Tour of Munich

• 9.10 / 10 534 reviews | 4,992 travellers Valentina fantastic guide: clear, prepared, everything interesting and summarized very well. Congratulations. 10 Maira

Pass through Munich's many sights, and immerse yourself in German culture and history , discovering all the best points of the Bavarian capital on this free tour.

The tour begins at the designated time in front of  Fish's Fountain in Marienplatz , in the centre of Munich. Marienplatz is home to both the new and old town halls, two of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Here we will stop to see the famous Rathaus-Glockenspiel , and learn the history behind its wooden figures.

Passing through the main shopping streets which surround Marienplatz the tour arrives at Frauenkirche, the Munich Cathedral . Here we'll contemplate the majestic facade of the city's largest church, built on the site of an ancient Roman basilica, and pass over the recent history of the city.

Fünf Höfe (shopping mall). Then we'll move onto the iconic Odeonsplatz square, where we'll find the Feldherrnhalle , a monumental loggia built to honor the Bavarian Army in the 19th century.

Our next destination will be the  Theatinerkirche , a church that was built in Italian high-Baroque style in the 17th century. Then, we'll move on to the  Viscardigasse , also known as the "Shirker's Alley", the place where locals could circumvent the nearby Nazi memorial to avoid the requirement to render a Hitler salute to the nearby guarded memorial.

Next, we'll pass by the  Munich Residenz , the former royal palace of the  Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria . Then, the tour arrives at the National Theatre and State Opera , the Bayerische Staatsoper, where the famous Bavaria State Orchestra plays. 

Maximilianstraße will be our next destination. This is one of the city's four royal avenues and was named after the king who commissioned its construction: King Maximilian II of Bavaria.

As the perfect finishing tour to the tour, we'll guide the tour to  Hofbräuhaus, Germany's most famous beer hall.  After a total of 2.5 hours, we'll part ways at this strategic spot so you can continue exploring the city on your own.

We're unable to accept reservations for groups greater than 6 people. If you're traveling in a larger group, we recommend checking out our private tour of Munich .

More Information

2 hours 30 minutes.

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

English speaking guide

Not included

When to book.

You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• Printed material is avoided.
• No single-use plastics are used.
• The activity helps the dissemination of local cultural heritage.
• No printing of documentation required.
• Promotes local employment.
• Has a gender equality policy.

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Corporate name: Explora Múnich UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

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Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

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A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

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A - This activity requires a minimum of 4 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

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Meeting point.

Fish's Fountain (Fischbrunnen), Marienplatz

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Free Walking Tours Munich

This post lists the best free walking tours you can take in Munich, Germany, a city known for its beer gardens and festivals.

Free Tours By Foot has provided more than 1 million tours since our inception, so you can trust us to lead you in the right direction when it comes to free walking tours in Munich.

We also include a self-guided and an audio tour.

• Overview and Schedule
• City Centre Walking Tours
• Oktoberfest Walking Tours
• Self-Guided Walking Tours
• Free Tours with Turbo Pass
• Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

OVERVIEW AND SCHEDULE

Below is a calendar of some of the great free walking tours available in Munch, the capital city of Bavaria.

Click on the entry below to expand the listing for more details.

The tours listed below are run through us. More tours are available in the following sections.

Searching Availability...

Here is a calendar with more of the best free walking tours in Munich.

These walking tour companies run their guided walks on a pay-what-you-like basis, which means there is no upfront fee to join a tour.

At the end of the tour, they’ll ask you to pay what you think the experience was worth or what you could afford. Most tourists who enjoy their outings will tip their guides €10-€15, but that's up to you!

However, although these companies often get very good reviews, their affordability and popularity mean that, during the busy season, these walks are generally at capacity.

While a free walking tour of Munich is often led by entertaining and knowledgeable tour guides, the tour group is usually large enough to prevent you from interacting with your guide like you could in a small group.  

So, for travelers who want to take tours with fewer people, we recommend paid small-group tours .

If you decide to take a paid small-group tour, you might be able to see even more popular sites such as the Viktualienmarkt, the English Garden, and other sites that sometimes are not included on free outings.

That said, if you want to become more familiar with the main squares of the city and learn a basic overview of its history, a free walking tour could be just the way to go!

Check out our free tours in  dozens of other cities , including:

TIP : If you want to cover more ground, you can take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour through the city!

These tours come with audio guides in up to nine different languages (English, Spanish, German, and French included), and make stops at the most popular points of interest in Munich. 

FREE TOURS WITH THE MUNICH TURBOPASS

If you’re considering buying an attraction discount pass, the all-inclusive Munich TurboPass includes a 1.5-hour walking tour through Old Town as well as several other walking tours.

The travel card option gives either a free ticket or a 20% discount!

This tour’s normal price is €15 per adult and €13 per teen, young adult, or senior over 65. 

This walk runs at least once a day, every day of the year except for December 25! It is the perfect overview of Old Town. 

CITY CENTRE WALKING TOURS

Here is a list of companies that provide pay-what-you-like walking tours in the city.

In addition to learning about historical figures such as King Ludwig II, these outings also provide a look at what life was like in Munich during the middle ages.

You can usually expect to visit some of the following historic locations on these outings:

• Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)
• Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshals’ Hall)
• Hofbräuhaus
• Glockenspiel
• Marienplatz
• State Opera
• Odeonsplatz

If you want to see or learn about any of these locations, or even just find out where they are, consider taking one of the following free walking tours in Munich!

Explora Munich

This company also offers a pay-what-you-want walking tour of Munich, this one specifically focusing on the Old Town sector of the city.

You can expect to see a lot of the most notable sites in the city centre, including several historic locations over the course of this 2.5-hour tour.

This tour is offered daily at 10:45 am in both English and Spanish. There is also a second Spanish tour every day at 11:45 am.

Click here to book this tour .

This is another company offering a tour of Old Town Munich, this time covering some of the darker aspects of Bavarian history.

Visitors can expect to learn about the third reich history of Munich, including tales of Adolf Hitler and the Beer Hall Putsch. You'll also see notable sites such as the Old Town Hall and Mariensplatz.

This outing is available from Tuesday - Saturday at 10:45 am, on Wednesday and Friday at 15:00 (2 pm), and at 11:00 am on Saturday. The tour will last for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Book this tour or learn more .

Sandemans New Europe Munich

The free tour of Munich with Sandemans is a 2.5-hour walking overview of this beautiful German city starting at Marienplatz and ending close by.

Your local guide will make sure to show you all the must-see points of attraction, including the Glockenspiel, Frauenkirche, and the Hofbrauhaus. 

The walks begin at 10:45 am and 14:00 (2:00 pm) every day in both English and Spanish. 

You can also take paid tours and day trips covering specific topics and attractions.

Oktoberfest in Munich Tours

If you're curious about the tradition of Oktoberfest that takes place every October, there are actually free tours covering this side of Bavarian culture.

While drinks and food aren't included, you will learn about the history of this event and how it became an international sensation.

You can expect to visit landmars such as the following:

• Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)
• St. Peter Kirche
• Frauenkirche

This outing is 2 hours long and it's available in English on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday at 15:30 (3:30 pm) and on Saturdays at 10:00 am.

Book your tickets or learn more .

SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Self-guided walking tours are perfect for when you prefer to explore the city at your own pace or if you cannot find the right option for your schedule.

Either way, here are some written guides to Munich that will allow you to be your own guide. 

Rick Steves Audio Tour

Rick Steves is well-known for his many, many city guides and tours.

Luckily, his team offers one audio city walk for Munich , which is downloadable and comes with a downloadable map as well.

The audio guide runs for just over one hour and features 20 stops. 

Free Tours By Foot

Even if you don't have the earbuds for an audio tour, you can still use our self-guided walking tour of Munich as long as you have a smartphone.

This outing closely follows a similar path to the Rick Steves audio tour, but it's a bit shorter in length.

That said, we provide a lot of interesting details about each of the stops included, as well as directions to help you find your way to every location.

Best of all, just like our name says, it's entirely free to use this self-guided tour !

CityTourCard Munich

If you prefer to make your own route and are planning on purchasing public transportation tickets already, you can buy the CityTourCard for Munich which comes with a map and pocket guide to the city as well as discounts for certain card partners.

Haunted Munich Self-Guided Game

Discover the spookier side of Munich as you explore the city at your own pace and learn about some of the most haunted locations and stories as you attempt to solve a mystery.

This is an interesting alternative to a traditional tour, and although it's not free, at just €10 for up to 4 people, it costs about as much as you might tip for a pay-what-you-wish walking tour.

Download or learn more about this game .

And much, much more

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Fall in love with Munich

Heart of Munich is a local and independent tour operator situated in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. We specialise in free walking tours and private tours for those looking to experience the best that Munich and Bavaria history, culture and beer has to offer.

Our aim is to make sure you have an enjoyable and interactive learning experience and fall in love with Munich as much as we have. There is a lot to do here, so the best way to get the most out of your visit is with a professional tour guide.

Over the last 8 years,  we have received hundreds of five star reviews across Google, Tripadvisor, Guruwalk, Airbnb and more. Also, our free tour is the highest rated in Munich across multiple platforms.

You can read some of our reviews on each relevant tour page.

I look forward to meeting you soon,

Jake Slisz (Jax)

CEO – Heart of Munich tours

Free Walking Tour

We are an independent tour operator.

What does this mean? It means that we do all of our own advertising and marketing. You cannot book our tours through websites like Tripadvisor, Getyourguide or Viator. If you were not aware, these companies take 20 – 25% of every booking payment!. This is not something we support in the tourism industry, as it makes it hard for small companies like us to exist amongst the big corporations. When travelling, you should try to look for and book with local tour operators when possible.

We are a small company made up of 10 guides. We are all friends and have been working in the tourism industry for many years. We are very passionate about what we do and always try to deliver the best possible tour everyday. This is why we are currently the highest rated tour company in Munich. We go for quality tours over quantity.

We also believe that everyone should get the chance to experience Munich’s wonderful old town, which is why we run free tours twice daily. Anyone can reserve and join for free and then you pay at the end what you think the tour was worth. We are also a proud member of the Free tour community, a global network of local independent tour companies all supporting each other.

Private tours

Private City Tour

Explore the last 860 years of Munich’s history on a 2.5 hour walking tour through the backstreets of the old city.

Third Reich tour

Learn about the rise of Adolf Hitler, National Socialism and the Third Reich on a 3 hour walking tour through Munich.

Dachau Memorial Camp

Visit the memorial site on the grounds of the first concentration camp opened during the Third Reich.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Take a day trip from Munich to see the famous ‘Disney Castle’ built onto the Alps mountain range.

Let's talk!

Meeting point change during christmas markets, from the 27th november to 24th december the meeting point for our daily free tours will be in front of the 'hugendubel' bookstore on marienplatz. you will find further information in our faq and booking confirmation emails..

• Want to become a guide?

Share my guruwalk

English free walking tour of munich - fun & informative.

Hello! My name is Jax and I'm a professional tour guide who's lived in Munich since 2016. Over the years, I worked for two of the best tour agencies in Munich as a freelancer and in March 2021, I started my own tour company 'Heart of Munich Tours'. Over the years I've received hundreds of five-star reviews across Tripadvisor, Google, Getyourguide, Viator, Guruwalk and other platforms. My free tour is also currently the highest rated in Munich across multiple platforms! My guiding style is interactive, passionate, clear spoken, inclusive, fun and at times theatrical. I always bring my tablet on tour to share old photos and pictures to bring history to life. Please note: I do a lot of tours and the rest are covered my small team of amazing guides!

• Free booking and cancellation Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

Join me for a fun and informative 2.5 hour walking tour around the wonderful old city of Munich . Along the way you will learn about the origins of the city , cool king's, local legends, Third Reich history and of course the Bavarian culture , traditions and beer!

I want you to learn but put emphasis on having a good time, so I teach history through telling engaging and fun stories. This is an interactive tour, so I will be asking a lot of questions. In my experience, the best tours are when everyone feels involved in the learning experience. The tour includes a 15-minute break, which allows you to look inside the Hofbräuhaus and go to the toilet and get food/ drink. At the end of the tour you will get a list of great recommendations for restaurants and things to do. 

Weather: During colder months I will do my best to make sure the tour is mostly undercover, so that you are comfortable and during Summer I'll keep you in the shade. The average group size is 10 - 30 people throughout the year depending on the season and what events are happening in the city. Although I do most of the tours myself, I do have a small team of guides who also work for me with similar guiding styles. Important!: The tour is in English and maximum group size per booking is 6. Do not make multiple bookings for a larger group and if you want to bring extra people to the tour then you need to ask before the tour! Don't just bring people and expect they can join. Please have some respect for us guides and the group sizes. It is essential that you download the Guruwalk app as this is where I will send you important updates about any changes to the tour.

What will we visit on this tour?

We meet at the column in the middle of Marienplatz. Look for the white umbrella, which says 'Free tour' and 'Heart of Munich Tours'. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the tour start time and show your booking email on arrival. Note: Meeting point is different during the Christmas markets. We meet next to the T-mobile store, under the ‚Hugendubel’ store. Please download the guruwalk app to receive updates from me regarding the tour.

• 1 Outside visit Marienplatz
• 2 Outside visit Neues Rathaus
• 3 Outside visit Frauenkirche Show 4 more stops
• 4 Outside visit Odeonsplatz
• 5 Outside visit Residenz
• 6 Outside visit Hofbräuhaus München
• 7 Outside visit Viktualienmarkt

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price , instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

Tour opinions (1312)

Amazing Tour ! Thank you so much. I have learnt a lot

Brett was fun, very knowledgeable, entertaining and engaging! Would definitely recommend joining Brett’s tour!

Who is this tour for?

What should you know, others cities to visit after munich, where are you traveling to.

• Santiago de Chile
• Santiago de Compostela

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN MUNICH

• Select Tour

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 best free walking tours and paid tours in Munich by Walkative guides.

Tours in munich pay what you wish tours.

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Highlights of Munich

Munich is located in southern Germany, in picturesque Bavaria. It is famous for its numerous historical monuments, beautiful architecture and the annual beer festival – Oktoberfest. What are Munich’s main attractions? First and foremost is the Marienplatz and the buildings clustered around it. This includes the old and the new town hall. Both are definitely worth seeing, but it is the latter that especially impresses the visitors. It is a monumental edifice in neo-Gothic style, with a soaring tower housing more than 40 bells and one of the oldest clock mechanisms in the world. The building has as many as six courtyards and covers such a large area that as many as 24 townhouses had to be demolished to begin its construction!

The Marienplatz is also home to the 17th-century Marian column and the Fischbrunnen fountain. It is here that Munich’s famous Weihnachtsmarkt – the traditional Christmas market – takes place every year. Nearby is the imposing St Mary’s Cathedral with its two towers that are almost 100 metres high and are towering over the city. In addition to the sights at Marienplatz, Munich’s three mediaeval city gates, the Isartor, Sendlinger Tor and Charles Gate, are also worth visiting. For those who like sacred art sights, a walk to the late Renaissance church of St. Michael and Munich’s oldest church, St. Peter’s, is recommended.

Tours of Munich – what shouldn’t you miss?

Other highlights of Munich include the Alter Hof, the complex of buildings remaining from the first residence of the Dukes of Bavaria. It currently consists of five buildings and one of them, the so-called Burgstock, houses the city museum. Another three buildings that will appeal to architecture enthusiasts are the baroque Nymphenburg Palace, the so-called Residence – the Mannerist palace of the Wittelsbachs, and the Maximilianeum, which now houses the Bavarian parliament.

If you love being surrounded by art, you will certainly be interested in the collections housed in Munich’s Glyptothek. This is a beautiful historicist style building, which houses the Museum of Ancient Art. You can admire here, among other things, a bust of Emperor Octavius Augustus, a sculpture known as Apollo of Tenea dating from the 6th century BC and a number of other monuments from ancient Greece and Egypt. Painting enthusiasts, on the other hand, are encouraged to visit the Old Pinakothek, which houses paintings by masters such as Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel, Canaletto, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael Santi, Rembrandt and Rubens.

Walkative! free walking tour – Munich with an experienced guide

If you are taking a trip to Munich but don’t want to explore it on your own, we have the perfect solution for you! An experienced guide from Walkative! will guide you through the city, showing you the most beautiful sights and telling you about its fascinating history. If you join a Walkative! free tour of Munich, you decide the price of the tour yourself. You choose how much you want to reward the enthusiasm, passion and commitment of your guide! A free walking tour of Munich with Walkative! will be the perfect choice for small groups – such as families or couples. To join it, all you have to do is sign up via our website! Planning to travel to other beautiful European cities? You can find us in Berlin, Dresden, Wroclaw, Gdansk and many more. We look forward to seeing you!

We had just one day in Wroclaw and a decision to join Walkative tours was the right one! These guys are amazing! Their stories are very informative, full of history, legends, funny jokes! They took us to all astonishing places of Wroclaw. Perfect for a day trip to this lovely city! Thank you, Lukasz and Matt for the brilliant tours!

Dawie’s tour was the best theatre in Paris as well as informative!!!! He is great – even in the rain. Do it.

My group really enjoyed the amount of history explained in the tour, it was a nice way to get a lot of information on several of the key sites in the center of Paris in a compact amount of time. Excellent for orientation and background. I would certainly do other tours in the future.

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Free Walking Tour Munich

Free Walking Tour Munich takes you in an awesome tour through Munich, which is the capital of the state of Bavaria, located in the southern region of Germany. It’s known for its beautiful architecture and lively atmosphere. Visitors can explore the city’s history by visiting landmarks such as the Marienplatz, the central square of the city, which is home to the famous Glockenspiel, a clock tower with moving figures that tells the story of the city’s history. Munich is also home to several world-class museums, such as the Alte Pinakothek and the Deutsches Museum, as well as the famous Hofbräuhaus brewery and beer gardens. Visitors can also explore the city’s beautiful parks and gardens, such as the Englischer Garten, one of the largest public parks in the world. It’s a great destination for culture and history enthusiasts.

General information

Meet your guide at the Marienplatz

11:00 hrs / 18:00 hrs

Tip only basis

Please remember to check your ticket after booking to ensure you don’t miss any updates from your guide.

Free Walking Tour Munich – Itinerary

Begin the Free Walking Tour Munich by meeting at the Marienplatz, the central square of the city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Munich. The square is home to the famous Glockenspiel, a clock tower with moving figures that tells the story of the city’s history. Visitors can also take a tour of the New Town Hall and learn about the history of the building and the city.

Next, walk to the Frauenkirche, a magnificent gothic church that dates back to the 15th century and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. Visitors can take a tour of the church and learn about its history, architecture, and significance.

Read more...

Then, head to the Viktualienmarkt, one of the most famous markets in Munich, where visitors can find a variety of local products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, and bread. It’s a great place to sample some traditional German food and drinks.

Finally, visit the Hofbräuhaus, a famous brewery and beer garden that has been in operation since the 16th century. Visitors can take a tour of the brewery, sample the beer, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the beer garden.

This itinerary offers a good balance of historical and cultural landmarks, giving you a great overview of Munich’s rich history, culture, and famous beer culture.

• Destinations
• Tours in Munich

Munich Center Free Walking Tour

Overview of the tour in Munich

Munich is the largest city in the federal state of Bavaria and the third-largest in Germany. It is a place that stands out for its beauty and beer history, but this city hides many more curious facts and stories not so well known that you will discover accompanied by a local guide. During this tour, we will explore the most characteristic points of the old town. We will start at the famous Marienplatz, we will learn about the legend of the devil's footprint, we will have a first approach to National Socialism, we will discover the Bavarian kings and we will talk about beer, getting to know the Bavarian culture and traditions. It will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. Meeting point: Fischbrunnen (fish fountain) at Marienplatz. We are located right across the street from the Ludwig Beck shopping center. Look for the GREEN umbrellas. * It is not necessary to book for children under 14 years old You will know: - Munich Chime - Foundation of the city - The Devil's Footprint - Church of the Theatines and the Feldherrnhalle - Rise of the Nazi party in Munich - Bavarian traditions and gastronomy And much more...

This activity includes:

• Odeonsplatz
• CityQuartier FÜNF HÖFE
• Max-Joseph-Platz
• Rathaus-Glockenspiel
• Hofbräuhaus München
• Marienplatz y el carrillón
• Theatinerkirche
• Feldherrnhalle
• Viscardigasse
• Max Joseph Platz
• Ópera estatal
• Maximilianstrasse
• Hofbräuhaus
• y mucho más...

Meeting point

Fischbrunnen (fuente del pez) en Marienplatz

Public transport lines that pass near the Explora Munich meeting point: U-Bahn (subway): U3, U5, U6 S-Bahn (commuter train): S3, S4, S7, S8 Tram (tram): 19 Bus: 132, 62 To find the GREEN UMBRELLAS, head to the Fish Fountain on the opposite side of Marienplatz (right across from the Ludwig Beck shopping center).

Things to note

Reservations are not necessary for children under 14 years of age Large group bookings are not accepted (max. 6 persons) Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult The tour is done with a minimum of 4 people !!!!From November 21st during the Christmas markets season, our meeting point will be at the "Ludwig Beck" shopping gallery with the GREEN umbrella!!!! (the gallery is located right next to the Marienplatz fish fountain)

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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36 Hours in Munich

By A.J. Goldmann April 18, 2024

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By A.J. Goldmann Photographs by Laetitia Vancon

A.J. Goldmann has written about European arts and culture for nearly two decades. He currently divides his time between Munich and Berlin.

Munich is giving Berlin, its longtime cultural rival, a run for its money. Shedding its reputation as the conservative Bavarian capital, Munich is emerging as a younger, laid-back hub that’s balancing tradition and innovation in unusual ways. Look to the Schlachthofviertel, a rapidly evolving cultural district centered around an active slaughterhouse (yes, really) that’s sprung to life with nightclubs and bars (including one in a decommissioned ship) and a beautiful new home for the Volkstheater , one of the city’s main playhouses. Head to the Isarphilharmonie , an ultra-modern new concert hall, to hear some of Munich's top musical ensembles, including the splendid Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra , which turns 75 this year. And if you’re visiting in the summer, don’t miss the Munich Opera Festival , which is nearing its 150th birthday.

Recommendations

• The Englischer Garten , or the English Garden, Munich’s sprawling and beloved central park, is popular with locals during the warmer months.
• The Lenbachhaus Museum has Germany’s most important collection of works by the artists of Der Blaue Reiter, the influential modern art association founded in 1911 in Munich.
• Bahnwärter Thiel , a hip cultural space in a formerly abandoned lot with graffitied freight containers and old subway cars, has a vibrant techno club at its center.
• The Viktualienmarkt , Munich’s central outdoor greengrocers market, is full of attractively displayed fresh produce and vendors selling street food.
• Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism , a sobering museum built on the former site of Nazi headquarters, traces the ideology and the crimes of the party that was founded in Munich in 1920.
• The grand Nationaltheater is home to the Bayerische Staatsoper , one of Germany’s best opera companies.
• The grassy banks of the Isar , the river that runs through Munich, form an urban oasis where locals (and their dogs) stroll, picnic and even go for a dip in the river.
• The Alte Pinakothek , in Munich’s museum quarter, houses a storied collection of European paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries in a stately building.
• The Nymphenburg Palace was the former summer residence of Bavaria’s ruling family. The palace’s sweeping and stately gardens rival those of Versailles.
• Alva-Morgaine is a delightfully overstuffed second-hand shop with an unpredictable and ever-changing assortment of elegant and eccentric vintage clothing.
• Der Dantler gives a modern and refined take on Alpine cuisine in an informal atmosphere.
• Drei Mühlen is a bustling neighborhood restaurant where you can find the best deal on weisswurstfrühstück, a traditional Bavarian breakfast of veal sausages and a pretzel.
• Café Zimt und Trallala is a bakery and cafe that makes exquisite breakfast pastries.
• Deutsche Eiche is a gay-friendly restaurant and hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace.
• Alte Utting , a decommissioned ship perched on a railway bridge, is one of the city’s most unusual and most atmospheric places to have a cocktail.
• GötterSpeise is an eye-poppingly colorful cocoa emporium with a creative and delicious assortment of hot chocolate.
• Caspar Plautz , on the Viktualienmarkt, serves baked potatoes with a variety of stuffings.
• Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt , a cafe and roastery in the middle of the market, is your best bet for coffee.
• Lea Zapf , a cafe and patisserie on the Viktualienmarkt, makes decadent cakes and small pastries.
• Eataly , in a cavernous indoor market next to the Viktualienmarkt, is a mecca for gourmet Italian products.
• Café Frischhut makes local doughnuts called schmalznudels and other deep-fried delights.
• Conviva im Blauen Haus , a restaurant attached to the Münchner Kammerspiele, one of the city’s main playhouses, is the place to go for a quick and delicious pre-theater meal.
• The Königlicher Hirschgarten , one of the world’s largest and oldest beer gardens, is a perfect place to enjoy local delicacies and have a pint with thousands of your closest friends.
• Cortiina Hotel is sophisticated and centrally located, within spitting distance of the Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s legendary beer hall, and a few blocks from the opera house. Wooden floors and furniture and stone tiling in the bathroom contribute to the sense of luxurious minimalism. Rooms start at 289 euros, or $307.
• Living Hotel Prinzessin Elisabeth , a block from the Isar River, offers a variety of tastefully furnished rooms and suites. The rooms are spacious and all come equipped with a kitchenette and free drinks in the minibar. Rooms start at €120.
• Hotel Mariandl offers elegant, rather old-fashioned rooms (some with shared bathrooms) with Belle Époque charm. Set on a leafy boulevard close to the central train station, the hotel also has an atmospheric Viennese-style cafe and restaurant, Café am Beethovenplatz. Rooms start at €69.
• For short-term rentals , consider looking in Maxvorstadt and Schwabing, two residential neighborhoods north of the center with more vacation properties than the cramped old town.
• Munich’s public transportation system, MVG , which includes trains , buses and trams , is extensive, efficient and affordable. In central Munich, a single ride costs €3.90, a day pass costs €9.20, and a week pass costs €21.10. On weekends, the system runs all night long. The MVG also offers bike sharing , which can be booked with an app . Uber operates in Germany as a regulated taxi service nearly identical to the city’s other taxi companies. A good local ride-hailing option is IsarFunk . It’s more common (and easier) to order a ride in advance than to hail one on the street.

The Eisbach in the Englischer Garten

Start by getting to know Munich’s beloved central park. From Odeonsplatz, a 19th-century square, stroll to the Hofgarten , a manicured park surrounded with hedges and crowned by an elegant central gazebo. From there, cross into the rambling Englischer Garten , which is larger than New York’s Central Park. Wave to the bathers bobbing up and down in the Eisbach, the freezing man-made river that snakes through the park, and watch the daredevil surfers who ride its waves. You can also stop for an inaugural pint at the beer garden next to the Chinese Tower, a five-story wooden pagoda; take a boat out on the placid Kleinhesseloher See lake; or visit the hilltop Monopteros , a 19th-century replica of a Greek temple that was built for the Bavarian king Ludwig I.

Germany’s culture of commemoration, seen in its willingness to examine the crimes it committed during World War II, make the country unique. The Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism , which opened in 2015 at the site of a former Nazi headquarters, charts the history of Nazism in Munich, the birthplace of the movement. It traces the rise of the party and Adolf Hitler, including his failed but deadly coup, known as the Beer Hall Putsch , in 1923, while also describing the persecution of Munich’s Jewish population, which numbered roughly 12,000 before Hitler’s rise to power, and the city’s postwar reckoning with its Nazi past. The current temporary exhibition (through July 28) examines right-wing terrorism in post-war Germany to the present day, including the 1980 Oktoberfest bombing and the 2016 attack at a Munich shopping mall. (Entry, free.)

Get a taste of modern Bavaria at Der Dantler, one of a new crop of restaurants injecting Alpine cuisine with Asian accents. The restaurant, in the former working-class neighborhood of Geising, has a casual, hole-in-the-wall vibe; friendly and attentive staff; and, in the evenings, a frequently changing five-course menu (105 euros per person) with ambitious preparations of regional produce. A recent dinner included roasted carrots coated with preserved lemon and a spicy macadamia crunch; and a tender saddle of veal in jus, served with schupfnudeln, or German gnocchi. Vegetarian and pescatarian options available. The wine pairing (currently 56 euros per person) is a great way to get to know the menu’s German and Austrian bottles, including some adventurous natural wines. Reservations required.

The Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain) on Marienplatz, the central square in Munich’s old town, with the white Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) in the distance.

Drei Mühlen

Weisswurstfrühstück is a time-honored German tradition in the south: A pair of boiled veal sausages, eaten with sweet mustard and a chewy pretzel, washed down with beer. It’s the Bavarian breakfast of champions. Try it at Drei Mühlen , a restaurant that gets its sausages from the area’s best-known butcher, Magnus Bauch . Drei Mühlen recently raised its prices, but even so, its weisswurstfrühstück remains an unbeatable deal at €6.55 (which includes a half-liter of Augustiner lager beer). It’s a bustling locals’ hang, especially on weekends, so you might end up sitting at the cramped bar. Reservations recommended. For vegetarians, Café Zimt und Trallala , around the corner, bakes some of the best croissants in the city and not-to-be-missed franzbrötchen, a sticky, flaky, cinnamon-and butter-pastry (€2.80 each).

After you’ve polished off your beer, head to the Isar, the river that flows through Munich. Cross the Wittelsbacherbrücke, a bridge, and walk along the dirt paths on the river’s grassy bank. A bold, decade-long rewilding project , completed in 2011, widened the Isar here, purified its waters and added a series of gravel paths along its banks. Watch (and maybe even join) the courageous swimmers carried by the strong current around the Weideninsel, a small island that emerged during the rewilding. To keep exploring the banks of the Isar, walk south, past the lovingly maintained Rosengarten, whose flowers are just starting to bloom. You will soon reach the Flaucher, a series of pebbled beaches, connected by an elevated walkway, that are popular with both nudists and families who barbecue (they keep to their separate shores).

The years that Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, lived in Munich (between 1979 and 1985) made him a local hero and one of the city’s gay icons. Visit some of his haunts around Gärtnerplatz, a circular plaza, like the nearby Deutsche Eiche , nowadays a hotel and restaurant with a stunning rooftop terrace. (He was also a habitué at Pimpernel and Ochsengarten , two still-operating gay bars and nightclubs on the neighboring Müllerstrasse.) Mercury bought an apartment with the Austrian actress Barbara Valentin on Hans-Sachs-Strasse, a quaint street lined with prewar buildings. There, find Alva-Morgaine , a delightful wunderkammer (or cabinet of curiosities) of one-of-a-kind fashion, like 1920s flapper dresses. Around the corner is GötterSpeise , a cocoa emporium with a creative assortment of hot chocolates (€4 to €6).

If the Englischer Garten are the lungs of Munich, then the Viktualienmarkt , one of Europe’s best outdoor food markets, is the city’s stomach. Try the heavenly pressed sandwiches at Luiginos Bio Feinkost , which include a pastrami-Cheddar melt or grilled eggplant, chevre and spinach (from €6.90); or head to Caspar Plautz , a potato merchant that serves stuffed baked spuds (from €7.50 a plate). If the weather is inclement, duck inside the temple-like Eataly directly next door for a slice of focaccia (from about €6). For dessert, try the freshly fried schmalznudels – Bavarian doughnuts — at Café Frischhut (from €3) — or the decadent cakes and pastries at Lea Zapf (from €4). The house-roasted coffee at the Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt might be the best in town.

Der Blaue Reiter, or the Blue Rider , a group of Expressionist artists which coalesced in Munich in 1911, is arguably the city’s greatest contribution to 20th-century art. In boldly colorful works, the Blue Rider artists used modern painting as a conduit to the spiritual. The Lenbachhaus Museum , in the city’s central Kunstareal, or museum quarter, boasts the world’s largest collection of paintings by the group whose members included Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc and Paul Klee. The trove exists because of Gabriele Münter , a distinctive and prolific painter who was also Kandinsky’s lover (he eventually left her to move back to Russia). In 1957, when she turned 80, she donated more than 1,000 works by herself, Kandinsky, Marc, Klee and others to the museum. (Entry, €10.)

It’s easy to miss Conviva im Blauen Haus , an unassuming restaurant behind the Münchner Kammerspiele , one of the city’s three publicly funded theaters. The restaurant, with industrial lighting and long wooden tables, doubles as the theater’s canteen and employs people with mental and physical disabilities as cooks and servers. Prompt and attentive service ensures that everyone — actors and audience members alike — gets to the show on time. A recent evening menu featured osso buco on saffron risotto, Iberian pork loin with king oyster mushroom and potato strudel, and sea bream with artichokes and fennel puree, all in the €20 range.

Nationaltheater

Germany is home to more than 80 opera companies and the Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera), which traces its history back more than 350 years, might be the country’s finest. These days, it has a reputation for a varied operatic repertoire, often presented in avant-garde productions. Locals love to get gussied up for performances at the company’s grand main venue, the nearly 2,000-seat Nationaltheater . Germany’s lavish public subsidies mean that there are tickets for every budget, including over 300 standing room tickets for under €20. Upcoming highlights include Romeo Castellucci’s densely symbolic take on Wagner’s “ Tannhäuser ,” a new “ Tosca ,” directed by the Hungarian filmmaker Kornel Mundruczo and the summertime premiere of “ Le Grand Macabre ,” directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski, in honor of the Hungarian composer Gyorgy Ligeti’s centennial.

Alte Utting

Munich still lags behind Berlin when it comes to clubbing, but its nightlife has become much more varied over the past decade. One of the most unusual club venues is Bahnwärter Thiel , a cultural space in the edgy Schlachhofviertel district, just south of the center of town. The large outdoor area contains abandoned subway cars and sea freight containers, one of which contains the Kulturhaus, a club that attracts some of Germany’s best techno D.J.s. (Most concert tickets, €10.) A few blocks away is the Alte Utting , a bar and event space in a decommissioned passenger steam ship perched high above street level on a disused railway bridge.

The statue of Bavaria, the female personification of the southern German state, looks over the expansive Theresienwiese, the site of the annual Oktoberfest beer festival.

Alte Pinakothek

On Sundays, Munich’s state-run museums charge €1 entry to their permanent exhibitions. If you need to choose just one, head to the Alte Pinakothek , one of the world’s finest collections of European paintings, which is housed under the soaring ceiling of an early-19th-century building. Highlights include a richly varied assortment of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, which looks more stunning than ever after recent improvements to the skylights. More than 200 paintings in the main upper galleries have changed places as part of a recent reorganization that eschews traditional ordering along geographical and chronological lines in favor of a more flexible presentation. If you have time to spare, cross the road to the Pinakothek der Moderne , home to 20th- and 21st-century art. Be warned, though: It will set you back another euro.

Königlicher Hirschgarten

Man does not live by art alone. After you’re done soaking in centuries’ worth of masterpieces, head over to the Königlicher Hirschgarten , one of the world’s largest beer gardens, founded in 1791. Find a spot in the main 7,000-seat area, which is self-service and has long, shared tables and Augustiner lager on tap. Sausages, potato salad and rotisserie chicken are king here, but the steckerlfisch, a whole grilled fish on a stick, is also a local delicacy. (Half-liter beer, €4.20; beer garden food, €3 to €20.) After lunch, stroll through the nearby Nymphenburg Palace , the former summer residence of Bavaria’s ruling family. Explore the 445-acre garden and marvel at the palace’s vast main building, whose 2,000-foot-long facade is larger than that of Versailles (gardens and parks entry, free; ceremonial rooms, €8).

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Tour description

The Free Tour is the ideal tour to understand the history of the city of Munich. We will explore the old town for around 2 and a half hours discovering the most popular ya places so that you get a much broader view of Bavarian history and culture.

Munich is a place that stands out for its beauty and beer history, but this city hides curiosities and less-known stories as well. Munich is also a city of monks, a medieval city with walls that protected it during years of wars and sieges, a city of nobles and kings, the capital of the National Socialist (Nazi) Movement, a modern and cosmopolitan city … and much more. Get to know the city with the best, with «Explora Munich». Our guides are experts in making your trip an unforgettable experience.

* The guides have years of experience teaching the city in the most convenient way and serve as your tourist advisers in Munich. At the end of the tour you value their work and you choose the price you pay!

Places we will visit

• Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel
• Frauenkirche
• Odeonsplatz
• Feldherrnhalle
• Theatinerkirche
• Viscardigasse
• Opera hause
• Maximilianstraße
• Hofbräuhaus

And much more…

❗ LIMITED CAPACITY FOR GROUPS: group reservations cannot exceed 8 participants in a free walking tour. If your group exceeds 8 participants, contact us via email [email protected]

Meeting point

You will find the green umbrellas from Explora Múnich near the Fish´s fountain located on Marienplatz (just opposite the Ludwig Beck shopping center).

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