Munich Old Town: History, Beer, and Legends Tour

Discover Munich’s old town on a private walking tour. Uncover history, architecture, brewing traditions, and local legends. Experience the city’s charm in just 1.5 km.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Isartor - Meet me under the central arch of the Isar Gate, where I’ll share the tale of Munich’s medieval defenses. You’ll see the hidden remnants of the main medieval city wall, hear the legend of the city’s founding, and learn how trading a single product led to the rise of a metropolis.

Additionally, you’ll hear about Munich’s most beloved comedian, whose museum is housed in the towers of the Isar Gate, and discover why time in Bavaria runs backwards.

  • Sterneckerbräu - We’ll visit the site where Adolf Hitler gave his first public speech, leading to his joining the German Workers’ Party. You’ll uncover the building’s incredible history as a key location for the Nazi Party.
  • Dürnbräugasse - We’ll pass by the oldest tavern in town, and I’ll tell you the story of its resilience and how it has maintained its status for over half a millennium.
  • Hofbräuhaus München - We’ll explore the former royal brewery, now the world’s most famous beer hall. You’ll learn its centuries-old history, meet its beer angel, and see the main hall’s interiors, regular tables, and beer mugs of regular guests. We’ll delve into the beer purity law, Bavarian brewing tradition, Oktoberfest, and the secrets of Munich beer gardens.
  • Restaurant Pfistermühle - We’ll see the former royal bakery and discover the legend of the pretzel and its symbolic connection to Munich.
  • Alter Hof - We’ll visit the inner courtyard of the first residence of the Wittelsbach royal family in Munich, learn the legend of the Royal Zoo and its role in the life of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV, and find out how Munich’s flag got its colors.
  • Dallmayr Delikatessenhaus - We’ll walk past a historic gourmet store with a royal tradition, now one of Europe’s largest delicatessen companies. I’ll share curious details from Dallmayr’s history and offer insider tips for food lovers and coffee addicts.
  • Schäfflerstraße - We’ll cross Coopers’ Street, where you’ll learn about Munich’s most famous legend, commemorating the 16th-century pest containment with a traditional dance still performed today.
  • Frauenkirche - We’ll visit Munich’s cathedral, learn the legend of its construction, and its connection to the building’s unique interiors. We’ll see the Devil’s footprint and uncover the secret of the wind that surrounds the cathedral year-round.
  • Marienplatz - We’ll admire the Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain), Munich’s most famous fountain, and I’ll introduce you to the local traditions of Wallet Washing and Butchers’ Jump. I’ll reveal the spot where the Munich white sausage was invented and the curious circumstances of its creation. We’ll also delve into the history of St. Mary’s Square, the New and Old Town Halls, and the Glockenspiel, Munich’s world-famous mechanical clock that reenacts two significant scenes from the city’s history to various carillon tunes.
What's Included
  • Insider tips and recommendations regarding local restaurants, shopping and further sights to explore
  • 2 hours private walking tour, exploring old town highlights and hidden gems at a comfortable pace
  • Map of the tour itinerary (digital version)
  • Knowledgeable and welcoming guide, fluent in English
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

The tour is designed to make your acquaintance with Munich in a brief, but many-sided manner. We will pace along a 1,5 km route to discover together Munich’s old town, assembling piece by piece parts of the city’s past and modernity into a colourful puzzle of history, architecture, brewing traditions and gastronomic symbols, royal heritage and folk costume, bygone hotspots of Nazism and strongholds of religion, witty Bavarian humour and centuries-old legends.

You will find out how salt and wine helped the city emerge and why a child monk is its symbol. You will visit the world’s most famous beer hall to eyewitness the local beer drinking culture and discover the story of the Oktoberfest. You will learn how an ancient dance connected the 16th-century plague epidemic and the modern-times Coronavirus pandemic and how the bow tied on the apron of a dirndl can encourage to or discourage from flirting with a woman. All that while enjoying Munich’s sights and taking in its atmosphere.

Location
Isar Gate
Tal
We will meet under the arch below the Clock Tower of the Isar Gate, I will send you a picture of the spot as soon as you book the tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(32 Ratings)
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D7117najamesr
Jul 29, 2024
A wonderful, informative tour of old Munich with a knowledgeable and caring guide - Our private tour with Victoria was fabulous! She was a lot of fun taking us to all of the sites associated with old Munich. We felt like she cared about us and wanted us to have the best tour experience we could possibly have! If you want a great personal tour where you can learn a lot and have fun in the process, I totally recommend this one!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cody_b
Jul 17, 2024
Do this at the start of your Munich trip - Very enjoyable walk of old Munich with lots of history tidbits. Victoria was very knowledgeable and patient with my family as we stopped to take lots of pictures along the way. Plus we received bonus info on where to eat, shop and visit the rest of our trip.
Review provided by Viator
Culture23235656
Jul 15, 2024
Old Town Munich tour with Victoria - While in Munich on summer vacation recently we booked an afternoon walking tour with Victoria. We are so glad that we did. We booked it the morning of the tour and were so lucky to have been able to be expertly guided by Victoria through so many of the beautiful and fascinating historical sites within the heart of Munich. Victoria adapted the tour based on what we had already seen earlier in the week in order to avoid duplication and ensure we were learning new historical facts. Her tour included stories about the history of historical leaders of southern Germany, WW2 history, Oktoberfest, the roots of various German traditions, and so much more. It was like touring old town Munich with the friend of a friend. She carried an iPad with her so she could add an additional dimension to her tour by showing us historical maps of the areas that we were walking, photos of cultural artifacts and historical photos of leaders. She even sent us some of those photos that we found particularly interesting after the tour concluded so that we could refer back to them. We would definitely do it again. Meeting the various interest areas of my husband, our teenage son and me is a rare feat and all three of us ranked Victoria's guided tour of old town Munich in our top 3 during our vacation to Germany and Switzerland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wigg3
Jul 8, 2024
The Old Town of Munich with Victoria - We had a beautiful though pretty hot walk of the old part of Munich well guided and explained by Victoria. She made the tour interesting and for herself she is a very nice person. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer
Jul 2, 2024
Wonderful experience - We had a lovely time visiting Munich with our host, Victoria. She was very knowledgeable about the history of the city. I would recommend this private tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzanne_b
Jun 23, 2024
We loved this tour! - Victoria provided the perfect tour and introduction to Munich! We enjoyed every minute and highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Munich!
Review provided by Viator
Fneira00
Jun 20, 2024
Ask for Victoria!! - Victoria was so knowledgeable and brought so many pictures, stories, surprises!! She was able to connect the dots in a graceful way that you learn and enjoy the city and its history at the same time!
Review provided by Viator
616sherylf
Jun 18, 2024
Informative private tour of old town Munich - Victoria is very friendly and knowledgeable. Being a private tour, we had her full attention. We had lots of questions and she had the answers. We were also looking for a place for lunch along the way and she made several suggestions. We decided on the Rathskeller and she walked us there. We loved the atmosphere, food and beer, and the prices were reasonable. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Victoria and highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
179aloks
Jun 16, 2024
Fall in love with Munich, with our guide Victoria. Private old town walking tour - We had an outstanding walking tour with Victoria who was full of anecdotes about Munich's history, food, beer and culture. She is very knowledgeable and narrated with animation and humour. We didn't feel rushed even when the tour was over and she patiently answered all our questions! Cannot recommend her highly enough. Deepika and Alok Shah
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher_a
Jun 10, 2024
Unforgettable - Dear friend! If you’re this far into the search for an unforgettable private tour of old Munich, enough to read this, go no further. Very few memories will survive the sheer exhaustion of trying cram in all that is available, and what with the fear of missing out nagging at the back of one’s mind. Let the charming and remarkably erudite Victoria walk you through these streets steeped and steepled in gorgeous history Germany can be proud of . We will never forget these two beautiful hours.
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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