3 Munich Tours We Can’t Stop Talking About

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If you think you’ll get to know Munich simply by seeing Marienplatz and grabbing a beer at the Hofbräuhaus, you’re missing out on so many fascinating layers of the city!

The best way to get to know Munich?

We highly recommend 3 specific tours that you can easily work into your itinerary. Aaron has tried out all 3 tours and they’ve turned out to be some of the most memorable experiences he’s had in Munich.

This article is also available as the Germany Travel Planning podcast episode 7. Use the player below to listen or continue reading the article below. See episode transcript on Apple podcasts.

Helpful Links & Resources From the Podcast Episode

• Munich Viktualienmarkt food tour
• Munich WWII & Third Reich Tour
• Munich craft beer tour
• DIY Germany Travel Planner 
• Custom itinerary service
• Itinerary review service

The 3 Best Munich Tours to Add to Your Itinerary

There are a lot of tours in Munich. But these 3 stood out for very different reasons. Together they cover a pretty amazing range of what this city has to offer.

From tasting your way through a legendary outdoor market to diving deep into some of the darkest chapters of German history, to sipping unique craft beers in neighborhoods most visitors never find, these tours go way beyond the typical tourist experience.

Tour 1: A Food Tour Through the Viktualienmarkt

Viktualienmarkt is a sprawling open-air market right in the heart of Munich’s old town, with 140 stalls and shops selling everything from Bavarian cheeses and smoked meats to fresh pastries, flowers, and gifts.

It’s been running daily since 1807 (minus Sundays and holidays, so plan accordingly), and there’s a small beer garden right in the center that turns into a Christmas market in December. We love wandering through the market every time we’re in Munich because it’s the kind of place where you always find something new no matter how many times you’ve visited.

And visiting on a small group food tour with a with a guide? That’s a whole different experience – one that Aaron loved and highly recommends.

His tour group included about a dozen people from the US, Canada, and Australia, and the knowledgeable, friendly guide filled in all the backstory that you’d never get on your own. Things like the behind-the-scenes logistics of keeping this market operating day in and day out for over two centuries, stories about the vendors, and Munich’s broader food culture and history.

And one fun under-the-radar gem he discovered on this tour? The market’s fountains aren’t just decorative. They depict local folk heroes and comedians from Munich’s history, and because Munich takes its water seriously (hello, Alpine source), you can actually fill up your water bottle from them. We’ve been doing that for years without knowing the full story behind the fountains!

Even better was sampling all kinds of food from the market! Aaron tried everything from whole sandwiches to cheese plates to fresh juice and more. It was all very local and Bavarian and brought right out to the group they moved through the market.

Aaron’s advice: arrive hungry!

The tour runs about 2 – 2 1/2 hours, which is exactly the right amount of time. We highly recommend booking this food tour in advance to avoid missing out.

🇩🇪 Insider Insights:

• Come with an empty stomach!
• Bring your water bottle so you can fill it with cold water from the market’s historic fountain.
• The market is closed on Sundays and holidays, so plan accordingly.
• Solo travelers are very welcome and it’s a great way to meet people.

Tour 2: The Third Reich and World War II Walking Tour

Unfortunately, I missed this one because it was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit that day and I simply could not spend the afternoon walking in the heat and sun.

So, Aaron went on this Munich Third Reich and WWI HistoryTour without me – and later that evening, once it had cooled down, he took me around old town and walked me through the highlights himself. I have been kicking myself ever since for not going because Aaron raves out it – as do our clients who’ve done this tour.

Something important to understand about this tour – it’s not a lighthearted tour. It’s a serious, deeply informative walk through Munich’s role in the rise of the Nazi party, the specific places where key events unfolded, and the history that shaped one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

Aaron described it as one of the most impactful tours he’s ever taken, and that’s saying a lot for someone who has been to Munich many times and has taken numerous tours in many countries.

What makes this tour so powerful? You’re standing in the actual places where history happened. Your guide connects dots you never would have connected on your own. And suddenly the buildings you walk past become much more meaningful as you start to understand what happened in and around then.

After a tour like this, you’ll never see Munich the same way again.

Aaron’s guide was exceptional, both knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the subject. The tour ran about 3 hours.. Because the group was so engaged, the guide offered to stay longer and despite the brutal heat, nearly everyone stayed. That’s the mark of a truly great guide and tour.

The Third Reich & WWII History tour also inspired Aaron to visit the NS-Dokumentationszentrum (Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism) that same week, which added even more depth to everything he’d learned. I went to the NS-Dokumentationszentrum in Munich on our last visit and I agree that it’s a must-visit for anyone interested in history.

🇩🇪 Insider Insights:

• This tour runs rain or shine, heat or cold.
• Probably not the right fit for children under 12 given the subject matter.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The guide will also point out places to refill along the way.
• Book in advance, especially in summer.

Tour 3: A Craft Beer Tour Through Munich’s Local Neighborhoods

Okay, now for something completely different, and honestly a whole lot of fun! While Munich is famous for its big historic breweries, this Munich craft beer tour takes you somewhere most visitors never go – into regular Munich neighborhood to visit the city’s small, independent craft breweries.

This is an evening tour, which makes it a fantastic complement to a day of sightseeing. It starts in the early evening and runs about 3 – 3 1/2 hours. Aaron’s group was just three guests and the guide, which meant it felt more like hanging out with friends than taking a formal tour. He got to ask way more questions than he would have in a larger group, and it had a wonderfully relaxed, local vibe.

As it turns out, Aaron’s guide is a colleague and friend of a friend and former colleague of mine! How’s that for a small world?

At each stop, you actually go inside and sit down to enjoy not only the beer but the vibe of each place. The guide has real relationships with the people running the establishments, so you’re not just a tourist passing through.

Aaron got proper flights of beer and the brewery owners or staff came out to talk about what they were drinking – what went into the beer, how they brewed it, and why they make it.

Aaron said what made it all so interesting were the personal stories behind the micro-breweries and their beer – their backgrounds, training, and reasons for making beer in Munich. That human element made the experience super interesting. Tasting the fantastic beer (and schnapps and a few other treats) was also awesome!

These craft breweries are the kind of under-the-radar gems you’d likely never stumble upon without a guide pointing you in the right direction. That’s a big part of what makes this tour special. You’re getting a genuine insider look at a side of Munich that exists completely outside the tourist trail.

The tour company behind this tour also runs food and beer tours in Berlin, and I can personally vouch for them after doing one of their Berlin food tours. The owners, Margot and Alex, are fantastic people who are genuinely passionate about helping visitors dive into Munich and Berlin through local food and beer.

We highly recommend adding one of their tours to your itinerary!

🇩🇪 Insider Insights:

• You do get some snacks, especially at the first stop, so you can start this on a light stomach or after a full dinner – either works.
• Groups max out at 12, so book ahead.
• Because it’s an evening tour, it pairs perfectly with a full day of exploring Munich.