Private Munich City and Dachau former Concentration Camp day Tour

Explore Munich’s Historic Heart and Dachau in a Private Day Tour

This private Munich city and Dachau Concentration Camp day tour offers a comprehensive experience blending the city’s vibrant history with a sobering visit to one of the most significant memorial sites. Priced at $313 per person, the tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours and is perfect for those who want a deep dive into Munich’s cultural and historical landmarks. It starts with a guided exploration of the old town, then transitions to a poignant visit to the Dachau Memorial Site, with transportation included, making logistics smooth and straightforward.

What sets this tour apart is its private format, allowing for a personalized experience, led by a professional and qualified guide. With a carefully curated itinerary, it covers iconic sights like Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Odeonsplatz, and the Hofbräuhaus, as well as the historic Dachau camp. The tour is suitable for visitors with moderate physical fitness, as it involves walking and some outdoor exploration, and children must be at least 14 years old. This tour balances Munich’s lively city life with an important historical memory, offering a respectful, in-depth look at Germany’s past.

Key Points

• Private tour ensuring a personalized experience with your own group
• 7-8 hours duration, including city highlights and Dachau memorial
• Expert guide provides detailed insights into Munich’s history and Dachau’s significance
• Visits to Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Odeonsplatz, and Viktualienmarkt
• Public transportation included for seamless travel between locations
• Hotel pickup and drop-off offered for convenience

Starting at Munich’s Old Town: Marienplatz and Frauenkirche

The tour begins at Marienplatz, the bustling heart of Munich, where a qualified guide meets your group at Karlsplatz under the Karlstor. This historic square is famous for its lively atmosphere and the Glockenspiel, and it serves as an excellent starting point for understanding Munich’s history.

Following Marienplatz, the group visits the Frauenkirche, Munich’s largest church, known for its distinctive twin towers. The guide highlights the story that the church was built in just 20 years, supposedly by the devil, adding a fascinating myth to its architecture. These stops are quick yet rich in detail, setting the tone for the rest of the city exploration.

Discover Munich’s Royal and Cultural Landmarks

After a brief walk, the tour passes by Residenz Munchen, the largest inner city palace in Germany, constructed over 450 years. Although the entrance isn’t included, the exterior and the history of Bavarian royalty come alive through the guide’s commentary.

Next, the group visits Odeonsplatz, one of Munich’s most beautiful squares, which historically served as a cultural hub and was later co-opted by the Nazi party. The square links to the museum quarter, university district, and the English Garden, providing context about Munich’s evolution through the ages.

The highlight continues with a stop at Max-Joseph-Platz, home to Germany’s largest opera house, and then the Staatliches Hofbräuhaus, the world-famous beer hall. These locations showcase Munich’s architectural grandeur and its lively beer tradition, with free access to the beer hall for visitors.

Lunch and Market Experience at Viktualienmarkt

The tour includes a 50-minute visit to Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s largest indoor food market. This vibrant market offers a glimpse of local fresh produce and delicacies. It’s also the designated lunch stop, where the group can enjoy the lively atmosphere and perhaps sample some local specialties, although food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Transition to Dachau: From the Original Train Station to the Memorial Site

After exploring the city, the group transfers from the Bahnhof Dachau, which remains the original train station used historically by prisoners arriving at the camp, to a bus route that parallels the forced marches prisoners endured. This part of the tour offers a powerful visual of the camp’s logistics and the scale of the atrocities.

The bus journey is brief but impactful, setting the stage for the visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.

Visiting the Dachau Memorial Site: A Sobering Reflection

The core of the tour is the 4-hour visit to Dachau, where the guide explains why the camp was opened and details the first prisoner arrivals. Visitors learn about the camp’s evolution, development, and the SS training facilities, providing a comprehensive understanding of its function during the Holocaust.

The memorial site visit is free of charge, and the guide’s expertise helps frame the experience with sensitivity and clarity. The site’s somber atmosphere encourages reflection on the atrocities committed, making this part of the tour both educational and emotional.

Return to Munich City Center

Following the Dachau visit, the tour concludes with a 5-minute ride back to Marienplatz or your inner-city hotel. The entire experience is designed to balance urban exploration with historical reverence, providing a meaningful day of learning.

Practical Details: Transportation, Guides, and Booking

The tour includes public transportation for ease of movement between sites, with hotel pickup and drop-off offered for added convenience. This private experience ensures only your group participates, and a professional guide leads the narration, sharing detailed insights about each stop.

Booking typically occurs 108 days in advance, reflective of its popularity. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dressing appropriately is advised. Children must be 14 or older, and a moderate physical fitness level is recommended due to walking and outdoor exposure.

Unique Aspects and Strengths of this Tour

What makes this tour stand out is its combination of Munich’s lively city sights with a deeply respectful visit to Dachau. The private format allows for tailored pacing and the chance to ask questions, while the expert guide ensures that complex history is conveyed with accuracy and sensitivity.

Transportation logistics are well-managed, with public transit included, removing the stress of navigating Munich independently. The timing is balanced to avoid rushed visits, giving adequate time at each site, especially the 4-hour Dachau tour.

Considerations and Limitations

While the tour provides a rundown, food and drinks are not included, so participants may wish to bring snacks or plan for lunch at Viktualienmarkt. The moderate physical activity involved may be challenging for some, particularly considering the outdoor nature of the Dachau visit.

Since it is a private tour, it may be priced higher than group options, but the personalized attention and flexibility are key benefits.

Who Will Appreciate This Tour Most?

This tour is ideal for history enthusiasts, small groups, or families with older children interested in Germany’s past and Munich’s cultural sites. It’s especially suitable for those seeking a meaningful, respectful visit to Dachau within a full-day city exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the entire tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours, including city sightseeing, lunch, transportation, and the Dachau visit.

What sites are covered during the Munich city exploration?
Stops include Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Residenz Munchen, Odeonsplatz, Max-Joseph-Platz, Staatliches Hofbrauhaus, and the Viktualienmarkt.

Is transportation included?
Yes, public transportation is part of the package, covering travel between Munich landmarks and to Dachau.

What is the focus of the Dachau visit?
Visitors learn about the camp’s opening, prisoner arrivals, development, SS training facilities, and reflect on the historical atrocities.

Can children participate in this tour?
Children must be at least 14 years old to join, and the physical activity involved is moderate.

Does the tour include food?
No, food and drinks are not included, but a lunch stop at Viktualienmarkt is built into the schedule.

How do I book this tour?
Bookings are usually made about 108 days in advance through the provider, InMunich Tours.

Is there a cancellation policy?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour start, with a full refund.

What makes this tour different from others?
The private setting, expert guides, and a well-balanced itinerary combining Munich’s highlights with a meaningful Dachau visit make this tour stand out.

What should I wear?
Since the tour operates in all weather conditions, dress appropriately for outdoor walking and weather changes.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at Rathaus-Glockenspiel, Marienplatz and ends back at the same point or at your inner-city hotel.

This private Munich city and Dachau memorial tour offers a comprehensive, sensitive, and personalized way to understand Munich’s vibrant history and its darkest chapter. It combines cultural highlights with a profound reflection on the past, making for a truly impactful day.