Munich is not only a destination worth visiting in its own right – it is also the perfect base for exploring Bavaria and beyond. From a guided walking tour of the Old Town and a spooky evening tour to day trips to Neuschwanstein Castle, Salzburg and the Romantic Road, there are plenty of ways to explore without renting a car or dealing with the hassle of organising everything yourself. Here are the eight best tours from Munich, complete with start times, durations and useful tips to help you choose the right experience for your trip:

1. City Tours in Munich

Munich Old Town Walking Tour

• Time: Starts at 10:45 am, ends around 12:45 pm (2 hours)
• Meeting point: Marienplatz
• Highlights: Frauenkirche, Glockenspiel, Munich Residenz, Odeonsplatz, Viktualienmarkt, Hofbräuhaus, English Garden and the Eisbach surfing wave

Two hours, plenty of history and all the major sights – this walking tour is an excellent introduction to Munich. Starting with iconic landmarks such as the Frauenkirche, the famous Glockenspiel and the Munich Residenz, the route continues to Odeonsplatz, where you’ll also learn about Munich’s history during the Nazi era. From there, you’ll explore the lively Viktualienmarkt before passing the legendary Hofbräuhaus and heading into the English Garden to watch surfers ride the standing wave on the Eisbach. Depending on your booking, you can choose a morning or afternoon departure. It’s an ideal way to get your bearings if you’re visiting Munich for the first time or only have limited time to explore.

Munich Old Town Food Tour

• Time: Multiple departure slots between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm; duration 3.5 hours (ending between approximately 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, depending on your departure)
• Meeting point: Two options are available – check your booking details
• Group size: Maximum 12 people

If you want to experience Munich through its food, this tour is for you. In a small group, you’ll sample more than ten Bavarian specialities and beers, including traditional pretzels, Weisswurst (Bavarian white sausage) and artisan cheese. Along the way, you’ll visit markets, beer halls and tucked-away local spots while learning about everyday life in the Bavarian capital. Expect plenty of stories, regional flavours and even a surprise dish. Stops include landmarks such as St. Peter’s Church and Marienplatz. Our tip: Arrive hungry – there’s a lot to taste!

Munich Ghosts & Legends: A Spooky Evening Walking Tour

• Time: Starts at 7:00 or 8:00 pm; duration 2–2.5 hours (ending between approximately 9:00 pm and 10:30 pm)
• Meeting point: Ludwig Beck at Marienplatz
• Highlights: Hofbräuhaus, Marienplatz and Munich’s darker side of history

Once darkness falls, Munich reveals a different side of itself. Your guide will share eerie tales of dark secrets, executions, mysterious events and even miracles that have become part of the city’s history and folklore. The tour also includes several stops where you can warm up with a little liquid courage. Along the way, you’ll pass some of Munich’s best-known landmarks while discovering the stories you won’t find in an ordinary sightseeing guide. This experience is particularly fitting around Halloween or during autumn and winter, when the evenings grow dark early. It’s a fun alternative to a traditional city tour if you’re looking for something a little different.

2. Day Trips from Munich

Neuschwanstein Castle & Christmas Market Tour from Munich

• Time: Starts at 8:30 am; duration 10 hours (ending around 6:30 pm)
• Season: Available from November 28
• Meeting point: Mike’s Bike Tours & Rentals
• Transport: Coach
• Highlights: Neuschwanstein Castle and Munich’s Christmas markets

Travel through the scenic Bavarian foothills in a comfortable coach to Germany’s most famous fairytale castle. Commissioned by King Ludwig II in 1868, Neuschwanstein was never fully completed, yet it has become one of the country’s most iconic landmarks and is said to have inspired the fairytale castles of popular culture. Castle admission tickets are purchased directly from the guide on the day of the tour. After returning to Munich, you’ll enjoy a short walk through the city centre, including a stop at the Christmas markets – a lovely way to round off a winter day trip.

Winter tips: Neuschwanstein’s winter opening hours took effect on October 16, with the castle open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. It is closed on December 24, 25 and 31, as well as January 1. Visits inside the castle are only possible as part of a guided tour lasting around 30 minutes. Keep in mind that the Marienbrücke viewpoint, famous for its spectacular photo opportunities, is often closed in winter due to ice and snow. Munich’s main Christmas market at Marienplatz runs from November 20 to December 24, 2026.

The Romantic Road: Rothenburg & Harburg Castle

• Time: Starts at 8:30 am; duration 11 hours (ending around 7:30 pm)
• Meeting point: Sonnenstraße 3
• Highlights: Harburg Castle (admission at your own expense) and medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Romantic Road is one of Germany’s most famous scenic holiday routes, connecting historic towns, medieval architecture and picturesque countryside. This day trip makes it easy to experience two of Bavaria’s most charming historic destinations without renting a car or worrying about the drive. The itinerary includes Harburg Castle, one of southern Germany’s best-preserved medieval castles, followed by Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a beautifully preserved town known for its half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes and postcard-perfect streets. You’ll have free time in Rothenburg to wander through the Old Town, browse the shops and enjoy lunch at your own expense.

Seasonal tip: Rothenburg’s Reiterlesmarkt Christmas market runs from November 20 to December 23, 2026, and is closed on November 22. Käthe Wohlfahrt’s famous Christmas Village is open year-round, making it worth a visit even outside the festive season.

Eagle’s Nest & Berchtesgaden

• Time: Starts at 8:30 am; duration 10 hours (ending around 6:30 pm)
• Meeting point: Sonnenstraße 3
• Highlights: Scenic drive through the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Eagle’s Nest at 1,834 metres and panoramic mountain views

This day trip takes you into the spectacular Berchtesgaden Alps to visit the Eagle’s Nest, known in German as the Kehlsteinhaus. Built in 1938–1939 as a 50th-birthday gift for Adolf Hitler, the building is now operated as a mountain restaurant and offers sweeping views of the surrounding Alpine landscape. The journey to the top is an experience in itself. After travelling by special bus, you’ll take a lift that covers the final 124 metres in just 41 seconds. Once upstairs, you can enjoy panoramic views stretching across the mountains towards Lake Königssee. There’s also time for lunch at your own expense, with an optional visit to the Obersalzberg Documentation Centre for further historical context on the Nazi regime and the site’s past.

Seasonal note: The Eagle’s Nest generally opens from May until late October. In 2026, one tour operator lists an extended season until around November 8, depending on the weather. After the seasonal closure, the access road is closed. According to the tour description, the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine may be visited as an alternative in bad weather. If you’re planning a trip in late autumn or winter, check the exact itinerary before booking.

Nuremberg: Guided Day Trip by Train

• Time: Starts at 10:30 am; duration 8.5 hours (ending around 7:00 pm)
• Meeting point: Radius Tours, Dachauer Str. 4
• Transport: Regional train

Hop on a train from Munich to Nuremberg for a day combining medieval architecture, fascinating history and time to explore at your own pace. The tour takes you through Nuremberg’s historic Old Town, known for its medieval and Gothic architecture, before continuing to the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Here, your guide will explain Nuremberg’s role during the Third Reich and the historical significance of the site. You’ll also have some free time to enjoy lunch at your own expense, making this a well-rounded day trip for anyone interested in German history and culture.

Seasonal tip: The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt takes place at the Hauptmarkt from November 27 to December 24, 2026. Opening hours are 10:00 am–9:00 pm daily, with an earlier closing time of 2:00 pm on Christmas Eve.

Salzburg: Sightseeing Day Trip by Train

• Time: Starts at 9:00 am; duration 10 hours (ending around 7:00 pm)
• Meeting point: Radius Tours, Dachauer Str. 4
• Highlights: Salzburg Cathedral, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart landmarks and The Sound of Music locations
• Included: Return train tickets

Travel by train from Munich to Salzburg, the Austrian birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Once there, you’ll join a guided sightseeing tour covering some of the city’s most important landmarks, including Salzburg Cathedral and Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the largest preserved castle complexes in Central Europe. After the guided portion, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore Salzburg independently, whether you want to stroll through the historic centre, visit a café or discover more locations associated with Mozart and The Sound of Music.

Travel tip: Remember to bring a valid passport or national ID card when crossing the border into Austria.

Seasonal tip: The Salzburg Christkindlmarkt at Cathedral Square and Residenzplatz runs from November 19, 2026, to January 1, 2027. The Advent market at Hohensalzburg Fortress takes place on selected days from November 27 to December 20, 2026, generally from Friday to Sunday.

Which Munich Tour Is Right for You?

• Short on time and want to see the highlights: Munich Old Town Walking Tour
• A foodie looking for authentic Bavarian flavours: Munich Old Town Food Tour
• A night owl or Halloween enthusiast: Munich Ghosts & Legends Evening Tour
• Dreaming of a fairytale castle: Neuschwanstein Castle & Christmas Market Tour
• Love medieval towns and historic architecture: Romantic Road with Rothenburg
• Interested in mountain scenery and history: Eagle’s Nest & Berchtesgaden
• A history buff or Christmas market enthusiast: Nuremberg Day Trip
• A culture lover or classical music fan: Salzburg Day Trip

Our conclusion: Whether you’re exploring the Old Town on foot, taking the train to Salzburg or heading into the Bavarian countryside to visit a fairytale castle, Munich makes it easy to turn a city break into a mini adventure. If you only have one day in Munich, the Old Town Walking Tour is an excellent way to get to know the city. If you’re staying longer, consider combining a day trip with an evening exploring Munich’s restaurants, beer halls or seasonal Christmas markets.

For more ideas on what to see and do in the Bavarian capital, check out our upcoming guide: 48 Hours in Munich: Old Town, Eisbach Surfing Wave & Nymphenburg Palace.

Which of these eight tours would you book first in Munich?
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