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Alter Hof, Munich

Alter Hof, Munich: Our most recommended tours and activities

Munich: Night Watchman's Tour

1. Munich: Night Watchman's Tour

In the late hours of the evening, join the costumed night watchman on his rounds of Munich's old town. Immerse yourself in a lovely and mysterious long-forgotten world and experience the history of the city firsthand. The night watchman is much more than just a tour guide with a lantern in his hand. When the denizens of Munich sleep, the night watchman must maintain peace and order in the alleyways and darkened corners of the city.  He knows all the winds of the maze of the city and is the trusted bearer of dark stories and clandestine societies.  He disdains the modern era, chastises the guests when they don't know about the patron saints of the city, but is always happy to answer when someone asks, "Why does one need so many taps here in Munich?" His response: "For the beer!" The night watchman shepherds his flock at Marktplatz, yet he so scorns the lively nightlife gathering after 21:00 - law-abiding citizens are in bed by then. Head to St. Peter's Church and take a look at the tops of the towers – the night watchman will explain why they stand askew. On the south side, see the old churchyard and hear stories from the gravestones: funeral customs and epitaphs, decomposing corpses, and missing church pews.  At the tower of the Altes Rathaus on the historic "Salzstraße," the old Stadttor comes to life and complains of its rebuilding in the '70s. Here, he questions visitors' piety. Patron saints holy Onuphrius and Henry the Lion will protect the people from sudden death. Continue past the torture chamber and prison to the Alter Hof, built by Louis II. Learn why this ruler was regarded as so harsh, how the House of Wittelsbach came to Munich, and from where the Zwingerstock's name came. Follow the city walls from the 12th century and head west from Wasserburg. At Gruftgasse, hear Alois tell the spooky story of Waller in Walchensee, of the young lady and her golden ring.  And in the Schäfflergasse, learn why wine, rather than beer was the drink of choice in the Middle Ages. At the cathedral, set your sights higher to the symbols of the city, the two towers. Hear about the rich widow's epitaph and Fanny von Ickstatt's unlucky fall from the north tower of the Frauenkirche as the tour of the inner city draws to a close. Then continue to Promenadeplatz with the old "Salzstadel".  Pass the Palais Porcia and Palais Holstein as the night watchman tells the story of the sovereign lord Karl Albrecht, who had the palaces built for his mistress. At the Salvatorkirche, learn about the enormous host desecration and the love story of Henriette Adelaide, the consort of electoral prince Ferdinand Maria, at the "Theatinerkreuzgang." After 10 years, the long sought-after heir to the throne was born, at which point the Theatine Church was built. Finally, the night watchman lets his herd loose into the night to continue his rounds.

Munich: Middle Ages Tour with Night Watchman in German

2. Munich: Middle Ages Tour with Night Watchman in German

Experience cemeteries and interrogations, silver pennies and executions as you step back to the Middle Ages. Meet Wolfram, your night watchman guide in the central square of Marienplatz. They'll be carrying a lantern, halberd and horn to help immerse you in the world of medieval Munich. Walk with your group to Munich's 12th century city wall, and learn about the executions and beheadings of the middle ages. Smell incense in the ancient remains of St. Peter's church, and learn about the punishments for bad bakers at Metzgerzeile. Witness the closing of the Talburg Gate and a fight with a halberd. Learn about the terrifying torture techniques used in medieval prisons. You'll also explore the city's castle and the Schwabinger Gate, as you discover the fascinating and gruesome history of middle age Munich.

Munich: 3-Hour Culinary Nightwatch Tour

3. Munich: 3-Hour Culinary Nightwatch Tour

Enjoy an evening tour through Munich’s old town with a night watchman dressed in a historical costume as your guide. Travel through a long-forgotten world brimming with life and adventure as you experience the city's history first hand. The night watchman will meet you at Marktplatz. Shortly afterwards you’ll visit a quaint Munich tavern, where you can enjoy a hearty drink with meat and bread to gather strength for the tour. You’ll then explore the city, making sure to keep the alleys free from dishonorable folk. Along the way the night watchman will recall interesting stories from previous centuries. See St. Peter’s Church and hear stories about the cemetery including funerary customs, epitaphs, foul-smelling corpses, and missing church pews. Visit the Old Town Hall on the historic street Salzstraße and learn about the old city gate and the reconstruction of the spire in the 1970s. Passing by a torture chamber and prison, you’ll reach the Old Court. Following along the trail where the original city wall from the 12th century once stood, you will leave the moated castle and head west. Hear gruesome tales on Gruftgasse and explore Schäfflergasse, where you’ll find out that in medieval Munich, wine was the drink of choice, not beer. You can then admire the two towers of the Frauenkirche, one of the landmarks of the city. You’ll also pass by Promenadeplatz, Palais Portia, and Palais Holnstein along the way. Hear about the shocking host desecration at Salvatorkirche, while at the Theatine Church you will learn about the life of Henriette Adelaide, whose son made sure that the Theatine cloister was built. Finally you’ll return to the tavern and can end the evening in style with a hearty dessert and a nice drink.

Munich: 3-Hour Pedicab Tour of Old Town and English Garden

4. Munich: 3-Hour Pedicab Tour of Old Town and English Garden

Enjoy a fun and unique tour experience as you explore Munich in a Pedicab. See more of the city in less time, visit famous locations, and enjoy entertaining commentary from your local guide along the way. Visit the top highlights of Munich's old town and enjoy the beauty of the English Garden. See the Marienplatz and the New Town Hall and admire its neo-Gothic style. Discover the first castle in Munich, the Alter Hof, and head to the colorful Viktualienmarket. Stop by the old Munich city wall and gates, the world famous Hofbräuhaus, and the Hard-Rock Café. Learn about the Opernplatz with the National Theater and Maximiliansstrasse, and admire the beautiful inner courtyards of the Wittelsbacher Residenz. Ride through the baroque courtyard garden of the Residenz with the Hofgarten temple and Bavarian State Chancellery, before you enter the beautiful English Garden with a visit of the Japanese tea house, the Monopteros, and the Chinese tower.

Munich: City Center Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour

5. Munich: City Center Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour

Wander through Munich's city center and learn about its origins on this treasure hunt-style historical walking tour. Follow the route on your smartphone between landmarks like the New Town Hall and the Munich Hofbräuhaus, and enjoy 9 historical riddles to solve as you explore. Start this self-guided tour at Munich's Marienplatz. From here, follow the tour on your smartphone, which will provide historical facts and riddles to solve between each landmark. The tour will take you through the history of Munich from its origins up to the 17th century, and cover roughly 3km around the city center.

Munich: Private Walking Tour

6. Munich: Private Walking Tour

Join us for an exciting and enlightening tour of Munich! We'll start at a prearranged meeting point, and head to Odeonsplatz to marvel at the stunning architecture of the Odeon and Theatinerkirche. We'll also see where Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 took place and learn about its history. Continuing on foot, our next stop is the iconic domed Frauenkirche – a central cathedral in the city and one of Munich’s foremost architectural symbols. Next you will delve into the very heart of the city at Marienplatz, Munich’s central square, to see the richly decorated New Town Hall and watch the 43 bells of its historic clock chime the hour. Time will also be taken to visit St. Peter’s Church – the oldest parish church in the city – before heading to Hofbräuhaus, a world-famous beer hall known for it's rich history. We'll continue on foot through the Alter Hof, towards the grandiose Residenz – former center of the Wittelsbach monarchy of Bavaria, and the largest city palace in Germany. Finally, to round out the tour, you will walk up to the Siegestor – the ‘Victory Gate’. Initially completed in the mid-19th century and dedicated to the Bavarian army, the former triumphal arch, damaged heavily during Allied bombing raids in WWII, now stands as a monument to peace and the consequences of German militarism. At the end of the tour, once your guide says goodbye, if you’d prefer to stay in the city centre, will furnish you with recommendations for further exploration.

Munich: Highlights of the Old Town Tour

7. Munich: Highlights of the Old Town Tour

Embark on a journey to explore Munich's most important sights. Begin in Marienplatz, the former market square, and hear stories about the Marian Column and the New Town Hall with its carillon. Make a stop at the Old Peter, which is the oldest church in Munich's Old Town. Stroll to the Viktualienmarkt with its diverse culinary delights. At the Platzl, learn interesting anecdotes about the Hofbräuhaus. Continue on to Alter Hof, the former residence of the family Wittelsbach. Take a look at the imposing towers of the Frauenkirche and then head towards the new residence. Listen to the interesting and exciting anecdotes about the fortunes of the Wittelsbach family. The tour ends at Odeonsplatz, with a wonderful view of the Ludwigsstraße and the magnificent Theatinerkirche.

Munich: Hangmen and Witches Walking Tour

8. Munich: Hangmen and Witches Walking Tour

Learn about what executioners, prostitutes, and witches in Munich all had in common as you walk through the city with an expert guide. Learn about Munich's dark history and how the city was run by executioners who also acted as pimps. This popular city tour revolved around witch hunts, prostitution, torture, and executions. Stand at the Neuhauser Tor, the place where delinquents were led out of the city to be executed. Travel along the historic salt road and reach the former Jesuit college, to hear about the witch hunts. Hear interesting facts from your guide including the reason why the headquarters were outside of the city and why prostitution ended in the 1970s.

Munich: Customized Private Tour

9. Munich: Customized Private Tour

Discover the most important sights of the old town of Munich and take a trip through time from its origins to today with exciting and insightful anecdotes and stories. Wander down the classic route through the old town from Marienplatz, past St. Peter's Church and Viktualienmarkt to the Hofbräuhaus then further to the Alter Hof, past the Munich Residence to Odeonsplatz. Alternatively, follow your own wishes to see other highlights, with themes such as "Sayings and Myths," "Notable Nobility" or "Life in the Middle Ages." Should you prefer a tour through greenery, let your guide show you the English Garden along the Isar. Alternatively, head off the beaten path for a discovery tour of the Haidhausen, Schwabing or the colorful and lively Glockenbachviertel neighborhoods. Enjoy a city tour tailored directly to your individual wishes and interests and at a start time of your choice.

Munich: Private Highlights Tour by Car for 2/4/6 Hours

10. Munich: Private Highlights Tour by Car for 2/4/6 Hours

Make the most of your time in Munich with a personalized tour of its hotspots in the company of a private guide. Visit sites as old as Karlstor and as recent as the New Town Hall. Choose between 2, 4, and 6-hour options to customize your experience and see all the places you wish to. Meet your driver and guide at your accommodation and head out to explore the city by car. By having another person as a driver, your tour guide can focus fully on telling you about each area, planning your preferred route, and checking if you’d like to stop and walk around. The 2-hour tour will give you a panoramic drive, while the 4-hour and 6-hour options offer a combination of a walk around the city center and a drive to sights outside of it. Drive by world-famous locations, like the beautiful Nymphenburg Palace or the English Garden. Stretch your legs at areas like the Marienplatz to find historical gems that are worth seeing up close. Deepen your understanding of Munich’s past as you pass the Old Town Hall, the Hofbräuhaus, or Odeonsplatz. Marvel at the spectacular New Town Hall and some of the city's churches. Seize the opportunity to shop for souvenirs or grab some refreshments with at least two breaks in each tour. With the longer tour options, you can even see the Olympic Stadium, BMW World, BMW Museum, or the Allianz Arena. Let your guide know what your main interests are and create your own route.

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What people are saying about Alter Hof, Munich

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 860 reviews

We weren’t sure what to expect, but we were very pleased and impressed. After meeting him just off the Marienplatz at Peter’s Church he started with the early history of Munich and we watched the Glockenspiel chime then went on a tour of the royal palace buildings. He catered the tour for our needs and since our hotel was close to the English garden we finished the tour in the garden and he dropped us at our hotel. He also covered a brief history or the rise of Adolph Hitler and showed us some of the sites used by the Nazi party. It rained for part of our tour and we stayed warm and dry under a plastic cover and blanket. If you are spending a short time in Munich and want primer on the history of the ruling dynasty in Bavaria, this is the tour for you. We highly recommend it.

The night guard Wolfram was the best choice we could have made. His enthusiasm for the history of the city of Munich was contagious and the tour was absolutely exciting and thrilling. The organizer also offers guided tours on other topics, we have planned another one during our next stay in Munich! Thanks for the great experience!

Our guide "Wolfram" was great! You could tell that he was interested in the Middle Ages and the history of Munich! He has a lot of background knowledge and was able to answer all of our questions competently! The tour was exciting, instructive, entertaining and very professional! Highly Recommended!

This tour was outstanding. We were cycled via pedicab to sites in Munich where we would stop and get a brief history of different sites. We then went to the English Gardens to watch the sunset and see the sites there.

we've had a great experience with it! lots of historical information given in a very understandable way. Even if your German if far from excellence, you'll still enjoy it