Scott was excellent Incredible knowledge - we had a wonderful experience!
Full-Day Munich WWII History Tour
Connect Munich’s Nazi history to the Dachau Memorial landscape
The Finer Details
Disclaimer: The Dachau staff is very strict on their regulations; no child below the age of 13 can tour the Dachau site. Context does not offer a family program to this site; however, families with teenagers ages 13 and up can book the tour.
Explore Munich’s somber period of history with a local historian on this full-day tour. We’ll begin by tracing the rise of Hitler and the Third Reich’s power in Munich’s historical center, and in the afternoon, visit the former concentration camp, today’s Dachau Memorial Site. We will have a brief stop for lunch, and we will take a train and a bus between Munich and Dachau. With our trained local historical expert, we will discuss the sobering history and events that happened at various locations in Munich and its environs.
Explore Munich’s somber period of history with a local historian on this full-day tour. We’ll begin by tracing the rise of Hitler and the Third Reich’s power in Munich’s historical center, and in the afternoon, visit the former concentration camp, today’s Dachau Memorial Site. We will have a brief stop for lunch, and we will take a train and a bus between Munich and Dachau. With our trained local historical expert, we will discuss the sobering history and events that happened at various locations in Munich and its environs.
In the morning, we’ll spend around 3 hours visiting sites relevant to the 1920s and 30s, such as the Hofbräuhaus beer hall, the Feldherrnhalle, and the Haus der Kunst. We’ll talk about the foundations that led to the rise of the DAP and subsequent Nazi Party, the economic and political atmosphere at the tim,e and efforts to resist this emerging power. We’ll stop for a bite to eat before heading on the train to the Dachau Memorial site, where we will spend the next few hours. With our foundational historical knowledge from the morning, we may be better placed to understand the events that led to those who died on this site between 1933 to 1945. We’ll talk about the earlier days of political prisoners at the camp before the number of Jewish prisoners at Dachau rose. We will also discuss and explore the site’s design: from the medical experiment rooms to the barracks, to the prison block and watchtowers, execution sites, gas chamber, and crematorium. With our trained local historical expert, we will discuss the sobering history and events that happened at this location.
At the end of a heavy day, we will digest one of history’s darkest chapters together on the train. We may reflect on the rather all-too-recent events and their connection to the present in shaping attitudes in both Germany and the rest of the world today.
FAQs
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
We meet near Frauenkirche, where we start the tour. We will end the tour at Munich's main train station. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details.
What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine. The majority of this walk is outside, so please be prepared with either an umbrella or a hat/sunscreen.
Is the train ticket included in the cost?
Yes, it is included in the price of the tour.
When will we have lunch?
Is the train ticket included in the cost?
Yes, it is included in the price of the tour.
When will we have lunch?
We will plan to have lunch after our morning WW2 tour. We can either choose a sit-down lunch or peruse the plentiful options in the train station before we visit the Dachau memorial site in the afternoon. The cost of lunch is not included.
Can children participate in this tour?
No, not below the age of 13. There is no special exhibition for children at the Dachau Memorial Site, and the Dachau Memorial Site restricts participation in any on-site tours to ages 13 and up. Context does not offer a family program to this site; however, families with teenagers ages 13 and up can book our tours.
Is this seminar walking-intensive, and/or wheelchair accessible?
We do cover quite a bit of ground in this seminar, and therefore, we recommend contacting us with any mobility questions; we will be happy to advise if this seminar will be appropriate for you or propose modifications if possible.
Meet the Experts
Where You’ll Go
From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.
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Dachau Memorial Site
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Hofbrauhaus
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Haus der Kunst
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
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English-speaking expert guideTours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
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Intentionally sized groupsA smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
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Tickets and entrance feesAll entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
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HeadsetsHeadsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Not Included
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Food and drinkUnless booking a Food & Drink tour or tasting experience, refreshments are not included.
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Transportation to and from the meeting pointUnless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
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GratuitiesTips aren’t included, but we encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
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Hotel pickup or drop-offUnless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Make the Most of Your Tour
Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.
Dos:
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Check the weather and dress appropriately
- Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
- Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
- Bring firearms or weapons
- Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
- Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always
contact us.
Don’t just take our word for it
Brendan’s breadth of knowledge is truly impressive, but more remarkable is his ability to weave an informative and reflective narrative that explores the foundations, evolution and horrors of the Third Reich. While the subject matter is heavy, Brendan skillfully balances rich, factual information with an appropriate sensitivity to historical events. His insights inspire curiosity, and we found ourselves engaging frequently with Brendan not only to learn more about specific events, but also to benefit from his perspectives on contemporary Germany. The subject matter is undeniably sobering and depressing, but if we are to learn from history, which was our intent, we could not have had a better guide and teacher than Brendan.
Brendan was an outstanding guide. The tour was exceptionally well organized, starting with the history of Munich and the rise of the Nazi Party before visiting Dachau. His knowledge was incredibly impressive, and he explained a complex and difficult period of history in a way that was clear, engaging, and respectful. Although the subject matter is understandably heavy, Brendan struck exactly the right tone throughout the day. We learned an enormous amount and came away with a much deeper understanding of both the historical context and the human tragedy of Dachau. This was one of the best guided tours we’ve taken anywhere. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, educational, and memorable experience, I can’t recommend Brendan highly enough.
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