Top 12 Guided Tours of Dachau Concentration Camp

Among the various concentration camps established by the Nazis during World War II, Dachau holds the distinction of being the first one opened, nearly seven years prior to Germany’s official declaration of war.

Situated just a few kilometers from Munich in the Bavarian state of Germany, Dachau is often the focal point of tours originating from Munich. Consequently, visitors wishing to explore the camp and its surroundings will likely base their stay in this city.

Dachau was liberated by Allied forces in April 1945, and records indicate that over 30,000 fatalities occurred at the camp throughout its operation.

Below is a compilation of 12 notable tours available at Dachau.

1. Munich and Nazi History Combo Day-Tour

This combo tour covering Munich and Dachau commences at the renowned Marienplatz central square located in downtown Munich.

Participants, accompanied by their guide, will utilize the local public transportation system to reach Dachau, where they will receive an extensive historical narrative while exploring various areas of the camp, which tragically served as a home for hundreds of thousands of Jews during its twelve years of operation.

Additionally, there will be opportunities for individual exploration, allowing participants to spend extra time at specific exhibits or areas of particular interest.

Upon returning to Marienplatz at 3:00 PM, the group will embark on a walking tour of Munich, highlighting historically significant locations.

2. Dachau Full-Day Tour in English

While Dachau is one of many camps that were dispersed across Europe during World War II, it is one of the most recognized and was the first of its kind established in early 1933.

This tour features a local, official guide who will provide valuable insights and answer any queries participants may have, enriching the experience of this significant site.

Participants will learn about the reasons behind the camp’s establishment, the official plans regarding those forced to live and work there, and the conditions experienced by the soldiers and guards stationed at the site.

The tour also grants access to poignant first-hand accounts from individuals who lived and died at the camp, as well as stories from survivors.

3. Private Tour of Dachau Concentration Camp

Curt’s tours are widely recognized as among the most illuminating and emotionally impactful options available at Dachau.

While the site itself is profoundly revealing, those seeking to gain comprehensive knowledge will find the services of a licensed professional guide to be invaluable.

The tour encompasses all significant areas within the camp, such as the entrance, living quarters, dining and work areas, and notably, the facilities tailored specifically for efficient extermination.

Your guide, Curt, is a licensed American tour guide who has provided insights at the site for over ten years.

4. Dachau Memorial Site and Shooting Range Tour

This Munich-based tour of the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial site additionally includes a visit to the adjacent SS shooting range.

The duration of this tour is approximately six and a half hours and features entry to the museum as well as a short documentary film, serving as an excellent introduction for first-time visitors.

Attendees will be informed about the harrowing stories of sadistic experiments conducted at the site. Following the exploration of the area’s highlights, participants will have some personal time to reflect on their experiences.

This opportunity is unique, allowing sufficient time for guests to absorb what they have witnessed. Please note that food, drinks, and gratuities are not included.

5. Dachau Concentration Camp Tour by Train

This five-hour tour of the Holocaust Memorial Site at Dachau starts in Munich and includes transportation to and from the memorial.

The itinerary includes stops at crucial areas of the camp, such as the prisoner and guard barracks, medical facilities, and extermination chambers.

Although not all structures on-site are original, many have been restored to closely resemble their original state, enabling visitors to gain a genuine sense of the harrowing experiences endured by unwilling occupants.

Many attendees are surprised to discover that, alongside Jews, individuals such as Poles, homosexuals, and clergy members were also imprisoned at Dachau.

6. Dachau Small Group Tour from Munich via Train

For individuals who can dedicate a full day to visiting this profound historical site, this tour departing from Munich represents an excellent choice.

Your guide will not only elucidate the notable sights at the memorial but will also communicate the conditions in Germany that contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.

This narrative is captivating as it encompasses global history, rather than merely German history.

The subsequent war resulted in millions of deaths, profoundly altering the world we inhabit today.

Participants will also have the opportunity for self-guided exploration during the tour.

7. Walking Tour of Dachau from Munich via Train

Traveling by train from Munich allows guests to appreciate the outskirts of the city prior to arriving at the concentration camp.

During much of the Nazi rise to power, Munich was pivotal to the objectives of the Third Reich, making it one of the most historically significant cities of World War II.

Visitors will engage with the camp’s barracks, transportation systems, cells, and facilities designated for extermination.

The gas chambers represent perhaps the most horrifying aspect of the camp, making it almost unimaginable to walk in the shoes of an inmate facing certain death.

This tour involves considerable walking and lasts approximately five hours, with train transportation included in the overall cost.

8. Dachau Concentration Camp Private Tour from Munich

Many visitors to Dachau may find that a half-day tour provides an adequate timeframe to explore the camp without feeling overwhelmed.

It is important to acknowledge that Dachau can be emotionally taxing, so consider your desired duration of stay prior to making any decisions.

Guests will walk through the camp’s ominous gate, which inscribes the phrase, ‘work will set you free.’

Unfortunately, freedom was not a reality for most of the inmates, though a fortunate few did escape with their lives.

This tour covers all major areas of the camp and offers guests a comprehensive overview of its history in a relatively short time frame.

9. Frankfurt to Munich City, Dachau Concentration Camp Day Trip

This all-day tour commences in Frankfurt, incorporating stops at both Munich and Dachau.

All components of the tour are guided, with the initial stop being the Dachau Memorial, including highlights such as barracks, work areas, and gas chambers.

Following the Dachau tour, participants will proceed to historic Munich for another guided exploration.

In Munich, notable sights will include the Old Town Hall, Marienplatz, the Cathedral of our Blessed Lady, and some beer halls that were historically significant meeting points for Nazi organizers and sympathizers prior to their assumption of control over the German government.

This long excursion is arguably one of the most comprehensive and valuable Dachau tours available.

10. Private Round Trip to Dachau Camp from Munich Hotels

For those who prefer not to manage details during their travels, this seamless tour of Dachau is an excellent selection.

The package includes transportation to and from your Munich hotel, and upon arrival at the camp, guests will have ample time for a self-guided exploration.

The layout of the grounds and museum facilitates an efficient viewing experience for all the site has to offer.

After completing the visit, you will meet your driver who will conveniently return you and your companions to your Munich accommodation.

The journey is brief, yet it provides an invaluable moment to reflect on the significance of what you have just observed.

11. Munich World War II Sites: Dachau and Third Reich Walking Tour

This walking tour encompassing Dachau and additional sites related to the Third Reich allows participants ample opportunity to explore the camp grounds while engaging in physical activity and enjoying fresh air.

Guests will partake in a guided tour of the camp, focusing on its most significant areas, and receive historical context leading up to the war.

The subsequent segment of the tour involves a walk to several historic sites in Munich, where participants will learn about their relevance and their roles in the overarching historical narrative that unfolded in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s.

This tour includes transportation from Munich to the site and back, although it does not provide hotel pickup and drop-off.

12. Munich to Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, Private Tour

For individuals passionate about World War II history, there may be no location more significant to visit than the grounds of the Dachau concentration camp.

Transformed into a permanent memorial, the site honors those who passed through its gates, in hopes that education will prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

During this private guided tour, participants will receive a poignant overview of the camp’s layout and its role in the systematic extermination of Jews and others who opposed the Nazi regime.

Multiple start times are available, and hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged upon request.