Christkindlmarkt
Munich Christmas Market Audio Tour
The Christkindlmarkt is built around Mary’s Column, which is stop twelve of this tour.
Five of the twelve stops stand inside the market or on its edge. You are already walking the route when you queue for Glühwein at the foot of the New Town Hall — the tour simply tells you what you are standing in front of while you drink it.
- Market stops
- 5 of 12
- Walking time
- 2–2.5 hours
- Distance
- 1.9 km
The stops inside the market
The Christkindlmarkt occupies Marienplatz, Rindermarkt and Viktualienmarkt. These stops of the Munich tour stand on those squares — you can hear them without leaving the stalls.
Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)
The Neo-Gothic masterpiece dominating Marienplatz — built in 1867 but designed to look medieval. Home to the famous Glockenspiel, a dragon legend, and over 400 rooms including a wine cellar.
Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain)
Munich's unofficial meeting point since centuries. Discover the Ash Wednesday wallet-washing tradition, the Butcher's Jump baptism ritual, and why Munich's tap water rivals champagne.
Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
Munich's true historic DNA — a 15th-century masterpiece by Jörg von Halsbach, rebuilt after WWII with incredible detail. Home to the Moriskentänzer carvings and a charming toy museum.
Viktualienmarkt
Munich's beloved food market for over 200 years. Famous for its market women, the Dancing of the Market Women on Shrove Tuesday, the Maypole, and the only beer garden serving all six major breweries.
Mariensäule (Mary's Column)
Back at the golden heart of Munich. The tour's grand finale at Mary's Column — where knights, golden alleys, and the Devil's legend all come together. Plus a final insider tip: the Hofbräuhaus is just steps away.
The other 7 stops carry on past the market. See the full Munich tour.
What the stalls are standing on
The market has been held here, on and off, since 1310, when it was the Nikolaimarkt. The column at its centre was raised in 1638 to thank Mary that Munich survived the Swedish occupation — the city had been spared a sacking, and paid for it in gold.
When it runs
The Christkindlmarkt opens in the last week of November and closes on 24 December, as it has since the 14th century.
Check the city’s own listing for this year’s exact dates and opening hours. The audio tour works whether the market is on or not.