Munich: Christmas market food tour with mulled wine

Summary

Wandering Munich’s Christmas markets with warm wine & new friends

You’ll wander Munich’s festive streets with a local guide, sipping mulled wine in historic squares like Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz. Taste secret holiday treats you won’t find any other time of year, hear stories behind centuries-old traditions, and feel that special winter buzz as you explore both classic and quirky Christmas markets — moments you’ll remember long after the last sip.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell — cloves and oranges drifting through Marienplatz, mixing with wood smoke and the sort of cold that makes your nose tingle. Our guide, Anna, handed me a steaming mug (she called it “Glühwein” — I probably pronounced it wrong), and I swear I could feel my fingers thawing as we listened to her explain how these Christmas markets have been around since before half the buildings here were built. There were little stalls everywhere, selling everything from hand-carved ornaments to gingerbread hearts bigger than my face. I got distracted by a choir singing near the Rathaus — their voices echoing off the stone in a way that made me stop for a second just to listen.

We ducked into the courtyard at the Residenz next, where fairy lights tangled up in bare branches and people huddled around medieval-looking booths. Anna told us about old Bavarian traditions (I only caught half of it because someone handed me a pastry filled with something nutty and sweet — still don’t know what it was but I’d eat ten more). At Odeonsplatz, she pointed out some detail on a statue that I’d never have noticed alone. There was this moment where everyone just stood quietly sipping their wine while snow started falling — not much, just enough to dust our coats and make everything look softer.

Later we hopped on the subway (which felt weirdly clean compared to back home) out to Theresienwiese. The place is famous for Oktoberfest but in December it turns into this wild sprawl of lights and laughter — honestly, it’s louder and messier than the old town markets but in a good way. We tried another kind of mulled wine (sweeter? or maybe I was just getting used to it), browsed some stalls selling things I couldn’t pronounce, and watched kids chasing each other between food stands. Anna offered to take us back to Marienplatz but by then we’d all sort of lingered behind, not quite ready for it to end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Munich Christmas Markets Tour

• Visit Marienplatz Christmas Market and learn history
• Explore Residence Palace festive courtyard and Medieval market
• Visit Christmas Village at Munich Residence courtyard
• Discover Munich noble family history at Mullersches Volksbad market
• Subway to Oktoberfest Christmas Market and final mulled wine

Top questions

Is food included on the Munich Christmas market tour?

Yes, festive food tastings are included along with alcoholic beverages like mulled wine.

Does this tour include visits to multiple Christmas markets?

Yes, you’ll visit several markets including Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, Residenz courtyard, Mullersches Volksbad area, and Theresienwiese.

Is transportation provided during the tour?

You’ll use public transportation (subway) for part of the route; your guide will help organize this.

Are guides local experts?

Yes, tours are led by professional local guides familiar with Munich’s history and traditions.

Is the Munich Christmas market tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas visited are wheelchair accessible and public transport options accommodate wheelchairs.

Can children join this tour?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

Are service animals permitted on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your evening includes tastings of festive foods unique to Christmastime in Munich, several glasses of mulled wine or other seasonal drinks, guidance from a knowledgeable local host throughout each market stop, plus all necessary subway transport between locations if needed.