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Never again!

Visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site

Impressions

Description:

When the Dachau concentration camp was opened at the end of March 1933, just a few weeks after Adolf Hitler seized power, no one knew that it would remain the only concentration camp to exist for a full 12 years until the end of the Nazi regime. Moreover, not least because of the adjacent SS training camp, it was considered a prototype for countless camps in Germany and Europe.

When the area was liberated by US troops at the end of April 1945, more than 200,000 prisoners had been humiliated there, and at least 41,500 people had lost their lives. That we can visit this historic site today is thanks to the initiative and perseverance of a few survivors.

During our tour of the memorial site, we try to understand the daily lives of the prisoners, marked by hunger, disease, arbitrariness and death, without losing sight of the question of "How was this possible?", especially because it has lost none of its relevance to this day.

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Surely everyone already knows a lot about the Nazi era, as this topic and the concentration camps have been discussed extensively in films, books, and newspaper articles. Nevertheless, my guests repeatedly confirm that visiting the historical site is something completely different. On the grounds of the memorial, you can specifically address the questions surrounding this period of German history.

While we attempt to trace the typical path of a prisoner from arrival through registration, daily work, living conditions, punishment, illness, and often, sadly, death, we also focus on the various aspects of Nazi ideology and its entrenchment in the concentration camp system. In general, we will examine Dachau's role in a complex network of around 1,000 labor and extermination camps. The multifaceted history of the site will also play a role during our visit.

Another central component of the tour is the commemoration and remembrance of the victims of National Socialism. Both the international Nandor Glid Memorial and various religious memorial sites invite visitors to reflect on the crimes of that era and ask themselves how they can contribute to preventing a repeat of this history – never again!

At a glance:

Uncover one of the most gruesome chapters in German history and explore the grounds of the former Dachau concentration camp with me, including the roll call area, barracks, and crematorium area. Join me to explore this place as a modern-day memorial site, where the museum, religious sites, and memorial invite you to pause and learn.
You can either start your tour at the Dachau Visitor Center or let me accompany you from Munich to Dachau. This is easily accessible by public transport or a comfortable taxi.
Join me to explore how such a crime was possible and gain insight into the daily lives of the prisoners. Experience the history of this historic site, from the munitions factory to the prisoner camp, SS training camp, American special prison, refugee camp, and today's memorial.

The most important things in brief:

Meeting point:
by arrangement either on site at the visitor center of the Dachau concentration camp memorial (S2 towards Dachau/Petershausen to Dachau station; then take bus no. 726 directly to the memorial site)
or in Munich city center

Duration:
Meeting at the local site takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. If traveling together from Munich, please allow approximately 5 hours.

Distance:
approx. 2 km

Group size:
max. 25 people

Tailor-made:
I would like to combine this tour with my "Capital of the Movement" tour to also shed light on the years before the opening of the concentration camp.

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Member of the Munich Tourist Guide Association eV

Member of the Federal Association of German Tourist Guides in Germany eV
Official tour guide of the state capital Munich

Member of the TIM Tourism Initiative Munich

„"Our class spent the whole day with Grit on Monday, February 2nd, 2026. Although we were a bit lethargic in the morning, probably due to the language barrier (we're from Switzerland!), we quickly warmed up to Grit. The way she brings history to life, and how you can tell that this is exactly what she's meant to do, is truly impressive. At each of our stops, whether in the city itself or later in the afternoon in Dachau, she shared so much new information with us, always remaining immersive and trying to make everything more relatable, for example, with personal anecdotes. Everything was presented chronologically, which we greatly appreciated. The whole day was long, but incredibly informative. We learned a lot and appreciate your work! Thank you so much!"“

Emma Minder Female student in a high school graduating class from Switzerland, February 2026

All references

My tips for before and after our tour:

A tour through the memorial site is very intense and therefore also somewhat tiring.

Actually, one should also add the Old Town of Dachau Pay a visit to the castle, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view over Munich and the surrounding region. The city also offers charming inns and cozy cafes.

I especially enjoy going with young people afterwards to Olympic grounds, The memorial to the Munich Olympic attack offers visitors the opportunity to delve deeper into the subject. Beyond that, the site provides numerous recreational opportunities and, with its impressive backdrop of the Olympic venues, is always worth a visit.

Frequently asked questions:

Can our group watch the film in the exhibition area in Dachau during the tour?

The new documentary is 40 minutes long and is only shown at specific times. Therefore, it's often difficult to fit the film into the tour. Of course, we're happy to schedule your visit so that you can watch the film after the tour.

Is there an age limit?

Yes, because tours of the memorial site are not permitted for young people under the age of 13. I personally strongly recommend that young people have already studied National Socialism in school before visiting the former concentration camp, because otherwise they may lack an understanding of the historical events taking place there.

Can the tour of Dachau be combined with a tour of the “Capital of the Movement” in Munich?

Of course, because if you plan the tour in Munich before visiting the concentration camp memorial, you'll already be optimally prepared for Dachau. This combination results in a strenuous but also intensive program that you and your group will surely remember.
Still questions?

Write to me or just call me:

Grit Ranft

Official tour guide of the state capital Munich
and the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

phone

+49 151 5254 1981

Request a tour: