Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site / Germany - Dacha was one of the first concentration camps built by Nazi Germany and the longest-running one, opening on 22 March 1933. Dachau is widely considered the "university" or "model" of the Nazi concentration camp system. Established in March 1933, shortly after Hitler took power, it served as the first regular concentration camp, setting the organizational, disciplinary, and architectural standards for almost all subsequent camps. Key reasons for this designation include: Training Center for Guards: Dachau served as a training school for SS guards and administrators, known as the "school of violence". The "Death's Head" units, who operated the camps, were trained here. The "Dachau Model": Theodor Eicke, who became the camp's commandant in June 1933, established a system of brutal regulations, including specific punishments and guard protocols, which were adopted throughout the Nazi camp system. Prototype for Structure: The layout, including the prisoner compound, the "bunker" (camp prison), the administrative building (Jourhaus) with the "Arbeit macht frei" gate, and watchtowers, became the standard template. Longest Operation: Dachau was the only concentration camp to remain in operation for the entire 12 years of the Third Reich (1933–1945). While it was not an extermination camp on the scale of Auschwitz, its evil methods of forced labor, torture, and brutal treatment were studied and replicated, earning it the reputation as the prototype for the Nazi terror system. The camp was initially intended to intern the Nazi Party's political opponents, which consisted of communists, social democrats, and other dissidents. It was located on the grounds of an abandoned munitions factory northeast of the medieval town of Dachau, about 16 km (10 mi) northwest of Munich in the Gau Munich-Upper Bavaria, in southern Germany. After its opening by Heinrich Himmler, its purpose was enlarged to include forced labor, and eventually, the imprisonment of Jews, Romani, Germans, and Austrians that the Nazi Party regarded as criminals, and, finally, foreign nationals from countries that Germany occupied or invaded. The Dachau camp system grew to include nearly 100 sub-camps, which were mostly work camps or Arbeitskommandos, and were located throughout southern Germany and Austria. The main camp was liberated by U.S. forces on 29 April 1945. Dachau was the third concentration camp to be liberated by British or American Allied forces. Prisoners lived in constant fear of brutal treatment and torture including standing cells, floggings, tree or pole hanging, and being forced to stand at attention for extremely long periods. At least 25,613 prisoners are believed to have been murdered in the camp and almost another 10,000 in its subcamps, primarily from disease, malnutrition and suicide. The Dachau Memorial Site archive has documented 32,000 deaths at the camp, but thousands more are undocumented.Crematoria were constructed to dispose of the deceased. Approximately 10,000 of the 30,000 prisoners were sick at the time of liberation. In the postwar years, the Dachau facility served to hold SS soldiers awaiting trial. After 1948, it held ethnic Germans who had been expelled from eastern Europe and were awaiting resettlement, and also was used for a time as a United States military base during the occupation. It was finally closed in 1960. There are several religious memorials within the Memorial Site, which is open to the public. Please act and behave respectfully ! The Memorial is open to visitors daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Exception: The Memorial Site is closed on December 24th (German Christmas). Closure of the former crematorium area at 4:30 pm. The entry is free. No prior appointment is necessary. If you are planning to use a car or motorbike to get to the Memorial Site, please note that fees are charged for using the parking lot. Guided Tours of the Memorial Site for Individual Visitors by phenomenal, knowledgeable, friendly staff are available (limited space approx. 30 persons per tour so book early): English: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (daily) German: 12 p.m. (daily) Tickets: 4.00 € Length: 2.5 hours Digital Tours and Programs are also available.

Don’t miss this tour - Matt was an exceptional tour guide at Dachau. He explained in clear, thoughtful detail how the camp was structured, the different types of prisoners held there, and the horrific day-to-day realities they endured. His depth of knowledge was impressive—he answered every question thoroughly and provided context and details you won’t find in standard history books. While the subject matter is incredibly heavy, Matt made the tour engaging, informative, and deeply impactful. An unforgettable and important experience thanks to his expertise. Unfortunately, Matt gave us a QR code so that we could tip him and I misplaced it. I was hoping to thank him for his service.

Dachau Tour - Here’s a polished, respectful short review you can use: Matt was an exceptional tour guide at Dachau. He explained in clear, thoughtful detail how the camp was structured, the different types of prisoners held there, and the horrific day-to-day realities they endured. His depth of knowledge was impressive—he answered every question thoroughly and provided context and details you won’t find in standard history books. While the subject matter is incredibly heavy, Matt made the tour engaging, informative, and deeply impactful. An unforgettable and important experience thanks to his expertise.

A must do when in Munich if you’re a history buff - Great tour, well put together, factual and informative! Our tour guide was simply awesome, a refreshing change from the usual. Highly recommended!

Everyone needs this experience - This experience is one I think every person should have. Our tour guide Mark was absolutely fantastic, bringing so must insight and depth to an already sobering experience. We all walked away challenged to view the world through a new lens and I couldn’t recommend the tour enough. Thank you Mark!

Dachau Concentration Camp/Memorial - Excellent Tour Led by Iain - I traveled to Munich with friends for the Christmas markets and decided to visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. Being so close, it felt important to see a place I’ve read about my entire life. I expected a hard morning. It was. Our tour was with Radius Tours, led by Iain, on a cold day, which fit the somber mood of the tour. In short: The tour was excellent. From the start, Iain was clear, organized, and steady. He explained what we would see, why it mattered, and how the day would unfold. There were several logistical steps—walking from the tour office, taking the train, then the bus to Dachau—about an hour in total. He handled all of it smoothly. Once on site, Iain gave a thoughtful and well-informed overview of Dachau’s history. We then moved through a compelling museum exhibition and the grounds. The guided portion lasted about two hours, followed by an hour to walk on our own. We saw the barracks, the memorials, and the crematorium. It was difficult, as it should be. Throughout the tour, Iain provided context that showed both his knowledge of World War II and his command of the site’s history. He took every question. Our group of about fifteen stayed together and moved at a good pace. If you want to understand this chapter of history, this tour is very much worth your time. Radius Tours runs it well, and I would strongly recommend asking for Iain as your guide.

Iain lent excellent historical context to the gravity of this site - This is not one of those tours that anyone ever really wants to take, but it is certainly one that you need to take. Iain at Radius did an excellent job leading us through the horrors that occurred at Dachau, offering substantial historical context around the events that led up to WWII and the ultimate dehumanization and suffering of so many. While you could do the tour on your own, you'd miss out on so much color and passion that a guide like Iain was able to provide.

Best experience ever - This was an awesome tour. Steve was extremely knowledgeable. He shared information that we never heard previously. Very thorough in providing detailed information about what happened in this era,

Excellent tour of Dachau. - Richard was an excellent guide. He provided detailed information about the suffering the prisoners experienced at the hands of the brutal SS guards. His presentation was factual but respectful to the plight of the prisoners. I highly recommend this tour with Richard.

Did 2 tours with this company - both great - We did two different tours with this company, and both were excellent and worth it. The Dachau day trip with Richard was really special and I recommend it highly. We also did the 2 hour city walking tour and that was a great way to get a feeling for the place and some local knowledge.