Summer’s in town and you’re longing to cool off after a long day at work? If you don’t live in the north of Munich, it’s hard to find a nice swimming lake quickly. The Isar, on the other hand, is easy to reach from anywhere and is therefore ideal for winding down after work alone or with friends. Here you can find out where the top spots are and what you can do!
Cool off in the Isar at the Maria Einsiedel natural pool
If you can’t decide between a classic outdoor pool and the Isar, head to Maria Einsiedel. A 400-metre-long Isar canal flows through the facility, which is suitable for both swimmers and non-swimmers. There is a spacious children’s area with a paddling pool. Those who like to shed their clothes can make themselves comfortable in the nudist area.
Tickets are available both online and on site. Holders of the Munich Pass and children under 12 are admitted free of charge. In hot weather, Maria Einsiedel is open until 8 pm. You can always find the daily opening times on the SWM website.
📍Location: Zentralländerstr. 28, 81379 Munich
🕑Opening times: Mon-Thu from 10:00 a.m., Fri-Sun from 9:00 a.m.
Picnic in the Flaucher
The Flaucher offers plenty of space to spread out. This makes it perfect for an afternoon picnic. Grab a blanket and your favorite snacks and settle down on the wide grassy strips or one of the many gravel banks. You can reach the latter via the Flaucher footbridge, whose wooden planks exude a charm all of their own.
After-work beer in the springtime meadows
The Frühlingsanlagen are in a particularly central location and are therefore very popular for meeting up with friends after work. There are kiosks at both Wittelsbacherbrücke and Reichenbachbrücke where you can get a drink of your choice. Find a spot on the stone steps or the green area and watch the hustle and bustle.
Linger in the rose garden near the Isar
If there is too much hustle and bustle in the spring gardens, you will find the rose garden a little further south. You can relax on one of the numerous benches among over 200 different varieties of roses and enjoy the romance of the place. Despite its central location, the rose garden is often overlooked and is still considered an insider tip.
📍Location: Sachsenstr. 8, 81543 Munich
🕑 Opening hours: Around the clock
Walk along the Isar in the Maximiliansanlagen
The Maximilianeum and the Friedensengel are both well-known sights in Munich. However, the extensive Maximilian Gardens are also located around the Bavarian State Parliament. Here you can stroll under the trees along the Isar between the Kabelsteg and Max-Joseph-Brücke. The underpass below the Luitpold Bridge has a small street art gallery to surprise you.
Enjoy drinks & music at the Kulturstrand
Every year, the Urbanauten cultural beach opens its doors. Once located on the Isar balcony, it is now on the Museum Island. Experience that real beach feeling on the Isar with summery drinks, sun loungers and your toes in the sand. There is also music and a daily changing program, such as pop-up yoga or functional training. You can find the latest information on the Kulturstrand website.
📍Location: Vater-Rhein-Brunnen, 80538 Munich
🕑 Opening hours: 12:00-23:00
Watching the Eisbach surfers
The 2.8 km long canal of the Isar runs through the English Garden and is famous for its man-made surfing wave, among other things. You can watch the brave surfers from the Eisbachbrücke bridge on the adjacent banks. The wave has been part of the city for 40 years and has even featured in a crime scene. If there is too much going on here, you can alternatively go to the so-called “second Eisbach wave” at the Dianabadschwelle.
Stroll over the Oberföhring weir
If you prefer to visit the quiet northern part of the English Garden instead, take a detour to the Oberföhring weir. From the mighty stone structure, you can watch the roaring waters of the Isar. The view from here is also known as “Little Canada”. It’s well worth a detour!
📍Location: Max-Halbe-Weg, 81925 Munich
🕑 Opening hours: 9:00-20:00