Summer is here in the city, and are you longing to cool off or spend some relaxing time by the water? Unlike Munich’s swimming lakes, the Isar is very centrally located and easily accessible from anywhere. That makes it ideal for winding down after work—alone or with friends—or for spending long summer days here. With its wide variety of activities, the river offers plenty of variety, so you ’re guaranteed not to get bored anytime soon.
Rafting on the Isar has a long tradition. Among other things, building materials for the Frauenkirche were transported to Munich this way. Today, logistics favor other modes of transport, and rafting trips are now purely for pleasure. There are several rafting companies that offer these relaxing trips and even serve snacks on board or play music for you. On hot days, you can swim alongside the rafts to cool off.
If you can’t decide between a classic outdoor pool and the Isar, head to Maria Einsiedel. A 400-meter-long Isar canal flows through the facility, which is suitable for both swimmers and non-swimmers. There’s a spacious children’s area with a wading pool. Those who like to go nude can make themselves comfortable in the nudist area.
Tickets are available both online and on-site. Holders of the München-Pass, members of USC and WellPass, and children under 12 get free admission. On hot days, Maria Einsiedel stays open until 8 p.m. You can also always find the current daily opening hours on the SWM website.
Picnic at the Flaucher
The Flaucher offers plenty of space to spread out, making it perfect for an afternoon picnic. Grab a blanket and your favorite snacks and settle down on the wide grassy areas or one of the many gravel banks. You can reach the latter via the Flaucher Steg, whose wooden planks exude a charm all their own.
After-work beer in the Frühlingsanlagen
The Frühlingsanlagen are very centrally located and are therefore a popular spot to meet up with friends after work. You’ll find kiosks at both the Wittelsbacher and Reichenbach bridges where you can grab a drink of your choice. Find a spot on the stone steps or the grassy area and watch the colorful hustle and bustle.
If the Frühlingsanlagen is too crowded for your taste, you’ll find the Rosengarten a little further south. Surrounded by over 200 different varieties of roses, you can relax on one of the many benches and enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the place. Despite its central location, the Rosengarten is often overlooked and is still considered an insider’s tip.
The Maximilianeum and the Friedensengel are both very well-known landmarks in Munich. But the Bavarian State Parliament is also surrounded by the sprawling Maximiliansanlagen. Here, you can stroll along the Isar under the trees between Kabelsteg and the Max-Joseph-Brücke. The underpass beneath the Luitpoldbrücke even has a small street art gallery in store as a surprise.
Every year, the Urbanauten’s “Culture Beach” opens its doors. Once located on the Isarbalkon, it’s now on Museum Island. Experience a real beach vibe here on the Isar with summer drinks, lounge chairs, and your toes in the sand. There’s also music and a daily changing program, including pop-up yoga, live music, and a flea market. You can find the latest information on the Kulturstrand website.
The 2.8 km-long Isar canal runs through the English Garden and is known, among other things, for its man-made surf wave. From the Eisbach Bridge or the adjacent banks, you can watch the daring surfers. The wave has been part of the city for 40 years and has even made an appearance in an episode of *Tatort*. If it’s too crowded here, you can head to the so-called “second Eisbach wave” at the Dianabadschwelle instead.
Stroll across the Oberföhring weir
If you’d rather visit the quiet northern part of the English Garden instead, take a detour to the Oberföhring Weir. From this massive stone structure, you can watch the roaring waters of the Isar. The view from here is also known as “Little Canada.” It’s definitely worth a visit!
