Munich is known for its jet set, and as a resident of this city, you are constantly confronted with the stereotype of being a snob. Yet the truly wealthy do not live in Munich itself, but in the suburb of Grünwald. This is where the rich and famous call home in their villas, including quite a few celebrities. But even as an ordinary person, there’s plenty to discover and experience in this town on the Isar —maybe even a celebrity.
The villas of the celebrities
Grünwald is considered one of the wealthiest municipalities in all of Germany—and it certainly shows. Although the suburb has only about 11,000 residents, it has its own villa district. The houses are shielded from view by walls and hedges, yet one can sometimes catch a glimpse of one or the other building. Gabriel-von-Seidl-Straße, in particular, is dotted with imposing houses and buildings in Art Nouveau and Neoclassical styles.
You can also see the villa of the late fashion designer Mosi from the street. No celebrities live here anymore, but they do in other houses. Kai Pflaume, for example, lives in Grünwald, as does Uschi Glas and, more recently, the rapper Bushido. Former and current soccer stars have settled not only at Lake Tegernsee but also in this Munich suburb, including Joshua Kimmich and Oliver Kahn.
Wide range of leisure activities
If celebrities aren’t really your thing and you’re more interested in their work, a visit to Bavaria Filmstadt is highly recommended. It takes you on a journey through the history of German film and television productions and offers a glimpse behind the scenes. Grünwald Castle is also definitely worth a detour. The former hunting lodge towers over the Isar River and today houses a branch museum of the State Archaeological Collection.
For families with children, the Grünwald Recreation Park is the ideal place to let off steam to your heart’s content. Here you can compete at table tennis, climb on the playground equipment, or show off your athletic skills at volleyball. Afterward, you can relax in the sauna at the adjacent swimming pool.
Recharge with nature in Grünwald
The name says it all: Grünwald is an oasis for nature lovers and is therefore a state-recognized resort. In the Grünwald Forest, you can take long walks and discover the Römerschanze. The remains of the wall bear witness to the former Roman settlement that once stood here above the Isar River. Located on the river below the Römerschanze is the Georgenstein, a 5-meter-high rock rising out of the water. At its summit, you’ll find a statue of St. George. It’s a popular destination for a short hike from Munich.
You can also take a wonderful walk along the high banks of the Isar and enjoy the view of the water. After a while, you’ll reach the Grünwald Isar Bridge, which connects the town with Pullach in the Isar Valley. At 220 meters long, it is the largest reinforced concrete bridge in the world. If you’d like to visit Grünwald, you can take Tram 25, which takes you directly to the town center. From there, you can explore this Munich suburb at your leisure.
