If you want to go swimming in Munich, you have a wide selection of outdoor pools, indoor pools, and quarry ponds to choose from. And of course, there’s always the option of taking a dip in the Isar or the Eisbach. But if you can’t decide whether you’d rather swim in a pool or in natural waters, then you should visit the Maria Einsiedel natural swimming area. Here you can enjoy the classic outdoor swimming experience combined with chlorine-free water and the gentle current of the Isar.
Over 135 years of history
Maria Einsiedel wasn’t always a natural swimming area. It opened in 1890 as a standard outdoor pool in Thalkirchen, which was still a separate municipality at the time. It owes its name simply to the district of Maria Einsiedel, where it was located back then. For over 100 years, the Maria Einsiedel was an outdoor pool like any other, but in the winter of 2007/2008, it was finally converted into a natural swimming pool. Since the 2008 season, the water here has no longer been chlorinated but is purified naturally in a separate pond.
But it’s not just the water that makes this natural swimming area special. In addition to a large swimming pool and a wading pool for children, an Isar canal runs right through the middle of the outdoor pool. The Mühlbach stream used to power the Schadeneck Mill, which no longer exists today. You can float along the 400-meter-long stream or settle down on the left or right bank of the canal and dangle your legs in the cold water. The sight of the green canal with its small bridges amidst the tall trees alone makes the Maria Einsiedel one of Munich’s most beautiful swimming spots. It is a true gem amidst the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Cooling off at Maria Einsiedel
The Maria Einsiedel Natural Swimming Area is nestled in the scenic Isar floodplains near Hellabrunn Zoo. It opens when temperatures reach 20°C and promises a refreshing dip. The large swimming pool is divided into a 50-meter-long swimmers’ area and a non-swimmers’ area. Between the two sections of the pool is a wooden deck where you can sunbathe. The spacious sunbathing lawns offer plenty of room to relax. The separate nude area is one of the oldest of its kind in all of Munich.
You can get active not only in the water but also on land at Maria Einsiedel. There’s a small soccer field with goals as well as several ping-pong tables where you can compete. Next to the wading pool is a playground where your children can continue to run around. If you’re hungry, you can grab some delicious treats at the beer garden on Zentralländerstraße. If you’re a member of Urban Sport Club or Wellpass, you can visit Maria Einsiedel without having to pay an additional admission fee.
📍 Location: Zentralländer Straße 28
🕐 Hours: Mon–Thu from 10 a.m., Fri–Sun from 9 a.m.
💶 Price information: €6.30 regular, €4 reduced
