Praterinsel Munich: Swimming in the City
Swimming in the "largest swimming pool in the city"
Praterinsel is located in the middle of the city centre, not far from Marienplatz and Viktualienmarkt and in the immediate vicinity of Museum Island with the world-famous Deutsches Museum. Here you will find some wonderful bathing spots on the Isar, where there is always plenty going on. In addition to the beaches on Praterinsel with its sunbathing lawns and pebble beach, the small waterfalls are a particular highlight. With a gentle to moderate current, swimming here is wonderful.
Extra tip: There are only a few shady spots on Praterinsel! So it can be worth getting there early on sunny days. There is also a trendy event location on Praterinsel in former factory halls. Parties as well as various markets, festivals and exhibitions take place here regularly. If you are interested in the history of the Alps and mountaineering, the Alpine Museum of the German Alpine Association on Praterinsel is just the place for you. And if you’re hungry and thirsty from swimming, you’ll be spoilt for choice: between a kiosk, the Praterstand beer garden and a café on the Isar in Munich. There’s something to suit every taste here.
The Praterinsel can be reached via the Maximilian Bridge and nearby are the underground stations Max-Weber-Platz and Lehel as well as the tram stops Maxmonument and Maximilianeum.
Swimming at the Wittelsbach Bridge Munich
Historical monument and popular summer meeting place
The Wittelsbach Bridge near the Glockenbach district connects the Isar suburb with the Au and is much more than a simple stone bridge. The large equestrian sculpture of Otto I of Wittelsbach makes it a historical monument. However, the Wittelsbachbrücke bathing area is not located directly on the bridge. It begins a little further away and extends as far as the Flauchersteg – and is not called the longest bathing area in the city for nothing. The extensive steps on which you can sit and let the sun dry you are particularly inviting. So it’s no wonder that Munich locals like to meet here for a little refreshment during their lunch break or after work. If you don’t want to get into the water, you can also buy them from the nearby kiosk. You can also spread out your towel on the meadows or the pebble beach along the Isar. If you prefer it a little quieter, you can swim through the shallow water over to Weideninsel and watch the colourful hustle and bustle on the banks.
The Wittelsbach Bridge can be reached via the underground station Fraunhoferstraße, the tram stop Eduard-Schmid-Straße and the bus stops Fraunhoferstraße or Baldeplatz.
Spring facilities Munich: Isar bathing in the park
Summer feeling on the banks of the Isar
Where to go when the Isarauen in Munich are overcrowded? The answer is clear: the Frühlingsanlagen park. Between Reichenbach bridge and Wittelsbach bridge you will find a small bathing area on the right bank of the Isar in Munich. Whether you’re travelling alone or with friends or a dog. The Isar beach in Munich is a great place to spend some time. The stone shore and the meadows behind it invite you to relax, go for a walk or have a picnic. And if it’s too warm for you, you can go for a swim in the Isar.
Perfect for families with children: There is a great playground near the cycle and walking path. Together with a dip in the cool Isar river, this is the perfect combination for hot afternoons in the city. But beware: as with swimming everywhere in Munich, you should also pay attention to the warning signs for danger spots! You can reach the Frühlingsanlagen via the Kolumbusplatz (U-Bahn), Isartor (S-Bahn), Eduard-Schmid-Straße (tram) or Claude-Lorrain-Straße (bus) stops.
Eisbachwelle Munich: surfing in the centre of the city
Surftown Munich: Water sports in the English Garden
At the southern entrance to the English Garden is an attraction that is popular with locals and tourists alike – the Eisbachwelle Munich. Located on Prinzregentenstraße in Munich near the government district, you can reach the famous surf spot via the Lehel underground station or the Königinstraße bus stop. Here you can watch daring surfers riding the Eisbach wave almost all year round.
But how can the Eisbach wave and its origins be explained? In the past, the wave only occurred at certain times when gravel collected in the riverbed and blocked the current. Due to its great popularity, it was then created artificially. For this purpose, a specially moulded concrete base was built into the bottom of the river, through which the wave builds up. Unfortunately, swimming is not permitted at this point due to the current. A little further away, however, you can relax and drift along the Eisbach to the Tivoli bridge. Here you can simply walk to the shore and take the tram back. If you want to try your hand at surfing but don’t have much experience yet, you should start at the smaller Eisbach wave E2. This is a little further back in the English Garden in the direction of the Chinese Tower.
Munich activities: What else you can do in summer
Japanese Tea House Munich: Historical tea ceremonies
Japanese culture in the English Garden
If the Isar beach is too crowded in summer, you will find something very special in the centre of the English Garden. The Kanshoan Munich teahouse is idyllically located on a small island in the Eisbach, very close to the Eisbach wave. Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies are held here from April to October. A great experience where you can relax away from the summer hustle and bustle of the city. The English Garden Teahouse in Munich is run by a tea school from Kyotoe. Visitors can immerse themselves in the fascinating Japanese culture here. The absolute highlight of the year is the Japan Festival Munich, which takes place every year in July.
Extra tip: You can buy tickets for this event directly on site around 30 minutes before it starts. The best way to get to the Munich Japanese Teahouse is to take bus no. 100 to Königinstraße or from the Odeonsplatz underground station.
Landmark Chinese Tower Munich
A popular meeting place in the countryside
It is certainly one of the highlights of the city’s largest park: the Chinese Tower in Munich’s English Garden. Centrally located, the world-famous tower attracts tourists and locals alike. There is a relaxed atmosphere around the tower. Just the right place to enjoy a tasty snack in the beer garden after a refreshing dip in the Eisbach. Events are also held regularly at the popular Chinese Tower in Munich. Traditional Bavarian folk music is played several times a week from midday.
Munich in summer: swimming in the Isar
If you want to go swimming in Munich, the Isar with its numerous bathing spots is just the thing. From the centrally located Praterinsel to the Frühlingsanlagen park on the Isar beach and the Wittelsbach bridge. There is a large selection of great bathing spots in the Bavarian capital. There is also something for surfers with the Eisbach wave in the English Garden. What’s special: Thanks to its central location, you can combine summer refreshment with cultural activities. The perfect combination for a unique summer trip to Munich!
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