Munich/North

Northern Munich is an expansive part of the city comprising many parks and recreational areas, including the English Garden, the Olympiapark (site of the 1972 Olympic Games) with the BMW Welt, the Nymphenburg park and palace and the Allianz Arena. This guide covers the districts of Neuhausen-Nymphenburg, Schwabing-West, Schwabing-Freimann and Milbertshofen-Am Hart. The districts of Moosach and Feldmoching-Hasenbergl also fall within this part of Munich, but they are of very limited interest to tourists.

Understand

View from the Olympic Tower on the Olympic Stadium.

Schwabing is simultaneously one of Munich's most bohemian districts and wealthiest residential areas. The large number of shops, restaurants, and cafés along the district's main boulevards Leopoldstraße and Hohenzollernstraße cater mostly to those with money to burn. The hamlet of Schwabing was founded in the 8th century and therefore is much older than Munich itself, which was founded in the 12th century. It was incorporated in the city of Munich in 1890. In the 19th and 20th century, Schwabing reached its zenith of cultural importance. Many famous litterateurs and painters were living in the area by that time. Schwabing was also location of the Schwabing riots in 1962, the overture of the student revolt in Germany in the late 1960s.

Milbertshofen and Am Hart combined give the name to Stadtbezirk 10, but it is the third part of the district, called Am Riesenfeld, that draws the most tourists. This is because it contains two immediately adjacent areas of interest - the Olympiapark, which was created out of the grounds where the 1972 Olympic Games were held, and still contains many of the structures built for the Olympics, as well as the original plant of BMW, with the adjacent headquarters, BMW Museum and BMW Welt visitor centre.

Allianz Arena and the Chapel of the Holy Cross

Neuhausen-Nymphenburg is one of the more relaxed districts of Munich around Nymphenburg Palace, where the atmosphere causes residents and visitors alike to forget they are in a city of over a million. Neuhausen and Nymphenburg are virtually undiscovered by tourists so far, even though Neuhausen is home to a pouplar nightclub and the world's largest beer garden at Hirschgarten. What's even more astounding is that, while millions of tourists flock to Munich in the summer months and during the Oktoberfest in September and October, few find their way to the tranquil Nymphenburg Palace gardens. The area is roughly bounded by the main railtracks to the south and west, Allacher Straße and Baldurstraße to the north, and Dachauer Straße to the east.

Further North is a big residential and industrial area in northern Munich, consisting of the neighborhoods of Feldmoching-Hasenbergl, Moosach, Milbertshofen-Am-Hart and Freimann. The area's main (and some would probably say only) attraction is the Allianz Arena football stadium.

Get in

By car

Arriving in Munich on the Autobahn A9

Like every outer district of Munich, North Munich is easily accessible by car. Autobahn A 9 (from Berlin) and the Munich ring Autobahn A 99 traverse the outskirts of the area and have a number of exits, including München-Fröttmaning, München-Freimann, München-Ludwigsfeld and München-Schwabing. Furthermore, national highways B 11 (from Landshut), B 13 (from Ingolstadt) and B 304 (from Dachau) end in the area. From other districts within Munich, the best way to reach the north is driving on circular Mittlerer Ring (B 2R) urban expressway.

The main arteries in the area are Mittlerer Ring (B 2R) urban expressway, which cuts right through the center of the area, and to a lesser extend Leopoldstraße, Ungererstraße, and Dachauer Straße. Though traffic outside rush-hours isn't very thick, arriving in the area by car is definitely no good idea as parking is very difficult. In all areas of Munich within the circuar expressway parking is mostly limited to residents with special parking permits. So do yourself a favor and change to the subway lines at one of the many (and very cheap) P&R parking decks close to the city limits. The Olympic Park and Nymphenburg Palace are a big exception to this parking issue, though, as parking abundand and allowed for non-residents.

By suburban train (S-Bahn)

Subway station Münchner Freiheit in Schwabing

S-Bahn lines S1 (to the airport) and S2 (to Dachau) run along the southern edge and through the western parts of the area with stops including München-Hirschgarten, München-Laim, and München-Fasanerie. S-Bahn line S1 is especially useful if you arrive from the airport and change at München-Feldmoching to subway line U2.

By subway (U-Bahn)

• Subway lines  U1  and  U7  cover the west of the area with stops including Rotkreuzplatz and Westfriedhof.
• Subway line  U2  does not stop at any major attraction in the area, but runs across the North of Munich from the Feldmoching S-Bahn station (where you can change for S-Bahn S1 to the airport) to western Maxvorstadt, the Hauptbahnhof, and then further east towards the fairgrounds, so you can use it to connect to tram and bus lines to your destination.
• Subway line  U3 , coming from the city center and eastern Maxvorstadt, calls amongst others at 🌍 Münchner Freiheit  U3  U6 , Olympiazentrum, Olympia-Einkaufszentrum, and Moosach (where you can change to S-Bahn S1 to the airport).
• Subway line  U6  arriving from the city center and eastern Maxvorstadt calls at Münchner Freiheit and then heads further north with stops including Nordfriedhof and the football stadium's stop at Fröttmaning.

By tram

Bus and tram terminal at Münchner Freiheit

• Tram lines 16 and 17, coming from the city center at Karlsplatz (Stachus) run along the souther edge of the area. While 16 braches off at Romanplatz to the north-east (re-named 12), 17 continues to the north-west with stops including Schloss Nymphenburg (for Nymphenburg Palace) and Botanischer Garten.
• Tram lines 20, 21, and 22 run from the city center at Karlsplatz (Stachus) through the western part of the area with stop including Olympiapark West, Westfriedhof, and Moosach.
• Tram lines 27 and 28 together run from the city center at Sendlinger Tor through central Maxvorstadt to Hohenzollerplatz, where 28 continues to the north and ends at Scheidplatz, while 27 branches off to the north-west with stops including Ackermannstraße and Petuelring (for the Olympic Park and BMW museum).

By bicycle

As Schwabing is very bike-friendly, with bikeways along every larger street, and generally not too much traffic going by bike is probably the fastest way to get to the area. There are a large number of bike rentals around the city.

It is no problem to go from the inner city to the Olympic area by bike. You have to follow Dachauer Straße from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) and turn right when you reach Willy-Gebhardt-Ufer. Watch out for the little green-on-white direction signs for bikes indicating Olympiapark. You will be biking on bicylce lanes all the way, so don't be afraid of traffic dangers. It's approx. a 5 km (3 mi) bike ride to reach the Olympic park from the city center.

On foot

English Garden (Englischer Garten) is directly adjacent to the north of the historic city center of Munich and therefore very easily reachable on foot. To get to Schwabing proper on foot, you'll need to walk approx. 20 min north through Maxvorstadt along Ludwigstraße to reach the southern tip of the district at the University of Munich. In general walking in the north of Munich probably isn't the best choice as the area is large and the POI are far apart.

Get around

Getting between the main attractions in the North of Munich requires covering considerable distances. Since parking is a problem, you are probably best advised to use the public transportation. Some of the more useful connections are listed below:

•  U3  runs along the southern part of the English Garden (stations are some 250 metres from the edge of the garden along Ludwigstraße) and continues to Olympiazentrum (between Olympiapark and BMW Welt).
•  U1  runs from the environs of Nymphenburg (station Rotkreuzplatz) to its terminus at the Olympia-Einkaufzentrum shopping centre on the eastern end of the Olympic area. From there, you can take the  U3  and continue to Olympiazentrum on the other end of the area, by the BMW Welt.
• Tram line 12 starts right at the Nymphenburg Park and Palace and runs into the centre of Schwabing. From its terminus at Scheidplatz you can take the  U3  to Olympiazentrum.
•  U6  is the only connection to the Allianz Arena and follows the  U3  along Ludwigstraße. You can change between them to move between the English Garden, Schwabing, Olympiapark/BMW Welt and Allianz Arena.

See

Schwabing

The Walking Man

• 🌍 Nordfriedhof (Northern Cemetery), Ungererstraße 130 (U-Bahn U6: Nordfriedhof). Nov-Feb 08:00-17:00, Mar 08:00-18:00, Apr-Aug 08:00-20:00, Sep-Oct 08:00-19:00. Nordfriedhof is known for its many famous patrons like Johannes "Jopi" Heesters, its impressive funeral home and morgue, and a so called grove of honor for the victims of the World War II allied air raids. Free. 
• 🌍 St. Ursula church, Kaiserplatz 1a (U-Bahn U3, U6: Münchner Freiheit), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 08:00-18:00. The Catholic church was built 1894-1897 and was the first church in Munich, that was not constructed in a classical medieval fashion, but in a modernized, Art Nouveau kind of architecture. Because of the style, size, and location of the church, it is often referred to as "Cathedral of Schwabing". 
• 🌍 Walking Man (U-Bahn U3, U6: Giselastraße). This 17 m (55 ft) tall sculpture stands besides Leopoldstraße. It embodies a man hurrying down the street - hence the name. 

English Garden

Chinesischer Turm is one of the main landmarks of Englischer Garten

The English Garden (German: Englischer Garten), a large public urban park, created in 1789-1792, is directly east of Schwabing. With an area of 370 ha (910 acres) it is bigger than New York's Central Park or London's Hyde Park. It is designed as a informal landscape park, which was popular in the late 18th century. Following the style, the English Garden has a number of eye-catchers like temples, a teahouse, pavilions, and a pagoda, but the main features still are meadows, a gently rolling terrain, ponds, and a forest background. On days with fine weather Munich's English Garden nowadays is the main recreational area of the locals (and especially the students of the nearby universities) to sunbath, relax, and have a beer or five. Vast open meadows, nearly 80 km (50 mi) of biking trails, hiking trails, and bridleways make it a perfect place for any kind of sports activity. During summertime it is also the venue of makeshift concerts and gratis performances. The area of Schwabing and English Garden is bounded roughly by the Isar river to the east, Georgenstraße to the south, Schleißheimerstraße to the west, and Petuelring (B 2R), autobahn A 9, and Föhringer Ring to the north.

• 🌍 Northern English Garden (Nördlicher Englischer Garten) (U-Bahn U6: Dietlindenstraße & Studentenstadt). At over twice the size of New York's Central Park and dating back to 1789, the Englischer Garten begins at the very center of Munich just north of the Residenz museum and Odeonsplatz, and continues north just over 5 km. The park is divided into two distinct sections by the circular city expressway called Mittlerer Ring. The northern half of the park is connected to the southern section by a pedestrian bridge close to the Hirschau beer garden. Whereas the southern section is graced with open meadows and is densely populated, this section has a quieter, rural feel, with forest lots interspersed with fields graced with beautiful wildflowers in summer. You may even come across a herd of sheep, watched over by a shepherd in traditional clothing and his German shepherd dogs. Quiet streams run through the park, as well as many bicycle and pedestrian trails. Indeed, the very best way to see this park is to rent a bicycle and explore. This is also the best way to reach the Aumeister beer garden in the very north of the park. 
• 🌍 Southern English Garden (Südlicher Englischer Garten) (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität). The southern section starts near Odeonsplatz and the Residenz museum, and extends north along the students' quarter of Schwabing. More populated than the northern section, a surprisingly high number of people utilize their lunch break to lay in the sun in the Garden. Here you'll see all kinds of activity, such as joggers, cyclists, strollers, skateboard and roller blades, riders on horseback, even surfboarders in wet suits taking advantage of currents under a bridge. Tourists are generally amused - or scandalized - by nude sunbathers, who may be encountered in any quiet section of the park on a warm day, but tend to congregate in the "official" area beside a small tributary of the Isar river that runs through the park. The Chinesischer Turm beer garden is located at the center of this part of Englischer Garten. The southern half of the park is connected to the northern section by a pedestrian bridge beside the Seehaus beer garden. It is also connected to the Hofgarten by a tunnel. At most times you can see a bunch of people trying to surf on the Eisbach near Haus der Kunst at the very southern tip of the Garden. 
• 🌍 Chinese Tower (Chinesischer Turm) (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität). The Chinese Tower in the center of the English Garden is a 25 m (82 ft) high pagoda with several stories, constructed in 1789 to 1790, and rebuilt after World War II in 1952. Nowadays, it is surrounded by a beer garden and a Bavarian oompah band performs on the 2nd story on the weekend. The beer garden is the oldest one in Munich, this might be the reason why it is often quite crowded with tourists. This is also where the horse carriage and the rickshaw tours through the English Garden start. As a cheaper alternative, you can hop on the bus line 54 either to Münchner Freiheit or Ostbahnhof from where you can connect to the subway.  
• 🌍 Monopteros (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität). The Monopteros is a small neo-classical Greek temple on a hilltop, built in 1836 in the English Garden. It provides a great few over the park and Munich. 

Olympiapark

The Olympic area (Olympiagelände) is also known as Olympic Park due to the large landscaped park surrounding the sports venues of the 1972 Olympic Summer Games. This district has its place forever in history as the turning point of peace and terrorism. Less than 30 years after the Holocaust and the defeat of Nazi Germany, the young Federal Republic of Germany hosted the 20th Summer Olympics and an entire park and several stadiums were built for the Olympics in this district. Many people saw the Olympics as a turning point for Munich, especially with the Israeli Olympic team participating in the games. However, the massacre of Israeli athletes by a Palestinian terrorist group in the Olympic village and at the NATO air base Fürstenfeldbruck greatly shocked the world and cast a dark shadow over the district. The Olympic area is roughly bounded by Moosacher Straße to the north, Schleißheimer Straße to the east, Dachauer Straße to the south-west, and Hanauer Straße to the west.

• 🌍 Olympiapark (Olympic Park) (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum). This vast park was created for the 1972 Summer Olympics and is still a vibrant place for outdoor activities, sports and cultural events.  
• 🌍 Olympiaberg (Olympic Hill), Martin-Luther-King-Weg (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum). This hill is made of debris piled up after the second world war. If there is a concert in the Olympic Stadium and you didn't manage to get tickets (or you think they are too expensive) climb on the hill across the stream. You will have a great view on the stadium and hear all the music. Take a blanket, some food and local beer with you to relax and listen to some great music for free. 
• 🌍 Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower), Spiridon-Louis-Ring 7 (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum), ☎ [phone]. Daily 09:00-00:00. With a total height of 291 m (954 ft), a revolving restaurant at 182 m (597 ft), and an observation platform at 190 m (623 ft), the Olympic Tower is Munich's highest building, and provides the most spectacular view of the city of Munich with the Bavarian Alps in the background. It also houses a small rock and roll museum. If you can afford to splurge, you can also consider having lunch or dinner in the Restaurant 181 on top of the tower, with the spectacular view of the city. However, you should have an early reservation, especially for weekends. Adults: €5.50, concessions: €3.50.  
• 🌍 Sea Life, Willi-Daume-Platz 1 (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum). Apr-Oct 10:00-18:00, Nov-Mar 10:00-16:00. A large aquarium featuring over 30 tanks and aquatic life ranging from local river dwellers all the way to the grand Mediterranean Ocean tank. Adults: €15.95, concessions: €14.50, children (3-14 years): €10.50.  

BMW Welt and Museum with Olympiaturm in the back

• 🌍 BMW Welt and Museum, Am Olympiapark 1 (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum), ☎ [phone]. Daily 09:00-18:00 (BMW Museum is closed on Mondays). An exhibition and museum complex dedicated to one of the best and most famous German car and motorcycle manufacturers. A must see not only for the automobile enthusiast but also for the architecture aficionado. BMW Welt is free of charge; Museum - adults: €9, concessions: €6.  
• 🌍 Connollystraße 31, Connollystraße 31 (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum). This is the house in the former Olympic village, where the Black September hostage situation took place and several several members of the Israeli Olympic team were murdered. There is a small marker on this building that indicates that incident.  

Nymphenburg

• 🌍 Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten), Menzinger Straße 65 (Tram 17: Botanischer Garten), ☎ [phone]. Daily Nov-Jan 09:00-16:30, Feb-Mar & Oct 09:00-17:00, Apr & Sep 09:00-18:00, May-Aug 09:00-19:00. Covering an area of 21 ha (52 acre) the Munich Botanical Garden in the borough of Nymphenburg is one of the most important botanical gardens of the world and is visited by over 400,000 visitors every year. It is home of approximately 14,000 plants. Adults €4, concessions €2.50. 
• 🌍 Herz Jesu Church (Pfarrkirche Herz Jesu), Romanstraße 6 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Rotkreuzplatz), ☎ [phone]. Th-Su 08:00-19:00, M 12:00-19:00. Located between Rotkreuzplatz and Nymphenburg Canal, this modern Roman Catholic church was erected between 1997 and 2000, after the previous church had been destroyed by a fire in 1994. Right now, this is one of the most frequently visited churches in Munich. The church consists of a large cuboid with a blue, 14 m (46 ft) high facade. The facade can be opened completely, like a gigantic gate. However this happens only on public holidays. Guided tours must be arranged beforehand by phone. 
• 🌍 Museum of Man and Nature (Museum Mensch und Natur), Schloss Nymphenburg (Tram 16, 17: Schloss Nymphenburg), ☎ [phone]. Tu-W & F 09:00-17:00, Th 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00, closed on Mondays. The museum gives modern, lively exhibitions suitable for visitors of all ages and education levels. The exhibitions cover a wide range of topics starting with the history of earth and life, moving on to the diversity of organisms and finally covering current and social themes such as genetic research, neurobiology, nutrition physiology, nature conservation, and consumer protection. The nice little museum that can be perused in an hour and is very interesting for children, and is best combined with a visit to the Nymphenburg Palace or its gardens. Adults €3, concessions €3, children (under 18 yr) free. 

A view of Schloss Nymphenburg from the palace gardens.

• 🌍 Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg), Schloss Nymphenburg (Tram 16, 17: Schloss Nymphenburg), ☎ [phone]. Apr-15 Oct: 09:00-18:00; 16 Oct-Mar: 10:00-16:00. In the beginning it was one of the smaller residential palaces, now it is the biggest Baroque palace in Germany. It is possible to enter the palace. However, considering that only a few rooms are open to the public and that there is only scarce furnishings, it may not be worth the entrance fee, unless you are interested in the gallery of paintings of the numerous female friends of King Ludwig I. In contrast to the interior of the palace, entrance to the garden is free and it is an amazing place to relax. Benches and paths can be found throughout the garden. Several buildings are scattered throughout the palace gardens. Some of these buildings can also be entered for a small fee, but these buildings are not furnished, so the only attraction is the architecture. Also on the grounds is a restaurant adjacent to the royal greenhouses. Apr-15 Oct: adults €11.50, concessions €9; 16 Oct-Mar: adults €8.50, concessions €6.50.  
  • Marstallmuseum – Museum of carriages and sleighs in the former royal stables
  • Porzellanmuseum – Museum of carriages and sleighs in the former royal stables
• 🌍 Nymphenburg park (Schlosspark Nymphenburg) (Tram 16,17: Schloss Nymphenburg). From a baroque park to a landscape garden 

Further North

• 🌍 Allianz Arena football stadium (Allianz Arena), Werner-Heisenberg-Allee 25 (U-Bahn U6: Fröttmaning), ☎ [phone]. English tour: daily 13:00 (except on home match days). Allianz Arena is the homestead of the wold famous FC Bayern Munich and its less known rival TSV 1860 Munich. Moreover, it was the venue of the opening match and a semifinal of the Football World Cup 2006. This make it a must-see for the football enthusiast. It was opened in 2005 as one of the most modern sport stadiums and features a unique architecture. Its rubber boat like outer shape is consructed of illuminable ETFE-foil air panels, that can shine in the colors white, red and blue. The football stadium is one of the most outstanding examples of modern architecture in Munich. Instead of going on a tour, it might be a good idea to check for the TSV 1860 Munich matches in the 2nd German league (every 2nd weekend during season), as you can usually get tickets for those on match-day starting at around €12.50 for students or €15.50 for adults. Adults €10, concessions €9, children (under 14 yr) €6.50.  
• 🌍 Chapel of the Holy Cross (Heilig Kreuz), Kurt-Landauer-Weg 8 (U-Bahn U6: Fröttmaning). This little chapel is the last relict of the lost town of Fröttmaning, which was buried underneath the neighboring (now recultivated) waste dump. Close by at the slope of the hill, a half-buried replica of the church was constructed as a memorial to the former town. 
• 🌍 MTU Museum, Dachauer Straße 665 (S-Bahn S2: München-Ludwigsfeld), ☎ [phone]. one day every quarter year 13:00-18:00. MTU Museum shows the history of plane turbines. MTU Aero Engines is partner in the manufacturing of virtually every turbine project worldwide. The museum is open only one day every quarter year, as well as within a tour around the MTU plant. 
• 🌍 Park at Fröttmaning Hill (Fröttmaninger Berg) (U-Bahn U6: Fröttmaning). The park is across the autobahn from Allianz Arena. The wind energy plant at the top of the hill is its most visible landmark from afar. The park is very popular with joggers and people, who are looking for a great view of northern Munich and especially the Allianz Arena. When it is Föhn weather, the view ranges as far as the Alps. 
• 🌍 Schloss Schleißheim (just outside of Munich to the north, in the city of Oberschleißheim, can be reached by taking the S-Bahn S1 to Oberschleißheim). The palace is a jewel of Baroque architecture. Built during the reign of Elector Maximilian II Emanuel, it was intended as a royal residence, though the elector himself was forced into exile and never lived here. Building work begun in 1701 by Zuccalli and continued 1719-1726 by Joseph Effner. French architectural features are evident in the façade and the most impressive rooms are Großer Saal, Viktoriensaal the Große Galerie. There is a terrific 980-seat beer garden, Schlosswirtschaft Oberschleißheim, on the palace grounds. 

Do

Professional sports

• 🌍 Bavarian International Tennis Championships (BMW Open), Aumeisterweg 10 (U-Bahn U6: Studentenstadt). end of April. Every year at the end of April the men's tennis tour is making a top in Munich. The tournament is part of the ATP schedule and sees some of the world's top players, with winners including Roger Federer and David Nalbandian. 
• 🌍 FC Bayern Munich (FC Bayern München), Werner-Heisenberg-Allee 25 (U-Bahn U6: Fröttmaning). Watch a home match of one of Europe's best football teams FC Bayern Munich. Home games are every other weekend and some games during the week from August to May. Ticket prices range from €15-70 for national league and cup matches to €35-300 for UEFA Champions League matches. €15-100. 
• 🌍 TSV 1860 Munich (TSV 1860 München), Werner-Heisenberg-Allee 25 (U-Bahn U6: Fröttmaning). Bayern's much smaller rival 1860 Munich, which currently plays in Germany's second highest division, has surprisingly many supporters in the city. It is much easier to get tickets for the games, as they normally do not sell out. 

Sports activities

• 🌍 Bicycling. Why not go for a bike ride or guided bike tour and explore Munich from the seat of a bicycle? Englischer Garten and the whole of Munich is lined with bike trails. Some bike tour operators offer guided bike tours of Munich, which take you through the Englischer Garten. Some of these tours will stop at a beer garden for a break. 
• 🌍 Fasanerie Lake (Fasaneriesee), Lerchenauer Straße 267 (S-Bahn S1: München-Feldmoching). It is one of the three small lakes in the area and the closest to the rail tracks. Munich residents flock to the lake on warm summer days and it is especially popular with families, due to its non-swimmer friendly depth. 
• 🌍 Feldmoching Lake (Feldmochinger See), Ferchenbachstraße 205 (S-Bahn S1: München-Feldmoching). The lake is the biggest of the three small lakes in the area. It is very popular on warm summer days, but the least crowded of the three lakes, due to its rather remote location 1 km (0.6 mi) from any public transportation. The water quality is very good. It is handicapped accessible via a ramp ramp at the north side. 
• 🌍 Ice skating (Schlittschuhlaufen), Schloss Nymphenburg (Tram 16, 17: Schloss Nymphenburg), ☎ [phone]. When it's cold enough in the winter, you can go ice skating on the canals in front of Nymphenburg Palace as well as on the small ponds located in the gardens. 
• 🌍 Lerchenau Lake (Lerchenauer See), Lassallestraße 91 (S-Bahn S1: München-Fasanerie). Lerchenau Lake is the smallest and most popular of the three lakes in the area, because of its easy accessibility via public transportation. 
• 🌍 Rowing at Oberschleißheim Regatta Course (Autobahn A 92 exit 2: Oberschleißheim), ☎ [phone]. The regatta course was a venue for the 1972 Summer Olympics. There are several professional rowing events every year, but the course is open for the public as well. 

River Surfing in the
Englischer Garten

• 🌍 Surfing on the Eisbach, near Haus der Kunst (Tram 18: Nationalmuseum/Haus der Kunst). Who needs the ocean or a beach when you can surf in the Englischer Garten? Near Haus der Kunst, the Eisbach creates a standing wave. During the summer time, there are always a lot of surfers at this spot. As the wave is not created intentionally, there is no possibility to rent surfboards. The location is on the north side of Prinzregentenstraße at the intersection with Bruderstraße.  

Culture and subculture

• 🌍 KreativQuartier München, Dachauer Straße 112, e-mail: [e-mail]. depending on the venue within KreativQuartier. A cultural area with several venues, some of which are quite famous for subculure, including the Pathos Theater and Import Export, amongst others. 

Festivals and Christmas fairs (Christkindlmarkt)

• 🌍 Christmas fair at the Chinese Tower (Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischen Turm), Englischer Garten (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität), ☎ [phone]. Beginning of December until Christmas Eve: M-F 12:00-20:30, Sa-Su 11:00-20:30. The Christmas fair at the heart of the English Garden is probably the most romantic of Munich's Christkindlmärkte. 
• 🌍 Schwabing Christmas fair (Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt), Münchner Freiheit (U-Bahn U3, U6: Münchner Freiheit). End of November until Christmas Eve: M-F 12:00-20:30, Sa Su 11:00-20:30. Schwabing Christmas Fair is a rather artistic Christkindlmarkt at Münchner Freiheit. Enjoy some mulled wine while browsing the market for some art or admiring the elaborate architecture of the tram terminal at the square. 
• 🌍 Corso Leopold, Leopoldstraße 9-61 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität, Giselastraße, Münchner Freiheit), ☎ [phone]. 1st weekend in June & 2nd weekend in September. Corso Leopold is a mix of a street festival, funfair, and art fair. During the two weekends Leopoldstraße, one of Munich main boulevards, is closed for motorized traffic and people are strolling between stages and food stalls. Directly south, along Ludwigstraße the Streetlife-Festival is taking place in Maxvorstadt. 
• 🌍 Kocherlball, Chinese Tower in the English Garden (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität). late July, 06:00-10:00. Each year on one early morning in July, young people gather at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden to perform a Bavarian folk dance. And the best thing is: everybody can participate. Originally a dance for servants and house maids, the event was revived in 1989 for the bicentennial of the English Garden. An insider tip for the first years, the Kocherlball today attracts up 15,000 participants and spectators. free of charge. 
• 🌍 BoundCon, Lilienthalallee 29, e-mail: [e-mail]. 12:00-23:00 mostly. An event for BDSM fans. Held on a weekend in late May. Numerous live professional bondage shows, as well as custom photo shoots and workshops where you can try bondage yourself (advance registration required). For adults only, naturally. €50 for a 3-day pass. 
• 🌍 StuStaCulum, Christoph-Probst-Straße 14 (U-Bahn U6: Studentenstadt), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. mid-June. StuStaCulum is a theater and music festival in Munich's student city, organized by students. 
• 🌍 Tollwood (Summer festival), Olympiapark Süd - Spiridon-Louis-Ring (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum). June & July. Very nice and relaxed festival with a large alternative market where everything is sold from Asian interior stuff to hand made rings. The festival comprises several tents where music and theatre is played. While some performances are free of charge, tickets have to be bought for the major acts. You will also find lots of international food stalls and bars here. It's a great place to hang out. The Tollwood summer festival takes place in the Olympiapark from mid June to the beginning of July for 25 days. The venue of the Tollwood winter festival is the Theresienwiese and it lasts from the last week of November until Christmas. It's a great alternative to other more commercialized Christmas markets.  

Buy

• 🌍 Elisabethmarkt (Tram stop Elisabethplatz of tram lines 27 and 28). A smaller, less touristy and cheaper alternative to the Viktualienmarkt in the Altstadt, it has cute stalls, a good selection of fruits, vegetables and delicacies, a quaint beergarten seasonally and an original feel. This is a good starting point to explore the less commercial parts of Schwabing, there are quite a few interesting boutiques and designers on Elisabethstraße between Elisabethplatz and Leopoldstraße. 
• 🌍 Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, Nördliches Schloßrondell 8, ☎ [phone]. M-F 10:00-17:00. Offers beautifully handcrafted porcelain. The factory was founded in the early 1700s to create porcelain for the Royal family and is located on the Nymphenburg palace grounds. 
• 🌍 Olympia-Einkaufszentrum (OEZ) (U-Bahn U1, U3: Olympia-Einkaufszentrum (OEZ)), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 09:30-20:00. Munich's largest shopping centre with a large variety of department stores, boutiques and food stores. 
• 🌍 Galeria-Kaufhof, Pötschner Str. 5, ☎ [phone]. M-F 09:30-20:00, Sa 09:00-20:00. Large department store at the Rotkreuzplatz subway station. 
• 🌍 mira, Schleißheimer Straße 506 (U-Bahn U2: Dülferstraße), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 09:30-20:00. A huge shopping mall with over 70 stores at the city limits. 
• 🌍 Flea market Olympiapark (U1: Westfriedhof/ U3: Olympiazentrum). F Sa 07:00–16:00. Fine weekly flea market throughout the year, breaking only when there are events in the Olympic Stadium. Taking place in the nicely tree-shaded parking lot of the stadium. 
• 🌍 Classic Outlet, Leopoldstraße 20 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Giselastraße), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 10:30-19:30. A cloth store with huge rebates on classic design labels like D&G or Lacoste. 

Eat

Schwabing

• 🌍 Bistro Cezanne (French), Konradstraße 1 (Tram 27, 28: Elisabethplatz), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su from 18:00, closed on Mondays. Authentic Gallic restaurant in the heart of Munich's bohemian quarter, chef Patrick Geay serves fine, tasty produce with a French flavor. Professional service by smartly attired waiters. Reservations are recommended for this highly sought after restaurant. 
• 🌍 Cavos Taverna (Greek), Königinstraße 34 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Giselastraße), ☎ [phone]. daily from 17:00. Cavos is a very hip and the most popular Greek restaurant in Munich. Prices are moderant, although not cheap. At a later hour the place changes from a restaurant to more of a bar, with louder music, drinking, and dancing. Online reservation is definitely necessary on weekends and recommended on week days. Gyros €10.80. 
• 🌍 Garbo (Italian), Kaiserstraße 67 (Tram 27, 28: Kurfürstenplatz), ☎ [phone]. Su-W 11:00-01:00, Th-Sa 11:00-02:00. A cozy restaurant with a real Italian flair and very polite and attentive service personal. The pizzas (prepared in a wood stove) will make you feel as if you actually were in Italy. Pizza €9.50, Pasta €9. 
• 🌍 Seerose (Italian), Feilitzschstraße 32 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Münchner Freiheit), ☎ [phone]. M-F 11:30-01:00, Sa Su 10:00-01:00. The restaurant embodies the typical combination of Schwabing and Italian restaurant - cozy atmosphere, jovial service personal, and authentic Italian food. You get the feel of a real Tuscan restaurant Pasta €18. 
• 🌍 Tantris (Haute cuisine), Johann-Fichte-Straße 7 (Tram 23: Potsdamer Straße). Tu-Sa 12:00-15:00 & 18:30-01:00, closed public holidays. With one of Germany's best chefs at the helm, expect to be impressed with an array of delectable dishes at Tantris. Consistently ranked one of the top five dining establishment in the country, prepare to pay a high price for nouvelle cuisine, but once you have a bite of one of their specialties, you'll be assured that the bill at the end is worth it. 

Olympiapark

• 🌍 Restaurant 181 (Drehrestaurant), Spiridon-Louis-Ring 7 (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum), ☎ [phone]. Daily 11:00-16:30 & 18:00-21:30. The restaurant offers international cuisine to its guests. The restaurant is 181 m above the ground in the Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower). On a clear day one can see the Bavarian Alps while enjoying some very good (and pricy) food. 

Neuhausen

Budget

• 🌍 Scarletti (Ice cream parlor), Nymphenburger Straße 155 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Rotkreuzplatz), ☎ [phone]. Feb & Oct-Nov: 09:00-21:00, Mar-Apr & Sep: 09:00-23:00, May-Aug: 09:00-23:30, Closed Dec & Jan. Pick your favourite ice cream from more than 40 different flavours in one of Munich's best and most traditional ice cream parlours, Sarcletti at Rotkreuzplatz. 

Mid-range

• 🌍 Romans (Italian), Romanstraße 1 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Rotkreuzplatz), ☎ [phone]. Daily 11:00-00:00. One of the favourite restaurants of the residents of this wealthy neighborhood, although it is not the most expensive place. People come here for the excellent (and not cheap) meat or fish dishes and the large assortment of Italian wines. Pizza €9. 
• 🌍 Taj Mahal (Indian), Nymphenburger Straße 145 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Rotkreuzplatz), ☎ [phone]. One of the best Indian restaurants in Munich. €11-20. 
• 🌍 Zum Koreaner (Korean), Nymphenburger Straße 132 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Rotkreuzplatz), ☎ [phone]. 17:30-00:00. A Korean restaurant serving tasty and authemtic Korean dishes. €10-22. 

Splurge

• 🌍 The Big Easy (Cajun), Frundsbergstraße 46 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Rotkreuzplatz), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 17:00-01:00, Su 09:00-01:00. The Big Easy is an excellent Cajun restaurant. It's a great place to eat or to relax with friends while drinking cocktails. The staff speaks excellent English and is very friendly. Extensive brunch buffet on Sundays. It's well worth the visit. 

Drink

Schwabing

Bars & pubs

• 🌍 Schwabinger 7, Feilitzschstraße 15 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Münchner Freiheit), ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 20:00-01:00, F Sa 20:00-03:00. The Schwabinger 7 has a reputation of one of Munich's worst drinking holes (probably not without reason) and one of the best places to party if music isn't a factor. Due to the low prices, the pub is very popular among students. Tthe pub had to move after 60 years at the same position to make space for a new housing project. After the old building was torn down, workers found and old unexploded World War II bomb underneath it. In a failed attempt to defuse it, the surrounding houses took considerable damage. Beer €3. 
• 🌍 The Shamrock, Trautenwolfstraße 6 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Giselastraße), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Th 19:00-02:00, F 18:00-04:00, Sa 18:00-04:00. Atmospheric Irish pub, with live music playing frequently. Fridays and Saturdays tend to get very crowded, with locals wanting to get a taste of the Irish. 

Beer gardens

Seehaus beer garden

• 🌍 Aumeister, Sondermeierstraße 1 (U-Bahn U6: Studentenstadt), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su 09:00-23:00. Located at the very north end of Englischer Garten, Aumeister is considered to be one of Munich's most beautiful beer gardens. It is a favourite of locals and mostly unknown to tourists. The restaurant on site dates back to 1810 and was originally one of Prince Regent Luitpold's hunting lodges. Large playground on site. It is a 10-minute walk from the Studentenstadt or Freimann stations on the U6 subway line, but the very best way to get there is by bicycle through the park. It offers 2,500 seats. 
• 🌍 Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm (Beer garden at the Chinese Tower), Englischer Garten (U-Bahn U3, U6: Universität), ☎ [phone]. One of the best-known beer gardens in Munich is the Chinesischer Turm in the center of the Englischer Garten. This piece of chinoiserie doesn't seem out of place at all after a few good beers. Oompah bands play from the second story of the pagoda on summer weekends. Offering 7,500 seats Chinesischer Turm is the second biggest beer garden in Munich. It is also probably the most touristy one, though. Beer (1L) €7. 
• 🌍 Hirschau, Gyßlingstraße 15 (U-Bahn U6: Dietlindenstraße), ☎ [phone]. Daily 11:00-23:00. With a live jazz band playing at weekends, this is not a typical beer garden. The 1,700 seats normally don't get too crowded and that makes Ausmeister a good place to linger over a drink or two. 
• 🌍 Seehaus, Kleinhesselohe 3 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Münchner Freiheit), ☎ [phone]. Daily 10:00-01:00. A lovely beer garden with 2,500 seats at the shore of a small lake in the center of Englischer Garten. The beer garden and surrounding structures (artistically configured boathouse) were designed by the locally famous architect Gabriel von Seidl in the late 19th century. Enjoy a beer and great Bavarian fast-food on the banks of a lake while boaters drift by. 
• 🌍 Wintergarten, Elisabethplatz 4b (Tram 27, 28: Elisabethmarkt), ☎ [phone]. Daily 10:00-01:00. This is a very small Augustiner beer garden, where mostly locals go and tourist are virtually unheard of. It has a small playground with swings, a slide and sand close enough for you to be able to watch your kids playing. It is located next to a grouping of market stalls where you can buy fresh and locally produced fruits and vegetables or freshly caught fish. Sometimes live music is played there, which is usually Bavarian music. 

Clubs and discos

The Zenith club

• 🌍 Deluxe Munich, Leopoldstraße 27 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Giselastraße), ☎ [phone]. W 22:00-05:30, F Sa 22:00-05:30. The club was refurbished in 2012 and opened at the center of Schwabing. The music style is varies between RnB and hip-hop. On Saturdays larger groups of guys have a hard time getting beyond the bouncer. Beer (0.33L) €3.50. 
• 🌍 Freiheiz, Rainer-Werner-Fassbinderplatz 1, 80636 München (S1,S2,S3,S4,S6,S7,S8: Donnersbergerbrücke), e-mail: [e-mail]. Raves and concerts in a former power plant.  
• 🌍 Kesselhaus, Lilienthalallee 35, 80939 München (U-Bahn: U6 Freimann, Bus: Lines 140,170,171,178,180 Paul-Hindemith-Allee), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Club nights, raves and concerts within a decomissioned former industrial complex and boiler house. 
• 🌍 Podium, Wagnerstraße 1 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Münchner Freiheit), ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 20:00-01:00, F Sa 20:00-03:00. Looking for some live classic rock? This may be your place. A block away from the bustling Leopoldstraße/Münchner Freiheit, there's almost always a live rock band on stage - usually playing 1960s/70s/80s rock and sometimes you may be fortunate enough to catch some original material. Also there is the occasional live jazz. 
• 🌍 Zenith, Lilienthalallee 29, 80939 München (U-Bahn: U6 Freimann, Bus: Lines 140,170,171,178,180 Paul-Hindemith-Allee), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. One of Munich's best-known concert venues within a former factory hall.  
• 🌍 Zum Jennerwein, Belgradstraße 27 (U-Bahn U3: Hohenzollernplatz), ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 20:00-01:00, F Sa 20:00-03:00. Established in 1962, the Jennerwein hasn't changed much since then. It still has the same interior and also kept the special offer - 3 Jägermeister for a bargain. The music styles vary, with a focus on rock, indie, and alternative (but always far from the mainstream). The club normally is very well frequented. 

Olympiapark

• 🌍 München72, Kolehmainenweg (near the tennis courts) (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum), ☎ [phone]. Daily 10:00-01:00. 
• 🌍 Olympia-Alm, Martin-Luther-King Weg 8 (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum), ☎ [phone]. The Olympia-Alm is a small beverage stall and Munich's beergarden at the highest altitude. 
• 🌍 OlyDisco, Helene-Mayer-Ring 9 (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. The club is in the former Olympic village, which is now a dormitory complex. Its patronage accordingly is mostly collegiate and the prices are kept on a moderate level. 
• 🌍 Happy Corner, Franz-Marc-Straße 10 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Westfriedhof), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 16:30-01:00. A rustic pub just east of the Olympic park. 

Neuhausen

Beer gardens

• 🌍 Hirschgarten, Hirschgarten 1 (S-Bahn: Hirschgarten), ☎ [phone]. 11:00-00:00. Europe’s biggest beer garden with 8,000 seats serves beer from not only one supplier but from two different Bavarian breweries. Its most prominent feature (apart from its size) is a mini-zoo with deer and wild boars. Beer (1L) €5.90. 
• 🌍 Taxisgarten, Taxisstraße 12 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Gern), ☎ [phone]. 11:00-23:00. Taxisgarten is a hidden treaure among Munich's beer garden and with only 1,500 seats one of the smaller ones as well. Here you most likely won't find any tourists. Have some spare ribs along with your beer - the dish the beer garden is famous for all over Munich. 

Bars & pubs

• 🌍 Peaches, Donnersbergerstraße 50 (Tram 16, 17: Donnersbergerstraße), ☎ [phone]. 19:00-01:00. Crowds swarm here to indulge in delicious cocktails and giant pizzas, one of which can feed three people. Great place to meet and watch people. 
• 🌍 Wasserman, Elvirastraße 19 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Maillingerstraße), ☎ [phone]. Su-F 17:00-01:00, Sa 15:00-01:00. Discover a hidden gem and visit the Wasserman for giant burgers, pork roast and "Schnitzel" (cutlets). The breakfast is really very good and during the summer, you can also sit in front of the restaurant, at a sunny, quiet street corner. In one of the two rooms, there is a screen, where they occasionally show Bayern Munich football games or music videos. Beer (0.5L) €3.30, cocktails €8. 

Clubs & discos

• 🌍 Backstage, Reitknechtstr. 6, 80639 München (S1,S2,S3,S4,S6,S7,S8: Hirschgarten), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. One of Munich's traditional locations for alternative and rock tastes. The typical come-as-you-are location. Saturday is the main night, a standard event for over 15 years (the Backstage people have survived changing physical location within Munich three times so far). On the other days of the week, there are various other parties and concerts. Many good bands that are famous and successful in their subculture (Metal, Rock, Goth, Hip-Hop, etc.) but are not mainstream enough to fill big halls can be seen here for little money (for Munich standards that is). To that end, the Backstage is more a club, than a disco. If you are lucky, you can catch the Free and Easy festival, which is usually in May and December, and a few weeks in July, featuring free concerts, cabaret and parties every day. 

Sleep

Budget

• 🌍 Campingplatz Nord-West. Near Ludwigsfeld, about 1.5 km west from the Fasanerie S bahn stop. 
• 🌍 DJH Neuhausen, Wendl-Dietrich-Straße 20 (U-Bahn U1, U7: Rotkreuzplatz), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Youth hostels in Bavaria are aimed at youth in the literal sense of the word (unlike other places where they are also for the young in heart). €25.20. 
• 🌍 The Tent, In den Kirschen 30 (Tram 17: Botanischer Garten), ☎ [phone]. Check-in: 16:30-22:30, check-out: 12:00. The cheapest way to get a spot to sleep in Munich. It's basically like camping, except with a bed. There are hundreds of free lockers at The Tent (as long as you bring your own lock) and it is absolutely safe. The only real downside to the tent is that you may get quite cold as it is not heated. Otherwise, the beds are very comfy, blankets very warm, food and drinks ate good, and the staff are very chill and friendly. Also, absolutely every member of the staff speaks perfect English. Campfire gatherings take place every night, weather permitted. from €5.50. 
• 🌍 ibis München Parkstadt Schwabing, Lyonel-Feininger-Straße 20 (End of Autobahn A9). 
• 🌍 A&O Hostel Munich Hackerbrücke, Arnulfstraße 102 (Tram 16, 17: Marsstraße), ☎ [phone]. The A&O Hackerbrücke is a classical backpacker hostel, with free wireless internet connection, its own bar and a bike rental. from €9 pp. 

Mid-range

• 🌍 Fleming's Hotel Muenchen Schwabing, Leopoldstraße 130-132 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Münchner Freiheit), ☎ [phone]. A hotel in the middle of Schwabing, with rooms featuring a mixture of modern design and typical German homeliness. Double from €130. Early bird rebates. 
• 🌍 Four Points by Sheraton München Olympiapark, Helene-Mayer-Ring 12 (U-Bahn U3: Olympiazentrum), ☎ [phone]. With large spacious rooms and currently undergoing renovations to increase the quality of the hotel to four stars. The staff is attentive and speaks good English. 
• 🌍 Park Inn by Radisson München Frankfurter Ring (At the Frankfurter Ring U-Bahn station of the U2). Older and worn hotel in Milbertshofen. 
• 🌍 Mercure Hotel München-Schwabing, Leopoldstraße 120. 
• Suite Novotel München Parkstadt Schwabing. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Hilton Munich Park, Am Tucherpark 7 (Tram 18: Tivolistraße), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The Hilton has floor-to-ceiling picture windows showcasing a distant view of the Alps. The hotel offers 3 restaurants, a bar, an indoor pool with fitness center, and 24 hr room service. 20% early bird rebate available. Double from €119. 
• 🌍 Innside by Meliá München Parkstadt Schwabing, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Straße 10, e-mail: [e-mail]. Upscale hotel with minimalist modern design, within the Parkstadt Schwabing business area. Not easily accessible without a car. 
• 🌍 Munich Marriott Hotel, Berliner Straße 93. 
• 🌍 Pullman Munich (formerly Renaissance), Theodor-Dombart-Straße 4 (U6 Nordfriedhof), ☎ [phone]. This former Renaissance hotel was rebranded as Accor's Pullman. The hotel retained its large rooms (from 25 to 62 sqm) typical of an American chain hotel, but had them completely revamped in a pleasantly modern style with shades of gray and beige. The hotel is an atrial building surrounding a small garden in a residential neighbouhood right by the Nordfriedhof U-bahn station. In the summer, there is a relaxation terrace with deck chairs, as well as an open-air reaturant in the garden. A Tengelmann supermarket is in the ground floor of the hotel's building. The Pullman features a spa and, less glamourously, paid Wi-Fi. Singles starting at €99.. 
• 🌍 The Rilano Hotel München, Domagkstraße 26 (U-Bahn U6: Alte Heide), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Connect

• 🌍 Coffee Fellows, Leopoldstraße 70 (U-Bahn U3, U6: Münchner Freiheit), ☎ [phone]. M-Th 07:00-22:00, F 07:00-23:00, Sa 08:00-23:00, Su 09:00-22:00. The Schwabing franchise is the parent house of the German coffee bar chain Coffee Fellows. It provides free wireless Internet access. 
• 🌍 M-WLAN wifi hotspot Münchner Freiheit, Münchner Freiheit. The city of Munich provides free wifi hotspots at some of the major tourist spots around the city. free. 
• 🌍 M-WLAN wifi hotspot Rotkreuzplatz, Rotkreuzplatz. The city of Munich provides free wifi hotspots at some of the major tourist spots around the city. free. 

Go next

• Dachau: Just ouside Munich's city limits to the north is the city of Dachau, which most people probably only know for being the location of the first Nazi concentration camp.
• Munich Airport: The international airport of Munich is only a short 25 minutes away by S1 suburban train line.

Schwabing

Milbertshofen-Am Hart