10 things you should do in Munich in Summer

Refreshment at Munich’s fountains

What you can do: There are over 700 large and small fountains in Munich, more than 180 of which are municipally-owned. These are not just water bodies, but also small oases of refreshment on hot days. You can let your hands briefly dangle in the Fischbrunnen or feel the cooling splash from Stachus Brunnen on your face. Some (mostly younger) daredevils even run straight through the Stachus fountain. The Neptune Fountain in the Old Botanical Garden or the Wittelsbacher Fountain are less refreshing but wonderful sights to behold in the city centre.

Where?

• Fischbrunnen, 80331 Marienplatz, U3/U6 Marienplatz (more information)
• Stachus Fountain, Karlsplatz 1, 80335 München, U4/U5 Stachus (more information in German)
• Neptune Fountain, Sophienstr. 7, 80333 München, U4/U5 Stachus (more information in German)
• Wittelsbacher Fountain, Lenbachplatz, 80333 München, U4/U5 Stachus

Enjoy bright Munich summer nights

What you can do: Visit the Bavaria statue and the Ruhmeshalle (Hall of fame), and the greek-like buildings at Königsplatz all the way to the Siegestor. As soon as it gets dark, the lights turn on and these Munich landmarks shine in all their glory. Don't forget your camera! The best option is to look for one of the many scenic observation points and enjoy the view of the radiant city.

Where?

• Bavaria statue and Hall of Fame, Theresienhöhe 16, 80339 München, U4/U5 Theresienwiese (more information)
• Königsplatz, 80331 München, U1/U2 Königsplatz (more information)
• Siegestor, Leopoldstr. 1, 80539 München, U3/U6 Universität (more information)

Fun swimming in open-air pools

What you can do: Grab your towel, don't forget to apply sunscreen and off to the open-air pool! The SWM (Munich City Utilities) pools invite you to relax in the sun, swim lengths, dive for rings and splash around playfully until mid-September. Every pool is different but unique in their own rights! From diving platforms and long slides to underwater bubble massages - there are things to do in Munich for anyone who loves the water. If you're not in the playful mood, there are sunbathing areas at every pool for relaxing and browsing through your phone or favorite book.

Where? 

• Seven summer pools open in Munich

Visiting open air cinemas and events

What you can do:  Events in the Olympic Park such as the "Tollwood" and "Theatron" music festivals and the folk festival "Sommerfestival im Olympiapark" attract visitors in July and August. From May to September, you can also enjoy free fitness sports under professional guidance in Munich's parks in the evenings with "Fit im Park". Several open-air cinemas in Munich show current blockbusters and film classics, some in the original version.

Where? 

• Tollwood, Olympic Park, 80809 Munich, U3 Olympiazentrum (more information in German)
• Theatron , Olympic Park, 80809 Munich, U3 Olympiazentrum
• Sommerfestival,  Olympic Park, 80809 Munich, U3 Olympiazentrum
• Fit im Park, various parks (more information in German)

Picnicking and relaxing in the parks

What you can do: The English Garden is the most visited park in Munich in the summer, but Westpark, Luitpoldpark and Ostpark also have a lot to offer. Here you can spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy the summer weather. The extensive parks at the palaces are also suitable for long walks. Nymphenburg Park has a fairytale-like stream, sculptures and fountains, but you are not allowed to barbecue here.

Where?

• English Garden, 80538 München, U3/U6 Münchener Freiheit, Giselastraße, Universität, Odeonsplatz (more information)
• Westpark, 81373 München, U6 Westpark (more information)
• Luitpoldpark, 80804 München, U1/U2 Scheidplatz (more information in German)
• Ostpark, 81735 München, U5 Michaelibad (more information)
• Nymphenburg Park, 80638 München, Tram 17/18 Schloss Nymphenburg (more information)

Sunbathing at Isar River

What you can do: The recreational value of the Isar is tremendous. The paths along the river are popular with joggers and walkers; dog owners use riverside forests and tracks for rambling walks with their pets. In summer you don't really need much more than a bikini, a blanket and a shady spot. Between the three bridges - Cornelius, Reichenbach and Wittelsbacher - is the most lively spot, but there are also quieter areas along the banks. In some places, like the river bank Flaucher, you can also have a barbecue.

Where?

• Reichenbachbrücke, 80469 Munich, U1 / U2 Fraunhoferstraße
• Flaucher,  81379 Munich, U3 Thalkirchen (more information)

Sipping a coffee in the sidewalk cafés

What you can do: Numerous sidewalk cafes line the streets and almost everywhere you can sit outside in the sun. Some have tables on the sidewalk, others even a couch to relax on. Over an iced coffee with vanilla ice cream, cappuccino or espresso, you can observe the lively atmosphere of the city. The most famous is the Tambosi on Odeonsplatz, with a view of the Theatinerkirche and the Feldherrnhalle. Fresh cakes from its own pastry shop are served by the Café Münchner Freiheit in the heart of the Schwabing district. Watching strollers is also worthwhile at the Stadtcafé in the City Museum with a view of the synagogue on St. Jacob's Square.

Where?

• Tambosi, Odeonsplatz 18, 80539 München, U3/U4/U5/U6 Odeonsplatz
• Stadtcafé, St. Jakobsplatz, 80331 München, Bus 62 St. Jakobsplatz
• Café Münchner Freiheit, Münchner Freiheit 20, 80802 München, U3/U6 Münchner Freiheit

Swimming in Munich’s idyllic lakes

What you can do: If you like to swim, there are many lakes waiting for you in Munich and the Metropolitan Region. Some of them, such as the Lerchenauersee and the Riemer See or the Feldmochinger See, are also well connected by public transport. So are two popular bathing lakes in Munich's northwest. In the hot summer months, the bathing bus runs from the S-Bahn station in Munich-Lochhausen to the lakes Langwiedersee and Lußsee. But even outside the city, beautiful water spots such as the Feringasee or the Poschinger Weiher in Unterföhring are easily accessible. So no excuses - off to the lake.

Where? 

• Lerchenauersee, 80995 München, Bus 60 Lerchenauer See (more information in German)
• Riemer See, 81829 München, U1 Messestadt Ost (more information in German)
• Feldmochinger See, 80995 München, Bus 172 Feldmochinger See (more information in German)
• Langwiedersee, 81249 München, S3 Lochhausen (more information in German)
• Lußsee, 81249 München, S3 Lochhausen (more information in German)
• Feringasee, 85774 Unterföhring, S8 Unterföhring  (more information in German)
• Poschinger Weiher, 85774 Unterföhring, Bus 231 Kanal (more information in German)

Tour the Botanical Garden

What you can do: The Botanical Garden is especially worth a visit in the summer. Then the shrubs and flower beds bloom in the outdoor area and birds, wild bees and dragonflies appear. In the high season, about 14,000 different plant species grow from all over the world. In the park-like arboretum you will walk under shady trees, the Alpinum brings the plant world of the mountains closer and rare herbs grow in the kitchen garden. And if it's not hot enough for you: cacti, orchids and tropical plants grow in the greenhouses, which are open all year round.

Where? 

• Botanical Garden Munich , Menzinger Str. 65, 80638 Munich, Tram 17, Bus 143 or 180 Botanischer Garten

Drinking a cool beer in Munich's beer gardens

What you can do: Enjoy a cozy refreshment in Munich's beer gardens. With a cool beer under shady chestnut trees, the summer heat is easy to bear. It's the perfect combination to enjoy the nice weather and relax yourself. If you like to drink your beer by the water, you can go to the Michaeligarten in the Ostpark, the Seehaus at Lake Kleinhesselohe in the English Garden or the beer garden "Zum Flaucher" near the river Isar.

Where?

• Michaeligarten, Feichtstr. 10, 81735 München, U5 Michaelibad
• Seehaus in the English Garden, Kleinhesselohe 3, 80802 München, Bus 59 Osterwaldstraße
• Zum Flaucher, Isarauen 8, 81379 München, Bus 54 Schäftlarnstraße