Joggers run in the Olympic Park in Munich.

Munich Guides: Long Live Sport

Great activities for those who love sports

Munich is one of the most popular travel destinations in Germany. What it has to offer Bavaria's capital city has numerous parks and cycling routes, sporting leisure activities and unique excursions. These are our suggestions for sports enthusiasts!

Munich for sports enthusiasts: Tips at a glance

- Bicycle tours in Munich
- City walks across Munich
- Places of interest
- Olympiapark (Olympic Park)
- Englischer Garten
- Sporting leisure activities in Munich
- Excursions

 

Bicycle tours in Munich

Munich's highlights such as the Marienplatz (square), the Alte Hof (Old Court), the Viktualienmarkt (market), the Isar river or the Deutsches Museum can be easily discovered on a bicycle tour. The length of the tour is about seven kilometres, which will take you about an hour.

The Englischer Garten Bike Tour offers a leisurely bike tour down the Isar to the Aumeister beer garden and back through the Englischer Garten to Marienplatz, taking about two hours. The route is about 15 kilometres long.

The grand city tour leads from the old town centre to the Kunstareal (art quarter) on to the former summer residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty, along the Biedersteiner Canal to the Olympiapark (Olympic Park) and back via Leopoldstrasse. The route is about 23 kilometres long.

Those with more stamina can experience the banks of the Isar on an extended tour. In our tour suggestion, the route length is around 18 kilometres, which will take you about 2.5 hours. The bike tour starts with a short steep climb: From the city centre, the route heads south upstream along the Isar to the Großhesseloher Bridge and via Hinterbrühl, Floßlände and Flaucher through the Gärtnerplatz district and via the Viktualienmarkt back to Marienplatz.

You can also explore calligraffiti, stencil and co. by bike on a Street Art Bike Tour along impressive street art and graffiti works in public spaces.

If you want to cycle from the north-west of the city to the south-east of Munich, take the Feierabend bike tour.

City walking across Munich

They say “Munich is a village“ – and the best way to explore it is on foot:

The east-west passage takes you from Prinzregentenplatz in Bogenhausen to Schloss Nymphenburg (palace).

The north-south passage leads from BMW Welt right by the Olympic Centre to Hinterbrühler See (lake).

Places of interest

You can reach the Alter Peter's (church) viewing platform after 306 steps. Enjoy the unique view over the old town.

Sightrunning allows you to do some sporty sightseeing: slip into your running shoes and explore the Isar at a running pace. A popular running route leads from the city centre to Tierpark Hellabrunn (zoo), past Hinterbrühler See to Großhesseloher Brücke (bridge). If you still have stamina, you can continue to Waldwirtschaft Großhesselohe, one of the most beautiful beer gardens in Munich.

Many parks and gardens in Munich are perfect for a nice run, no matter what time of day it is.

Olympiapark

The breathtaking Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium) rooftop tour followed by a flight on Europe's longest Flying Fox offers a wonderful view over the city to the foothills of the Alps. Afterwards, it is worth visiting the Olympia-Alm, Munich's highest beer garden. The former kiosk was opened in 1972 for the Olympic Games and has become a very popular beer garden. If you want to follow in the footsteps of the Olympic Games, take a bike tour to the 1972 Olympic sports venues.

Englischer Garten (park)

A walk through the Englischer Garten offers plenty of peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. A good place to start is in the Hofgarten (Court Garden). From there, walk past Prinz Carl Palais in the direction of Haus der Kunst. Directly behind the Haus der Kunst on Prinzregentenstrasse is the famous Eisbachwelle, the meeting place for surfers from all over the world. Our author wants to learn river surfing and has tried it out for herself.

If you want to do some water sports, you can rent a rowing or pedal boat at Kleinhesseloher See (lake).

Video: Sports & Leisure

Sporting leisure activities in Munich

Tango, boule and surfing: Learn more about the sports in Munich's city centre. But you should also try Bavarian sports like arm wrestling, Maßkrugstemmen or stone lifting.

The City of Munich's popular free Fit in the Park programme takes place from May to the end of September. Different sports programmes such as fitness, yoga, Zumba and much more are offered daily in various parks in Munich under professional guidance.

The Boulderwelt München West is a paradise for sports enthusiasts: bouldering on about 2500 square metres – from beginners to recreational climbers to professionals. There is something for every level of difficulty! Alternatively, you can also climb walls: In the city and surrounding areas of Munich you will find numerous indoor and outdoor climbing and bouldering opportunities. City scrambling for all levels of difficulty!

Especially in summer, it's worth taking a dip in the cool waters of the Maria Einsiedel natural swimming pool. The Isar Canal flows for almost 400 metres through the popular open-air swimming pool in the south of Munich. Alternatively, visit other Munich swimming pools and bathing lakes.

It's not just football fans who get their money's worth at the Allianz Arena. Take a look behind the scenes of the football temple in the north of Munich on an Allianz Arena tour.

A shopping spree in Munich's pedestrian zone is a must. If you are particularly interested in the city's large sports department stores, then have fun with some adventure shopping!

You can find many more ideas for activities in the countryside in our Munich Guide: Tips for nature fans.

Excursions

Whether in the middle of the city or just outside, in Munich the next peak is never far away: Munich and the mountains.

If there is enough water, wakeboarders and water skiers can let off steam at the Aschheim water ski park just outside Munich.  

For the more adventurous, we recommend a visit to the Jochen Schweizer Arena. Whether it's surfing, body flying or a high ropes course – you're guaranteed not to get bored here!

The climbing forest in Grünwald offers around 65 different exercises in five exciting courses. No matter whether you are a beginner or an advanced climber – increasing levels of difficulty make climbing fun for everyone in this Walderlebniszentrum (forest adventure centre). If you want to take a break in between, lie down in a hammock, take a seat in the forest lounge or at the picnic tables.

Arrival:
S7 to Höllriegelskreuth terminus, then bus 271 to the “Grünwald Friedhof“ stop.
Then follow the signposted footpath to the forest adventure centre for about 10 minutes.

Experience pure nature and beautiful scenery on a hike through the Ammergau Alps.

The day trip Royal Wanderlust takes you to Schloss Neuschwanstein (castle). On a circular route from Füssen, you will even see two other castles. With a duration of around five hours, the tour is relatively long, but not difficult. If you like it shorter, you can get back to Füssen from Hohenschwangau by bus. The tour starts at the late Gothic Hohes Schloss (castle) in Füssen. Then from the old town of Füssen to the summit of the Kalvarienberg and on to the idyllically situated Schwansee (perfect for swimming in summer!). From there you get to Hohenschwangau – and on via a tarred road to the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Here you should definitely plan a detour to Marienbrücke and enjoy the excellent view of the castle! After the descent to the Alpsee lake, the tour continues along the Alpenrosenweg trail towards Bad Faulenbach back to Füssen. The highlight of the tour is the panoramic view from the Kalvarienberg summit of all three castles, the mountain scenery and the lakes of the Allgäu foothills of the Alps.

Experience a day on the Isar. Whether in a canoe on the Isar Paddle or in a rubber dinghy on the Isar Rafting. The classic paddling route leads from Bad Tölz to the rafting site – including bathing fun, picnic on the gravel bank and river-cooled trail drinks: Paddling tour just outside the city.

The recreational value of Munich's surrounding countryside is legendary. Many cycling and circular routes can be easily explored on a day trip from Munich. One popular cycling circuit runs along Chiemsee (lake). It passes numerous lidos and is a great way to cool off, especially in summer.

 

 

Text: München Tourismus; Photo: Christian Kasper, Dietmar Denger, Dominik Morbitzer; Illustration: Julia Pfaller; Video: Redline Enterprises
Young woman stands between two trees and looks at a sun-drenched meadow in Munich.

Nymphenburger Schlosspark

A local safari

Beavers, tawny owls, kingfishers: with a bit of luck, you can see many wild animals in Nymphenburg Castle Park. A visit.

Deer, beavers, adders, kingfishers, tawny owls, Canada geese: with a little luck, you can see all sorts of wildlife in Nymphenburger Schlosspark – in the heart of the city!

Two women on wheels cycle in the green into the evening sun in Munich.

Interview

A touch of wildnerness

A talk about the great outdoors, the magic of the woods and the love of the Northern English Garden.

A talk about the great outdoors, the magic of the woods and the love of the Northern English Garden.

Three tourists on the Olympia Mountain viewing platform overlooking the park.

City Walks

The north-south passage: hiking across Munich

A hiking tour through Munich – always towards the sun.

A hiking tour through Munich – always towards the sun: from BMW Welt in the north to the lake at Hinterbrühl in the south. In just one day!

Monopteros in the Englischer Garten in Munich.

City Walks

The east-west passage: hiking across Munich

Munich is a village. Right?

Munich is a village, you can do everything by foot here. That is what they say. But is that true? We gave it a try - and went on a hike!

A man on a bicycle in the evening sun in the Maxvorstadt in Munich

Cycling tours: grand city tour

Grand city tour

Discover the beauty of Munich outside of the city center at the grand city tour by bike.

From the centre of the old town to the Kunstareal art district, and on to the former summer residence of the Wittelsbach family, to the Olympic Park and back across Leopoldstraße. 

Two women with a bicycle on a pier by a lake in Bavaria.

Wasser-Radlwege Oberbayern

Bathe, banter, bike

Whether „Hopfen and Bier-Schleife“, „Salz-Schleife“ or „Kunst- and Kulturschleife“, Munich is the hub for all routes of the water cycle paths.

Whether „Hopfen and Bier-Schleife“, „Salz-Schleife“ or „Kunst- and Kulturschleife“, Munich is the hub for all routes of the water cycle paths.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich

Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background

Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.