A street in Giesing with a picture of Ingrid Oxfort.

5x5 tips for Giesing district

“Every street is a completely different world“

Ingrid Oxfort has been a city guide in Munich for over 30 years. She herself lives in the west of the city, but has lost her heart to Giesing district. Every year she designs new guided tours through this part of town and knows: It never gets boring here!

“I've always found Giesing exciting because it is so multifaceted: Tenement buildings stand next to old hostels and Stadelheim prison is right beside Perlacher Forst. There is something new to discover around every corner, every street is a completely different world. And the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche (Church of the Holy Cross) is towering above it all.

Currently, I particularly enjoy walking through the Ostfriedhof (East cemetery) with its many prominent graves, such as those of Rudolf Mooshammer, Georg Kronawitter, Rex Gildo and psychiatrist Dr Gudden, who died together with the “Kini“ (Bavarian King Ludwig II). And Giesinger Bräu (brewery), whose labels were still pasted on by hand in a garage just a few years ago, is serious competition for the established breweries. Also Julian Hahn's “Hexenhäuschen” in my opinion, is an insanely great idea! Just a few stops further by bus and you stand in front of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, according to Byzantine rite – with a great surprise inside. By the way – it has a very dear and dedicated congregation.“

 

Five attractions in Giesing district

Since the Middle Ages, day labourers who were needed for large building projects, such as Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), have lived in Giesing. They stayed in hostel huts, as can still be seen today at the Feldmüllersiedlung residential area in Obere Grasstrasse, at the hostel huts on Auer Mühlbach or around Sommerstrasse. Nowadays, the neighbourhood is mainly known for its abundant nature and football – the Munich club 1860 has its stadium here, and the Bavarian team trains just a few streets away.

 

Five restaurants, cafés and bars in Giesing district

Football is not the only thing that plays a big role in Giesing – there's also beer to go with it. This is either served in one of the long-established pubs like the “Schau ma moi“ or actually brewed on site, like in the Giesinger Bräu. From a culinary point of view, Tegernseer Landstrasse is just as colourful as the neighbourhood itself – you can find just about anything here from Neapolitan cuisine to Michelin-starred restaurants.

 

Five cultural attractions in Giesing district

When it comes to their cultural offerings, the people of Giesing are very committed and like to lend a hand: They simply assemble a wooden witch's cottage themselves, a local resident transforms a former privy building into a cool concert bar and the Giesinger Grünspitz (community project) is the meeting place in the community gardens.

 

Five shopping spots in Giesing district

The district is no less committed when it comes to their shop selection: You can taste fine wines at Weinberg, browse through second-hand fashion at Miramu or siebenmachen, and buy products made in Munich at Karusa. Shops in Giesing are mostly run by locals.

 

The district's distinctive features: Five tips in nature

There is certainly no shortage of beautiful walks in Giesing. You can explore the tranquil Isar meadows or stroll along the waterfront to the Flaucher, discover the colourful rose garden or follow the Auer Mühlbach (stream) to Au district. In summer, you can swim around Wittelsbacherbrücke (bridge) or relax in the neighbouring Schyrenbad (public swimming pool).


 

Protocol & Text: Anja Schauberger; Photos: Frank Stolle, Marc Müller
Panoramic view of the inner city of Munich at sunset with the Müllersches Volksbad in front and the towers of the Alter Peter, Heilig-Geist-Kirche and Frauenkirche in the background.

Local Love: Altstadt

The city centre

There are few other cities which are as focused around their centres as Munich – but unlike other city centres, Munich’s Altstadt is a place that’s actually full of life being lived.

There are few other cities which are as focused around their centres as Munich – but unlike other city centres, Munich’s Altstadt is a place that’s actually full of life being lived.

View on St. Paul cathedral from Landwehrstraße in Munich

Local Love: Bahnhofsviertel

Colourful and loud

Munich’s Bahnhofsviertel encompasses multicultural communities, exciting restaurants, young artists and galleries.

Munich’s Bahnhofsviertel encompasses multicultural communities, exciting restaurants, young artists and galleries – it feels totally different from the rest of the city. In a good way.

A young woman stands in an empty, light-flooded entrance hall of a museum in Munich.

Local Love: Maxvorstadt-Kunstareal

The power of culture

The museum area is notable for its unique concentration of top-class museums and art spaces. It is a celebration of the power of culture.

The museum area is notable for its unique concentration of top-class museums and art spaces – right at the heart of one of the city’s liveliest districts.

A disused underground car full of graffiti stands in the Schlachthof district

Local Love: Schlachthof

The charm of the casual

What makes Munich’s Schlachthofviertel so unique? A lively underground cultural scene and actually still a slaughterhouse.. Could it possibly have any more urban cool?!

What makes Munich’s Schlachthofviertel so unique? A lively underground cultural scene and actually still a slaughterhouse.. Could it possibly have any more urban cool?!

The Hans-Mielich-Strasse in the district Untergiesing in Munich

Local Love: Giesing

Everything stays different

Giesing was formerly a working-class district, and it retains a raw charm to this day.

Giesing was formerly a working-class district, and it retains a raw charm to this day – while at the same time offering proof that a certain amount of gentrification enrich.

A parked car at Sedanstrasse in Munich.

Local Love: Haidhausen - French Quarter

Live and let live

The so called French Quarter as a part of Haidhausen is Munich’s most liberal district. It is a place where people appreciate quality without feeling the need to show off about it.

The so called French Quarter as a part of Haidhausen is Munich’s most liberal district. It is a place where people appreciate quality without feeling the need to show off about it.

Facade of a building in the district Schwabing in Munich.

Local Love: Schwabing

Living nostalgia

Schwabing is the district that is associated with Munich all over the world, reminiscent of golden times and evoking a good feeling.

Schwabing is the district that is associated with Munich all over the world, reminiscent of golden times and evoking a good feeling.

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

Book now!