Lehel, Munich

A stone’s throw north east of the City Center, Lehel is the oldest Munich suburb; a relatively peaceful district on the banks of the Isar that was officially incorporated into the city grid way back in the 1720s.

As such, there’s no shortage of historic buildings to be found within its borders, many of which are home to top museums like The State Museum of Ethnology, State Archeological Collections, the Bavarian National Museum, and the stunning 19th century paintings of the Schackgalerie.

For a little more action, however, thrill seekers should head north to the southern tip of the famed Englischer Garten park, where landlocked Germans line up with surfboards under their arms, ready to ride one of the permanent manmade breaks in the Eisbach River.

As night falls, there are a few swanky lounges and restaurants available to cater to the privileged set, e.g. jet-setting tourists and moneyed residents who can afford to call this old suburb home, but the average thrill seeker would be wise to head elsewhere.