Outdoors in Munich

There are a ton of outdoor activities in Munich to partake in, from hardcore biking to slow ambles through its many parks. Of course the plethora of beer gardens in this amazing town also means a frothy stein can easily be part of any Munich outdoor event – including, obviously, the famous Oktoberfest celebrations.

One of Europe’s largest municipal parks, Englischer Garten is a beloved destination where Munich’s residents and visitors come to enjoy the greenery and soak up the blue Bavarian sky. Although the Garten is home to two famous beer gardens, a must-see destination to spend some time outdoors in Munich is the standing wave in the river near the Haus der Kunst art museum where locals go to swim and surf – yes, surf!

Even though it hasn’t played host to the Olympics since 1972, Olympiapark remains an inviting green haven for lovers of the great outdoors, and is full of outdoor activities like rollerblading or biking around the perimeter of the lake, swimming in the Olympic pool, or simply strolling through one of the craft fairs.

Anyone looking for a combination of total relaxation and energetic outdoor activity, meanwhile, would be hard pressed to find a better spot than Therme Erding. From the inviting warm water of its expansive swimming pools, to its saunas, oxygen gardens, infra-red rooms, sulfuric baths, and water park, the venue truly has something for everyone.

Once fully rejuvenated, how about renting a bike for some serious sightseeing – perhaps with one of the famous Mike’s Bike Tours? With stops at multiple beer halls along the way, the tours are a terrific way to form instant bonds with new people over a couple of oversized Bavarian beers.

Does it always have to come back to beer when talking about Munich outdoor activities? Yes. Yes it does.