Munich and surfing? Sure, it’s not the most obvious pairing, but despite the Bavarian city being around 200 miles from the coast (which isn’t even in Germany) it has long been a popular spot to catch some waves among the surfing community’s most elite.
Why? Well, because of the Eisbachwelle (or Eisbach wave). Originally the wave was a natural phenomenon, but to keep the wave going year-round, everything from railway sleepers to ramps has been used to manipulate the water.
Surfing was first attempted here in the 1970s, though it was illegal until 2010. It has since attracted world surfing champion Mick Fanning and other pros like filmmaker and songwriter Jack Johnson, according to AFAR.
Tragically, a 25-year old surfer died in 2025 when her safety leash got caught and trapped her underwater, and it was after this that a massive cleanup of the riverbed caused the wave to completely disappear.
Riding the waves has since been completely prohibited, but thanks to natural sediment once again creating the wave, Mayor Dominick Krause has just announced that it’s officially open once again.
Before you don your wetsuit, this isn’t a beginner-friendly spot. Surfing here is best left to those with lots of experience, and even they are subject to new restrictions – quick-release leashes are mandatory, and surfers must abide by strict opening hours and can’t attend alone.
Not a confident surfer? It’s still fun to watch the pros do their thing from the bridge before exploring the surrounding neighbourhood of Lehel, which is home to Munich’s biggest park Englischer Garten, Haus der Kunst, the city’s contemporary art museum, and lots of coffee shops and beer gardens like Biergarten am Chiesischen Turm.
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