Thing to do
Viktualienmarkt
Munich's year-round open-air food market beside Marienplatz, on its site since 1807, with more than 100 traders, a maypole and a beer garden.
Eisbach River Surfing
A standing wave on the Eisbach at the edge of the Englischer Garten, where experienced surfers ride the current in the middle of the city all year round.
At a glance
- Type
- River surfing spot
- Area
- Lehel, Munich, Germany
- Official site
- muenchen.de
Good to know
- Free to watch
- Open all year
- Near Haus der Kunst
Why we recommend it
One of the more unexpected sights in Munich is a line of surfers in wetsuits waiting their turn on a riverbank in the middle of the city. The Eisbach, a fast, cold channel that flows through the Englischer Garten, forms a standing wave where it emerges from under Prinzregentenstraße beside the Haus der Kunst. The wave formed in the 1970s after structures were built in the riverbed, and Munich's river-surfing scene has grown up around it ever since.
For most visitors this is a place to watch rather than to take part. Surfers drop in one at a time from the banks, ride the wave for as long as they can stay upright and then let the current carry them downstream before climbing out and walking back to the queue. Spectators gather on the bridge railing and along the walls, and on warm weekends the crowd can be several rows deep. Surfing goes on all year, including in winter, when the sight of surfers in thick wetsuits beside snowy banks draws its own audience.
The wave has had an eventful recent history. Surfing was suspended for a period, and the city reopened the wave on 8 May 2026 under an amended order after a stable wave had re-formed naturally. Current rules require a self-releasing leash, ban surfing after 22:00 and forbid fixing devices to the listed bridge or banks; the city has said that vandalism could lead to the wave being closed again. The wave is only for experienced surfers, and bathing and swimming in the Eisbach are not allowed, as the current is strong and the water cold.
The spot suits anyone with half an hour to spare between the Englischer Garten, the Haus der Kunst and the museums on Prinzregentenstraße. Afternoons and early evenings in summer usually bring the most surfers. Keep the rescue routes clear, and do not leave bicycles directly at the wave, as the area is busy and parking for bikes is limited.
To get there, take the U4 or U5 to Lehel or the U3 or U6 to Odeonsplatz and walk 10 to 15 minutes, or take tram 16 or bus 100 to Nationalmuseum/Haus der Kunst. Afterwards, follow the Eisbach upstream into the park towards the Japanese Teahouse and the Monopteros.
Eisbach River Surfing FAQs
Where is the Eisbach wave?
On Prinzregentenstraße at the southern edge of the Englischer Garten, beside the Haus der Kunst.
Is surfing allowed on the Eisbach?
Yes. The city reopened the wave for surfing on 8 May 2026 under conditions, including a mandatory self-releasing leash and no surfing after 22:00.
Can beginners surf the Eisbach?
No. The city says the wave is suitable for experienced surfers only.
Is it free to watch?
Yes. You can watch from the bridge and banks at any time.
Can I swim in the Eisbach?
No. Bathing and swimming are not allowed at the wave.
Do people surf in winter?
Yes. Surfing goes on all year round, including in winter.
How do I get to the Eisbach wave?
Take tram 16 or bus 100 to Nationalmuseum/Haus der Kunst, or walk 10 to 15 minutes from Lehel or Odeonsplatz stations.
When did the wave form?
The standing wave formed in the 1970s after structures were built in the riverbed.