All activities / Surfing / Munich
Surfing in MunichDE
Bavaria's capital and Germany's third-largest city — a city of beer gardens, Baroque architecture, world-class museums, and Oktoberfest, the 16-day folk festival that draws six million visitors each September and October.
Why here
Munich is the world capital of landlocked surfing. The Eisbach wave in the English Garden has run continuously since surfers tamed it in the 1970s, a fast, glassy river wave ridden year-round in the middle of a city park, with spectators lining the bridge and a locals-first lineup culture that rewards watching before paddling. It is expert territory, but since 2024 the city has an answer for everyone else: o2 SURFTOWN MUC near the airport, Europe's largest wave pool, generates ocean-grade waves across eight levels with coaching built into every session. The combination is unique, learn on engineered waves in the morning and study the river masters at the Eisbach in the afternoon, in a city whose beer gardens handle the après.
Best months
The Eisbach runs year-round, wetsuit thickness being the only seasonal variable, and it is genuinely expert-only: a fast standing wave with a shallow concrete bottom and an unforgiving local pecking order. Beginners belong at SURFTOWN, where sessions run on a published schedule Wednesday through Sunday with waves dialed per level. Summer adds river-surfing culture along the Eisbach's smaller second wave for improvers. Pool sessions book out on weekends; weekday slots stay accessible.
Getting there & around
Munich airport sits practically next door to SURFTOWN in Hallbergmoos, S-Bahn accessible, and the Eisbach is a ten-minute walk from the Odeonsplatz U-Bahn in the city center. Book pool sessions online ahead, gear included; river surfers bring their own board and a thick wetsuit outside summer. Watch the Eisbach etiquette before joining any queue. The city works as a full weekend around either wave.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (1)
o2 SURFTOWN MUC
SchoolEurope's largest wave pool, open since 2024 in Hallbergmoos by Munich airport, generating ocean-quality waves across 20,000 square meters. The academy structures progression through eight levels with professional coaching, equipment and 60-minute wave sessions included, from first pop-ups to high-performance training. Sessions book online per level with published schedules.