Imagine sitting by the Isar river with a chilled drink, relaxed music and the sun kissing your face. In a city where rivers and lakeside bliss meet vibrant hubs of art and culture. Where creativity thrives in the most unexpected spots.The air in its green parks is filled with the energy of laid-back conversations and dolce vita. While the streets pulse with open-air markets, pop-up shops and summer festivals giving you the feeling of a hidden world. An alternative scene boasting with unusual, fun things to do in Munich that are raw, authentic, and full of surprises.
When you think about Munich what probably first comes to mind are Oktoberfest, Bayern München football club, Hofbräuhaus and beer gardens. But did you know that there’s a completely different side to it? A city full of hidden gems & alternative, fun things to do in Munich besides sipping a Mass of beer in a Festzelt?
After visiting my dear friend in Munich several times, I was surprised at how large the alternative scene was. And found out that the city is home to cool creative spaces, container villages boasting with flea markets, parks with amazing sunset spots, countless hidden gems right by the water, street art, and even an old ship set on a bridge where you can enjoy la dolce vita.
Having spent a month here in April 2025, I was finally able to gather all my favorite spots off the beaten path in Munich in one post. And of course I can’t keep them to myself.
Already curious? So let’s dive deeper together and explore the authentic, alternative side of Munich that millions of tourists flocking to the Southern German city miss.
Contents
Alternative neighborhoods in Munich
Westend (Schwanthalerhöhe) – for a laid-back vibe & café lovers
My favorite fun things to do in Munich’s neighborhood Westend:
- Sunset drink at Hackerbrücke – A popular spot to enjoy the sunset with friends and a drink.
- Vintage stores & boutique shops – Discover alternative shops such as Parke6.
- Westpark – It’s a short walk from Westend but such an amazing park with its beautiful Asian pagodas and my all-time-favorite café Gans am Wasser.
- Westendapotheke – This stunning old pharmacy has become an event space where you can join yoga sessions and other events.
- Köşk – When the public library has moved out, the building was taken over by young artists, so you can admire art & join different workshops and art activities.
- Munch amazing food – There are several fantastic cafés & restaurants in Westend. Some of my favorites:
- Fika Ladencafé – A super cute café with a lovely little backyard terrace and beautiful interior they even sell. Try the vegan cheesecake!
- togather Café & Restaurant – Cozy, relaxed café with amazing cakes
- bean & batter – Known for their delicious waffles
- bodhi – Traditional Bavarian food, but all vegan
- etisch. – Amazing vegan café & restaurant with a focus on sustainable and ethically sourced food
Impressions of Westend & Westpark
Glockenbachviertel – for bar lovers and fans of hip eateries
My favorite fun things to do in Munich’s Glockenbachviertel:
- Gärtnerplatz – Head to this green roundabout on a sunny weekend for a picnic or a drink in one of the many cafés around
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Stroll along Isar Ufer – Soak up the sun and the Isar vibe, sit down and dip your toes in the water. One of my favorite spots is next to Wittelsbacherbrücke (you can grab a drink at Kiosk Isarwahn and an amazing Neapolitan pizza at Doctor Drooly)
- Kulturstrand der urbanauten – A sandy beach in the middle of Munich! Grab a drink and relax in one of the deck chairs in the riverside bar.
- Flushing Meadows rooftop bar – In summer, a great spot to enjoy a drink on the rooftop
- Enjoy amazing food – Glockenbachviertel is home to just as many awesome restaurants. Some of my favorites:
- Doctor Drooly – Strictly speaking it’s next to Glockenbachviertel, but it’s probably the best vegan pizza I had
- Fink’s Südtiroler Knödelküche – Typical Southern German dumplings (they also serve some vegan options)
- Emmi’s Kitchen – Amazing vegan café (try the scrumbled tofu) in a nice, calm backyard
- SIGGI’s – A classic for vegan Bavarian kitchen
- Akimy – Delicious vegan Asian cuisine (you can either order tapas-like small bites to share or have normal-sized main dishes)
- Cafe Lozzi –The cinnamon rolls are to die for!
- Trachtenvogel – For a drink or food, always a good choice
- Eiscafé Eismeer – Yummy homemade ice-cream with so many vegan options
Impressions of Glockenbachviertel & Gärtnerplatz
Maxvorstadt – for students, lovers of cafés and shopping
My favorite fun things to do in Munich’s Maxvorstadt:
- Stroll along Schellingstraße – Soak up the local flair in this gorgeous street with its cafés and local shops
- Der verrückte Eismacher – An ice cream shop where you find the craziest flavors (it’s literally called “the crazy ice cream maker” and offers flavors such as Bavarian sausage, but you’ll also find more common flavors if your taste buds are not as adventurous)
- Visit glitch – An independent queer-feminist bookshop offering English & German books, where you can also enjoy a warm beverage on a cozy couch
- Minna Thiel – Enjoy a break in the sun with a drink or snack around an old wagon
- Eisbachwelle – Watch surfer pros on this wave in the Eisbach stream (or give it a try yourself) in the southernmost tip of Englischer Garten, Munich’s large park
- Alte Pinakothek & Pinakothek der Moderne – Two large art galleries home to one of the world’s largest collections of historical art (“Alte Pinakothek”) and modern art (“Pinakothek der Moderne”). If you’re into art don’t miss a guided tour.
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Eat and drink – Some of my favorite cafes & restaurants in Maxvorstadt:
- Das METTA –All vegan & glutenfree
- Standl 20 – Da wo’s an Kaffee gibt – A cosy little coffee place where coffee is made with love and you can sit outside enjoying the sun
- Gartensalon/KuchenKiosk – A cute, green backyard and delicious cakes
- Pretty Pizza – Amazing vegan pizza
- AMARi – Come for brunch, lunch or dinner on their beautiful sun terrace
Alternative tours off the beaten path in Munich
Even if you’re more into foodie spots, parks and bars instead of history, make at least room for some tours during your time in Munich. The city has so much to offer and is a very historical place. The best thing is that there are amazing options besides the typical tours around Marienplatz and the center. From hidden architecture to street art – Munich has it all. You can explore the city by bike or on foot and trust me, you’ll learn so much about Munich, you had no idea.
Hidden Architecture Guided Tour
This Hidden Architecture Guided Tour leads you through some of the most exciting monuments, alternative places and hidden gems in Munich’s south. I’ll introduce some of its highlights further below, but this tour gives you an awesome overview and background information on many of the spots.
I’ll guarantee you that you would hardly find this part of Munich on your own. Dive into history and architecture with your passionate guide Philipp.
Resistance against Hitler – Historical Walking Tour
If you’d like to experience some history, I can highly recommend this historical walking tour focusing on the resistance against Hitler in Munich.
Join an extremely interesting guided walking tour of the significant places of Munich where the most famous resistance movements against Hitler took place. You learn more about these courageous, impressive people and will see Munich through different eyes.
Bike Tour with Beer Garden Break
Ride through Munich with this bike tour where you can explore the city’s vibrant streets, see some of its main sights, but also hidden gems in Munich. And the best part about it: The lunch stop is in a local beer garden for the perfect Munich experience.
The guide, Caanan, has a degree in history, so you can bombard him with your questions and learn so much. What an experience!
Street Art Bike Tour
Street art isn’t the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the Bavarian capital? Then it’s about time to change that, as this tour is an amazing fun thing to do in Munich. Discover the lovely street art scene with this guided street art bike tour through Munich.
The city was a leader of the graffiti movement in Germany back in the 80s. So the tour takes you through many unfamiliar places and learn about the exciting history behind the artworks.
Illuminati & other Secret Societies Tour
This Illuminati & other Secret Societies Tour takes you through a fascinating history and mysteries surrounding the secret societies that were established in Munich, many of which may still be active today. This journey will be exciting, intriguing, and surprising for sure.
Alternative markets, streetfood & drinks off the beaten path in Munich
Gans am Wasser
Let’s begin right with one of my favorite places in Munich. Gans am Wasser is a funky open-air café right next to the water in the gorgeous West Park. Full of refurbished vintage furniture, you can relax in an old bathtub that has been transformed into a couch or hang out on the wooden boardwalk by the small lake. It’s open all year and while you can munch cake, Middle Eastern delicacies and much more alongside a refreshing drink in summer, during winter, you can enjoy Glühwein (mulled wine) inside a yurt.
Especially during the summer time, the eclectic space hosts many events – sometimes live music, sometimes an outdoor cinema, or creative events. I absolutely adore this place.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Sun 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Gans am Wasser
Bahnwärter Thiel | Krims & Krams flea market
Once a freight station, Bahnwärter Thiel has been transformed into a vibrant creative space combining art and culture. Amongst the old Munich train wagons and containers, the area is full of oddities such as horse carriages, and colorful graffiti and huge hammocks. It’s also home to an urban gardening project, open workspaces, artist’s workshops, and there’s a bistro offering food and drinks on its sunny terrace.
There’s always something going on at Bahnwärter Thiel. A highlight is for sure the Krims & Krams flea market happening once a month, where you can enjoy vintage shopping while munching waffles, listening to a live DJ and hanging out in one of the hammocks on the roof.
On Saturdays, the space invites party people for club nights, but there are also open-air cinema evenings, theater, workshops and many other events. Just check out their website to find out more about the current program and the projects.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | additional event opening hours
Bahnwärter Thiel
Alte Utting
Just around the corner of Bahnwärter Thiel you can find the next curio – an old ship on a bridge. Sounds weird, but it has become such an amazing space for a sundowner on deck. Besides the bar, there are several restaurants or rather food stalls around the ship where you can indulge yourself with pizza or African food. During winter, there’s an offbeat Christmas market.
The old passenger ship “Alte Utting” is originally from the 1950s and has carried thousands of passengers across the Ammersee lake for decades. After her retirement in 2016, she was about the be scrapped but was saved by the Wannda e.V., the culture association behind the Wannda Circus festival, Gans am Wasser and more. They had the idea of bringing the ship into the city, transforming it into an art and culture project. And they succeeded!
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 4 – 10 p.m.
Alte Utting
Werksviertel Mitte
Hopping on to the next container park, but this time all the way to Eastern Munich. Supporting local and small businesses, the Werksviertel Mitte is a large area made up of reused containers, painted with colorful murals. Small businesses can rent one of the shipping containers for a few months to test the waters and check customers’ interest. You can find handicrafts, bars, art spaces and much more here.
When you visit Werksviertel Mitte, don’t miss visiting the Thai restaurant Khanittha. It’s as authentic as it gets. While munching on your Pad Thai, you’re sitting on plastic chairs surrounded by street food stalls, just as in Thailand. Love it!
Werksviertel Mitte & Khanittha
Beer gardens off the beaten path in Munich
Loved among locals as well as visitors, beer gardens are part of Munich’s identity. So, visiting at least one is not just a fun thing to do in Munich, but an essential stop in the city to grab food and enjoy outside in summer.
Yet, the very popular beer gardens (such as the ones at Englischer Garten) can get extremely busy and crowded, even a bit overwhelming if you ask me. So here are some recommendations for smaller, authentic ones:
- Max Emanuel Brauerei – A small beer garden a little hidden in the student quarter with vegan options as well
- Biergarten Muffatwerk – An eco-certified beer garden right next to the Isar river, offering organic drinks and food with many vegetarian and vegan options
- Konsum Kiosk – A perfect bike ride along the Isar river takes you to this alternative space with beer garden vibes
- Biergarten Michaeligarten – Traditional beer garden a bit outside of the center next to a small lake-.
- Hirschgarten – A bit outside of Munich’s center but a huge beer garden with a deer sanctuary attached to it
Beer garden vibes
Tollwood Festival
This collection of all the alternative fun things to do in Munich wouldn’t be complete without the Tollwood Festival. Every year, there’s a Tollwood summer festival and another one during winter. While the one during summer hosts live concerts, a market of handmade goods, and outdoor bars with beach vibes, the winter festival is completely different. It’s like a sustainable market but also home to live performances such as a fire show and concerts. Check out more about their upcoming events on their website.
Wannda Circus
With the aim of creating a space for art, culture and dreams, Wannda Circus was created in 2012 and has since made Munich a more colorful, diverse place. Their main location is in an old circus tent that doubles as a venue for many festivals, cultural events, and workshops in the summer, and a gorgeous alternative Christmas market in the winter.
My favorite event is the yoga festival that takes place in June, but I also love the fairytale bazaar. And besides the circus tent, the association has transformed many other unused areas into cultural spaces – just as they did with Bahnwärter Thiel, Alte Utting, Gans am Wasser and Gans Woanders. Check out their website for events.
Wannda Yoga Festival
Hackerbrücke
A bridge may not be the usual spot you think about for having drinks. But once you climb up Hackerbrücke and see the view during sunset, you’ll understand. Bring some drinks and enjoy watching the trains pass by while the sun sets behind the rail tracks. A different kind of romantic.
Hackerbrücke
Parks & spots by the water off the beaten path in Munich
Westpark
Westpark
Isar Flaucher
What would summer be in Munich without hanging out at the Isar River? The best place to do so is the Flaucher area – the ultimate local Munich experience is to spend a late afternoon by the river and stay until sunset, equipped with a portable barbecue.
Especially around the small wooden bridge Flauchersteg you can find lots of locals enjoying the sun and the water. But the area is large, so you can always find quiet spaces as well. And if you’re brave enough, you can refresh yourself in the cold water.
Isar Flaucher
Eisbachwelle
Eisbachwelle (“Eisbach wave”) is not so much hidden gem in Munich anymore, as it has gained an iconic status. Munich is actually considered the birthplace of river surfing. Yet, for some it’s still completely new hearing about surfers riding a permanent wave on a small river in the middle of the city.
Head to where Prinzregentenstraße meets Munich’s largest park “Englischer Garten” to watch surfers catching the wave, or give it a try yourself.
Kulturstrand
A sandy beach in Munich? Yep, that’s what you get at Kulturstrand (“culture beach”) during the summer months at the bridge Cornelisbrücke. Enjoy warm summer nights with a drink right next to the Isar river while listening to soft electronic beats in the background. One of the best places to fall in love with Munich during summer time.
Map of alternative fun things to do in Munich
Map of hidden gems & unusual fun things to do in Munich (click for interactive map with all details)
Munich off the beaten path – Good to know
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