Munich’s Outdoor Pools – Family Fun in the Sun!

When the sun shines and the thermometer rises, there is a great way to spend some time relaxing, either on your own or as a family, around one of the eight outdoor pools in Munich.

Here you will see many locals coming to spend the day and relax, often bringing a picnic with them. We have spent many family days here in the warm sunshine (Munich has 1800 hours of sun each year), the kids swimming in the pool and me reading my book. Imagine, there is nothing more refreshing than a dip in the pool on a hot day, and the temperatures can reach the 30s in the peak of summer. The air is filled with the sound of chatter and the laughing of the children as they enjoy the water. The pools are warm, and as with everything in Munich, the pool areas are clean and well kept.

Most of the pools are set in scenic locations surrounded by trees. You can lie on the grassed areas surrounding the pool, hire a deck chair, hire towels etc and often there is a shop with swimwear but you are probably best advised to buy these in town. I can’t remember the exact prices for the deckchairs, it wasn’t much, but entry to the pools is €3.50 for adults and €2.60 for children with under 6s free, so it won’t break the bank.

If you don’t want to make your own picnic there are many places in town where you can buy fresh delicious sandwiches to bring with you or alternatively there are reasonably priced snacks available at the pools, costing from just a few euros. Many of the pools have small beer gardens to one side, although I would not recommend too many beers if you are swimming. We took a picnic but I recall you could buy sweets, drinks and snacks such as bratwurst or chips, but if you want to be sure contact the pool you want to visit or ask at the Tourist Office.

Most of the pools have more than one pool available, children’s pools, slides, fountains and floats in the water. There are also saunas and fitness rooms, table tennis, beach volleyball, play areas and much more – enough to entertain even the most bored kids! Table tennis has always been a favourite in our family. Check out the website as often there is entertainment on certain days of thee week such as film shows or magicians for children. The pools are chlorine free and in 2010 for the first time a sandy beach will be available.

The outdoor pools are:

Sommerbad West

Weinbergerstrasse, in the district of Pasing

Dante Sommerbad

Postillonstrasse, in the district of Gern, near the Olympic Park

Michaelifreibad

Heinrich-Wieland-Strasse, near to Ostpark

Prinzregentenbad *

Prinzregentenstrasse, close to the city centre

Naturbad Maria Einsiedel

Zentrallandstrasse, near to the zoo

This is a natural pool alongside the river and has an artificial wave surge where you can learn to surf

Schyrenbad *

Claude-Lorrain-Strasse, Just over the river near to Kolumbusplatz

This is the oldest pool and has been here since 1847

Georgenschwaige *

Belgradstrasse, near to Luitpoldpark

Ungererbad *

Traubestrasse, in northern Schwabing

* These pools are open even if it is raining

The pools are open daily, 9am to 6pm from mid May to mid September and from 9am to 8pm on hot days until the end of August.

The website for full details of what is available at each pool is www.swm.de and this also gives travel directions, each pool is close to public transport links.

This is a great alternative to the norm when on a city break and can be highly recommended.

An alternative is to sunbathe along the banks of the River Isar, but families beware it is acceptable for nude sunbathing to take place in some areas.

Where to Stay

The Holiday Inn Munich City Centre on Hochstrasse is great for families as they also have their own pool. It is centrally located, great local transport links and offers a good breakfast buffet. As with all Holiday Inn hotels there are frequently good deals on room rates.

Another centrally located hotel is the Best Western Cristal on Schwanthalerstrasse. With its location close to the main train station, most of Munich’s sights and restaurants are within walking distance. This hotel is family run and has double rooms from 99 euros and 14 euros for breakfast.

www.insidersmunich.com