Every summer, young people plunge into the cold water of the Eisbach stream and float a few hundred meters to the Tivoli bridge.
When she gets out of the water there and takes the streetcar back to the starting point in dripping swimming trunks, it still attracts a lot of attention today.
Important note
Before you embark on this wet adventure, please read the following instructions carefully:
The hustle and bustle in the Eisbach up to the Tivoli Bridge is fun for many young people in summer, but unfortunately not entirely without danger. Officially, swimming in the Eisbach is even forbidden by the castles and lakes administration because fatal accidents have already occurred. This article is therefore only intended to inform, but not to encourage anyone to go into the water here. If you are not of legal age, you should obtain your parents’ permission.
People often get confused: The Eisbach is not the Schwabing stream that flows between the large Monoptoros meadow and the nude bathing area. The Eisbach flows along the outer eastern edge of the English Garden.
Why is it dangerous to swim in the Eisbach?
The current in the Eisbach is often underestimated. It is quite strong and suction can occur. Sometimes you can’t stand on the course and there are large obstacles under water or even broken glass. Added to this are the very cold water temperatures, which gave the stream its name.
If you miss the exit in the form of a ladder on the concrete wall in the stream bed “in front” of the Tivoli bridge, your life is in danger.
If you decide to embark on this adventure anyway, make sure you have someone with you who knows the route. Especially so that you don’t miss the exit, otherwise it could be life-threatening.
You have to decide for yourself and you are responsible. That is why I would like to clarify this as best I can.
What happens if you miss the exit?
After the Tivoli bridge it becomes life-threatening. 50 meters behind the bridge, the Eisbach is led into a canal bed with a weir where there is a strong underwater suction (see photo above). If you get caught in the suction, you will not be able to get out under your own steam!
If you miss the exit at the ladder, you can only swim under the Tivoli Bridge. From there you should try to reach the canal bank and climb out within the next 25 meters. This is possible, but you need a bit of luck.
Float in the Eisbach in Munich – the cold water in the English Garden
Cool off in summer – swimming and bathing in the Eisbach stream
It starts near the Haus der Kunst, where the Eisbach and Schwabinger Bach rivers meet. The entrance is at the pedestrian bridge behind the large Eisbach wave (see map below).
On hot days, you can already see the young people of Munich gliding into the stream and drifting north with the current of the water.
Stop and intermediate exit at the little Eisbach wave E2
After a good half of the route, you will come across the small Eisbach wave E2. Here you have to get out of the water first, because the surfers on the little Eisbach wave E2 have priority. Besides, nobody really wants to get a surfboard on their head.
Exit at the small Eisbach wave and walk back From here you have two options:
- You can walk back to the starting position. This will look like the photo above.
- You can bypass the small Eisbach wave, get back into the stream and drift another 400 meters towards the Tivoli bridge
When re-entering, it is generally advisable not to make a head, as the stream is not very deep.
After re-entering at the small Eisbach wave, you will reach a small pedestrian bridge after approx. 400 meters, under which you can swim. From here, watch out, because the exit is soon on the left-hand side. That’s why the rule is from here on: Always swim on the left-hand side.
Keep left and make sure you reach the exit ladder!
At the end of the Eisbach you should swim to the left side early enough so that you don’t miss the ladder for the exit! First comes a ladder and then a second ladder a few meters further on.
Take streetcar 18 back to the starting point
Just as you exit the Eisbach via the ladder, you will find streetcar station 18 on the other side of the street.
Here you can already see people in swimming trunks and bikinis waiting for streetcar line 18.
Traveling without a valid ticket is actually not allowed, but the city administration often turns a blind eye. However, you can also get into trouble if you sit on a bench dripping wet.
This will not be appreciated and you will be sent off the streetcar.
You can then get off at Paradiesstraße and from there walk back to the English Garden to the Eisbach.
Swimming in Munich’s most famous stream – it’s important to be careful
Please note: Swimming in the Eisbach in Munich is officially prohibited and accidents happen regularly.
If at all, you should only go into the water with people who know their way around and know where the exit is.
The Eisbach in Munich is ice cold. It makes sense to walk the route.
If you are not of legal age, you should obtain your parents’ permission.
But it’s also fun to watch people waiting for streetcar 18 at the exit. Quite a few people think it’s a flash mob….
Infobox – Eisbach at the English Garden
Address: Am Englischen Garten Munich, Prinzregentenstraße 1, 80538 Munich
Directions as to the Eisbach surfers or Eisbach wave
Nearby: Monopteros, the large Eisbach wave, Haus der Kunst, Chinese Tower, beer garden at the Chinese Tower, the Golden Bar, Fräulein Grüneis kiosk, Bavarian National Museum