Munich's leisure value is at least as high as its MICE infrastructure is good. There are many places where you can really let off steam or just get some exercise. Whether alone or with other conference participants, whether individually or under supervision, whether strenuous or moderate, whether indoors or outdoors - in the Bavarian capital everyone will find the right offer. An active start to the day is just as possible as a relaxed evening round after a long day of congress indoors - often even combined with a beautiful view or an exciting sight.
A highlight for sports fans is the Olympic Park. Where a large part of the Olympic competitions took place in 1972, amateur athletes can also train well today. Longer runs, short sprints, mountain runs, fitness workouts - there is enough space and opportunities for everyone. And of course, the unique Olympic atmosphere is an additional motivation. The icing on the cake: the great view of the Alps from the Olympic Hill.
Runners will find ideal jogging routes along the Isar - right in the middle of the city. The Praterinsel, for example, just one kilometre from the Old Town, is a good place to start. Upstream along the Isar meadows you pass the famous Müllersches Volksbad, the Deutsches Museum, the Wittelsbacher Brücke and the Flaucher - the popular sunbathing area on the Isar. A perfect route between sightseeing and nature observation by the water.
Those who prefer to swim their laps in a pool will find ideal conditions in summer at the Schyrenbad, Munich's oldest open-air pool (since 1847). At the 1972 Olympic Games, the open-air pool was the training ground for athletes like Mark Spitz. In bad weather, a visit to the Müllersches Volksbad is worthwhile. The Art Nouveau-style indoor pool looks much as it did when it opened in 1901. One attraction of the Volksbad is the Roman-Irish steam bath with an open-air courtyard.
For a summery refreshment in the evening after the conference, a dip in the cold Isar river is one of the options. At the Flaucher near the Hellabrunn Zoo, conditions are ideal for a river bath: you can lie nicely and walk well into the Isar to cool off. Also in the middle of the city is the Riemer See, a relic of the 2005 Federal Garden Show. On the east bank there is a sunbathing lawn and a pebble beach for bathers.
The best way to get around and get to know the city at the same time is by bike. Most hotels even rent out e-bikes to their guests. A good route to cover the most important sights is the "Highlight Tour". It leads from Marienplatz past the Viktualienmarkt, the Schrannenhalle and the City Museum to the Hofgarten, the Feldherrnhalle and through the English Garden. Via the Friedensengel, the Gasteig concert hall and the Deutsches Museum, after about seven kilometres you finally arrive at the Hofbräuhaus and a little later back at Marienplatz. One hour of exercise - with lots of sightseeing.
The fitness fans among the congress participants will also get their money's worth in Munich. For example, there is a public fitness trail in the Isar meadows. At 20 stations you can really work out and get a good strength workout on the horizontal bar, on the balance track or on various pieces of equipment. Instructions for the individual stations are on the respective information boards.
Those who prefer to train with instruction have the opportunity to do so every Monday at 7 pm. On the lawn at the Tivoli Pavilion in the English Garden, behind the Hirschau beer garden, the so-called "Lederhosen Training" takes place. Fitness coach Klaus always comes in his lederhosen, thus giving the free training its name. By the way: the many sports enthusiasts who take part in the weekly Lederhosen Training usually do not wear traditional costumes.
Visitors to Munich can also do a little cardio training by climbing various towers and viewpoints. The panorama platform in the south tower of the Frauenkirche can be accessed via 86 steps - and a ride in the lift. The head of the 20-metre-high statue of the Bavaria can be reached by climbing 126 steps. The most sweaty part, however, is the ascent to the platform in the tower of Alter Peter: 300 steps. The view, however, is worth every effort.
