Stephanie Zimmermann is so excited about this laid-back neighbourhood in Munich's east that she would move to Haidhausen on the spot. When she's not walking along the banks of the Isar river or discovering new restaurants in her favourite part of town, she offers guided tours here and regularly shares her experiences of working as a tour guide on Instagram.
“Haidhausen is so special, because for me, it exemplifies the original Munich. Many visitors have the schickeria jet-set Maximilianstrasse cliché in mind when they come here, but Haidhausen is completely different. Here, the Munich way of life is still exuded, it´s cosiness, quaintness, but also diversity. Families live here, as well as older people and young people.
And on top of that: It´s laid-back and relaxed, without being boring. New stores and restaurants with great attention to detail are opening everywhere – and yet you can still find traditional pubs here. When I'm old, I want to live here, stroll through the Maximiliansanlagen (public gardens), browse at the Auer Dult market and then visit one of the great exhibitions of Villa Stuck (art gallery).“
Haidhausen is a mixture of village and big city – this is not only what the people that live here tell you, but what is also evident from its attractions. On the one hand, there is the Maximilianeum, a palace-like building that is also the seat of the Bavarian Parliament, and then, just a few meters away, the historic hostel houses such as the Üblacker-Häusl on Preysingstrasse. Haidhausen has preserved many original features – such as the Müller'sche Volksbad indoor pool, the Dult market and Auer Mühlbach stream.
The cosy, laid-back atmosphere is also reflected in the restaurant scene: French bistros line up with vibrant wine bars, long-established cafés and cosy pubs. Haidhausen is home not only to the city's smallest bar, the Barroom, but also what some consider the city's most beautiful beer garden – that of the Hofbräukeller on Wiener Platz (square). If you want to understand Haidhausen, just sit down and enjoy a pork roast at “Gaststätte Zum Kloster“.
Haidhausen is a small neighbourhood with a great cultural diversity. Besides Munich's most famous museum it also hosts Villa Stuck (art gallery), which is frequently the talk of the town with its outstanding exhibitions and special events. Young art is presented at Lothringer 13, cult films at Kino Museum Lichtspiele and concerts and parties are held at Muffatwerk.
The Franzosenviertel (French Quarter) in Haidhausen is also known as the “antique among Munich's districts“ – so it's no wonder that you can find some nice antique shops here. But the district also offers everything else you need: Books at Lentner, a traditional bookstore, Munich labels and fashion in the HIER store and natural cosmetics at Tobs Beauty.
Haidhausen and its beautiful places – it's hard to imagine the district without its parks and green spaces. As soon as the sun is shining, people meet here for a chat with their neighbours, and some of the squares host special events. For example, the Christkindlmarkt (Munich Christmas market) at Weißenburger Platz (square), the Wochenmarkt (weekly market) and the Auer Dult market at Mariahilfplatz (square) or public viewing at Bordeauxplatz (square).
