Active Pursuits

Beaches, Pools & Watersports -- On hot weekends, Münchners travel to nearby lakes, the Ammersee and the Starnberger See, where bathing facilities are clearly marked. Both are a short drive from the city and are favorites for sailing, windsurfing, and other watersports. Visitors can also go for a dip at Maria-Einsiedel, in the frigid, snow-fed waters of the Isar River.

The city has several public swimming pools. The largest of these is the giant competition-size pool in the Olympiapark, the Olympia-Schwimmhalle (tel. 089/30-67-22-90; U-Bahn: Olympiazentrum). Admission is 5€ ($8). Information on both sailing and windsurfing is available from the Bayerischer Landes-Sportverbund, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 93 (tel. 089/15-70-23-66).

Biking -- The city is full of bike paths. Most major streets have bike lanes, and the many parks and gardens scattered throughout Munich allow for hours of riding. The tourist office provides suggested tours in its Radi Touren. Although printed in German, the excellent maps are easily followed. You can rent bikes at Mike's Bike Tour (tel. 089/255-43-988; see above).

Boating -- Rowboats add to the charm of the lakes in the Englischer Garten. (There's also a kiosk located at the edge of the Kleinhesseloher See for rentals during clement weather.) There are rowboat rentals on the southern bank of the Olympiasee, in the Olympiapark.

Raft trips on the Isar River, between the town of Wolfrathausen and Munich, are offered from early May until late September. A raft may contain up to 60 other passengers, but if the idea appeals to you, contact Franz and Sebastian Seitner, Heideweg 9, D-82515 Wolfrathausen (tel. 08171/18-320).

Golf -- One of the best courses is Golf-Club Feldafing, Tutzingerstrasse 15, D-82340 Feldafing (tel. 08157/9-33-40), situated beside a clear Bavarian lake, the Starnberger See. It's open from April to mid-November every day from 8am to 7pm (closed in winter). Depending on the day of the week you arrive, greens fees for 18 holes cost 70€ ($112) on weekdays and 90€ ($144) on weekends and holidays. Be warned in advance that although you can play without a reservation every Monday to Friday (if you have a handicap of 34 or less), on Saturday and Sunday you'll need to be accompanied by a club member. Golfclub Strasslach (also known as the Munich Golf Club), Tölserstrasse 95 (tel. 08170/929-1811), requires visitors to reserve their tee times in advance. The course charges greens fees of 60€ ($96). From April to October only, this course is open to the general public Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm; weekends are reserved for members only. Both clubs are a 45-minute drive south of Munich's center.

Jogging -- Regardless of the season, the most lushly landscaped place in Munich is the Englischer Garten (U-Bahn: Münchner Freiheit), which has an 11km (6 3/4-mile) circumference and an array of dirt and asphalt tracks. Also appropriate are the grounds of the Olympiapark (U-Bahn: Olympiazentrum) or the park surrounding Schloss Nymphenburg (U-Bahn: Rotkreuzplatz, then tram 17 toward Amalienburgstrasse; bus: 41). More convenient to the center of the city's commercial district is a jog along the embankments of the Isar River.

Tennis -- At least 200 indoor and outdoor tennis courts are scattered around greater Munich. Many can be booked in advance by calling tel. 089/54-81-81-81. For information on Munich's many tennis tournaments and competitions, contact the Bayerischer Tennis Verbund, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 93, D-80992 München (tel. 089/15-70-23-66).