The E2 river wave on the Eisbach in Munich — weekend surf trips from Munich

By Michael Schmidt

Weekend Surf Trips from Munich: The Best River Waves Nearby

Munich is one of the few major cities in the world where you can surf after work. The Eisbach river wave has been drawing surfers since the 1970s — long before it was legal — and it's now one of the most photographed surf spots in Europe. But the city's urban wave is only the beginning. Within two hours of Munich, you can ride multiple river waves of completely different characters, from beginner-friendly to expert-only, in some of the most beautiful alpine settings imaginable.

Check the live Eisbach water temperature before heading out — the wave runs year-round but the river is alpine cold and your wetsuit choice matters.

This guide gives you the practical information the Instagram posts leave out: how to get there, what to expect when you arrive, what gear you need, and which level each spot suits.

The Eisbach, Munich — The Icon

Distance: City centre — English Garden
Wave type: Standing river wave
Skill level: Advanced to expert
Best time: Year-round (wave is consistent regardless of season)

The Eisbach is a canal that runs through Munich's English Garden. The wave forms where the water is funnelled through an underpass — it's about a metre high, breaks fast and hollow, and runs continuously. There's always a queue. You get one ride at a time — typically 30 seconds to a couple of minutes — then paddle out and join the back of the line.

Do not underestimate the Eisbach. The wave is powerful, the channel is narrow, and the current is relentless. Surfers who overestimate their ability wash through quickly and often take boards to the face on the way. Watch from the bridge for at least 20 minutes before getting in the water. If you can comfortably ride waves at your local beach, you are probably not ready for the Eisbach.

What to bring: Shortboard (longboards don't work well in the tight channel), 3/2mm wetsuit year-round (the water is consistently cold), fins suited to fast, hollow surf, and patience — the queue can be long on weekends.
How to get there: U-Bahn to Universität, then a 10-minute walk through the English Garden. No parking nearby — public transport is the right call.

The Almkanal, Salzburg — The Accessible Alternative

Distance: ~140 km from Munich, ~1.5 hrs by car
Wave type: Standing river wave
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Best time: Spring and summer (water levels affect wave quality)

The Almkanal is a man-made canal on the edge of Salzburg that produces a wide, consistent standing wave — around 3 metres wide and over a metre high at good flow. Unlike the Eisbach, there's more room to move, which makes it significantly more accessible for developing surfers. It's still not a beginner wave, but a solid intermediate surfer will have a much better time here than at the Eisbach on day one.

The setting is beautiful — the wave sits between green banks with mountain views in the background. There's a small local scene but the queue is rarely as intense as the Eisbach.

What to bring: Mid-length or shortboard, 3/2mm wetsuit, board leash.
How to get there: Approximately 1.5 hours by car from Munich. No direct public transport option to the wave itself — a car is needed.
Bonus: Salzburg is worth spending the weekend in. Combine a Saturday session with a day exploring the old town.

The Riverwave, Bruck an der Mur, Austria — The Engineered Wave

Distance: ~250 km from Munich, ~2.5 hrs by car
Wave type: Adjustable artificial wave
Skill level: Beginner to advanced (adjustable)
Best time: Check their website for session booking

The Riverwave is a purpose-built artificial wave on the Mur river in Bruck an der Mur, Austria. Unlike natural river waves, its height and shape can be adjusted — making it suitable for different skill levels in a controlled environment. At full power it's a serious wave; dialled back, it's manageable for confident beginners looking to try river surfing for the first time.

This is the only spot on this list where you can book a session in advance, which makes it ideal for a planned day trip. Sessions are typically 90 minutes in small groups.

What to bring: The facility has board rental available. Bring a wetsuit and water shoes.
How to get there: ~2.5 hours from Munich by car via the A8 and A10. Check the Riverwave website for session booking and current pricing.
Best for: Beginners wanting a first taste of river surfing in a controlled environment, or experienced surfers who want to try an engineered wave.

The Cunovo Wave, Bratislava — The Day Trip

Distance: ~310 km from Munich, ~3 hrs by car
Wave type: Custom engineered artificial wave
Skill level: Intermediate to expert
Best time: Check website for session availability

The Cunovo wave sits on the Danube near Bratislava and is one of the most technically impressive river surfing setups in Europe. It hosts international competitions and is a step up from the Riverwave in terms of power and skill requirement. The wave is wide, long, and fast — experienced surfers get a lot out of it, and the Slovak surf scene that's developed around it is welcoming to visiting riders.

At three hours from Munich it's a full-day commitment, but the combination of good surfing and an interesting city makes it worthwhile as an occasional destination.

Best for: Experienced river surfers looking for a longer, more powerful wave in an international surf atmosphere.

What to Pack for a River Surf Day Trip

  • Board: Shorter is better for river surfing. Most river waves work best with boards under 6'6". Check the specific spot's recommendations before going.
  • Fins: River fins take a beating. A flexible fin, or a spare set of standard fins, is worth throwing in the bag.
  • Wetsuit: Bavarian and Austrian rivers are cold year-round. 3/2mm minimum in summer; 4/3mm in cooler months.
  • Helmet: Optional at some spots, strongly recommended at others. Worth owning if you're going to river surf regularly.
  • Change robe or towel: Changing facilities range from basic to non-existent. A changing robe makes roadside transitions much easier.

For more on the river SUP scene and how to paddle safely on moving water, see our River SUP guide for beginners.

Further Reading

Shop at Eisbach Riders

River surfing and SUP both demand fins that can take a hit. Our flexible river fins are designed for the rocks, concrete and shallow water of river sessions — available in US Box and Quick-Lock.

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