District tour Haidhausen

Cozy beer gardens and historic architecture

Haidhausen: Older than Munich Itself

The charming district south of the city center is significantly older than Munich itself. During this walking tour, you'll hear about the "French Quarter," "lodging houses," and a "steep climb." The locals appreciate their neighborhood because it has everything the heart desires: history, small arts, education, and world-renowned orchestras like the Munich Philharmonic at the Gasteig.

Haidhausen: Ancient Yet Young

Among Munich's 25 districts, Haidhausen is the fourth smallest, but in terms of population, it impressively ranks eleventh. This speaks to Haidhausen's popularity, which, like Schwabing, Sendling, and the Au, predates Munich itself. Before the village of Haidhausen was incorporated into Munich in 1854, it was first mentioned as "Heidhusir" around 800 AD.

Over 1,200 years of history shape this beloved district, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden, and often only through what has been passed down. The Salt Road once ran right through it, crossing the Inner-Wiener-Strasse to the Toll Bridge before finally passing the Isartor. The small settlement was outside the city gates and belonged to various noble families until the Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century turned it into a working-class neighborhood. Even today, the so-called "lodging houses" are still visible in Haidhausen, where workers once lived in unimaginable conditions.

Haidhausen: A Unique Identity

A glance at Haidhausen's map section quickly reveals that the "French Quarter" couldn't have developed naturally. It's the planned construction of the late 19th century that created not only orderly residential streets but also the East Train Station, large breweries, and massive beer cellars.

Relatively minor wartime destruction still allows the streets like Pariser and Wörth to hint at the grandeur of historicism. For a long time after World War II, Haidhausen was known as the "Glass Shard District" and wasn't one of the more fashionable areas of the city. However, with the Munich Gasteig, its proximity to the Müller’sches Volksbad, the Isar River, and the city center, Haidhausen has transformed into a highly sought-after district that has managed to preserve its identity and secrets despite significant gentrification.