Loading Page...

Is it safe to drink tap water in Munich?

Munich's tap water comes from the beautiful Alpine foothills of Bavaria and is heavily regulated by Germany's strict water treatment regulations, the Trinkwasserverordnung (German Drinking Water Ordinance. As such, it consistently ranks among some of the best tap water in Europe.



It is not only safe to drink tap water in Munich, but the city's water—known as M-Wasser—is considered some of the best drinking water in Europe. Most of Munich's water originates from the foothills of the Bavarian Alps (specifically the Mangfall and Loisach valleys), where it is naturally filtered through layers of rock and gravel, requiring very little chemical treatment before it reaches the tap. The quality is so high that it is often compared to premium bottled mineral water. The city’s utility provider, Stadtwerke München (SWM), conducts rigorous daily testing to ensure it meets or exceeds the strict standards of the German Drinking Water Ordinance. For travelers, this means you can save a significant amount of money and reduce plastic waste by simply refilling a reusable bottle from any tap or from one of the many historic "drinking fountains" scattered throughout the city, such as those found at the Viktualienmarkt. The water is also exceptionally rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, which may lead to some "limescale" buildup in kettles, but it is perfectly healthy and refreshing for human consumption.

People Also Ask

Safe for consumption Although the most touristy countries Americans visit, like France, Germany, England, Spain, and Italy, have safe drinking water, other countries like Romania, Cyprus, Belarus, and Moldova do not.

MORE DETAILS

Language: German is the main language spoken in Munich, but English is taught in schools and visitors will encounter many English speakers.

MORE DETAILS

Munich is an extremely walkable city. The old town and surrounding areas can easily be explored on foot, as can all of the city's parks, and the main shopping area is completely pedestrianized.

MORE DETAILS

You can help reduce plastic waste and save money by bringing your own reusable water bottle. You can refill it in destinations where it's safe to drink the tap water, or use the filtered water at your hotel, or drinking fountains and refill stations found across Europe.

MORE DETAILS