In Gräfelfing, the Würm landscape, traces of a long church history, and a variety of recreational facilities come together. When choosing a destination, you can consider whether you would like to focus mainly on local history, outdoor activities, or both. Two S-Bahn stations and a well-developed public transport network are also useful when planning your stay.
Local character and the Würm
Historically, Gräfelfing and Lochham were small villages along the Würm. Today, the townscape is characterized by a garden-city feel, with villas and spacious, open development along the lower Würm. The river also appears in the municipal coat of arms: a blue wavy band represents the Würm. The river is therefore part of not only the landscape, but also local history and the townscape.
The waterwheel has stood at its current location at Mesnersteg since 1998. Those interested in the Würm as part of the landscape and local history will find another tangible connection to the river here. The Würm floodplains are suitable for cycling or jogging. A Würm cycling route runs from Pasing through Gräfelfing and Gauting to Starnberg. This makes it possible to distinguish a local activity from a route that connects several towns. If you plan to take the cycling route, check the current conditions in advance.
Church history and architecture
The Old St. Stephen’s Church stands at Würmstraße 1, by the Würm bridge, and was first documented in 802. The church is largely Gothic: a new building was constructed in 1473 on the site of a Romanesque predecessor, later extended to the west and altered in Baroque style in 1728. Its typical late Gothic ribbed vault is one of its defining features. Inside, there are also red marble tombstones from the 15th and 16th centuries. The various dates and features illustrate different stages in the building’s history, rather than assigning the church a single construction date.
St. Stephen’s was under the authority of Rottenbuch Abbey from 1206 to 1790. Another historical trace leads to the former Seeholzen estate: it stood at the entrance to Gräfelfing on Pasinger Straße, on the site of today’s St. Gisela care home. Both places add the area’s former ecclesiastical and local development to its architectural history.
Activities and water play at Anger
The Anger recreation area combines a range of facilities: a Kneipp pool, a fitness trail, a pétanque court, a Bavarian curling lane, a playground, and a water playground. The latter is located beside a restored side branch of the Würm. A shallow bank makes educational water play possible there. Water-based activities and exercise are complemented by options such as pétanque and Bavarian curling; the different facilities give you several specific ways to plan your leisure time.
Planning your arrival and stay
With two S-Bahn stations and a well-developed public transport network, Gräfelfing offers a clear basis for planning your journey. Check the current timetables for your specific trips. These recommendations distinguish between local facilities, the Würm cycling route through several towns, and the history of individual buildings.
Discover more destinations: Planegg, Putzbrunn, Unterhaching, Ismaning, Munich Airport, Oberschleißheim, Feldkirchen, Haar.
Go to the main travel overview: Munich.
