Discover Munich’s greener side. Our Munich guide leads you to the city’s best sustainable addresses, from eco-conscious restaurants to green hotels.
By Yann Jouet
Centuries-old buildings and a wealth of museums shape Munich’s skyline. Bavaria’s capital is famous for Oktoberfest and its beer halls, and the Old Town’s central Marienplatz is anchored by landmarks like the neo-Gothic New Town Hall. But beyond the history and the culture, Munich has a modern side too, one increasingly defined by sustainability and environmental awareness. Here’s where to find it.
Getting around sustainably in Munich
Munich offers plenty of ways to get around without a car. MVG’s rental bikes make exploring the city stress-free, healthy, and flexible; they can be picked up and dropped off almost anywhere. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, a well-developed public transit network takes over.
The Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV) covers the Munich Transport Company (MVG), running U-Bahn, tram, and bus, plus the S-Bahn that connects the city to its surrounding region. The Munich Card and the City Pass unlock a range of discounts, opening up the city’s art, culture, and leisure scene to visitors at a lower cost.
Scooter-sharing is another environmentally friendly option — electric and kick scooters offer flexible mobility around town, with e-scooters available to riders aged 14 and up.
Your sustainable Munich guide
Munich is known for tradition and historic architecture, but it’s also a city that takes sustainability seriously. If you’re visiting and looking for eco-conscious options, this short guide is for you. We’ve pulled together a selection of places that show what the city has to offer — from environmentally friendly restaurants to sustainable shops to green places to stay right in the heart of town.
Below, we introduce some of Munich’s best sustainable spots, so your visit to the Bavarian capital can be as green as it is memorable. Get inspired, and discover the city from its sustainable side.
Cocoon Hotels: sustainable comfort in the heart of Munich
Cocoon Hotels has three central Munich locations: Hauptbahnhof, Sendlinger Tor, and Stachus, with a fourth opening near Theresienwiese in autumn 2024. The hotels pair comfort with a firm commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
The Cocoon philosophy draws on transformation and change, symbolized by a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. In that spirit, the hotels are constantly refining their processes to push sustainable solutions further. Since 2023, Cocoon Hotels have held GreenSign Level 4 Hotel certification, making their sustainability efforts transparent and verifiable.
Cocoon Hotel Sendlinger Tor: Set in the Glockenbach district, this hotel is an urban oasis and a favorite meeting spot. Its green courtyard garden and open lobby invite you to unwind, while rooftop bars, cafés, and sights are all within easy reach.
Cocoon Hotel Hauptbahnhof: Just five minutes on foot from the main train station, this hotel is an ideal base for trips into the Bavarian Alps, and it treats guests to alpine cuisine.
Cocoon Hotel Stachus: Centrally located yet quietly removed from the bustle, this hotel is perfect for a relaxed city break. The Cocoon Bar and nearby culinary highlights make every stay that much more enjoyable.
With this range of properties and a strong sustainability focus, Cocoon Hotels are a natural choice for eco-conscious travelers in Munich.
Capricorn Store in Glockenbachviertel
In the buzzing Glockenbach district, not far from Gärtnerplatz, sits the Capricorn Store — a distinctive address for sustainable fashion and accessories. This concept store pairs Scandinavian labels like Baum und Pferdgarten, Gestuz, and Designers Remix with pre-loved designer pieces from names like Isabel Marant, Ganni, and Sandro. Beyond clothing, it stocks a wide range of jewelry, accessories, lifestyle goods, cosmetics, and gift ideas. Capricorn, the zodiac sign, is associated with fresh starts and good fortune — and at the Capricorn Store, special garments, accessories, and jewelry find happy new owners.
The store puts sustainability front and center, striking a balance between second-hand, sustainable brands, and slow fashion. It favors small, local niche labels and trusted brand partners: handcrafted jewelry by Lisa Maresa, organic cotton sweaters and T-shirts from Bonjour Ben, and natural cosmetics from Merme Berlin, I Want You Naked, and Hopery. The Capricorn Store is a must for anyone who wants their style and their conscience to align.
nkm Atelier: sustainable skincare
Also in Glockenbachviertel, just steps from Viktualienmarkt, the nkm Atelier sits on Müllerstraße. Visitors can test the products, get a professional skin consultation, and walk out with their new nkm favorites. It’s the perfect spot to learn about sustainable skincare and find products tailored to your skin.
nkm Atelier builds every product around a specific skin condition or concern. Its team of product experts combines deep knowledge of the skin’s needs with effective, natural ingredients sourced regionally. Following a “form follows function” approach, nkm makes sure every product genuinely contributes to skin health, with no unnecessary filler ingredients.
A particular highlight of the atelier is its innovative reusable system for cosmetic bottles. Developed in collaboration with Munich product designer Dominique Béolet and the Heinz Glas glassworks in Bavaria, the reusable glass design is as practical as it is elegant. Customers can return their empty nkm refill bottles and receive a discount on their next purchase.
Restaurant Green Beetle: sustainable dining, done deliciously
After a shopping stroll through Glockenbachviertel, Green Beetle Restaurant is worth the stop. The restaurant is setting new standards in vegetarian-vegan cooking and has earned a Green Star for its efforts. Its sustainable design, by MangMauritz, is a standout in its own right. Green Beetle’s philosophy centers on regional, seasonal, fair-trade ingredients sourced exclusively from environmentally responsible producers. Exotic ingredients only make the cut if they meet strict fair-trade and organic-farming criteria. In summer, the kitchen team forages wild herbs in the English Garden to finish its dishes.
Green Beetle’s culinary philosophy leans into what it calls “green flavor,” proving that vegetarian and vegan cooking is never about doing without. Through varied cooking techniques and thoughtful use of aromas and color, the kitchen team delivers a fully realized dining experience.
The interior reflects that same sustainable thinking. Architecture and interior design duo MangMauritz built the space around sustainability, craftsmanship, and careful use of resources. Wall materials are natural, and the tiles are recast from old shards. A deliberate mix of new and vintage pieces, alongside custom furniture in native woods, gives the restaurant a distinctive atmosphere — uncompromisingly modern, yet grounded in nature.
beauty & nature: natural beauty care
On Westenriederstraße, near Viktualienmarkt, Beauty & Nature offers a retreat for relaxation and beauty. Its elegant upper floor houses a curated menu of facial and body treatments performed by specially trained natural-cosmetics practitioners. The calm atmosphere, paired with premium natural products from Dr. Hauschka, Martina Gebhardt, Santaverde, and Hesse Organic Skincare, turns every visit into a mini escape from the everyday.
Beauty & Nature is known for individually tailored treatments that draw on the best of what nature offers. Its signature relaxation treatment stimulates the skin’s own regenerative powers and awakens the senses, leaving guests feeling entirely at ease. For anyone after a deeper facial, the Green SPA offers gentle treatments using Dr. Hauschka cosmetics, celebrated for their “art of touch,” alongside Santaverde treatments built on the beauty secrets of aloe vera.
Gürmet: a fusion of tradition and modernity
With their stand “Gürmet Wein & Meze am Markt,” Mete Gür and Sarah Lange bring a slice of Turkish culture to the heart of Munich. Their stall on the historic Viktualienmarkt blends the flavors and ingredients of Turkish cuisine with contemporary Munich city life. Expect modern vegan and vegetarian Turkish meze made from fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from regional, sustainable producers, alongside organic simit baked exclusively for Gürmet by Julius Brantner and Turkish mocha from the Man vs. Machine roastery.
Beyond the meze, Gürmet stocks a selection of Turkish spices, vinegars, and other organic products rooted in Turkish cuisine. Its wine list stands out in particular: sustainably produced Turkish wines of the highest quality alongside German wines from VDP estates. This meeting of traditional and modern flavor worlds promises real culinary discovery.
About Given: sustainable fashion and quality
In the heart of Gärtnerplatzviertel, on Baaderstraße, sits the distinctive concept store About Given. The name says it all: this is a place that values what already exists and shares it with genuine passion for fashion, design, and lifestyle. About Given invests in things built to last — quality fabrics, skilled craftsmanship, sustainable relationships. For more than a decade, the shop has stood for ecological and ethical integrity, favoring durable, timeless pieces. Its carefully curated selection for women and men prioritizes lasting value above all: design, fit, craftsmanship, durability, and timelessness are the deciding criteria. Trends get a nod, never a blind chase. Small-batch runs, timeless favorites, and quality basics define the collection, rounded out with matching shoes, bags, and accessories.
The team at About Given brings genuine creative expertise and a sharp eye for style and fit. They know their trends, their brands, and the story behind eco-fashion, and they tailor every recommendation to you. Every purchase at About Given is an investment in a well-made garment — and a statement about treating our world with respect.
DearGoods: fair fashion with heart
The DearGoods shops in Glockenbachviertel and Schwabing invite unhurried browsing through a wide selection of boutiques stocked with distinctive finds. The corner shop on Friedrichstraße carries the largest range of DearGoods fair fashion for women. The Glockenbachviertel location stocks womenswear and menswear, accessories, and lifestyle products, with a particular focus on women’s trousers and a well-curated fair-fashion menswear section.
DearGoods stands for fashion and beautiful things made fairly and sustainably. The range covers clothing, accessories, and bags produced organically, vegan, and fair. The logo’s three hearts symbolize its commitment to animals, people, and the planet. DearGoods is always on the hunt for the latest trends and innovations that make the world a little more beautiful and a little fairer. The shops offer a welcoming atmosphere, genuine friendliness, honest advice, a broad selection, and affordable prices.
Bio Hair Spa: putting hair health first
At Bio Hair Spa salons, everything revolves around the natural beauty and health of hair. The team is made up of experts passionate about promoting healthy hair. Gianluca, the visionary behind Bio Hair Spa, is committed to passing on his skills and values to his hand-picked team of stylists, colorists, beauticians, and masseurs. Working with the University of Milan, he developed and patented his own bio-techniques aimed at improving hair health. At Bio Hair Spa, every client receives a personal look and style tailored to their individual hair structure and scalp.
The salons also offer an exclusive range of natural products and materials sourced from ethical suppliers. Gianluca works closely with these partners to develop products that are both luxurious and environmentally responsible. Alongside its luxury, cruelty-free services, BioHairSpa stands for a responsible, ethical approach to beauty that supports a healthy lifestyle for its clients.
