Grafing near Munich: History and Nature

Grafing near Munich combines striking reminders of its history with activities for nature lovers and cyclists. Museum collections, guided tours and the rolling countryside around the town offer different perspectives on the area.

Grafing’s History and Art

The Market Church of the Most Holy Trinity was built in 1672. Grafing’s town hall is the only Baroque town hall in the Ebersberg district. The Gefreite Haus is another of the town’s historic buildings: it was almost entirely rebuilt in 1745, taking on much of the appearance it has today.

The Grafing Town Museum brings together a range of subjects. Its permanent exhibitions include religious folk art and a 14-panel glass painting Stations of the Cross by Alfred Schöpffe (1917–1992), who was from Grafing. The museum also holds a collection of oil paintings and lithographs by Grafing landscape painter Max Joseph Wagenbauer (1775–1829), a widely known artist of the Munich School. The collection thus spans religious art and landscape painting.

Another longstanding event in the calendar is the Leonhardi ride, which still takes place in Grafing on the last Sunday in October. For those interested in the town’s history and living traditions, it provides a seasonal point of interest alongside the buildings and collections.

Guided Tours, Parks and Activities

Grafing’s 2026 guided tour program includes 30 dates from March onward, covering eight topics. These include the town’s history, the flora and fauna of the Grafing area, and the regional economy as part of the culinary tours. Information is also available on tour topics, booking private group tours, advance ticket outlets and tour guides. If you have a particular tour in mind, check the latest dates and booking information in advance.

The pharmacy garden in Grafing Town Park offers another way to explore nature: signs provide information about the ingredients and uses of various medicinal plants. Grafing also offers a wide range of activities for hikers and nature lovers. If you prefer to get around by bike, you can make use of the well-developed network of paths in and around Grafing and throughout the region east of Munich. The routes suit both short and longer rides, and Grafing is a good starting point.

Countryside and Nearby Destinations

Grafing lies at an elevation of 518 metres above sea level. Its attractive surroundings are shaped by a valley open to the south and a hilly terminal moraine landscape. Schloss Elkofen in Unterelkofen, two kilometres south of Grafing town centre, adds another historic landmark. It is one of the best-preserved castles in Upper Bavaria. Its location and state of preservation make it an interesting destination for anyone also interested in the architectural history of the surrounding area.

In the wider Ebersberg destination

The wider Ebersberg destination also offers its own nature and cultural attractions. In the Ebersberg Forest, the path to the observation tower climbs 169 steps. From the top, views stretch across the entire Alpine foothills, from the Berchtesgaden Alps to the Allgäu; on especially clear days, distant peaks over 3,000 metres high can also be seen. The Forest and Environment Museum has been located right by the Ebersberg Forest since 2004 and explores the history of forest use and forest ecology.

The Ebersberg Forest Environmental Education Centre complements these attractions. It has been awarded the Bavarian quality seal “Umweltbildung.Bayern” and hosts events focused on education for sustainable development. Most events take place outdoors and in the adjoining forest; visits by school classes and other groups are possible. These activities offer a different focus from Grafing’s town history and museum collections.

Discover more destinations: Forstinning, Markt Schwaben, Kirchseeon, Egmating, Anzing, Hohenlinden, Vaterstetten, Poing.

Go to the main travel overview: Ebersberg.