The English Garden ( Englischer Garten ) is located in the middle of bustling Munich and is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, even bigger than Central Park in New York. It stretches from Munich city center to the northeast city limits.
The name refers to the landscape style popular in Britain (and beyond) from the mid-18th to the 19th century. This green oasis is a wonderful place to explore and take a break from sightseeing in Munich. Rent a rowboat, hike along 48.5 miles of wooded trails, discover buildings from other lands, and visit one of the four beer gardens in the English Garden.
Highlights of the English Garden
- Sunbathing Lawn – One of the most popular and infamous areas of the park is Schönfeldwiese . This rolling expanse is known for the nude bathers who have dotted the landscape since the 1960s. Being naked is no big deal in Germany and there are few better ways to enjoy a summer day in Munich than taking off your clothes and sunbathing.
If you catch some people naked, just take it well and remember leben und leben lassen (“live and let live”) and don’t reach for your camera. Although photography is not prohibited, it would be the worst.
- Asian Influence: The Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) is the characteristic landmark of the English Garden. Built in the 18th century, it is still completely German, as it adjoins a huge beer garden. A Japanese tea house offers another foreign element from the East.
- Greek Temple – Another culture that made its way into the English Garden is Greek. Officially known as Monopteros , this is an 1838 Greek-style temple that offers great views of the city from atop a hill.
- Watersports: walking through the park you will inevitably come across Kleinhesseloher See , a tranquil lake perfect for rowing a rowboat or having a beer in addition to its shores in the Seehaus beer garden.
A particular place on the river Eisbach also attracts spectators and doers. This location is known for its surfing. That’s right, surfing. Curious tourists gather near Prinzregentenstraße to watch surfers brave the strong currents of the canal and applaud their efforts, whether they remove it or ride it.
- Mowing Sheep: A sheep farm in Hirschau keeps lawns seen and saves taxpayers € 100,000 a year! Be on the lookout for small herds of eco-friendly animals at work.
Beer gardens and English garden restaurants
- Beer Garden in the Chinese Tower : The 82-foot tall wooden Chinesischer Turm is the characteristic landmark of the English Garden. Its world-famous beer garden is the oldest in the city and seats 7,000 with liters of Lowenbrau beer. On Sundays the atmosphere is all German with traditional marching bands and buffet breakfast.
- Japanese Tea House : Another Asian touch of the English Garden is the Japanisches Teehaus (Japanese Tea House). Built in 1972 for the Olympics, there are traditional tea ceremonies once a month. The structure was donated by the great Japanese teacher from the Urasenke Tea School in Kyoto as a gesture of friendship and it still teaches the people of Munich about Japanese culture. Cross the bridge to the small island before entering the tea house, where you will find a traditional tatami interior and Matcha tea and cookies. The ceremony takes place only one weekend a month, four times a day (usually 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.) for an income of € 6.
- Zum Agostoister Restaurant and Beer Garden – Enjoy your real Hofbrau beer under the tops of old chestnut trees overlooking a beautiful pond. It is located in the northern part of the English Garden.
- Seehaus Restaurant and Beer Garden : Situated on the shores of ‘Lake Kleinhesseloher’, this beer garden and restaurant is famous for its regional dishes and delicious seafood.
- Hirschau Restaurant and Beer Garden : While enjoying your Spaten beer with live jazz, children can spend time in the huge playground or on the adjacent miniature golf course.
Visitor Information for the English Garden in Munich
English Garden opening hours
Open all year long. Admission is free.
Arriving at the English Garden
The closest public transport stops are
- Metro: U 3,4,5 y 6 hasta “Marienplatz”
- S-Bahn: S 1,2,4,5,6,7 y 8 a “Marienplatz”
- Autobuses 54 y 154 a “Chinese Tower”
- Tranvía 17 a “Tivoli Street”
