English Garden, Munich

The English Garden (Englischer Garten) in Munich is one of the largest urban parks in the world, covering 376 hectares (about 930 acres) between the old town and the Schwabing district. Locals come here to sunbathe on vast meadows, drink beer under the Chinese Tower, and watch surfers ride a standing wave on the Eisbach stream. With more than five million visitors a year and free entry around the clock, it is one of the best things to do in Munich.

Where it is and how to get there

The park stretches about 5.5 km north from Munich's city center. From the old town, you can walk to its southern tip near the Haus der Kunst museum in minutes. Munich's U3 and U6 subway lines run along the western side, and trams 16 and 23 plus several bus lines serve the park. From Munich Airport, the S-Bahn takes you downtown in under an hour. Parking nearby is scarce, so use public transit or rent a bike.

A park for the people

Elector Karl Theodor ordered the park's creation in 1789, based on an idea by Sir Benjamin Thompson, later Count Rumford, an American-born British officer serving in Bavaria. Landscape architect Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell shaped it in the style of an English landscape garden. Unusually for its time, it was designed as a public park for all citizens, not as a private royal garden.

What to see

• Monopteros: a small Greek-style temple from 1837, designed by Leo von Klenze, on a hill with views of the city's church towers
• Chinese Tower: a 25-meter wooden pagoda from 1790, rebuilt in 1952 after a wartime fire, next to a beer garden with about 7,000 seats
• Kleinhesseloher See: a lake of about 8 hectares with a lakeside beer garden
• Japanese Tea House: built in 1972 in connection with the Munich Olympics; traditional tea ceremonies are held on selected weekends from April to October
• Eisbach wave: the famous river-surfing spot at the park's southern end

Further north, the quieter Hirschau area has more beer gardens, including the Aumeister.

Opening hours and the Eisbach wave

As of October 2026, the park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and admission is free. After a fatal accident in 2025 and a temporary ban, the city allowed surfing at the Eisbach again in May 2026, but only for experienced river surfers at their own risk and not after 10 p.m. Watching is always possible, though the wave is not guaranteed to be surfable.

Practical tips

• Food and drink: The park has four restaurants and four kiosks, plus its famous beer gardens.
• Maps: The Bavarian Palace Department offers downloadable maps of the southern and northern parts.
• Getting around: With 78 km of paths and more than 100 bridges, cycling is the easiest way to see the whole park.
• Etiquette: Nude sunbathing is permitted on the Schönfeldwiese meadow in the southern part, so do not be surprised.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely. Spend a sunny afternoon here and you will understand Munich's relaxed lifestyle. Start at the Eisbach wave, climb the Monopteros hill for the skyline view, and end with a beer at the Chinese Tower. Allow two to three hours for the southern part, or a full day if you explore by bike.