One of the world’s largest city parks – Munich’s English Garden – is home to the Easy to reach by subway (U3/U6). A visit is always worthwhile, as there is plenty to see and experience. On this page you will find the most beautiful places in the park, find out where there is a lot going on and where there are still quiet corners.
The most beautiful sights in Munich’s English Garden
Monopteros: One of the park’s most striking landmarks stands on a small hill in the south of the English Garden: the Monopteros.
The circular columned building offers a fantastic view of the greenery and also of the sunbathing and party area on the Eisbach. The view of the city skyline towards Marienplatz and the Theatinerkirche church is just as magnificent as the summer sunsets from this perspective.
Haus der Kunst: The historic, neoclassical building that houses the “Haus der Kunst” is located in the south of the English Garden on Prinzregentenstraße. First-class exhibitions of contemporary art show how artists deal with and explore themes from all over the world in a wide variety of ways.
Chinese Tower: The beer garden of the same name around the pagoda is just as famous as the Chinese Tower. In the hot summer, you can experience Bavarian beer garden culture here, as a brass band traditionally plays on the tower and delights beer garden visitors. Did you know that the Chinese Tower was built at the end of the 17th century, burned down completely during the Second World War and was reconstructed and reopened in 1952?
Oberföhring weirThe large Isar weir in the north-eastern part of the English Garden (near Oberföhring) is just a short walk over the bridge and then through the idyllic greenery along the Isar. Don’t worry, it doesn’t take longer than 15/20 minutes to marvel at the power of the flowing Isar at the weir and catch an impressive view of the Isar.
Tour tips for your visit to the English Garden and Munich
Our partner GetYourGuide offers six tours in and around the English Garden. For those who like it a little more comfortable or have little time, a guided tour might be interesting. Suggestions for selected activities and day trips in and around Munich from our partner GetYourGuide. (Advertising).
Our top 3 activities in Munich’s English Garden
- Watching Eisbach surfers on the Eisbach wave and then enjoying a cappuccino at Fräulein Grüneis
- Experience the view and sunset at the Monopteros
- Visit the Chinese Tower and enjoy a cool beer in the traditional beer garden. Bavarian brass band music is available free of charge in summer.
Tourist magnet no. 1 – the Eisbach wave with the daring Eisbach surfers
The Eisbach wave at the Haus der Kunst attracts curious Munich residents and tourists to the bridge on Prinzregentenstraße all year round.
In summer in swimming trunks, in winter in a wetsuit, the Eisbach surfers queue up in all weathers to rock the wave.
Surfing on the Eisbach wave is only for experienced surfers and experts! If you want to get in more easily, practise on the small Eisbach wave. Also called “E2” by insiders.
Activities, sports and leisure
The English Garden in Munich is a real “people’s garden”. The Munich residents play volleyball, badminton and frisbee on the extensive lawns. There is space to play soccer and for outdoor sports and jogging sessions. Slacklines and hammocks are strung between the trees. Playgrounds for young and old children will delight families. The sunbathing lawns are dotted with sun worshippers and you can swim in the Eisbach (naked in certain places).
On warm summer nights, young people use the meadows (especially the Monowiese at the Monopteros) as a party location.
A 78-kilometer network of paths in the English Garden offers a variety of routes for joggers, cyclists and inline skaters.
The Eisbach surfers are famous beyond the city and state borders. In summer and winter, they surf the Eisbach wave right by the bridge on Prinzregentenstraße.
English Garden Munich – the beer gardens
Beer garden at the Chinese Tower: The heart of this beer garden is the Chinese Tower – the landmark of the English Garden. The special flair is created by the socially mixed audience – young and old, business and private people, tourists from all over the world and Munich originals meet here. Parents will also find a playground with a children’s carousel in the northern part.
Seehaus am Kleinhesseloher See: The Seehaus is a renowned, upscale restaurant that also has a beer garden right on the lake. The clientele is mixed, although it is more likely to be Munich residents with a well-filled wallet. Nevertheless, it is well worth a visit, especially in the evening, as you can experience a beautiful sunset over Kleinhesseloher See.
Hirschau Biergarten – in the northern part of the English Garden: This family-friendly beer garden has a great children’s playground with a pirate ship and is therefore very popular with parents. Visitors will find typical Bavarian cuisine at normal prices. In spring and summer there is a music program with live bands.
Aumeister beer garden: The “Aumeister” beer garden and restaurant are located directly on the northern border of the English Garden. Built around 1810, the “Aumeister” used to serve as a royal hunting lodge. It is an ideal destination for all those who want to cross the entire English Garden.
Popular with dog lovers: The Mini-Hofbräuhaus beer garden in the central northern part of the park welcomes dogs and is therefore particularly popular with Munich dog owners.
Bavarian and idyllic: under large chestnut trees, the Osterwaldgarten serves delicious Bavarian delicacies on tables with red checkered tablecloths and, in our opinion, the “best duck in town”. Located right at the entrance to the English Garden, close to Münchener Freiheit near Kleinhesseloher See.
Snacks, cappuccino and beer – overview of the kiosks
Fräulein Grueneis: The popular kiosk “Fräulein Grueneis” is located almost directly next to the Eisbach surfers. A break in this small green and white painted “Swedish cottage” is really nice. You can have a relaxed chat over soup, beer or cappuccino on the casual “beer crate seats”. The kiosk is located between Eisbachwelle and Lerchenfeldstraße, set back at the southern end of the English Garden. Incidentally, it used to be a toilet block. Over 50 tons of rubble were dug out of the cottage during the renovation to make room for the sweet café.
Milchhäusl – Bio Kiosk: The Milchhäusl in the English Garden is a traditional snack bar with a small, charming beer garden that is very popular with Munich locals. Organic products, snacks and small Bavarian dishes are offered here. Particularly fun: in winter, discarded cable car cabins equipped with sheepskins ensure a warm stay. Parents appreciate the direct proximity to the children’s playground.
More than just a kiosk: Fräulein Müller: Fräulein Müller is very popular with Schwabing locals and is more than just a snack bar. On the way from “Münchener Freiheit” to the English Garden, you will find it on Gunzenrainerstraße. There are tables and chairs in front of the little house and next to it, on the smallest beach in the world, there is space for exactly four deckchairs. In summer, the sun shines long into the evening on the beach. PS: I’ve also seen a small wedding there.
The most important facts and figures about Munich’s English Garden
With an area of 3.7 square kilometers, the “English Garden Munich” is one of the largest city parks in the world. It is even larger than London’s Hyde Park or Central Park in Manhattan New York.
Strictly speaking, the English Garden stretches from the very central Hof- und Finanzgarten at Odeonsplatz far out into the north of the city. The trail network covers over 78 kilometers, of which around 12 kilometers are for horseback riding.
The English Garden was founded in 1789 by Elector Karl Theodor. The length is about 5.5 km, the width about 2 km.
The largest body of water is Lake Kleinhesseloher, which covers around 8 hectares. All streams together have a length of 15 kilometers with over 100 footbridges and bridges. The English Garden is visited by over 5 million people every year.
The Palaces and Lakes Administration, which is responsible for the park, employs over 60 people to manage and maintain the English Garden. (Source: Castles and Lakes Administration).
With its streams, lakes, meadows and beer gardens, it is the most popular meeting place for activities or relaxing in Munich.
History and origin
Until 1788, the English Garden was a meadow landscape. As a floodplain for the Isar, it was occasionally used by farmers as a pasture for cattle. The impenetrable forest was also the hunting ground of the Bavarian princes. The name “Hirschau” has survived to this day.
The initiator of the park was the American Benjamin Thompson – later ennobled as the Imperial Count of Rumford from Massachusetts. His basic idea was initially to create a “military garden” in which soldiers could largely provide for themselves in peacetime. After the ground-breaking ceremony in 1788, the idea of creating a public garden in the English landscape style developed. The shell of the Chinese Tower was completed as early as 1790. Benjamin Thompson also introduced the potato to Bavaria.
South and north part
The Isarring, a multi-lane city road, divides the English Garden into a southern and northern section. The busier southern section is located further into the city and is used intensively by Munich residents as a leisure park.
The northern part stretches from Schwabing (bridge crossing) to almost the edge of the city in the north. It is more of an oasis of calm, and even today still offers secluded and secluded spots to relax and take a deep breath. You can also find a detailed map on our website.
Further links and the quick overview:
Parking, food and drink, surroundings, toilets, further information for optimal visit planning, bike and Segway tours