A beautiful walk in Munich: The English Garden offers the most beautiful sights and green oases for a perfect day trip.
One of the largest parks in the world awaits you on the Munich walk.
The English Garden is Munich’s green lung. Recreation and city flair are rarely as close together as here. Sport, games, leisure and fun alternate with oases of peace. It offers many opportunities for walks or a short hike. There are enough destinations.
Beautiful sights, plenty of greenery, lots of people and secluded spots go hand in hand in the English Garden. With 375 hectares and a length of 5 km, it is one of the largest parks in the world, so you should definitely bring some time with you.
Tip – the complete tour including exact directions and a map of the English Garden can be downloaded here free of charge: Munich walk to print out and take with you as a .PDF
Photo: Ludmiła Pilecka, English Garden from Monopteros, CC BY-SA 3.0
This day trip takes place in the lively southern part of the English Garden. A map with exact directionscan be found below. If you want to stay a little longer and are looking for seclusion and tranquillity, head to the northern section at the bridge by the Seehaus.
The stops on this excursion are the attractive Eisbach wave with Munich’s legendary surfers, the Japanese teahouse directly behind the Haus der Kunst, the Monopteros with its magnificent view over the green meadows and the famous Chinese Tower with its beer garden.
The route continues past the Rumfordschlössl, the former officers’ mess, and to Kleinhesseloher See with the Seehaus restaurant and beer garden.
The tour starts at the Eisbachwelle on Prinzregentenstraße, next to the Haus der Kunst. The best way to get to the starting point and back is explained below.
Guided walk through the English Garden – Mystical tour with interesting facts and stories
If you would like to take a guided walk (duration approx. 2.5 hours), take a look at the tour “from our partner GetYourGuide (advertising). This mystical tour takes you through the southern part of the English Garden.
Here we go.
From Odeonsplatz you walk through the Hofgarten and past the Bavarian State Chancellery to the southern part of the English Garden. Instead of following the flow of people through the underpass, you choose the route via the traffic lights.
From here you can already see the Haus der Kunst. At its right end is a bridge under which the Eisbach flows and forms its famous wave. The walk takes around 15 minutes.
And so the excursion continues in the English Garden
Station 1: Surfing in the city on the Eisbach wave and/or a visit to the Haus der Kunst
River surfing is possible in Munich: the Eisbach wave is one of the most famous spots in the world for surfing in the city. But the Eisbach wave in the English Garden is not only a world-famous highlight for surfers.
In summer and winter alike, the surf pros cavort at this surf spot and are admired and applauded by large crowds of tourists. It’s great fun to see who skilfully takes the wave or is forced into the cold water right after the start.
It is quite surprising for visitors to the city to come across people with surfboards at any time of day, night or year.
They sit on their bikes in wetsuits, surfboards clamped under their arms, or awkwardly climb out of their cars on Prinzregentenstraße. If you see any, they are Eisbach surfers on their way to the Eisbach wave!
A detour to the Haus der Kunst
Those who enjoy art can make a detour to the Haus der Kunst. There, current exhibitions sharpen the senses for contemporary art from a wide variety of viewpoints.
Let yourself be inspired, delighted or amazed by the ideas and thoughts that can arise from a visit. We estimate around 1 hour for a visit to an exhibition.
In the Golden Bar at the back of the building, you can drink coffee steeped in history and enjoy the view of the greenery.
If you want to fortify yourself before the tour, stop by Fräulein Grüneis. The former Klohäusl offers delicious cappuccino, homemade cakes, snacks and two hot dishes of the day.
Station 2: Japanese teahouse directly behind the Haus der Kunst
Not far from the Eisbachwelle, directly behind the Haus der Kunst, the Japanese teahouse Kanshoan is idyllically situated on a small island.
From April to October, Japanese tea ceremonies take place or are taught here.
If you want to watch and get involved in the event, you will either find inner peace or become so jittery from the slowness that you can’t stand it any longer – try it out for yourself.
Teahouse Urasenke
The tea house is run by a group from the Urasenke tea school. It consists of both German and Japanese members.
During the Japan Festival in June, the tea house is open all the time and you can take part in a tea ceremony. Otherwise you should visit the website to find out the dates.
Station 3: Monopteros – magnificent view of the city
Three reasons for the “little climb” up to the Monopteros: the beautiful view of the English Garden, the silhouette of the city, the beautiful building with its ornamentation.
A monopteros is a round building with columns and a roof, without a closed interior. In the Classicist and Baroque periods, monoperties were often built in English or French gardens.
The Monopteros in Munich has 10 columns.
It is richly decorated and has a beautiful domed roof. King Ludwig had it built in honor of Elector Karl Theodor. The project was decided in 1831, but the building was not completed until 1936/37.
The Monopteros in Munich stands on a small hill and is a striking landmark of the English Garden. It offers a wonderful view of the greenery and the sunbathing and party area on the Eisbach/Schwabinger Bach.
The view of the towers of the Frauenkirche and the Theatinerkirche is also magnificent. And there is another reason for the popularity of the Monopteros Munich. It provides the perfect backdrop for wedding photos!
Just behind the Monopteros is the large, semi-circular stone bench, which can be reached via a small bridge and invites you to linger.
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Station 4: Chinese tower with the beer garden
Another landmark of the English Garden is the Chinese Tower. It burned down completely during the Second World War, but was reconstructed and reopened in 1952.
Inside the building there is a spiral staircase that connects the floors.
The landmark also includes the beer garden at the Chinese Tower.
The popular beer garden at the Chinese Tower offers all the traditional dishes and delicious, drinkable beer. He invites you to take a break with a snack of pork knuckle, radish, Obazdn and a giant pretzel.
Tip: If you are traveling with children, it might be better to sit in the back part of the beer garden because there is a very nice playground there, which you can supervise very well from the seats.
If you don’t have that much time, you can end the excursion now and walk back the same way.
Station 5: Rumfordschlössl Nature and cultural meeting place in the English Garden
You pass the Rumfordschlössl (Rumfordhaus) when you walk from the Chinaturm in the direction of Kleinhesseloher See and Seehaus.
Despite the four pillars on the front of the house, it is not immediately obvious that this is a small castle.
Formerly an officers’ mess, it is now a nature, culture and youth center run by the Munich District Youth Council. The beautiful Schlössl has another playground behind the house.
From here you cross the paved road for the buses and walk along the large recreational meadows to Kleinhesseloher See.
People play sports on the meadows, test slacklines, play soccer or simply chill out.
Station 6: Pedal boating at Kleinhesseloher See and the Seehaus Munich
Kleinhesseloher See is located right in the middle of the English Garden. It was artificially created in 1803, with three small islands in the middle that were completely taken over by ducks and geese.
The lake is a popular excursion destination for Munich residents and tourists. The idyllic location and the lake with the low-hanging willows and the islands in the middle are ideal for walks.
The beautiful circular path around the lake is lined with benches that invite you to take a break and enjoy a beautiful view of the dark, reflective surface of the lake and the greenery of the English Garden.
Walk Munich Tip: Pedal boating …
The boat rental at Kleinhesseloher See is very popular with families and young couples.
Beer garden and great restaurant directly on Kleinhesseloher See
And if you’re hungry now, it’s best to stop off at the Seehaus. It has a beer garden and an elegant restaurant with rooms for various events.
Of course, there is also a café and cake. In the beer garden you have a great view of the Kleinhesseloher See. What’s more, the sunset is breathtaking…
End of the short hiking tour
You have reached your destination and the tour ends here. This is how it goes back:
- From Kleinhesseloher See you walk in the direction of Münchner Freiheit. From there, take the U3 or U6 subway trains via Odeonsplatz and the U4 or U5 subway trains back to the main station. Take the U3 and U6 subway trains back to the Park & Ride parking lot at the Allianzarena.
- If you are in the mood and have the energy, you can take the circular route back by starting behind the Seehaus in the direction of the Chinese Tower. From this rear side you continue to the Eisbach and from there back to Odeonsplatz.
Tip 1: Gateway to the quiet northern part of the English Garden
At Kleinhesseloher See, the English Garden is divided into the southern part and the northern part.
If you are still in top shape, you can cross the middle ring via the bridge and explore the northern part with its oases of peace and few visitors.
There would also be a subway connection at Nordfriedhof to get back here. But that would be quite a way to go…
Tip 2: Bike rental at the English Garden
It’s much quicker by bike and you can get to the other end of the English Garden.
See the description and map of the northern section on this website. You can find out the best way to rent a bike on our page about bike rental.
Overview map for the Munich walk
How to find the best route for your day trip through the English Garden
Directions: How to get to the starting point for the Munich walk
- Arrival by train or regional train with arrival at the main station. Change to the U4 or U5 to the stop “Odeonsplatz” (only 2 stops). From here, walk through the Hofgarten to the starting point at the Englischer Garten, next to the Haus der Kunst.
- Take the subway lines U3, U6, U4 or U5 to Odeonsplatz. From here, walk through the Hofgarten to the starting point at the Englischer Garten, directly to the right of the Haus der Kunst.
- By car: via Prinzregentenstraße to the parking lot (subject to charge) “Haus der Kunst” at Prinzregentenstraße 1, 80538 Munich. If you don’t want to drive into the city, park your car at the Park and Ride parking lot at the Allianzarena and take the U6 towards the city center. The stop here is also Odeonsplatz. You can find more parking options on our overview map.
End of the day tour in the English Garden
- End of the tour: The tour ends at Kleinhesseloher See with the Seehaus restaurant and beer garden
- How do you go back? From Kleinhesseloher See you walk in the direction of Münchner Freiheit. From there, take the U3 or U6 subway trains via Odeonsplatz and the U4 or U5 subway trains back to the main station. Take the U3 and U6 subway trains back to the Park & Ride parking lot at the Allianzarena.
- Length of the walk: approx. 5 km
- Duration: approx. 3-4 hours including breaks, and depending on whether children are present. The tour can be varied without any problems and is also suitable for children. Playgrounds line the paths.
Here again the hint. You can download and print out the complete tour including exact directions and map as a .PDF free of charge. Walk Munich to print out and take with you as a.PDF. You can find the guided walk (duration approx. 2.5 hours) at our partner GetYourGuide (advertising).
If you are planning more walks, you can find inspiration at mitvergnügen.
Have fun!