Munich’s English Garden, or Englischer Garten, is a vast urban park of meadows, woodland and winding streams stretching north from the city centre. Created in the late 18th century under the direction of Benjamin Thompson, with landscape architect Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell among those who shaped it, the park takes its name from the informal English landscape style that inspired its design.
The southern section has some of the park’s best-known sights. Surfers take turns on the standing Eisbach wave near Haus der Kunst, while walkers climb the grassy hill to the Monopteros, a small classical temple with views over the trees and towards the city. The Chinese Tower beer garden is a lively place to stop for a drink, and a Japanese tea house sits on an island nearby.
The English Garden is best explored at an easy pace: follow the streams, picnic on a meadow or head farther north for a quieter walk. Spring and early autumn bring pleasant weather and generally fewer crowds than busy summer afternoons. Odeonsplatz and Lehel are useful U-Bahn stops for the southern end, while Universität is convenient for the western side.
Keep an eye out for cyclists on shared paths, especially on sunny weekends. Nude sunbathing is an established local custom in some areas, including the Schönfeldwiese in the southern park. The Eisbach wave is for experienced surfers, so enjoy the spectacle from the bank unless you know the conditions.