The Englischer Garten (English Garden), laid out in 1789, is Munich's largest urban park — about 3.7 km² and 5.5 km long, making it bigger than New York's Central Park or London's Hyde Park. It is famous for the beer garden at the Chinese Tower, the temple-like Monopteros hill, a Japanese teahouse, and the Eisbach standing wave, where surfers ride a river wave in the middle of the city. Surfing on the Eisbach, closed after a fatal accident in April 2025, was reopened in May 2026 under stricter safety rules set by the city. Entry is free and the park is open 24/7 year-round, making it one of the most quintessentially Munich ways to enjoy the city in summer.
Chinese Tower (Chinesischer Turm) and its huge beer garden — a 25 m wooden pagoda-style tower beside one of Bavaria's largest beer gardens (~7,000 seats), with a traditional brass band in summer
Monopteros — a Greek-temple-style rotunda on a hill offering a sweeping view of Munich's skyline, including the Frauenkirche; a favorite at sunset
Eisbach wave (Eisbachwelle) — watch experienced river surfers ride the artificial standing wave from the Prinzregentenstraße bridge
Japanese Teahouse (Japanisches Teehaus) — a garden and tea-ceremony pavilion built to mark the 1972 Munich Olympics
Kleinhesseloher See and the Seehaus — a lake for boating and strolling, with a lakeside beer garden
Good to know
SafetyThe Eisbach wave has a very strong current and was the site of a fatal accident in 2025. Rules now allow only experienced surfers, at their own risk, until 10 p.m., with a self-releasing safety leash required. Beginners and onlookers must never enter the water — watch from the bridge.
SafetyCycling paths and footpaths overlap in many places and cyclists move fast. Don't stop abruptly at junctions or step across a bike lane without looking both ways.
MannersSome meadows (e.g., the Schönfeldwiese) are traditional nude-sunbathing (FKK) areas. It may surprise you, but it's normal here — don't photograph sunbathers and simply walk on.
MannersIn beer gardens, self-service areas (tables without a blue-and-white checked cloth) let you bring your own food; you just buy the drinks. At served tables, tip by rounding up about 5–10%. Beer mugs carry a deposit (Pfand) that is refunded when you return them.
SeasonBeer gardens and kiosks mainly operate in the warm season (roughly April–October) and depend on the weather; many close in winter, so check current hours before you go. Summer lawns get very crowded and sunny — bring sunscreen and water.
RulesThe park is free and open around the clock, but there are rules: keep off protected meadows where posted, no barbecuing or open fires outside designated areas, and dogs on a leash in many zones. Swimming in the fast-flowing Eisbach is dangerous and prohibited.
CautionNear busy entrances (by the Haus der Kunst or Odeonsplatz side), watch for petition/clipboard, friendship-bracelet and fake-charity distraction teams working with pickpockets. In packed beer gardens, keep bags and phones in front of you.
Practical info
Reach the park via U-Bahn U3/U6 (Universität, Giselastraße, Münchner Freiheit), U4/U5 (Lehel, for the southern Haus der Kunst entrance), tram 16 (Tivolistraße), or bus 54/154 to the Chinese Tower. Admission is free and the park is open 24/7 year-round, but opening times for beer gardens, the teahouse and events vary by season and weather, so confirm the latest details on the official sites before visiting.
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