The English Garden is where Munich comes to breathe. Laid out from 1789 on the initiative of Benjamin Thompson, later Count Rumford, it covers around 3.7 square kilometres – larger than New York’s Central Park – and runs from the edge of the Old Town far to the north.
What to see
The Chinese Tower
A five-storey wooden pagoda surrounded by one of Munich’s best-loved beer gardens, with thousands of seats under the chestnut trees. On summer weekends a brass band often plays from the tower.
The Monopteros
A small round Greek temple on a grassy hill, designed by Leo von Klenze in the 1830s, with a classic view of the Munich skyline.
The Kleinhesseloher See
A lake in the northern part of the park, with rowing boats for hire in summer and the Seehaus beer garden on the shore.
The Japanese Teahouse
A gift from Japan, on a small island near the southern end of the park.
Tips
- Rent a bike: the park is big, and the paths are flat and easy.
- Start near the Haus der Kunst at the southern end, then walk north to the Monopteros and the Chinese Tower.
- Respect the water: the streams are fast and cold – swimming is not allowed in many places.
