Englischer Garten in Munich
The definite favourite of the locals is the Englischer Garten. Because this park is the beating heart of Munich. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing beer in the beer garden, take a sun bath on the lawn, watch surfers in the Eisbach and revel in the views across the city and the Alps. The Englischer Garten is divided into two fundamentally different parks: the lively, popular south end, where “seeing & being seen” plays an important role and one can settle down between ghetto blasters and sun worshippers, and the north end, where the atmosphere is more tranquil and where one can walk in the wild meadows and leave the stress and noise of the city behind.
How to get there by public transport: The U-Bahn (underground) U3 and U6 go to the south end of the Englischer Garten. On foot, the park can easily be reached from the university, Giselastraße or Münchner Freiheit. When approaching the park from the west, we recommend taking the bus services 154 or 54 to Chinesischer Turm. South: take the U4 or U5 and get off at Lehel or take the tram line 18.
See also: The best barbecue spots in Munich
Hofgarten in Munich
At the heart of the city, just off Odeonsplatz, you will find the Hofgarten. This park belongs to the royal residence and is ideal for taking a walk or for taking a break and relaxing on one of the benches. A highlight of the Hofgarten: sitting on the terrace of the Tambosi café when the musicians are getting out their violins, clarinets and cellos and start to play. With a refreshing Hugo (a Prosecco, elderflower syrup and mint cocktail), hot summer days become most agreeable here.
How to get there by public transport: U3 / U6, get off at: Odeonsplatz
Westpark in Munich
The Westpark gives the district Sendling-Westpark its name and is a games and sports paradise with barbecue facilities and beer gardens. The park opened in 1983 as venue for a horticultural show. With its hill and valley landscape and beautiful rose garden with more than 20,000 roses that flower magnificently throughout the summer, the Westpark remains as popular as ever. A highlight is the Asian-style part of the park with Nepalese pagoda and Thai sala with Buddha statue. Every year, the park plays host to the open air cinema festival “Kino, Mond und Sterne”.
How to get there by public transport: U6, get off at: Westpark
See also: Picnic in the countryside – a delicious delight and a proper scandal in the history of arts
Ostpark in Munich
With its many meadows and paths, the Ostpark in the Neuperlach district is perfect for playing sports, taking a walk or sunbathing. The Ostpark has many facilities for leisure activities: the meadows are ideal for playing football or badminton, special barbecue sites offer charging stations for flat batteries, and the beer garden Michaeligarten offers space to relax, drink a beer and have a light meal. At the north end, the Ostpark merges into the Michaelibad, an outdoor swimming pool – here, you can take a refreshing swim or fun splash-around on hot summer days.
How to get there by public transport: U5 / U7, get off at: Michaelibad
Olympiapark in Munich
The Olympiapark really has it all: sport enthusiasts can get hot and sweaty, culture vultures can go to concerts or the cinema, fans of modern architecture can admire the famous tent roofs and car freaks can marvel at the BMW World. Highlight for families: the Sea-Life Center, an aquatic zoo with more than 10,000 incredible and exotic water creatures. Of course the many green spaces also invite visitors to sunbathe, relax and leave all their cares and worries behind.
How to get there by public transport: U3, get off at: Olympiazentrum
Schlosspark Nymphenburg
The Schlosspark Nymphenburg is as charming as an enchanted forest from a fairy tale. Especially because of its many brooks and bridges and its spectacular view onto the lovely Nymphenburg Palace. Some of the elements of the park mirror the baroque beauty of the palace. The rest is a natural landscape, perfect for relaxing and some quality time out. A highlight for visitors are the large water fountains. In summer, the park is open from 6.00am till 8.30pm in April and September and until 9.30pm from May to October.
How to get there by public transport: S-Bahn (city train) to Laim, then bus service 41 or 68 to Schloss Nymphenburg / U-Bahn to Ritkreuzplatz (U1), then tram line 12 or 17 to Schloss Nymphenburg
Luitpoldpark
The Luitpoldpark in the district of Schwabing-West is a 33 hectare large family haven. Many play football on the expansive lawns and gladly welcome new players keen to join in. The hedge maze is an exciting and fun highlight for children. In addition to the many clearings, that seem to beg people to sit down and sunbathe, there are a respectable number of deciduous trees that almost form a real forest. The gentle rustle of the leaves in summer and the magnificent colours in autumn are what makes the Luitpoldpark so special in every season.
How to get there by public transport: U2 / U3, get off at: Petuelring or Scheidplatz / U2, get off at: Hohenzollernplatz