When holidaying with children in Munich, you want to plan a programme that includes sightseeing, running and playing, as well as looking after your child's health. You can do all three at once with a family trip to the English Garden.
Firstly, it's one of the largest parks in Europe — covering 4.17 square kilometres, it even beats London's Hyde Park and Central Park in New York. Second, English Garden is in the centre of the city, so you don't have to drive far to escape the noise of the city. It stretches from the Altstadtring inner-city motorway to Munich's northeast along the west bank of the Isar River. Thirdly, the park's lawns are specially laid out for picnics, while the park's paths are designed for walking or cycling.
Despite Munich's love affair with this recreational space, it's never crowded. Active, boisterous crowds gather at the southern end for concerts, sports games and festivals. The northern part is a popular destination for those seeking peace and solitude. The two parts are linked by a footbridge.
To relax in the English Garden, all you need is a blanket or mat, a child's favourite toy, some food for an alfresco meal and a spot to settle down. Crucially, the park is kept immaculately clean and tidy, so there's no need to look underfoot in the grass — it's safe to walk around barefoot and sunbathe.
You can buy ice cream and pastries on the spot — there are kiosks in the park, a sweet cart rolls along the paths and a vendor sells balloons for children.
If sitting in one place isn't enough for your child, there's plenty to do in the English Garden. From a tranquil goose and duck pond to sheep pastures, large streams and a real waterfall. It is also a meeting place for serious surfers — the Eisbach stream forms a 'standing wave' for surfers to show off their skills.
There are also historic buildings in the garden: the Chinese Tower, the Japanese Tea House, the Monopteros (a small temple-like structure), the Amphitheatre, etc. As well as exploring the park on foot, you can also take a bike ride or a ride in a retro horse-drawn carriage.
The Bavarian National Museum is 1.5 km away, which we recommend to visit with the whole family
It should be noted that the park is famous for its beer gardens. These are large open-air restaurants that are not just for beer lovers — you can also enjoy a delicious meal. There are children's playgrounds near these establishments, the largest being near the Aumeister Beer Garden.
Note that there are several lawns in the English Garden where nudists relax. They mainly meet on the Schonfeldwiese and in the so-called Schwabing Bay.
