Munich’s numerous parks play a significant role in life in the Bavarian capital. Some offer a haven for runners and cyclists, while others come with fascinating histories or serve as hubs for open-air events and concerts. Many visitors will have heard of Englischer Garten, one of the world’s biggest urban parks, but the city has plenty of other gems to discover. From Olympic sites to former royal hunting grounds, these are Munich’s favorite green spaces.
Englischer Garten
Best park for exercising
Larger than Central Park in New York, Munich’s much-loved Englischer Garten (English Garden) runs through several neighborhoods and along the river. Spanning 375 hectares (927 acres) and around 80km (50 miles) of trails, Englischer Garten is a popular exercise spot for locals, and the park even attracts a few surfers because of the Eisbach wave located on its southern edge.
For those looking to relax, beer gardens are scattered throughout the park, including at Chinesischer Turm with its wooden pagoda and Seehaus next to a picturesque lake. For an impressive photo of the city skyline, head to the Greek temple-style Monopteros, which sits atop a small hill.
Olympiapark
Best park for city views
A must for sports enthusiasts visiting Munich is Olympiapark, the site of the 1972 Summer Olympics. Originally developed on a former airfield that became a dumping site for debris from World War II, the park now features a unique collection of buildings and attractions, including the Olympic Lake and ample green space.
Olympiapark boasts several vantage points for stunning city panoramas. Visitors can ascend Olympic Hill, take a rooftop tour of the stadium, or enjoy the breathtaking view from the 291m-high observation deck in the Olympiaturm.
Schlosspark Nymphenburg
Best park for history
For travelers visiting the magnificent Nymphenburg Palace, it’s essential to explore the expansive grounds. Spreading west of the palace, the gardens feature various outbuildings, a canal, lakes, and several baroque elements that survived a 19th-century renovation. The grounds are free to enter, and a free app is available for exploration assistance.
Neuer Botanischer Garten
Best park for rainy days
Munich’s botanical gardens are a treasure for gardening enthusiasts. Here, visitors can learn about native Bavarian plants and discover hardy alpine shrubs within a collection that exceeds 19,000 species and subspecies. The garden also includes a vast selection of tropical plants such as beautiful water lilies in the humid Victoria House.
Featuring 15 greenhouses, Neuer Botanischer Garten is an excellent option for less-than-ideal weather. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a charming café that overlooks the breathtaking greenery. Since the gardens border the Nymphenburg Palace grounds, a combination visit is convenient.
Hirschgarten
Best park for beer drinking
Close to Nymphenburg Palace lies Bavaria’s largest beer garden, set within an adjoining park. Originally established as a royal hunting ground, this area opened to the public in 1790. Today, the beer garden can seat up to 8,000 people. Though deer (Hirsch in German) once roamed freely among the tables, they are now kept within a nearby enclosure.
Theresienwiese
Best park for festivals
This open space in the west of Munich may not seem particularly park-like or green, but it is globally recognized. For just over two weeks annually, Theresienwiese becomes the heart of Oktoberfest, involving extensive site preparations. Throughout the rest of the year, it hosts various events and festivals or sometimes remains empty.
Westpark
Best park for entertainment
Established in 1983 for the International Garden Exhibition, Westpark serves as an oasis amid a developed Munich. Visitors will discover diverse attractions including a rose garden, a Nepalese pagoda, and numerous sculptures scattered among the grounds. Additionally, barbecuing is allowed in certain areas, and the park features several beer gardens.
Westpark also includes two lakes, with the charming Gans am Wasser café located by one of them and a stone amphitheater situated next to the other. During summer, the amphitheater hosts a popular open-air cinema where viewers enjoy films while relaxing on cushions and blankets.
Hofgarten
Best park for lunch
Passing through a grand archway on the edge of Odeonsplatz will lead you to an elegant park fit for royalty. The Hofgarten (Court Garden) is part of the former royal residence, the historic home of Bavarian dukes, electors, and monarchs. Built in the Italian Renaissance style, it features meticulously maintained flowerbeds and tidy gravel paths converging at a central pavilion.
Its central location makes it a favored spot for office workers seeking a lunch break. While several cafés line one edge of the gardens, prices may run high due to the prime location. A more affordable option is a small branch of the renowned Munich coffee roastery emilo—their Nussecken (nutty triangle-shaped biscuits dipped in chocolate) come highly recommended.
