The Englischer Garten, measuring 3.7 square kilometres (1.4 square miles), is one of Europe’s oldest urban landscaped parks, originally laid out in 1789 by American Benjamin Thomson as a garden for the military. It was soon opened to the public, however, and has been popular with locals and visitors ever since due to the natural landscapes and wide open spaces which make it an oasis in the centre of the city. Popular activities include boating on the Kleinhesselhoher Lake and sunbathing (there is even a special area for naturists). In winter, the garden hosts a Christmas market and in summer there are open-air concerts and plays performed in the amphitheatre.

Verwaltung des Englischen Gartens München, Englischer Garten 2, 80538 Munich, Germany
Tel: (089) 3866 639-0

Air: Munich International Airport. Rail: Tram: 17 (Tivolistrasse). Underground: U 3/6 to Universität, Giselastrasse or Münchener Freiheit. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: A9 to Schwabing, signs then marked Englischer Garten.

Germany, Munich