English Garden, Munich (must see)

Munich's English Garden stands as Europe's largest publicly-owned park, nestled in the heart of the city, spanning a vast 900 acres, surpassing even the expanse of New York's Central Park.

Originally conceived by Archduke and Elector Carl Theodore, this green oasis was masterminded by the American-born British physicist Benjamin Thompson, who later assumed the title of Count Rumford. The chosen location had once served as the hunting grounds for the Wittelsbach Royal family and was opened to the public in 1792 as a sprawling three-mile-long park along the picturesque Isar River. Its nomenclature derives from its informal garden design, reminiscent of those popular in the United Kingdom during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The English Garden enjoys popularity among locals, offering a serene haven for relaxation and soccer enthusiasts. It also permits nude sunbathing for those inclined. Noteworthy attractions within the park encompass a monument dedicated to Count Rumford, a Japanese Garden crafted for the Munich Olympics, the Monopteros Apollo Temple, and a northward-located amphitheater. Furthermore, it houses four renowned beer gardens—the Chinese Tower, the Seehaus, Osterwald Garten, and the Hirschau.

Why You Should Visit:
A large and sociable area with various routes to choose from and nice scenery, many places to eat, listen to music and swim, or just dip your feet into the river water.
In it, among other things, you will find the popular 'Eisbach surfer' operating artificial waves outside all time of the year.
In the summer, it is also possible to visit the beer gardens at the Chinese Tower, where you can listen to traditional old-fashioned Bavarian music while sipping on a draft beer.

Tip:
Go there on a Sunday if you dare... there's not much else to do on Sunday in Munich, so all the locals put on their walking shoes, and off they go.
If you enjoy swimming or would like to make use of the artificial wave system, be sure to bring a swim kit.
Many people ride bikes through the park, so keep your eyes open for speeding cyclists!