Munich/Schwabing
See
- Englischer Garten at over twice the size of New York's Central Park and dating back to 1789, Englischer Garten begins at the very center of Munich just north of the Residence museum and Odeonsplatz, and continues north just over 5km. The park is divided into two distinct sections by a small city expressway called Mittlerer Ring. The southern section starts near Odeonsplatz and the Residenz Museum, and runs north, parallel to the student quarter of Schwabing. More populated than the northern section, a surprising number of people take advantage of lunch breaks during the week to sun themselves in the Garten, including employees from the nearby American Consulate (Königinstrasse 5). Here you'll see all kinds of human activity, including joggers, cyclists, strollers, skateboard and roller blades, riders on horseback, even surfboarders in wet suits taking advantage of currents under a bridge. Tourists are generally amused -- or scandalized -- by nude sunbathers, who may be encountered in any quiet section of the park on a warm day, but tend to congregate in the "official" area beside a small tributary of the Isar River that runs through the park. The Chinesischer Turm beer garden is located near the Monopteros, a neo classical rotunda that is situated on a hillside in the Garden. The northern half of the park is connected to the southern section by a pedestrian bridge beside the Seehaus Biergarten. Whereas the southern section is graced with open meadows and is densely populated, this section has a quieter, rural feel, with forest lots interspersed with fields graced with beautiful wildflowers in summer. Don't be surprised if you come across a herd of sheep, watched over by a shepherd in traditional clothing and his German Shepherd dogs. Quiet streams run through the park, as well as many bicycle and pedestrian trails. Indeed, the very best way to see this park is to rent a bicycle and explore.
Do
- Surfing Who needs the ocean or a beach when you can surf in the Englischer Garten? Artifically generated waves generated by redirecting part of the Isar River allows people with a board to surf. Unfortunately, boards cannot be rented, however, if you're brave enough you can ask one of the other surfers if you can borrow his/her board.
Eat
- Münchner Freiheit It is not too big, but quite popular. Münchner Freiheit offers pleanty of bars and restaurants. Reachable with varied buses and the U3 or U6 it is located at the station with the same name. The advantage: Once you've finished there, you can go on shopping on Leopoldstr.
Drink
- Aumeister Located at the very north end of Englischer Garten, Aumeister is considered one of Munich's most beautiful beer gardens. It is a favourite of locals and mostly unknown to tourists. The restaurant on site dates back to 1810 and was originally one of Prince Regent Luitpold's hunting lodges. Large playground on site. It is a 10 minute walk from the Studentenstadt or Freimann stations on the U6 subway line, but the very best way to get there is by bicycle through the park. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 11 pm.
- Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) - One of the best-known outdoor beer gardens in Munich is the Chinesischer Turm in the center of the Englischer Garten. This piece of chinoiserie doesn't seem out of place at all after a few good beers. Oompah bands play from the second story of the pagoda on summer weekends.
- Seehaus also in Englischer Garten - a lovely Biergarten by a lake
- Münchner Freiheit It is not too big, but quite popular. Münchner Freiheit offers pleanty of bars and restaurants. Reachable with varied buses and the U3 or U6 it is located at the station with the same name. The advantage: Once you've finished there, you can go on shopping on Leopoldstr.
Sleep
:Leopoldstr. 194 :Tel: 49-(0)89-381790 :Fax: 49-(0)89-38179888