English Garden

Laid out from 1789 on land along the Isar, the Englischer Garten covers about three hundred and seventy-five hectares, larger than Central Park, and was among the first large public parks in Europe open to all classes from the start. At the southern end, water forced through a channel under a bridge on the Eisbach forms a standing wave about a metre high; surfers have ridden it since the 1970s, queue on the bank and take turns, and do so through the winter in wetsuits. The park also holds a Chinese tower with a beer garden seating several thousand, a Japanese teahouse and a Greek-style temple on a mound.

What you actually see

• The Eisbach wave - a standing river wave surfed year-round in the city.
• The Chinese Tower - a beer garden for several thousand people.
• The Monopteros - a Greek-style temple on a mound with city views.
• The open lawns - meadows used freely, including for nude sunbathing.

When to go

April to October for the beer gardens and lawns; the wave is surfed all year. Summer weekends fill the park. Autumn colour along the Isar is strong.

Honest expectations

The wave is for experienced surfers only and drownings have occurred; watching is the sensible option. Beer gardens are cash-heavy and crowded. The park is very large.

Nearby

The Residenz lies south; Schwabing borders the west side.