10 Things to Do in Schwabing, Munich

If you happen to be in town around this special time of the year, the Christmas Fair is worth a visit. It starts at the end of November and lasts until midnight on Christmas Eve. Aside from the regular Christmas decorations, reindeer and making wishes to Santa Clause, you can enjoy mulled wine while walking through the fair. The exhibited art and the elaborate architecture of the newly built tram terminal at the square will wow you. Don’t forget to pick up a hot chocolate off one of the pavilions on your way out of the fair to keep you warm until you return to your hotel.

Larger than both Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London, the English Garden begins at the very center of Munich. The park is divided into two distinct sections by the city expressway. The northern part of the park is connected to the southern via a pedestrian bridge. The Northern Garden is the place to experience a rural feel and enjoy the forest lots interspersed with fields graced with beautiful wildflowers in the summer. While walking through the northern side of the park you may very likely meet a traditional German shepherd, his dog and a few sheep. The only way to see the best of the English Gardens is by biking. It is also the only way you will be able to reach the Aumeister beer garden at the very north end of the park.

The Southern English Garden starts near Odeonsplatz and the Residenz museum. It is more popular than the Northern because of the endless meadows where many go to utilize their lunch break and to sunbathe. You can jog, cycle, skateboard or roller blade through this part of the gardens. Horseback riding is a popular activity, too. So if you are looking for a regular park experience, the Southern English Gardens will be it.

The Chinese Tower is located in the center of the English Gardens. The 25m high pagoda with several stories was constructed in 1790, but had to be rebuilt after WWII in 1952. Today it is used as a pavilion and for concerts held on the second story. It is one of the main landmarks of the English Gardens and one you shouldn’t miss.

Monopteros is a small neo-classical Greek temple located on the hilltop. It was built in 1836 in the English Garden and today grants visitors a great view over the park, Munich in general, and the breathtaking Bavarian Alps in the background. It is the perfect place to relax from your stroll in the park and take some awesome pictures of Munich’s best area.

Most parks in the world are dotted with monuments and unique art donated by local artists. The Walking Man is one of the English Gardens’ most famous sculptures. It stands right beside Leopoldstrabe and depicts a man hurrying down the street. Don’t forget to take a picture with the Walking Man while exploring Schwabing’s English Gardens.

Germany has many historical sites dedicated to WWII. The Nordfriedhof is one of them. Although not famous worldwide, the funeral home and morgue have been called ‘a grove of honor’ for the victims of the World War II allied air raids. It is free of charge to visit and won’t take too much of your time, but it will show you a bit of Germany’s WWII history.

The Chinese Tower in the English Garden is good for more than just concerts. Each year on an early July morning, young people gather at the tower and perform a Bavarian folk dance. The best thing about it is that everybody is welcome, in fact, encouraged to join. The dance was originally performed by servants and housemaids, and the event was revived in 1989 for the bicentennial of the English Garden. The Kocherlball today attracts up to 15,000 participants and spectators, and it’s free of charge.

You can go clothes shopping anywhere in the world, but if you’re looking for a very unique experience in one of the fanciest neighborhoods of one of Europe’s biggest cities, then surfing on the Eisbach is something you really must do. The Eisbach creates a standing wave. During the summertime, there are many surfers who go and try it out. Although it seems man made, in reality the wave has not been created intentionally, so there aren’t any surfboard renting services there. It is a natural thing and free of charge. Who needs the ocean or the beach when you can surf in the famous English Gardens of Munich?