– from the perspective of someone who knows every corner here
By Mariejoe, Vizsla, world explorer and Feelgood Manager at one of Munich’s most innovative real estate companies.- 🐕 Official leash requirement throughout the entire park – according to the Bavarian Palace Administration (south and north sections)
- 🌿 375 hectares – one of the largest urban parks in the world, bigger than Central Park in New York
- 💧 Water: Schwabinger Bach, Oberstjägermeisterbach and Entenvolierebach offer shallow entry points in the northern section
- 🐾 The northern section is the more relaxed part – less hustle and bustle, more meadow, more dogs
- 🚫 Off-leash is officially not allowed – droppings must be picked up
- ✅ Dogs are welcome throughout the park, including at the Minihofbräuhaus (but on a leash in the beer garden area)
More day-trip tips: The best day trips with a dog in Munich.
If you visit the English Garden with your dog, you’ll quickly notice: Munich is big. The English Garden is bigger than most people think. 375 hectares. For comparison: New York’s Central Park has 341. I’m not saying that to brag. I’m saying it so it’s clear what we’re talking about. This park isn’t a walkway between two subway stations. It’s its own world – with rules, with waterways, with beer gardens, with sheep, and with a northern section that differs from the southern section as much as a quiet Monday morning differs from an Oktoberfest Saturday.
I know both sections. I have preferences. And I’m sharing them now.
And before anyone asks: Yes, officially there is a leash requirement throughout the entire English Garden. The park belongs to the Free State of Bavaria, not the City of Munich – and the Bavarian Palace Administration has set it that way. In practice, however, it’s handled differently depending on the area. Those are the facts. If you’re specifically looking for off-leash areas, you’ll find suitable alternatives here: Dog meadows in Munich.
The southern section – touristy, lively, well-known
The southern section of the English Garden is what most people know. Chinese Tower, beer garden, Eisbach, Monopteros, big sunbathing lawns. On a summer weekend, it’s busy here. Very busy. Joggers, cyclists, tourists, students – and in between, us.
With a dog, the southern section is doable, but you should know what you’re getting into. The paths are crowded. The large lawns like Karl-Theodor-Wiese or Schönfeldwiese are heavily used. Consideration isn’t optional here; it’s mandatory – in both directions. Pedestrians have priority in the park.
- 🐕 Official leash requirement
- 💧 Schwabinger Bach: water access available, but very busy
- 🌿 Chinese Tower beer garden: dogs tolerated, tight, crowded
- 🚫 Off-leash officially not allowed; sports areas and playground zones are off-limits
- ⚠️ Don’t feed wildlife – ducks and the like are wild animals, not pets
The northern section – where we belong
If you don’t know the northern section yet, you haven’t really seen the English Garden.
Beyond Kleinhesseloher See – reachable via the bridge near the Seehaus restaurant or via the Mittlerer Ring – the atmosphere changes completely. Fewer tourists. More meadows. Sheep (yes, real sheep – their location changes, but they’re there). And dogs. Lots of dogs.
Thomsonwiese is considered the number-one dog meetup spot in the northern section. At the level of Crailsheimerstraße, between Schwabinger Bach and Oberstjägermeisterbach, there are two very large meadows that are popular with dog owners. Officially, the leash requirement applies here too.
- 🐕 Official leash requirement
- 💧 Schwabinger Bach, Entenvolierebach, Oberstjägermeisterbach: shallow entry points
- 🌿 Thomsonwiese: most popular dog meetup spot in the northern section
- ✅ Much quieter than the southern section – more space, more breathing room
- ⚠️ Waterfowl breeding season May to July: be considerate around the waterways
Minihofbräuhaus – the beer garden that knows itself
In the heart of the northern section is the Minihofbräuhaus. A kiosk with beer-garden ambitions and the unofficial title of Munich’s most dog-friendly beer garden. Quite a few guests show up with more than one dog.
- ✅ Dogs welcome – the concept, not the exception
- 🐕 In the beer garden area: leash required
- 🌿 Location: Gyßlingstraße 59, 80805 Munich
Getting there – because that matters too
The English Garden with a dog is easy to reach. Dogs ride free on the MVV – provided the person has a valid ticket.
- ✅ U3/U6: Studentenstadt, Alte Heide, Nordfriedhof
- ✅ U3/U6: Giselastraße, Universität, Odeonsplatz
- ✅ Tram 16/36, Bus 187
Quick overview: English Garden with a dog
The English Garden is big enough for everyone. For tourists with selfie sticks, for surfers at the Eisbach, for joggers – and for us. You just need to know where to go. The northern section is the answer to almost every question you ask yourself when you enter the southern section. If you want to head to the water afterwards, you’ll find the best spots here: Isar with your dog in Munich.
Munich awaits us. And we await Munich.
Yours, Mariejoe 🐾
Note: The information provided is based on experience and local conditions. Rules regarding leash requirements, off-leash areas, and swimming may change depending on the area and current regulations. No claim is made to completeness or legal binding force. When in doubt, the official regulations of the City of Munich apply.
Frequently asked questions: English Garden with a dog in Munich
Can I let my dog run off-leash in the English Garden?
No. Officially, a leash is required throughout the entire English Garden – both the southern and northern sections. The park belongs to the Free State of Bavaria and is managed by the Bavarian Administration of State-Owned Palaces, Gardens and Lakes. The park regulations stipulate that dogs must be kept on a leash. Dogs are welcome, but they are not allowed to run off-leash.
Does the leash requirement also apply in the northern section of the English Garden?
Yes. The Bavarian Palace Administration’s park regulations apply to the entire English Garden, including the northern section. Formally, the leash requirement there is the same as in the southern section.
Where can my dog swim or go into the water in the English Garden?
In the northern section, Schwabinger Bach, Entenvolierebach and Oberstjägermeisterbach offer shallower entry areas that can generally be used by dogs as well. During waterfowl breeding season (May to July), extra consideration is required around the waterways.
Are dogs allowed in the English Garden’s beer gardens?
At the Minihofbräuhaus in the northern section of the English Garden, dogs are explicitly welcome and shape the beer garden’s atmosphere. In the beer garden area itself, however, dogs must be on a leash. Dogs are also generally allowed at the beer garden at the Chinese Tower, provided they are leashed – the operator’s house rules apply.
How do I get to the English Garden by public transport with a dog?
Dogs ride free on the MVV – typically one dog per person with a valid ticket. You can reach the northern section via the U3/U6 stops Studentenstadt, Alte Heide or Nordfriedhof. For the southern section, Giselastraße, Universität or Odeonsplatz are suitable. The east side is also accessible via Tram 16/36 or Bus 187.
What’s the difference between the southern and northern sections for dog owners?
The southern section is more heavily frequented by tourists – with the Chinese Tower, Eisbach, Monopteros and large sunbathing lawns. The northern section is much quieter, more spacious, and more popular with many Munich dog owners. Among other things, it’s home to Thomsonwiese and Neumairwiese, as well as the Minihofbräuhaus as a meetup spot.
What other rules apply for dogs in the English Garden?
Droppings must be picked up. Wildlife – including ducks – must not be fed. Sports areas and playground zones must not be entered with dogs. Violations may be punished with fines.
Where can I officially let my dog run off-leash in Munich?
Designated off-leash areas in Munich include Luitpoldpark and Hirschgarten, among others. The exact rules may vary by area. More tips: The best day trips with a dog in Munich.
