The weekend in Munich is approaching, and you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city without spending hours stuck in traffic? Surrounding the state capital are not only the most beautiful castles and world-famous palaces, but right now in spring, veritable seas of blossoms waiting to be discovered. Just a short S-Bahn ride away, a botanical paradise awaits you: the Weihenstephan Botanical Garden in Freising.
A sea of flowers meets science
Weihenstephan in Freising is known above all for one thing: beer. It is even home to the world’s oldest brewery, which has been supplying you with beer for nearly a millennium. We’ve compiled all the details about the brewery’s fascinating history for you here.
But right behind it lies the university garden of the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, founded in 1947, which is especially worth a visit right now. Yet there’s nothing here to remind you of a dry science park: on the “Green Hill” in Freising, the university’s experts have created a space that bursts into different colors every season.
Spanning over five hectares, you’ll find artfully landscaped perennial beds, rock gardens, and ponds. What makes it special: Here, researchers “test” which plants go best together. The result is an aesthetic so perfect that you won’t be able to stop taking photos.
A garden of scents and colors
An absolute highlight is the parterre garden right in front of the historic university building. Here you can stroll among geometrically laid-out beds, which are filled with thousands of tulips and daffodils in the spring, while in the summer the roses and lavender bushes compete to fill the air with their fragrance. Find one of the shady benches under the wisteria trellises and enjoy the peace and quiet. Within minutes, you’ll forget that you’re actually on a college campus!
You can visit the Weihenstephan Botanical Garden for free. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April through October. If you’re interested in learning more, you also have the option to take a guided tour. You’ll need to register in advance for this. The cost is 95 euros per group (up to 25 people). Of course, you can also perfectly combine your visit with a detour to the nearby Oberdieckgarten or a cold drink at the Bräustüberl of the world’s oldest brewery.
