As soon as the sun comes out in Munich, crowds flock to the southern part of the English Garden or along the Isar. Tourists, on the other hand, are drawn to Nymphenburg Palace Park or the Hofgarten. They rarely find their way to Westpark, however, and even locals usually only come here if they live nearby. Yet Westpark is not only scenically diverse but also offers a wide range of recreational activities that have something for everyone.
From garden show to permanent park
In 1983, the International Horticultural Exhibition (IGA) took place in Munich. The wasteland in southwest Munich was transformed into a sprawling park complex showcasing gardens from 23 nations. The original plan was to dismantle the park after the IGA ended, but there were loud calls from the public to keep the green space. After some renovation work, the park was finally opened to the public and, unlike the IGA-Park train station, remained a part of Munich.
The influence of the IGA is still evident today in parts of Westpark. The Chinese and Japanese gardens, as well as the Thai temple , are remnants of that exhibition and bring a touch of the Far East to the Bavarian capital. In contrast stands the wooden Bayerhaus, which represents South German tradition. The lake stage also existed in 1983 and, along with the Rosengarten restaurant, was the only structure to survive the end of the IGA. The restaurant actually features a rose garden of its own, where you’ll find over 20,000 flowers from 500 varieties of roses —even more than in the rose garden along the Isar.
Leisure and Culture in Westpark
Westpark offers plenty to see, which is why it’s always worth coming here to stroll along the winding paths or settle down on the meadows. Beyond that, there’s also a rich array of recreational activities you can enjoy here. In June, a visit is doubly worthwhile, because not only do the roses bloom in the rose garden, but the Mond & Sterne cinema at the Seebühne also reopens. Here you can enjoy blockbusters right by the water at affordable prices and even bring your own snacks.
It gets even more affordable at the Theatron in Westpark. Every summer, the Entity Theatre presents a Shakespeare play in the original language on a donation basis. So you pay only as much as you want or can afford. Here, too, you can bring your own snacks and drinks and make yourself comfortable on the steps of the amphitheater. Unlike the Mond & Sterne cinema, this open-air theater is still considered a real hidden gem. Among the free offerings in Westpark is also “Fit im Park,” where you can work up a sweat during the summer months with various sports, such as Zumba or yoga.
In winter , you can visit the small Christmas market organized by Gans im Wasser at Mollsee. Here, you can enjoy a cultural program featuring live music, poetry, and more. Food and drinks are available here, of course, as well as in the two beer gardens. Children, in turn, will love the playground, where they can run around to their heart’s content. Westpark truly offers something for everyone and is the perfect place to enjoy your free time in Munich.
