Location
Germany
Status
Officially Designated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Grass / lawn
Best season
May to September
About Schönfeldwiese im Englischen Garten
The Schönfeldwiese is a large lawn at the southern end of Munich's Englischer Garten, just north of the Haus der Kunst and a short walk from the city centre. It is one of six places where the City of Munich lifts the swimwear requirement under its bathing-clothing ordinance (Badekleidungsverordnung), and one of two such zones inside the Englischer Garten; the other is the Schwabinger Bucht further north. The nude zone is not the whole meadow: it is the area inside the oval of the old riding track, and that track marks its edge. Inside the oval, nude sunbathing is permitted; outside it, normal clothing rules apply. This is a city-park lawn, not a beach. There is no lake shore here, and swimming is not part of the designation. The setting is open grass with trees around the edges, surrounded by busy paths, cyclists and other park users, so you are in full view of passers-by. The park itself is known worldwide for its nude sunbathers, and international press coverage has long made the Schönfeldwiese a curiosity for tourists as well as a regular spot for Munich locals.
Getting there
The Schönfeldwiese lies directly behind (north of) the Haus der Kunst on Prinzregentenstraße, at the southern tip of the Englischer Garten. The nearest public transport is the Nationalmuseum/Haus der Kunst stop on Prinzregentenstraße; from there it is a walk of a few minutes into the park. Parking in this central area is scarce and paid, so public transport, cycling or walking is the practical option. Paths around the meadow are flat and paved or gravel, and the lawn itself is level grass. Look for the oval riding track: only the area inside it is the designated nude zone.
Amenities
Legal context
The City of Munich designates the area inside the riding-track oval on the Schönfeldwiese as a nude zone under its Badekleidungsverordnung; nude sunbathing is permitted there but not required (checked on muenchen.de in October 2026). Outside the six designated zones, being nude while bathing or sunbathing in Munich's public spaces can be treated as an administrative offence and fined, and in practice usually leads to being told to leave (Platzverweis).
Naturism at Schönfeldwiese im Englischen Garten sits under Germany's rules for officially designated nude beaches — explicit protection inside the marked area.
Full country law: Germany public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 25 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 48.1486, 11.5866
Visitor tips
- 1 Official designation: nudity is protected inside the marked area.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Germany
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity legal on the Schönfeldwiese?
Yes, inside the oval of the old riding track behind the Haus der Kunst. The City of Munich designates this as an official nude zone where nude sunbathing is permitted.
Can I swim nude here?
The Schönfeldwiese is a lawn, not a bathing spot. The city describes it as a zone for nude sunbathing; there is no lake or beach on the meadow.
Do I have to be nude?
No. The ordinance lifts the swimwear requirement in the zone but does not require nudity.
How do I find the nude area?
Go to the meadow just north of the Haus der Kunst and look for the oval riding track. The nude zone is only the area inside that oval.
What happens if I am nude elsewhere in the park?
Outside the designated zones, clothing rules apply. Breaches can be treated as an administrative offence; in practice people are usually asked to leave.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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