Nymphenburg Palace Park: 6 Reasons We Keep Coming Back

Some places are beautiful to visit once. Others make you want to come back again and again. For us, Nymphenburg Palace Park is definitely the second kind.

No matter the season, we keep returning for long walks, beautiful surroundings, unexpected encounters with wildlife, and sometimes simply to clear our heads.

We have six very personal reasons for loving this place, and we’d like to share them with you.

Planning your own visit? Our companion article, Visiting Nymphenburg Palace & Park: Tickets, Tips and What to See, has the practical information you’ll need.

A little note: This article is not sponsored. We have no paid partnerships with Nymphenburg Palace, the concert organisers or the bakery mentioned here. We’re simply sharing places and experiences we genuinely enjoy.

Why We Never Get Tired of Nymphenburg

1. Two Walks, a Thousand Reasons to Slow Down

Here are two of our favourite walks that we usually take:

• From the main palace building, we follow the central canal towards the Pan fountain, continue towards the Temple of Apollo and the Grand Cascade with its statues, then make our way back towards the palace.
• From the main palace building, we walk towards Amalienburg, continue to Badenburg and Pagodenburg, and eventually return to the main building.

These are two relaxing, long walks where you can see quite a lot of what Nymphenburg has to offer.

We don’t necessarily follow exactly the same path every time. Sometimes we stop to take photos, sometimes we discover another quiet corner, and sometimes we simply enjoy walking without being in a hurry.

2. Lilacs in May, Winter Magic & Everything in Between

There is something magical and calming about this place that is difficult to put into words. Its majestic surroundings capture my heart every time.

No matter the season, it is beautiful and unique.

In the winter, when the Schlosskanal is frozen and people are skating and having fun, the whole place feels different.

During the springtime, especially in May, when the lilac blossoms (Flieder) fill the air with their scent and turn the park into a pastel dream, it is simply beautiful. This is the season I would recommend most to first-time visitors.

Everyone seems to come and take photos with the blooming lilacs in the background. And honestly, who can blame them? Their wonderful scent fills the air.

It’s perfect for taking great photos whether you’re an influencer or just a regular person.

When it is summer and the statues are not covered like in the winter months, you can admire the sculptures throughout the gardens.

And on particularly hot days, you can escape the heatwave and feel like you are walking through an enchanted forest.

And perhaps it really is an enchanted forest — after all, we have spotted Bambi here more than once!

3. Sometimes, All You Need Is a Long Walk

My heart is full whenever I visit this place. It has always helped me get out of a bad mood.

The wide open spaces, especially on days when my mental health is not great, and a nice long walk through this massive area can do wonders for me.

There was a period when I was going through depression and found it difficult to focus or collect my thoughts. Sometimes I didn’t even want to leave the house, and Bernhard had to convince me to go for a walk.

But once we were there, I was always glad we had gone. Walking through Nymphenburg helped me clear my head, think about nothing in particular and simply be in the moment.

During the pandemic, it was one of the places we often went to. It was ideal for us in terms of space and being outdoors, and it was literally a breath of fresh air from staying so much indoors.

I think that’s one of the reasons this park means so much to me. It’s a place where I have felt better after a difficult day.

4. Where Foxes and Hares Say Goodnight

For Bernhard it’s the trees and the nature all around. He always stops and tells me what type of tree it is.

And he is usually the one who spots the deer.

We’ll be walking along when suddenly he points towards the bushes and says, “LOOK THERE! IT’S A DEER!”

Then we stop and watch quietly. Sometimes it’s just one deer, sometimes a small group. We’ve spotted them in both winter and summer, and we even have a close-up photo from one of our encounters.

There is a German saying that Bernhard taught me, and it has become very dear to my heart:

“Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen.”

Literally, it means “where the fox and the hare say goodnight to each other.” Germans use it to describe a remote, peaceful place, far away from the hustle and bustle.

And somehow, it always makes me think of Nymphenburg.

Bernhard and I even joke that once visiting hours are over and the park gates close, all the animals come out and have a party!

We also love watching the Canada geese, ducks and swans that you often get to see.

And then there’s the gondola that visitors can take for a ride along the canal in the warmer months. It adds another lovely touch to the scenery.

5. When the Palace Comes Alive with Music

We’ve been to plenty of concerts here over the years.

We love the music, the historic surroundings, and getting dressed up for an evening out together.

Two of the palace’s historic concert venues are the Hubertussaal and Johannissaal. The Hubertussaal is a larger, elegant space, while the Johannissaal offers a more intimate setting.

We’d certainly recommend looking into these concerts if you’re planning a visit to Munich.

If you’re interested in attending a performance, we’ve included concert information and booking links in our practical Nymphenburg guide.

You can also check the official Nymphenburg concert calendar for upcoming performances and ticket information.

6. First Cake, Then Calories Out!

Backspielhaus Nymphenburg is our favourite bakery near the palace.

Situated on Südliche Auffahrtsallee, it is an incredibly convenient spot to drop in before or after your tour of the grounds.

We especially love it because of its cozy atmosphere and delicious cakes.

We are usually there on Sundays. We eat a quiche and a cake and drink a coffee before heading over to the Schlosspark for a nice long walk.

Our motto: First have a snack, then burn the calories!

There are also some other pastry shops and cafes nearby, some selling delicious chocolate pralines and other treats, so it is definitely worth discovering them for yourself and deciding what you like best.

Will You Fall in Love with Nymphenburg Too?

All in all, what we can say is that people (both tourists and locals) love this place.

Some even dress up in rented theatre costumes and come to take photoshoots. Some have their wedding pictures taken here.

Either way, it is a place where people come time and time again.

And we understand why. Nymphenburg has become part of our life in Munich, filled with memories of long walks, quiet moments, music, wildlife and, of course, coffee and cake.

Have you been to Nymphenburg yet? Did you visit the castle and the Marstallmuseum? Or did you simply stroll along the canal, in the park? Did you see any deer?

We’d love to hear about your experience.

Planning to visit? Don’t miss our Nymphenburg Palace & Park visitor guide, with ticket options, opening hours, palace highlights and our tips for making the most of your time.

Until next time,

Irina and Bernhard