To the rear of Bayreuth’s Neues Schloss (New Palace) buildings lie its former gardens. The Hofgarten today is the city’s main recreation park. Stretching for many blocks of the city centre, residents and tourists enjoy strolls here along the avenues, and relaxing on the lawns in fine weather. Down the centre of the park is a canal which has four islands and makes a turn through to the southern park of the park. Entrance to the park is free.