I've mentioned before that I love Munich. It stole my heart from my first visit in 2010, and I have been back to visit, learn some things, drink a lot of beer (and I'm not even a big beer drinker), attend Oktoberfest, etc. Every time I bring a first timer along, I make sure that our first activity is a bike tour of the city with Mike's Bike Tours. After some friends raved about this tour, I had to give it a try and seriously, it is a blast.

When arriving in a new city, it can be overwhelming. So, what the heck do I do here? I did not buy a guide book. I know the beer is good, but don't know where or which beer to drink. There has to be some good WWII history here, but where do I begin? A city tour can really help you answer all these questions, and in Munich, what better way to do it than on a bicycle. Biking is an extremely popular mode of transportation in Germany, so you really get the feel of how it might be to use a once childhood hobby as a legitimate mode of transport. My favorite thing about beginning with a tour is that you get a great taste of the city and can then decide where you would like to go back for more. For me, in Munich, that was the English Garden. The larger-than-Central-Park public park is a gorgeous escape filled with beer gardens, tons of locals, surfers, food, and nudes. Yep, nudes. But seriously, you can learn all about the nudes like Tripod and Robocock on the bike tour.

The tour is hilarious and the guides are all native English speakers that not only know the city, but genuinely freaking love it. Don't be shy to ask any questions about history, beer, clubs, Oktoberfest, etc. - they know it all! I've done this tour 5 times now and it has not gotten old yet. I walk up and they know me, how sad awesome is that?

Here's a Glimpse of What You Will See and Learn During the Tour

The meeting point for Mike's Bike Tours is at the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), to to be confused with the Neues Rathus (New Town Hall), that massive gothic structure in the background that hosts the Glockenspiel.

Look for this structure in Marienplatz and you'll surely find the meeting spot.

On my first tour with Mike's Bike Tours, Kyle, the tour guide pictured, was a trainee. He, like myself, is a graduate of the greatest university in the world. Ok at least in the US. Ok, definitely in Texas: The University of Texas. Two years later, I can still find him here absolutely loving his job.

Hofbräuhaus - Das Original

Here, in the square in front of the world famous Hofbräuhaus, you will hear a witty joke about being at the most popular place in Munich, Starbucks! (I promise they will tell it better).

Max- Joseph-Platz with the Bavarian State Opera in the background

Residenz München

more of the Munich Residenz

This notable gold brick path in the passage behind Odeonsplatz, known as Dodger's Alley, symbolizes those who refused to walk through this passage and Hail Hitler. Those who did not do the Nazi salute were beaten, killed on the spot, or sent to concentration camps.

Odeonsplatz

Odeonsplatz and Theatinerkirche

inside Theatinerkirche

Hofgarten

Monument to the White Rose, a resistance of Munich university students to Hitler and his regime. These students threw leaflets speaking truths and were turned in by the janitors and captured by the gestapo. 

Bayerische Staatskanzlei, or the seat of the Bavarian Chancellery, was nearly completely destroyed during the war. In the center, damage can still be seen on the columns and the new additions of the glass wings represent transparency in the new government.

Upon entrance into the English Garden, you will cruise past the U.S. Consulate and this piece of the Berlin Wall.

the Eisbach running through the Englischer Garten

Englischer Garten

When the sun comes out, so do all the Germans.

stopping for lunch and a Radler at the Chinesichen Turn (Chinese Tower) in the Englischer Garten

On the way out of the English Garden, you will stop and check out the surfers surfing the manmade wave on the Eisbach river. The tradition was started by none other than an American G.I.

This building, now the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Infrastruktur, Verkehr und Technologie, was the headquarters of the German Air Force during WWII. Inside the doors, you can see the where a swastika once hang in the grasp of an eagle's claws (pictured below).

The Monument of the Angel of Peace serves as a reminder of the peace period after the Franco-German war in 1871. The angel fell off the column in 1981 (creepy?) and was restored and reset in 1983. 

This Protestant church is one of the few in the Catholic-dominated region.

Bike pick up & drop off occurs here on most days. I just adore the Guten Biken logo with the Bavarian riding the pretzel.

Mike's Bike Tours Munich

When? In high season, April 15 - August 31, the tour operates daily at 11:30 & 4:30. There are also deluxe tours and other tours, like to Neuschwanstein Castle. Please check their Website for times during other months.

What? A casual, guided bike tour of Munich via the MBT Beach Cruisers.

Where? Meet at Old Town Hall, not the shop, on the East end of Marienplatz.

How long? 4 hours with a 1 hour break for a beer garden lunch

Cost? 25€, 19€ for backpackers (discount available when staying at specific youth hostels)

Would you consider a bike tour as opposed to traditional tours?