Munich: Classic Bike Tour & English Garden with Surfers

Ride Through Munich's Heart: Landmarks, Locals & the Eisbach Wave

You ride 3.5 hours through Munich's main sights (Marienplatz, Hofbräuhaus, Residenz courtyards, English Garden) with a lunch break at the Chinese Tower and a stop to watch surfers on the Eisbach River. Bike, helmet, and luggage storage are included. Lunch and drinks cost extra. The tour starts at 11:30am at Marienplatz and ends near the Maximilianeum.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Marienplatz10m
2. Hofgarten10m
3. Munich Residence10m

Munich bike tour with landmarks and lunch

• Meet at Marienplatz Toy Museum
• Intro and short briefing
• Purchase water and ponchos
• Visit The Platzl and Hofbräuhaus
• Stop at Bavarian State Chancellory and Hofgarten
• Ride through Residenz courtyards
• Learn Wittelsbach family history
• Visit Müller's Public Bath and St. Kajetan Church
• Cycle through English Garden park
• Lunch break at Chinese Tower Beer Garden
• Scenic ride along the Isar River
• Quick stop on far side of Isar
• Photo stop at Maximilianeum building
• End tour near Hofbräuhaus S-Bahn stop

The experience

By the time you roll up to Marienplatz at 11:30am, the tour is already moving. Your guide is waiting at the Toy Museum entrance with the bikes lined up, ready to point you toward the New Town Hall's Glockenspiel before the crowds thicken. The 3.5-hour ride unfolds at a pace that lets you actually see things instead of just pedaling past them. You'll roll through the Platzl, where the Hofbräuhaus sits on cobblestones that have hosted beer drinkers for centuries, then cut through the Hofgarten to catch sight of the Residenz courtyards: the old royal palace spreads across 130 rooms, though you're riding through rather than going inside. Your guide fills in the Wittelsbach family history as you go, which makes the architecture land differently than if you were just looking at it.

The English Garden is where the ride gets its rhythm. It's the second-largest inner-city park in the world, and locals actually use it. You'll see why once you're in it. There's a stop at the Chinese Tower beer garden for lunch, which is self-service and not included in the tour price, but the vegetarian options mean everyone finds something. After that, you head down to the Isar River, where the real spectacle happens: the Eisbach surfers. They're riding a standing wave in the middle of the city, and it's genuinely strange and compelling to watch. The river is what keeps locals here in summer, your guide will tell you, and the scenic ride along it shows you why.

The tour wraps near the Maximilianeum, a Neo-Renaissance building on Maximilianstrasse that was finished in 1874 and still commands the riverbank. You end close to an S-Bahn stop, so getting back to your hotel is straightforward. Bike and helmet are included, luggage storage is free for the duration, and the guide speaks English. If it rains, ponchos are 1€ each. The tour goes out no matter what. Groups stay under 22 people, which means you're not herding through the city with fifty others.

What’s included

• Your tour includes the bike and helmet, free luggage storage for the duration, and a local English-speaking guide.
• You'll pass through the Residenz courtyards (interior entry not included), ride through the English Garden, and stop at the Chinese Tower beer garden for a lunch break: food and drinks are at your own cost.
• The tour covers Marienplatz, the Platzl, Hofgarten, Müller's Public Bath, the Eisbach surfers, and the Maximilianeum, ending near an S-Bahn stop for easy return to your hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:30Last departure this season: 23 Dec

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Mikes Bike Tours Munich

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see Munich's main landmarks and the English Garden without arranging a bike rental or navigating the city yourself: the fixed 11:30am start and 3.5-hour pace let you cover the key sights and still have the afternoon free. Suitable for all fitness levels, though expect steady pedaling and some stops for history and photos.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What time does the Munich bike tour start?

11:30am at Marienplatz 15, at the Toy Museum entrance.

How long is the tour?

Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.

Is the bike and helmet included?

Yes, both are included in the tour price. Helmets are optional but available.

What happens if it rains?

The tour runs in any weather. Ponchos are available for 1€ each.

Is lunch included?

No. You stop at the Chinese Tower beer garden in the English Garden, which is self-service. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

What is the maximum group size?

Up to 22 people per tour.

Do you pick up from hotels?

No. All participants meet at the designated meeting point: Marienplatz 15.

Is the Residenz included?

You ride through the Residenz courtyards, but entry inside is not included. You can visit the interior at your own leisure after the tour for an additional fee.

What language is the tour in?

English only.