Bicycling

A bike is hands-down the best way to experience this flat, pedal-friendly city. There are loads of bike lanes and paths that wind through its parks and along the Isar River. The rental shop will give you maps and tips, or you can get a map at any city tourist office.

Weather permitting, here is a route to try: go past the Isar Tor to the Isar River and head north to the Englischer Garten. Ride around the park and have lunch at a beer garden. Exit the park and go across Leopoldstrasse, making your way back down toward the museum quarter via the adorable Elisabethmarkt. Check out one or two of the galleries then pass through Königsplatz as you head back to the Old Town via Odeonsplatz.

You can also take your bike on the S-bahn, U-bahn, and certain regional trains (except during rush hours Monday to Friday from 6 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 6 pm), which take you out to the many lakes and attractions outside town. Bicycles on public transportation cost €2.60 for a day ticket.

Rentals

Mike's Bike Tours. Besides offering guided tours, Mike's Bike Tours also rents bikes. You can book your tour at the office around the corner from the rear entrance of the Hofbräuhaus, at Bräuhausstrasse 10, but the bike-rental location is a few hundred yards away, on the other side of the Isar Tor. Return time is 8 pm mid-April–August, earlier in other seasons. Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 16, Lehel, Munich, Bavaria, 80331. 089/2554–3987; www.mikesbiketours.com.

Radius Tours and Bikes. Based at the central station, Radius Tours and Bikes rents bikes. Choose from seven/eight-gear bikes to 24/27 gears to e-bikes. Helmets, child bikes, and child seats are also available. Hauptbahnhof, Arnulfstr. 3, Ludwigsvorstadt, Munich, Bavaria, 80335. 089/5434–877720; www.radiustours.com.