A man on a bicycle in the evening sun in the Maxvorstadt in Munich

Cycling tours: Grand City Tour

Grand city tour by bike

From the centre of the old town to the Kunstareal art district, and on to the former summer residence of the Wittelsbach family, along the Biedersteiner Canal, to the Olympic Park and back across Leopoldstraße. Discover the beauty of Munich outside of the city center at the grand city tour by bike.

Route length: approx. 23 km | Duration: approx. 3 hours

This tour starts on Marienplatz, which is dominated by the Neues Rathaus with its Glockenspiel, the Mariensäule and the Altes Rathaus. Continue through Dienerstrasse and Residenzstrasse, past Max-Joseph-Platz, site of the National Theatre (Opera House) and the Residenz, then on to Odeonsplatz. Turn left here, onto Brienner Strasse, and cycle as far as Karolinenplatz, which has an obelisk in the middle.

With the tour app komoot you can be comfortably accompanied on your bike tour.

Then turn down the first street on the right, Barer Strasse, and you’ll find yourself in the very centre of Munich’s Kunstareal art district. Head right onto Gabelsberger Strasse, passing by the Pinakothek der Moderne (Pinakothek of Modern Art). Turn left, cycling onto Türkenstrasse and past the Brandhorst Museum, before turning left again onto Theresienstrasse. Crossing Barer Strasse, then cycle past the Neue Pinakothek and the Alte Pinakothek.

A right turn to the Königsplatz - and Munich feels like Greece

As you turn left onto Arcisstrasse and cross Gabelsberger Strasse, you will see the Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst (State Museum of Egyptian Art) on the left, as well as the University of Television and Film, housed in the same buildings complex. The NS-Dokumentationszentrum (Munich Documentation Centre for the History of National Socialism) is located a little further on, also on the left. When you get to Königsplatz, turn right and make for the Propylaea gate, flanked by the Glyptothek museum (right) and the Antikensammlungen (left). Cycle straight on again; you will see the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus art gallery on the right, behind the Propylaea gate.

Continue to Stiglmaierplatz. Passing the Löwenbräukeller, cycle along Nymphenburger Strasse and cross the Mittleren Ring/Landshuter Allee to get to Rotkreuzplatz. After about 500 metres, bear right onto Waisenhausstrasse. After another 500 metres, head left onto Nördliche Auffahrtsallee, along the canal and through the gardens to Schloss Nymphenburg.

From the palace, cycle back along the canal for a short stretch, then turn left onto Menzinger Strasse. After around 300 metres, cross the Biedersteiner Canal and turn right onto Kuglmüllerstrasse. From there, follow the signs for Olympiapark to ride across the large park complex which hosted the 1972 Olympic Summer Games, and which is still used today. Tip: Take a detour to visit BMW Welt and the BMW Museum.

Video: simply cycling

Continue along the Biedersteiner Canal towards Petuelpark and then on to Leopoldstrasse. From here, turn right towards the city centre (Innenstadt). Take now a detour to visit the artists’ quarter of Schwabing: Art nouveau buildings at Münchner Freiheit, “Walking Man” sculpture on the left. Cycle along Ludwigstrasse, past Siegestor and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität on Geschwister-Scholl-Platz and back to Odeonsplatz and Marienplatz. Have a good ride!

 

Download tour as .gpx file or PDF

Here you can find this tour for download as a gpx file.
Here you can find this tour with map for download as PDF.

 

Also interesting: Discover the most interesting attractions of Munich's Old Town and the Englischer Garten with an experienced guide on a guided bike tour.

 

Photos: Dominik Morbitzer, istock/noppasin; Video: Redline Enterprises

 

Main attractions along the route:

 

  • 1
    Panoramic view of the Neues Rathaus in Munich with the Frauenkirche in the background.
    Marienplatz

    Marienplatz: the heart of Munich

    Marienplatz 1, 80331 Munich, Germany

    There's always something going on in this world-famous square – whether it's the Christmas market,...

  • 2
    View of Max-Joseph-Platz in Munich with the Towers of the Frauenkirche in the background.
    Max-Joseph-Platz

    Square with unique scenery

    Max-Joseph-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany

    A setting like nowhere else in the world: the opera house, the Residenz palace and theatre, the magnificent...

  • 3
    Bicycles in front of the Feldherrnhalle at Odeonsplatz in Munich.
    Odeonsplatz

    Munich's love of the south

    Odeonsplatz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany

    Why is Munich known as Italy’s most northerly city? Stand on Odeonsplatz square soaking up the...

  • 4
    Rooftop dome of the rotunda of the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.
    Pinakothek der Moderne

    Four museums under one roof

    Barer Str. 40, 80333 Munich, Germany

    From Picasso and Warhol to Le Corbusier – the Pinakothek der Moderne (Pinakothek of Modern Art)...

  • 5
    View of the colourful facade of the Museum Brandhorst in Munich, consisting of 36,000 coloured rods.
    Museum Brandhorst

    From Andy Warhol to Cy Twombly

    Theresienstr. 35 a, 80333 Munich, Germany

    Hidden behind its spectacular facade, the Museum Brandhorst (Brandhorst Museum) wows its visitors with...

  • 6
    Exhibits at the Ägyptische Museum in Munich.
    State Museum of Egyptian Art

    The world of the pharaohs

    Gabelsbergerstr. 35, 80333 Munich, Germany

    Explore Munich’s Egyptian Museum, which covers 5,000 years of Ancient Egyptian art and culture....

  • 7
    Exterior view of the NS Documentation Centre in Munich.
    NS-Dokumentationszentrum

    Centre for learning and remembrance

    Max-Mannheimer-Platz 1, 80333 Munich, Germany

    The former headquarters of the National Socialist German Worker's Party on Königsplatz in Munich...

  • 8
    Propyläen at Königsplatz in Munich in autumn.
    Königsplatz

    The love of ancient Greece

    Königsplatz 1, 80333 Munich, Germany

    A piece of the ancient world, right in the heart of Munich: in the early 19th century, King Ludwig I...

  • 9
    Exterior view of the old and new building of the Lenbachhaus in Munich.
    Lenbachhaus art gallery

    The pure enjoyment of art

    Luisenstraße 33, 80333 Munich, Germany

    The Blue Horse in the golden cube: welcome to the world’s largest collection of artwork by the...

  • 10
    The Nymphenburger Park in Munich photographed from above.
    Schloss Nymphenburg

    A jewel of the baroque

    Schloss Nymphenburg 1, 80638 Munich, Germany

    Schloss Nymphenburg served as a summer residence for the Electors and Kings of Bavaria in the 18th century....

  • 11
    Panoramic view from the Olympiaberg with Olympic Lake, Olympic Tower and the headquarter of BMW in Munich in the background.
    Olympiapark

    1972's formula of success

    Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 Munich, Germany

    The Olympiapark (Olympic Park) in Munich is a shining international example of how to create a successful...

  • 12
    The double helix of BMW Welt in Munich with the Olympic Tower in the background
    BMW Welt

    A masterpiece of modern architecture

    Am Olympiapark 1, 80809 Munich, Germany

    Vehicle manufacturer BMW's very own experience and delivery centre has been known to deliver up to 34,000...

  • 13
    The sculpture "Walking Man" made by Jonathan Borofsky in front of the Munich Re at Leopoldstraße in Munich.
    The Walking Man

    simply great

    Leopoldstraße 36, 80802 Munich, Germany

    A white giant in the Schwabing district: the 17-metre-high Walking Man by US artist Jonathan Borofsky...

Bicycles in front of the Feldherrnhalle at Odeonsplatz in Munich.

Cycling tours: highlights

Highlights tour

A relaxed cycling tour along Munich's centrally located attractions.

Cycling tour taking in Munich city centre attractions: Old town, Englischer Garten, Isar upriver, Deutsches Museum, Isartor, Alter Hof and back to Marienplatz.

A man on a bicycle in the evening sun in the Maxvorstadt in Munich

Cycling tours: grand city tour

Grand city tour

Discover the beauty of Munich outside of the city center at the grand city tour by bike.

From the centre of the old town to the Kunstareal art district, and on to the former summer residence of the Wittelsbach family, to the Olympic Park and back across Leopoldstraße. 

Three cyclists are standing and talking to each other at the Isar River in Munich.

Cycling tours: Isar

Isar river tour

A relaxed cycling tour with one short, steep incline - and with lots of sights on the way.

A relaxed cycling tour with one short, steep incline. From the city centre, this tour goes upriver along the Isar river - with lots of sights on the way.

Cyclist in Munich.

Cycling tours: Englischer Garten

Englischer Garten tour

Relaxing bike tour along the Isar to the beer garden and back to Marienplatz via the English Garden.

Relaxing bike tour along the Isar to the "Aumeister" beer garden and back to Marienplatz via the English Garden. Enjoy discovering the English Garden by bike!

Bikes stand in the green grass in the English Garden in Munich

Rental bike 1 day

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

Book now for only 26 €!

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.