Question 1

➣ What can I say if a local is rude to me?

Accepted Answer

Generally the Germans are very friendly people, especially to English-speaking tourists because they love to practice their language skills on you. Hopefully you won’t encounter any unfriendlies, but it could happen. Such people should however not be taken the least bit seriously, and I found out early on here that a strong, self confident reply in fluent German with a good dash of humor floors them almost every time. Try something like this: &#8220;Es tut mir Leid, ich bin nur ein blöder Tourist&#8221; (I’m sorry, I’m just a stupid tourist) or &#8220;Na, nicht ausgeschlafen, was?&#8221; (oh, didn’t get enough sleep last night huh?) or perhaps the best answer might be &#8220;Wissen Sie was? Mir ist es Wurst!&#8221; (You know what, I couldn’t care less), or literally, &#8220;To me it’s sausage!&#8221;

Question 2

➣ Where do all the nudes "hang out"?

Accepted Answer

Nudity is acceptable in Munich in nudist areas designated as FKK (&#8220;Freiekörperkultur&#8221;: literally, free body culture) along the Isar river and on the nudist meadow in the English Garden, along the stream on the far side of the bridge near the little waterfall. If you go there, look for our buddy, The Hammer, a.k.a. &#8220;Tripod.&#8221; We have a photo of him, but if we included it here, some may mistake this pamphlet for our Amsterdam counterpart. At any rate, 95% of the nudists are (eccentric) men and seeing them can often be a frightening experience. Be careful.

Question 3

➣ Where is a good place to buy souveniers?

Accepted Answer

I can honestly say that Max Krug offers the best selection and service I have come across in any store of its kind in Munich. Stop by and judge for yourself. If you show them this pamphlet to let them know that you came because of our recommendation, you’ll get a free gift with a purchase.

Question 4

➣ Where can I get some more help and/or information?

Accepted Answer

The Munich Tourist Office has two locations: one is near the main entrance to the Hauptbahnhof (exit front, go right), the other is in the ground floor of the New Town Hall at Marienplatz. They can help you with hotel reservations for a small fee, sell you the Munich Welcome Card (transportation in addition to discounts at restaurants, etc.) and more. Euraide is an independent tourist information office specializing in consulting, reservations and ticket sales for trains to and from just about anywhere on the continent. They are in the Hauptbahnhof right next to track 11. Please do tell Alan and Ann that I said hello. Our shop Discover Bavaria can also help you with general information, a good map, hotel reservations, bike rental and something the other places don’t have, which is lots of flyers from our selected cooperation partners in other cities throughout Europe, all of which could wind up making your stay in those places a lot better than it might be without them.

Question 5

➣ Where should I go to rent a car or motorcycle?

Accepted Answer

ALLROUND RENTALS offers competitive rates and friendly service. They speak English and will help you with maps and tips and advice on where to go and what to avoid. I also recommend them because it’s easier to pick up and drop off at their place than in the center of town, where traffic and one-way streets can be frustrating for anyone not familiar with driving in Munich. Directions to their location: From the Hauptbahnhof take U1 or U2 to Sendlinger Tor, transfer to U3 (dir. Fürstenried), get off at Obersendling. From Marienplatz simply take U3 (dir. Fürstenried) to Obersendling. It´s an easy 3-minute walk from the Obersendling U-bahn stop to their office.  From the  Obersendling stop: Come out of the train and look for the sign/direction Tölzer Strasse. Go left when you come out onto the street and right at the corner (150 meters). They are in the Boschetsrieder Str. 12, across the street from where you´ll come out to it (just a bit to the right).

Question 6

➣ Are Birkenstocks really cheaper here?

Accepted Answer

Some of you may simply be wondering what Birkenstocks are, as I was when originally asked this question in 1995 shortly after having launched Mike’s Bike Tours. BIRKENSTOCK sandals from Germany are WORLD RENOWNED for their comfort and stylishness, and they come highly recommended by podiatrists for anybody with foot problems to boot (pun unintended). I soon became a wearer myself. If you are already a fan, you’re likely going to want to get another pair while you’re here. If you’re not yet a fan, you might well be after you try a pair on. Anyway, they definitely are considerably less expensive here, sometimes being about half what they would go for in the States. Schuh Seibl has a huge selection and is conveniently located only 100 meters from the southern end of the Viktualian Market.

Question 7

➣ Where can I see a movie in English?

Accepted Answer

The movie theater CINEMA is in the Nymphenburger Strasse. A 15-minute walk from the train station or 300 yards west of Stiglmaierplatz (U1, one stop north of Hauptbahnhof). A modern, comfortable theater that serves (salty!) popcorn, nachos and Häagen-Dazs. Go early to get the prime balcony seats, they’re really good. Call 55 52 55 for current schedule or go to their website. Another smaller theater that shows original english-version films is the Museum Lichtspiele. Call 489 12 96 for the current program or 48 24 03 for reservations.

Question 8

➣ How can I "kill" some time at Marienplatz?

Accepted Answer

Here are a few suggestions: Get yourself an excellent coffee just up the street at the San Francisco Coffee Company or Coffee Fellows (both up the street from the END of the square, past Mc Donald´s and the traffic light, on the left hand side of the road). After that, you might want to come on over to our shop for some advice or just to say, Hello. Alternatively, you could also take a stroll through the Viktualien Market, where you can also enjoy a snack and/or beer, or perhaps go check out some new Birkenstocks for yourself just up the street. You could climb the 300+ stairs of the St. Peter’s church tower (Old Peter) for a view over the city (on a clear day you can see the Alps) or if it is coming up on 11, noon or 5:00 pm you could watch the Glockenspiel. Other creative suggestions include kicking the boxes out from under the mimes in the pedestrian area, or enjoying locals confused reactions as they pass by after greeting them with a jovial smile and enthusiastic &#8220;Grüss Gott!&#8221; Don’t worry, this is simply the standard Bavarian greeting.

Question 9

➣ Can you recommend a good Hostel in Munich?

Accepted Answer

A good segment of our target market with Mike´s Bike Tours has always been the backpackers who typically stay in hostels. There are many good hostels in Munich and if you&#8217;d like recommendations, please contact us HERE.

Question 10

What is the best way to see Munich?

Accepted Answer

Munich is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. While public transport is great, you miss the “hidden” logic of the city underground.

The Mike’s Way: Our Classic Munich Bike Tours take you through the winding streets of the Old Town and the vast greenery of the English Garden. It’s faster than walking, more intimate than a bus, and—honestly—much more fun.
Rentals: Prefer to explore solo? We offer Bike Rentals for those who want to set their own pace.

Question 11

Can I see the Castles or even Salzburg in a day?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. While you can take the train which takes around 2-3 hours, it involves a lot of platform-watching and schedule-stress. Pro Tip &#8211; check for the Bavaria or Bayern Ticket which is super cheap. Alternatively:   Day Trips: We run comfortable Bus Tours to Neuschwanstein & Oberammergau.   The VIP Experience: For those who want to skip the crowds and set their own schedule, our Private Car Tours offer a tailored concierge experience. It’s the ultimate way to see the Castles &#8211; Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Palace or Salzburg and Eagles Nest (open 15.05 to 15.10)

Question 12

How does Public Transport (MVV) work?

Accepted Answer

Munich’s system is excellent but can be confusing.

Quick Tip: Use the “M-Zone” ticket for anything inside the city. If you are a group of 2-5 people, always buy the “Group Day Ticket”—it’s much cheaper than individual tickets.
Validation: Don’t forget to stamp your ticket in the little blue machines before boarding, or you might face a €60 “fine” from the controllers!

Question 13

What is "Beer Garden Culture"?

Accepted Answer

In Munich, the Beer Garden is our living room.

The Golden Rule: You are allowed to bring your own food to any beer garden, provided you sit at the tables without tablecloths. Just buy your drinks there!
The “Maß”: Beer is served in 1-liter glass mugs. If you want a small one, ask for a “Schnitt,” but usually, the liter is the standard.

Question 14

🏨 Top 5 Hotels (For Every Budget)

Accepted Answer

Luxury: Hotel Bayerischer Hof – Rooftop pool and world-class service.   Boutique: Cortiina Hotel – Stylish, central, and very &#8220;Munich chic.&#8221;   Mid-Range: Platzl Hotel – Right next to the Hofbräuhaus; you can’t get more central.   Budget/Cool: Motel One Sendlinger Tor – High-end design at a very fair price.   Hostel/Social: Wombat’s City Hostel – Clean, fun, and right by the main station.

Question 15

🍺 Top 5 Beer Gardens

Accepted Answer

Hirschgarten: The biggest in the world (8,000 seats!) and very traditional.   Chinesischer Turm: Located in the English Garden (we visit this on our bike tours!).   Augustiner Keller: Best beer in the city, served straight from wooden barrels.   Seehaus: Right on the lake in the English Garden; great for sunsets.   Viktualienmarkt: Right in the heart of the city—perfect for a quick lunch.

Question 16

🍴 Top 5 Restaurants

Accepted Answer

Wirtshaus in der Au: Best dumplings (Knödel) in Munich.   Schneider Bräuhaus: Traditional, hearty, and famous for Adventinus beer.   Tantris: For those seeking a 2-star Michelin culinary experience.   Steinheil 16: Famous for having the biggest (and best) Schnitzels for a great price.   Fraunhofer: Authentic, old-school Bavarian atmosphere without the tourist crowds

Frequently Asked Questions - Mike's Bike Tours

Mike's Bike Tours - Munich & Bavaria FAQ