The Wiesn, as the people of Munich call Oktoberfest, is the most famous folk festival in the world. Seven million visitors come every year, and 7.5 million liters of beer are consumed. The Wiesn takes place on the Theresienwiese, which is located near the city center and is very easy to reach by subway from the main station.
If you are looking for a nice souvenir from the festival, an original gingerbread heart should not be missed.
The first Oktoberfest took place on October 17, 1810, on the occasion of the wedding of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The people of Munich were so enthusiastic about this festival that it was held at this time every year from then on. Due to the weather, the Oktoberfest was moved in 1874 and has since been held in September, ending on the first Sunday in October. Of course, it still kept its name.
It is not necessarily recommended to visit the Oktoberfest on the opening weekend. Due to the parade of the Wiesnwirte and the traditional costume parade, it is usually very crowded. The best time to visit the Oktoberfest is from Monday to Thursday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. At this time, you can stroll about the festival, relaxed.
There are 14 large and several small tents at the Oktoberfest, which are open from 10 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. each night. On weekends, it even starts at 9 o’clock. The last bar is open until 10:30 p.m. The “Weinzelt” and the “Käfer Wiesn-Schänke” are open until 1 a.m., with the last bar at 12:30 a.m. By the way, the Käfer Wiesn Schänke is the hot spot for celebrities!
You can visit all the tents without admission and without tickets. Only the Oide Wiesn with its tents and rides takes an entrance fee of 3 euros. You can visit the tents without a reservation, but the places are usually gone very quickly, and the tents are often closed due to overcrowding. Unfortunately, you need a place to be allowed to order at all. So, if you don’t have a reservation, it’s best to be there early in the morning.
Reservations can be made directly at the tents, starting in December. You should be really early with your reservation, otherwise all the places will be gone. There is no fee, but you have to buy vouchers in advance for 20,00€ to 80,00€ per person, depending on the tent and the time of day.
The tents at the Oktoberfest are mixed. If you want to get out of the tent to get some fresh air or to stretch your feet a bit, you will find some fun attractions on the Theresienwiese. The railing is set up like a giant carnival, with lots of booths and rides. You should definitely take a ride on the famous Ferris wheel, which is impressive. At a height of 50 meters, you have a great view over the whole city, almost to the mountains.
In order to be fortified for the Oktoberfest, it is best to start your Wiesn day with a real Weißwurst breakfast. This includes a “Brezn” (yes, they say “pretzel” here, in the singular and in the plural), sweet mustard, and, of course, a cool wheat beer. An absolute highlight at the Oktoberfest is of course the “Hendl” (chicken) and the knuckles. They are usually accompanied by sauerkraut and potato dumplings, simply delicious! All the food you get at the Wiesn is really hearty. Whether sausage salad, fish in all forms, bread dumplings, creamy Obazda, a good Bavarian snack or delicious cheese spaetzle.
Even those with a sweet tooth among you will get their money’s worth. Chocolate grapes, paradise apples, roasted almonds, Zwetschgendatschi (plum cake) or Kaiserschmarn – the list of sweet temptations is long. Of course, the obligatory gingerbread heart should not be missing. If you don’t have anyone to give you one with the inscription “For my sweetheart,” just buy one yourself. In any case, it’s a nice souvenir.
The perfect Wiesn outfit must not be missing during your visit to the Oktoberfest! Of course, Dirndl and Lederhosen are not mandatory to get admission, but always welcome, even for tourists. And who doesn’t like to wear and see the nice Dirndl and leather pants.
There is something important to note about the women’s outfit: Look at which side the dirndl apron is tied. If the woman wears the bow on the left side, she is still available. If the woman wears the bow on the right side, it is already spoken for. If the woman wears the bow in the middle, she is a waitress or widowed. This tells you what your chances are. The experience of Oktoberfest is simply indescribable. You absolutely must experience it for yourself! Enjoy the Bavarian joie de vivre, let yourself be infected by the good mood, laugh, dance and celebrate for all you’re worth!
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