In the second half of September, the Oktoberfest takes place in Munich, the perfect opportunity to discover the Bavarian capital in one weekend. Here are 4 tips for a successful beer party.
1-Drink one or more beers in a Biergarten for a local style experience
The Biergarten are verbatim "beer gardens", where you can taste draught beers of excellent quality, as the famous Bavarian brewers are at the helm. Warning: the quantities are colossal. Glasses under a litre are rarely found. You will often have to share your drink with your friends if you want to consume a smaller amount. Lovers of low-alcoholic drinks can try the Radler, which is beer mixed with lemonade and is particularly refreshing. The Biergarten are open from spring to autumn in Munich, but it is during the Oktoberfest that the party is in full swing. You sit on benches and enjoy your moss on a large wooden table next to neighbours who are all willing to get to know you, even if you only speak French. Good atmosphere guaranteed! The little extra: you are allowed to bring sandwiches and picnic in all the Biergarten as long as you drink a small beer on the spot.
2-Sleeping in the heart of Munich to recover
During the Munich Beer Festival, we walk a lot and drink a lot... As most of the entertainment is concentrated in the city centre, it is best to find a hotel to sleep in. Among the best addresses in the city: the Charles Hotel Munich of the Rocco Forte Group. This small, affordable palace is located in the centre of Munich, only 15 minutes away from the main attractions. It offers 136 rooms and 24 modern suites with all modern comforts, spacious and decorated in a very design style, all close to a large botanical garden, one of the green lungs of the city. Good news: the all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast will give you energy in the morning for your crazy "made in Bavaria" fiesta day and the spa will allow you to relax your muscles at the end of the day, in the hammam, sauna or in the large indoor pool (free access for guests). Please note: during Oktoberfest, the famous costume designer Sarah Tack, traditional costume designer Dirndl Liebe Oktoberfest, will be offering her guests tailor-made Bavarian outfits. Finally, on the gastronomic side, don't miss the refined Italian specialities of the Davvero restaurant which will change the endless pretzels of the beer festival..
3-Enjoy the view at one of the best surf spots in the world
At the end of a day's beer festival, you'll probably want to see more than just a bunch of Bavarians on the prowl. So bet on the unusual! Did you know that? Munich has a world-famous surf spot on the Eisbach River - which flows through the Englischer Garten - where a very strong current forms impressive waves worthy of the pros. They are in fact the ones who come to train in line, dressed in suits (it is a little cold) under the eyes of amazed spectators. Try the selfie with the most beautiful/strongest of them (like us). They like to have fans!
4-Discover the castle and its gardens in one morning
Once you have walked through Munich's beautiful historic centre, its beautiful pedestrian streets, admired the two towers of its cathedral, the city's emblem, and watched the dance of the automatons in the city hall, all in an Oktoberfest atmosphere, between tourists and locals rather soaked, you will surely feel like a bit of peace and quiet. Then take the opportunity to take a stroll through the beautiful gardens of Nymphenburg Palace. The access is free and you will enjoy the lush green expanses as far as the eye can see, the ponds, small rivers and waterfalls. Yet you are still in the heart of Munich! Go in the morning instead to avoid the crowds of visitors
