What should you know about the Oktoberfest festival in Munich?

Oktoberfest

Yesterday started a new edition of the most popular German festival in the world: Oktoberfest. This fair, whose main theme is beer, also offers many other attractions for those who decide to visit Munich until October 3.

The 2016 edition is scheduled to host seven million people at the Theresenwiese camp. willing to have a great time between toasts, music and lots of food. If this year you would like to become one of them and fill your social networks with images in Bavaria to show off to your followers, you cannot miss these 6 things you have to know about Oktoberfest to show off your knowledge about the autumn party at the that everyone wants to go.

The origin of Oktoberfest

Did you know that the first Oktoberfest took place in 1810? It was celebrated on the occasion of the wedding between Louis I of Bavaria and Teresa of Saxony under the motto "drink for all."

The celebration was so successful that centuries later it continues to be celebrated in Germany and has even spread to other countries. LThe entrance to the Theresienwiese esplanade where the celebration takes place is free and once there you can participate in one of the guided tours of the place where they explain in detail and in several languages ​​how the Oktoberfest has evolved over time.

The explanda by Theresienwiese

Oktoberfest esplanade

The Oktoberfest is a huge fair that takes place in a 46-hectare meadow called Theresienwiese, where the Munich beer booths are installed, the ferris wheels, the food stalls, the contests, etc. Here you will also find a large statue called Bavaria (representing the land) and the church of San Pablo.

Who starts the Oktoberfest each year?

It is the president of Bavaria and the mayor of Munich who start the party after hitting a couple of blows to the opening barrel of the event and drinking a few drinks from the pitchers that have been served.

From there, endless parades of traditional costumes, food fairs, concerts, fairground attractions and many beer tastings begin for weeks. The entrance to the Oktoberfest is free but once inside the prices do not drop below 9 euros. However, there are discounts on Sundays because it is the day for family visits.

Oktoberfest beers and food

oktoberfest beer

At Oktoberfest there can be a score of booths dedicated to beer and gastronomy. Many of them belong to breweries in the city such as Paulaner, Agustiner, Pschörr, Löwenbräu, Hofbräu or Schützen among others. However, there are also booths that do not bear the name of any beer brand and are very visited such as Marstal, Wildstuben or Winderer Fähndl.

The beer that can be enjoyed in Munich is subject to the Purity Law of 1516, which only allows it to be made with water, barley, hops and malt. This is served in half-liter jugs that cost about ten euros, practically the same as a plate of food. The fundamental thing is to accompany them with delicious knuckles or sausages to give yourself a good tribute and by the way enjoy the music bands of the booths, since it is not allowed to take the drink out of them or drink in the street.

Other dishes of traditional Bavarian cuisine are giant pretzels, dampfundel (dough filled with meat that is served cooked), roast beef with potatoes and red wine sauce, weisswurst (cooked white sausages whose skin is not eaten) , roast chicken, fischbraterei (grilled fish skewered on a stick) or currywurst (very popular curry sausages in Berlin). Nor can we forget the cheeses or gingerbread cookies with messages like 'I love you' to give as gifts.

Picnic at Oktoberfest

oktoberfest beer garden

A visit to the Oktoberfest cannot be concluded without having visited Munich's biergärten or beer gardensIn other words, outdoor terraces where people usually gather around an imposing chestnut tree to taste a delicious beer. One of the most recommended gardens to see is that of the Market Square, with stalls of maxi-size sausages, cheeses, game meats or exotic fruits.

How to go to Oktoberfest?

From the plane, Munich has a very large airport and well connected to the center. From there you can take a metro line U4 or U5 (Theresenwiese) to get to the venue where the party takes place. If we opt for the car, there is a parking lot near the Oktoberfest but we must bear in mind that, given the influx of public, it will be very difficult to park. Especially on weekends.

Bonus: Tourism in Munich

Marienplatz in Munich

If you are recovering from the hangover that Oktoberfest will leave you and you want to make the most of your stay in Munich, we recommend a cultural visit to the city. We will start with the impressive Marienplarz square (the political, social and cultural epicenter of the town), we will continue through the old Town Hall and the Gothic cathedral with imposing green domes, the Frauenkirche, erected emblem of Munich. If during the tour you get lost, go to the Fuente del Pez as it is the favorite meeting point of the locals.


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