It is an event renowned – and indeed replicated – across the world and it is certainly an experience for anyone who visits.
The Munich Oktoberfest is the world’s largest funfair, running for 16 days until the first weekend in October (unless it falls on the 1st or 2nd, in which case it lasts a day extra).
More than six million people visit every single year and the enthralling event is embedded in Bavarian culture, dating as far back as 1810 to the marriage of crown prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.
This year’s event gets underway on September 20 and more than seven million litres of beer will be served by the time it concludes.
Munich is set to become a very busy place and the many different tents at Oktoberfest are sure to fill up quickly.
The Beer
The main focus of the event is the beer – with only beer that conforms to Reinheitsgebot (roughly translated as German Beer Law) able to be served.
It means it must be 13.5% Stammwurze – a German measurement of brewing equating to roughly 6% alcohol content.
The only other rule is that the beer must be brewed within the city limits of Munich, meaning visitors get to taste the very best that is on offer.
Any beers that fulfill those criteria are deemed Oktoberfest Beers and the ones that should certainly be tried at least once by visitors.
The Food
Many traditional foods including Hendl (roast chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Wurstl (sausage) and Sauerkraut (red cabbage) are all served at Oktoberfest.
Other customary foods include Brezen (pretzels), Knodel (dumplings) and Bavarian delecacies including Obatzda (spiced cheese butter spread) and Weisswirst (white sausage).
All are served in abundance at the festival, which is seen as a celebration of everything that the region has to offer.
Munich
Germany’s third largest city is steeped in history – with modern architecture found side-by-side with historical monuments.
Numerous green spaces can be found throughout the city, while there are plenty of museums and places of interest to visit.
That always assumes, of course, that visitors can drag themselves away from the beer, food and attractions found at the Oktoberfest celebrations.
Its spectacular parades, outfits and musical accompaniments may simply be too good to leave.
Financing a trip to Oktoberfest
Travelling with a prepaid travel card can provide money to spend without the need to carry lots of travellers’ cheques or foreign currency.
With a prepaid card you can only spend the amount which is on it at any given time, making budget management possible, although it can be topped up if you so wish.
Additional security exists on these cards, while the exchange rate seen will be the one when the original transaction took place – providing protection should the exchange rate vary dramatically during a trip.