Exploring Munich during Oktoberfest

Start your day with a healthy breakfast at Botansita Cafe Club in the Glockenbach neighborhood. The power porridge bowl is a hearty way to fuel up for a crisp autumn day.

Walking tour of Old Town: Make your way towards Sendlinger Tor, the historical landmark marking the entrance of Old Town. Walk through the charming pedestrian streets and pop into Asamkirche, a Catholic Church from the 1700s with a breathtaking interior. Continue making your way down Sendlinger Street to the magnificent Marienplatz. The Glockenspiel in the tower of the New Town Hall reenacts stories from Munich’s history and plays daily at 11 am and 12 pm. If you are ready for a workout, climb St. Peter’s Tower nearby. The stairs can be a challenge but the views up top will be worth it.

Head around the corner to the Viktualienmarkt, a vibrant outdoor market with food stalls, fresh produce and souvenirs. This is a great place to grab lunch. After lunch, continue to explore Old Town and browse shops, or visit the Munich Residence, the former royal family’s palace.

For a traditional Bavarian dinner go to Augustiner Keller. The pork knuckle is a must!

If you’re in Munich during Oktoberfest, then you must experience it! Start your day with a light breakfast at the hotel before changing into your lederhosen and drindl. Tip: You can rent both in Munich if you don’t want to buy the clothing. Head to the Oktoberfest (Theresienwiese) grounds. The festival is huge and you will find carnival games and rides outside along with a lot of German food specialties and of course, beer. The beer is brewed exclusively for Oktoberfest by Munich’s and it’s worth trying even if you aren’t a beer drinker. You can find wine and non-alcoholic options too, so there is an option for all. My favorite is the apfelschorle (sparkling water and apple juice). Inside the beer tents feels like a big party. There’s singing, dancing on tables, a beer prost every few minutes, and a high likelihood that you will think you’re a local by the end of the afternoon.

After all the Oktoberfest fun, head back to the hotel to rest and relax before dinner. If you want to keep dinner casual, grab a doner kebab, a German street food favorite. Otherwise, for steak and seafood, try Brenner or Theresa Grill.

For breakfast today, grab a delicious German pastry and coffee from a local cafe. If you want to sit down for a bigger meal brunch at Cotidiano or Rosi Coffee + Bar are great choices. You’ll want to have the energy for a lot of walking today.

After brunch. head towards the English Garden which is Munich’s huge public park right in the middle of the city. Spend some time wandering around. If the weather is nice you can bring a book to read and find a nice spot to relax. Some highlights include Monopteros (small temple like building with great views), the Chinese Tower (beer garden), and watching surfers at the Eisbachwelle (Eisbach wave).

In the afternoon, choose from a guided food tour or visit one of Munich’s museums like the Deutsches Museum, BMW Museum, or Bavarian National Museum. If you have time, another lovely spot to take a walk is along the Isar river. This is especially popular on Sundays with families and it will make you feel like a local.

End the day with dinner at Taverna Melina, a charming and delicious Greek restaurant.