Munich always celebrates somewhere, something and above all itself. The Wiesn festival (Oktoberfest) is only one highlight – and one reason why I love to live in this city in between my many trips!
It’s really no exaggeration: Whether it’s a spring festival, Starkbierfest, Oktoberfest or FC-Bayern-Meisterschaftsfest – in the city of Munich there is always a festival in the city calendar. Busy traditional Dirndl and Lederhosen wearers often rush here after work to an event in the brewery or walk proudly and relaxed at weekends in the city’s beer gardens for the festivals. And if it’s not the Oktoberfest, they usually stay here among themselves, because tourists scarcely know about it. You meet with friends, family and also bring one or the other business partner into town with you. The celebration of coziness, the Munich Way, is enjoyed and renowned here at every moment.
Lovely Wiesn-Wahnsinn
At the end of September, however, you should decide at the latest whether to leave or stay. Because then the city is dominated by the Wiesn madness and the measure for many Oktoberfest tourists is the measure of all things. Anyway – I love the Wiesn festival, and my favourites here are the Schottenhamel tent or the Käfer Wiesn tavern. But also the smaller tents, like the Fisch-Bäda Wiesnstadl, which is actually a mountain hut, are great fun – especially because they are so far away from the big tents and they are often not on the guests’ radar.
Beer gardens inside Munich
Far away from the Wiesn and the Theresienhöhe, the beer gardens are the measure of all things. The largest is the “Königlicher Hirschgarten” towards Nymphenburg. Here you’ll find delicious food and drink, just like it should be. But, in fact, the deer in the game enclosure and around it generous meadows invite you to sport, sit together and look into the blue sky and white clouds.
Honest, typical, proud and under chestnut trees, the Augustinergarten near the Bayerischer Rundfunk also presents itself as a true option. And also the beer garden at the Chinese Tower is a real recommendation. Why? Our Bleisure-Traveller author Katja Wunderlich and I have been on site:
Beer gardens outside
And getting out is always worth it, even in Munich. A tip is the “Alte Villa” in Utting at the Ammersee. Here you sit below a historic villa with a view of the lake and listen to the live music, which varies between jazz and traditional brass music depending on the Sunday. And if it’s warm enough, you can jump into the water next door on the bathing shore and take a look at the Alps.
The restaurant Fischer directly at the harbour in Inning am Ammersee invites you to its beer garden and its sailing terrace feeling. With its modern cuisine, a little stroll along the shore and a lot of Dolce Vita to experience – a lead leisure excursion as it’s best.
Kai Böcking …
likes to slip into his traditional lederhosen whenever it’s supposed to happen in Munich in Bavaria. That’s what they do here, says the Rhinelander, who was born here, smiling all the time. Just like the beer gardens get populated as soon as the sun is shining. For the sake of coziness. What else can you do?
Fotos: Konzack, Böcking