Munich Day Tours: The Best Oktoberfest in Germany

Oktoberfest is the ultimate German experience. It's the time when Munich comes alive and is taken over by crowds of beer-drinking revelers ready to enjoy the festivities. As one of the largest festivals in the world – the event sees millions of visitors flood the streets ready to enjoy the best Oktoberfest in Germany.

Oddly, the event doesn't actually take place in October, it starts in mid-September and continues for 16 days. The first Oktoberfest took place back in 1810 and it has been a pillar of Bavarian culture ever since. You can't travel to Munich without at least sampling a slice of Oktoberfest, with its beer tents, amusement park and traditions.

Not only are the streets buzzing across the festival area, but the whole of Munich is alive with excitement. Make the most of your Oktoberfest experience by adding in some Munich day tours to your visit. Join in the adventure of Oktoberfest and see some of the city's impressive sights at these historic events:

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Landlords and Breweries Parade

Starting at the edge of Munich's beautiful old town, the Munchner Kindl Mascot leads a fun parade through the town and out to where the festival takes place. This historic walk dates back to 1887 and includes a number of a beer wagons – it's a sight to see. This usually takes place on the first day of the festival, and really marks the start of the fun. Make sure you dress up and join in if you can!
 

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Riflemen and Costume Parade

Another traditional parade usually takes place on the Sunday (second day) of the festival. Starting at 9am, this parade has been an Oktoberfest tradition since 1835 and includes up to 8,000 people marching through the streets, as well as horse-drawn wagons. The parade usually lasts around two hours and is the ultimate way to head to the festival from the Old Town.
 

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Oktoberfest Luna Park

In the grounds of the festival a fun amusement park is a great place to spend an afternoon or even a whole day if you can. The park, which opens at 10am every day and closes at midnight, features rides, games and plenty of fairground food for visitors to enjoy. Some of the attractions at the park are centuries old, and others and more modern and fun for visitors to really experience an adrenaline rush.
 

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Beer Gardens

There's a reason why Oktoberfest is so popular in Munich – even when the festival is not taking place the city is filled with beer-loving tourists and Bavarian regulars sipping on steins in the stunning Munich beer gardens. So many of the beer gardens in the city have a long history dating back to as early as the 18th century. Hirschgarten is the largest beer garden in the world and was first opened in 1791, it is well worth a visit while you are at Oktoberfest. With a capacity for up to 8,000 guests, the beer garden is a historic part of Munich's beer culture.
 

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Explore the city

While the Oktoberfest tents are located just a little way outside of the historic center, it's always a good idea to make the most of Munich while you are here and discover its impressive old town. Be sure to stop off to witness the world-famous Glockenspiel show at the Marienplatz and walk the cobbled streets that are lined with historic buildings. You may also want to get away from the beer for a day or two during the festival and head over to the Farmers' Market at Viktualienmarkt. Or if you want to keep going but enjoy a change a scenery, why not order a stein at the Hofbrauhaus Platzl beer hall.
 

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Salzburg

If you really want to try something new during your stay in Munich then why not drive outside of the city to the incredible Austrian city of Salzburg. Located right on the German border, Salzburg is an easy day trip from Munich if you rent a car and take to the road. Famous for being the birthplace of composer Mozart and the setting for the timeless musical, “The Sound of Music”, Salzburg is a picturesque river-side city with historic buildings and rolling hills. Just an hour and a half from Munich, the city is a great place to visit for a day or two.
 

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Enjoy the Best Oktoberfest in Germany with Auto Europe

Get ready to embark on the vacation of a lifetime when you go on Munich day trips to all of the exciting Oktoberfest celebrations in Munich. Whether you're in need of a car rental in Germany, hotel accommodations, or both, Auto Europe can provide. Give us a call or click today, at 1-888-223-5555 and speak to one of our expert travel reservations agents to get started!