The Oktoberfest in Munich
The Oktoberfest in Munich (Wiesn in dialect) is the largest folk festival in the world. It has been held on the Theresienwiese in the Bavarian capital of Munich since 1810 and is visited by around six million people every year; in 2012 there were 6.4 million visitors. Munich breweries brew a special beer for the Oktoberfest, which must have an original gravity of at least 13.5% and therefore contains more alcohol than normal full beer (between 5.8% and 6.4% in 2013).
The Theresienwiese is only 3 subway stops away from our Hotel Nymphenburg.
Munich Christmas markets
The Christmas market on Marienplatz
The beginnings of the Christmas market are said to date back to the 14th century with the so-called St. Nicholas markets on Marienplatz. A Nikolaidult is first mentioned in documents in Kaufinger Straße near the Schöner Turm in 1642. "Oberammergau goods and Nuremberg gingerbread, cotton children's clothes, nativity figures and chimney sweeps made from plums and almonds" were part of the assortment of these markets, according to a chronicle. In the course of the Enlightenment, the Nikolaimarkt was renamed Christmarkt from 1806 and - after several relocations - found its permanent place in the heart of the Isar metropolis in 1972 as the "Münchner Christkindlmarkt".
The traditional market is organized by the City of Munich's tourist office. Strolling through the Christkindlmarkt is full of Christmas anticipation. Toys and handicrafts, candles and ceramics, pewter and wooden goods - there is a wide range on offer at the 160 or so market stalls.
Over 20 Christmas markets - here are our recommendations:
- Christmas market at Marienplatz
- Haidhaus Christmas Market
- Christmas market at Sendlinger Tor
- Christmas market on
- inter-Tollwood-Festival
- Nostalgic market on the Praterinsel
- Christmas art market at the Old Botanical Garden
- Schwabing Christmas market at the Münchner Freiheit
The "fifth" season in Munich
After the end of the carnival season, the time of strong beer begins in Bavaria, which in those days was supposed to make Lent more bearable. A beer was therefore needed that was stronger than all the others, strong and calorie-rich enough to bridge the period of abstinence.
There are various sources for the origin of strong beer. The most common story is probably that the strong beer was brewed by Salvator monks during Lent. After all, if fasting is necessary, then at least there should be no lack of liquid food.
The Paulaner monks, who came to Munich from Italy, brewed their first strong beer as early as 1629 according to the Maibock recipe, only stronger (Doppelbock) and named it "Sankt Vater". It was later popularly known as "Salvator".
The tradition of derblecking
Derblecken (Bavarian, meaning "to make fun of someone") goes back to the greeting of guests by their landlord, who used to know all the villagers personally and was very familiar with the stories and rumors circulating in the village. Humorous and self-confident landlords liked to tease their regulars with these stories ("naufg'schossen").
Less rhetorically gifted innkeepers or hosts would hire professional wedding singers or gstanzl singers for events where guests were to be greeted in a similar manner, who would listen to the guests' idiosyncrasies and sensitivities in advance. The respective victims of the mockery were expected to take it with humor; an offended reaction caused even greater amusement among the other guests.
To this day, this background is also characteristic of the politicians' banter on the Nockherberg. As the "victims" are invited guests, criticism that is too crude or even insulting, which would backfire on the host - the brewery - is prohibited. Accordingly, the authors of the festival contributions endeavor to present particularly critical "attacks" in a tongue-in-cheek or indirect manner.
The BMW World
BMW Welt in Munich is a fascinating experience center that presents the world of mobility and innovation in a unique way. As an architectural masterpiece designed by the renowned architecture firm Coop Himmelb(l)au, it attracts millions of visitors every year.
At BMW Welt, visitors can experience the brand's latest models up close. One highlight is the opportunity to pick up your new vehicle in person and enjoy an unforgettable experience. But BMW Welt offers more than just cars. It is a place of encounter and inspiration, with changing exhibitions, events and an extensive program for young and old. The BMW Museum, right next door, delves deeper into the history and technological milestones of the brand. A visit to Munich is hardly complete without this impressive place.
The Auer Dult on the Mariahilfplatz
The Auer Dult takes place three times a year:
The May Dult begins in the last week of April, the Jakobi Dult starts at the end of July and the Kirchweih Dult in mid-October. The Dult always opens on a Saturday and lasts eight days.
The Auer Dult offers something for all visitors: Are you looking for a cooking spoon, a new lid for your sugar bowl or an unusual door handle? You're sure to find it here.
In addition to fairground stalls and pottery, a Punch and Judy show and a bratwurst stand, there are also real rarities to discover.
In four sales alleys you will find really interesting junk and unusual antiques from long-established traders from Munich and the surrounding area.
Further worthwhile excursion destinations without claiming to be exhaustive:
Nymphenburg Palace
The extensive baroque complex in the west of Munich was built as the summer residence of the Bavarian electors. In addition to the extensive palace buildings, the impressive ensemble of baroque court buildings also includes a number of important collections and the famous palace park. With its ornate interior and the much-admired beauty gallery of King Ludwig I, the palace is one of Munich's most popular sights. The palace museum also includes King Ludwig II's birth chamber and the multi-storey ballroom with its magnificent ceiling fresco by Johann Baptist Zimmermann.
The Schrannenhalle (Eataly)
The hall opened its doors for the first time on September 15, 1853 as a grain handling facility - after a phenomenally short construction time, which was typical for this type of construction. Now the special building, which has been preserved for the city - at least in part - has been rebuilt at its original location near the Viktualienmarkt. Traders, restaurants and events around the clock and every day.
The Olympic Park
More than three decades have passed since the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and the Olympic Park Munich is still a unique place full of life. Most of the Olympic venues are now history, but Munich has established itself as a world-renowned leisure and event center - Olympic Stadium, Olympic Hall, Olympic Tower with the Rock Museum, Olympic Swimming Hall, Ice Rink and the Sea Life Underwater World.
Sea Life Munich
At Sea Life Munich, visitors will follow the path of water from the Isar via the Danube to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. On two floors, they will not only experience the fascination of the local and Mediterranean underwater world, but also gain a comprehensive insight into the various ecosystems. The "shark highlight" of Sea Life Munich, the ninth German Sea Life Aquarium, will be the 400,000-liter Mediterranean basin with underwater tunnel.
Hellabrunn Zoo
First opened on August 1, 1911, closed in 1922 due to the economic crisis. One year after reopening in 1928, Hellabrunn Zoo was revived by director Heinz Heck as the world's first geo-zoo.
The Bavaria Filmstadt
An excursion into the world of film and television Bavaria Film GmbH is one of the largest and most successful film studios in Europe. Cinema highlights and TV hits have been made in Bavaria Filmstadt for over 80 years. Much of what you see in the cinema or on television is produced by Bavaria Film or its subsidiaries. Let yourself be enchanted by the atmosphere of this successful film studio during your tour of Bavaria Filmstadt.