Marienplatz & Glockenspiel
The heart of the old town with the New Town Hall. The Glockenspiel plays daily at 11 am and noon, and from March to October also at 5 pm.
More than beer and pretzels
Munich & beyond: your trip around Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is the highlight – but Munich, the Alps, fairy-tale castles and lakes turn your Wiesn visit into an unforgettable Bavarian journey.
- Oktoberfest 2027: September 18 – October 3, 2027
- Theresienwiese, Munich
If you travel to Munich for Oktoberfest, treat yourself to a few extra days. The city has world-class museums, magnificent palaces and one of Germany's most beautiful old towns. And within one to two hours you can be in the Alps, on Lake Chiemsee or in front of Neuschwanstein Castle.
Here you'll find Munich's top sights, the best day trips and sample itineraries with the Wiesn as the crowning highlight.
Munich
Munich's highlights
Most sights are close together – many are within walking distance or just a few U-Bahn stops apart.
Frauenkirche
Munich's landmark cathedral with its two domed towers. No building in the city centre may be built taller.
Viktualienmarkt
Munich's famous food market with fruit, cheese, white sausages and a small beer garden right in the city centre.
English Garden & Eisbach
One of the largest city parks in the world. Watch the surfers on the Eisbach wave and stop at the Chinese Tower beer garden.
Residenz
The former city palace of the Wittelsbach dynasty, with lavish halls and a treasury full of crown jewels.
Nymphenburg Palace
A baroque summer residence with a huge park, canals and the Marstall Museum of royal carriages.
Kunstareal & Pinakotheks
Old masters, modern art and design: around the Pinakothek galleries you'll find numerous museums side by side.
Deutsches Museum
One of the world's largest science and technology museums – from aircraft to a mine. Perfect for rainy days.
BMW Welt & Olympic Park
Cars, architecture and the Olympic Tower with views all the way to the Alps. Entry to BMW Welt is free.
Hofbräuhaus & beer gardens
The world's most famous beer hall – plus beer gardens still open in autumn, such as the Augustiner-Keller or Hirschgarten.
Day trips
The best day trips
By regional train, Bayern-Ticket or rental car – travel times are from Munich Central Station.
Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau
approx. 2 hrs to Füssen
King Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle. Book your castle tour tickets online in advance – there are hardly any left on site.
Salzburg
approx. 1.5 hrs
Mozart's birthplace with a baroque old town and Hohensalzburg Fortress. The Bayern-Ticket is valid as far as Salzburg Central Station.
Zugspitze & Garmisch-Partenkirchen
approx. 1.5 hrs to Garmisch
Germany's highest mountain (2,962 m) with a cog railway and cable car. On clear days you can see peaks in four countries.
Königssee & Berchtesgaden
approx. 2.5–3 hrs
A boat trip across the emerald lake to St. Bartholomä – including the famous trumpet echo off the rock face.
Lake Chiemsee & Herrenchiemsee
approx. 1 hr to Prien
Take the boat to Herreninsel and King Ludwig's „Bavarian Versailles“, then grab a fish roll on Fraueninsel.
Tegernsee & Lake Starnberg
30–60 min
Lakes with Alpine views, lakeside walks and traditional inns such as the Herzogliches Bräustüberl Tegernsee.
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial
approx. 40 min
A deeply moving place of remembrance. Admission is free; guided tours and audio guides are highly recommended.
Nuremberg
approx. 1 hr by ICE
Imperial Castle, medieval old town and the famous Nuremberg sausages.
Regensburg
approx. 1.5 hrs
A UNESCO World Heritage city with its Stone Bridge, cathedral and one of the world's oldest sausage kitchens.
Andechs Monastery & Ammersee
approx. 1 hr
A pilgrimage monastery on the „Holy Mountain“ with its own monastery brewery and views over Lake Ammersee.
Itineraries
Sample itineraries with Oktoberfest as the highlight
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3 days
Short break: city & Wiesn
Day 1: old town, Viktualienmarkt and the English Garden. Day 2: Oktoberfest – arrive early, lunch in a tent, rides in the evening. Day 3: Nymphenburg Palace or the Deutsches Museum, then a second Wiesn visit in the afternoon.
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5 days
The classic: city, Wiesn & castles
The 3-day route plus a day trip to Neuschwanstein and a day in Salzburg or on Lake Chiemsee.
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7–10 days
Bavarian road trip
Three days in Munich including the Wiesn, then by rental car to Garmisch and the Zugspitze, on to Neuschwanstein, Königssee and Lake Chiemsee. Or by train to Nuremberg and Regensburg.
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Tip
Time your Wiesn days well
Visit Oktoberfest on weekdays and plan day trips for the weekend – that's when the Theresienwiese is at its busiest.
Planning tips
Tips for planning your trip
Bayern-Ticket
Unlimited regional train travel across Bavaria for one day, for up to 5 people, from 9 am on weekdays. Not valid on ICE and IC trains.
Book ahead
Neuschwanstein, popular restaurants and Oktoberfest tables are booked up quickly in autumn – reserve in good time.
Check mountain weather
Check webcams and the forecast before an Alpine trip. Cable cars stop in storms, and it's much colder at the top.
Golden October
September and October often bring clear Föhn days with views of the Alps from Munich – ideal for day trips.
Munich as your base
Almost all excursions are day trips. If you don't want to keep moving, stay in Munich near Central Station for the whole trip.
FAQ
Questions & answers
How many days should I plan for Munich and Oktoberfest?
5–7 days is ideal: one or two days at the Wiesn, two days for the city and two or three day trips, for example to Neuschwanstein, Salzburg or the mountains.
Can I visit Neuschwanstein as a day trip from Munich?
Yes. By regional train to Füssen and bus to Hohenschwangau, it takes a good two hours each way. Be sure to book the castle tour online in advance.
Which day trips can I do with the Bayern-Ticket?
Any destination reachable by regional train: Neuschwanstein (Füssen), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Lake Chiemsee, Berchtesgaden, Regensburg, Nuremberg and even Salzburg Central Station.
Trip planning
Plan your whole trip
Oktoberfest is the highlight – but Munich and Bavaria have so much more to offer. Everything about getting here, getting around and day trips.
Accommodation
Places to stay in three price ranges
During Oktoberfest, Munich is the most expensive city in Germany to stay in. Pick the right category, book early, and you will still find your room.
Budget & sociable
approx. €40–130 per person/night
Tent camps, campsites, hostel dorms and simple rooms outside the city – ideal for backpackers, groups and anyone who mainly comes to party.
- Oktoberfest tent camps and campsites
- Hostel dorm beds
- Simple rooms in nearby towns with train links
Comfortable & personal
approx. €150–350 per room/night
Private rooms, guesthouses and mid-range hotels – with your own bathroom, a quiet night and good connections to the Theresienwiese.
- Private rooms („Zimmerfrei“) with local hosts
- Guesthouses (Pensionen) and 3-star hotels
- Apartments for groups of friends
Premium & central
from approx. €350 per room/night
4- and 5-star hotels and design apartments within walking distance of the Wiesn or in the old town – with concierge, spa and breakfast until noon.
- Walk to the Theresienwiese
- Concierge help with restaurants and day trips
- Large suites and apartments for families
Rough guide prices for the Oktoberfest period, no guarantee. Fridays and Saturdays are the most expensive; Monday to Wednesday is often much cheaper. Booking 9–12 months ahead gives you the best choice.