Germany, Bavaria. Munich during Oktoberfest with a visit to the official festival tents Augustiner-Festhalle, Hofbräu-Festzelt, and Hacker-Festzelt, tasting festival beer and traditional cuisine.

🚆 Arrival in Munich. From Franz Josef Strauß Airport, the easiest way to get to the center is by S-Bahn or by booking a transfer in advance; for a beer tour this is especially important, because the rest of the route is best planned without a car. Check into a hotel in Altstadt or near Marienplatz/Hauptbahnhof: this makes it easier to combine walks through the old town, evening beer halls, and trips to Wiesn.

🏛️ Start with the Bier- und Oktoberfestmuseum at Sterneckerstraße 2 — arguably the best introduction for the whole trip. The museum is located in one of Munich’s oldest town houses and explains very well why beer in Bavaria is not just a drink, but part of the city’s identity, craftsmanship, economy, and festive culture. Across three floors, you’ll find material on the development of Munich brewing, the history of Oktoberfest, old beer traditions, festival tableware, music, and everyday life. Keep in mind that the museum usually operates Monday to Saturday, roughly from 11:00 to 19:00, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays; tours and tastings are available by reservation, so before your trip be sure to recheck the schedule and whether an English- or Russian-language format is available.

🍺 After the museum, it makes sense to walk a few minutes to Hofbräuhaus München, Platzl 9 — the city’s most famous historic beer hall, whose image has long become one of Munich’s symbols. This is not just a tourist postcard: huge halls with painted vaulted ceilings, copper and wood details, traditional music, and the lively density of the crowd create that very “classic” Munich experience. It’s a great place to start exploring local styles and serving traditions: you can try a pale lager in Bavarian style and pair it with white sausages, pretzels, Schweinshaxe, or Obatzda. Officially, the restaurant is open daily from about 11:00 until midnight, the kitchen usually until 22:00, and the last drink service is closer to 23:30. If you want a calmer meal, it’s better to come before the evening peak.

🚶 Then continue your walk through the old center: Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, and the area around Platzl are especially good for the first day, when you don’t want to rush and would like to ease into the city’s rhythm. Around Viktualienmarkt, it is convenient to notice Bavaria’s gastronomic contrasts: from cheeses and meat delicacies to mustard, pickles, and bread, all of which open up very differently when paired with local beer. Even if the main theme of the tour is beer, alternating tastings with food and walks will help you keep the pace without overload.

🍽️ In the evening, end the day at Ayinger am Platzl, Platzl 1A, if you want a more intimate and carefully composed Bavarian dinner with a focus on Ayinger brewery. It’s a good contrast to the louder Hofbräuhaus: here it’s easier to taste beer thoughtfully rather than “carried by the moment.” The venue usually opens at 11:00; from Sunday to Thursday it stays open roughly until 23:00, and on Friday and Saturday until midnight, with the kitchen daily until 22:00. For dinner, it’s worth reserving a table in advance, especially during Oktoberfest.

⚠️ Responsible consumption: in Germany, buying and drinking beer and wine is allowed from age 16, and spirits from 18, but for a comfortable route it’s better to plan no more than 2–3 tasting stops per day, always with food and water. After evening tastings, return to the hotel on foot, by U-Bahn/S-Bahn, or by taxi; do not use a rental car or drive yourself as part of this tour.

🎡 Today is a full immersion into Wiesn, meaning Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese. The 2026 festival runs from September 19 to October 4, and the general opening hours of the grounds and tents depend on the day of the week: on weekdays the site usually opens from 10:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00; the large tents stop music and last beer service at around 22:30, and close later. On the opening day, special rules apply: until noon only non-alcoholic drinks are served in the tents, and the official tapping of festival beer begins after the “O’zapft is!” ceremony. Before your visit, be sure to recheck the current rules, as entry procedures, routes, and security arrangements may change on certain days.

🚇 The easiest way to get to Theresienwiese is by public transport. On very busy days, MVG advises allowing extra time and, if necessary, using the walking route from Hauptbahnhof, which is well signposted and often turns out to be easier than standing in overcrowded flows at Theresienwiese station. During peak hours, the platform may be temporarily restricted for safety reasons, so it’s worth planning your shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and patience in advance.

🍺 The main goal of the day is Augustiner-Festhalle at Wirtsbudenstraße 62, one of the most beloved tents among those who appreciate not only the fun but also the taste of the beer itself. This is where Munich’s old-school character is especially tangible: Augustiner is famous for traditionally serving its festival beer from wooden Hirschen barrels, which for many guests becomes a special part of the ritual. The atmosphere in the tent is more family-friendly and welcoming than in the most “party-focused” neighboring tents, so it is perfect for your first big festival day. The interior, copper-golden light, servers in traditional clothing, and dense but less chaotic energy make it one of the most authentic places on all of Wiesn.

🍗 Order the classic festival combination here: a Maß of Oktoberfestbier, roast chicken, half a duck or pork knuckle, plus something lighter such as Bavarian salad or a pretzel for the table. It is important to understand that in the big tents it is best to reserve seats in advance, especially if you want to get inside in the evening or as a group. Without a reservation, it is more realistic to come earlier on a weekday. If you don’t have a booking, keep the day flexible: arrive before lunch, have lunch, then go out for a walk around the festival grounds, ride the Ferris wheel, or take a break by the Bavaria statue and Ruhmeshalle.

🏛️ After the tent, walk over to Bavaria-Statue and Ruhmeshalle above Theresienwiese. This is an excellent spot to see the festival grounds on a broader scale and feel that Oktoberfest is not just a row of tents, but a huge city ritual set in a historic space. Even a short step into fresh air between tastings significantly improves the impression of the day.

🌙 In the evening, don’t overload the program. If you want to continue, you can make a short stop at Augustiner-Keller, Arnulfstraße 52, one of Munich’s best-known beer gardens and historic beer addresses. It is easy to reach by public transport via Hauptbahnhof or Hackerbrücke. But if the day has already been full, it is better to return straight to the hotel and save your energy for the next festival tents.

🍻 The third day is devoted to the more energetic and international side of Oktoberfest. Start it in the late morning or around an early lunch, not too early after the previous day, and definitely after a hearty breakfast. Today you have two iconic tents: Hofbräu-Festzelt and Hacker-Festzelt, each showing a completely different side of the Munich festival.

🌍 First, go to Hofbräu-Festzelt at Wirtsbudenstraße 83. It is the festival’s second-largest tent and probably the most international in terms of crowd. Its special feature is the standing area right in front of the music stage, something the other large tents do not have in quite the same form. This is where you especially feel how Oktoberfest has long gone beyond Bavaria and become a global celebration: at neighboring tables you may find locals, Americans, Italians, Australians, and guests from dozens of other countries. Hop garlands hang from the ceiling, and in the evening the atmosphere often shifts into something almost concert-like. If you want to see the most “international” face of Wiesn — this is it.

🍖 In terms of food, Hofbräu-Festzelt stays close to festival classics: roast chicken, Schweinshaxe, dumplings, salads, dishes for children, and daytime specials. But the main reason to come here is not only the menu, but precisely the combination of a large space, loud music, collective energy, and the feeling that the whole world is celebrating around you. Because of its popularity, it is best to come in the first half of the day or have a reservation. If you do not like crowds, avoid prime time.

☁️ Dedicate the second part of the day to Hacker-Festzelt at Wirtsbudenstraße 59 — a tent with one of the festival’s most beautiful and recognizable interiors. It is often called the “heaven of Bavaria”: the ceiling is designed as a blue sky with clouds, and inside it really does feel like a large summer beer garden, only under a roof. This is one of the most atmospheric tents on all of Wiesn, especially appreciated not only for music and beer but also for the visual poetry of the space. Hacker-Pschorr’s festival beer is around 6.0% ABV, so it is best to taste it slowly and definitely pair it with water and snacks.

🎶 If Hofbräu is noisy international energy, then Hacker offers a slightly more romanticized, “picture-perfect” image of Munich. Inside, it is interesting to pay attention to the murals, the overall light, the orchestra, and how the mood of the tent changes from daytime seating to the evening warm-up. It is precisely the comparison of the three tents — Augustiner, Hofbräu, and Hacker — that makes the tour truly meaningful: you are seeing not just three places for beer, but three different scenarios of a Bavarian celebration.

🚶 Take breaks outside between tents: walk around the grounds, get a non-alcoholic drink, look at the historic carousels, souvenir rows, and the overall choreography of festival movement. This rhythm will help you handle the intensity of the day better. After the program, return to your hotel by U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, on foot from Hauptbahnhof, or by taxi. Any driving after tastings is out of the question.

🍺 It is best to make the final day calmer and more “grounded,” with the emphasis not on the scale of the festival but on everyday Bavarian beer culture. Start with a late breakfast and head to Augustiner Stammhaus, Neuhauser Straße 27, one of the most important historic places to get to know the Augustiner brand outside the festival grounds. This venue helps you see how Munich’s famous beer tradition lives in the city year-round, not only during two autumn weeks.

🥨 At Augustiner Stammhaus, it’s worth planning a long lunch: wood paneling, lively close-set seating, the feel of an old city beer hall, and very straightforward Bavarian cuisine create a warm final note for the whole trip. The restaurant usually operates Monday to Saturday roughly from 11:00 until midnight, and on Sundays until 22:00; the beer hall has a separate schedule and may be closed on Sundays. Before your visit, be sure to check whether there is a private event or whether part of the halls is restricted.

🌳 After lunch, take a long walk without tastings — for example, through the old town toward Englischer Garten, or on a more compact route via Karlsplatz and the central streets. This is an important element of a beer itinerary specifically: impressions settle best not at the moment of the last mug, but during a calm walk, when the city begins to feel like a whole — with its breweries, markets, festivals, gardens, music, and gastronomy.

🍻 If you want one more, truly final stop, return to Augustiner-Keller at Arnulfstraße 52. It is an excellent address for a last toast to Bavaria: a historic beer garden, spaciousness, chestnut trees in season, and a very Munich atmosphere without festival overload. It is best to come here not for quantity, but for the feeling of a completed journey. If your flight is early or you want to feel lighter before the road, you can limit yourself to a non-alcoholic dinner.

🧳 Before departure, check your airport logistics: during Oktoberfest the city operates under increased strain, so it is best to allow extra time for the trip to MUC. For a late evening departure or a group with luggage, taxis and pre-booked transfers are convenient. If you choose car sharing for sober daytime movement, use it only before any tastings begin; within this tour, after drinking alcohol, only walking routes, public transport, or taxis are acceptable.

📌 An important rule for the whole trip: official opening hours, tour slots, booking rules, and seat availability should be rechecked right before your visit. Even iconic and long-established Munich venues may temporarily close certain halls, the museum section, the kitchen, or tours because of renovation, private events, and seasonal changes. This is especially relevant during Oktoberfest.