Pictured above: traditional German beer and pretzel. Photo courtesy of Lesya.
Pictured above left: Lesya outside the entrance gates. Pictured above right: Lesya and friends on the main street walking to a beer tent. Photos courtesy of Lesya.
About Lesya
I first met Lesya in Florence, Italy in 2011. She was studying at Lorenzo de Medici, where I was studying. We were introduced through mutual friends and hit it off instantly. We spent many days walking around the streets of Italian towns and later to Athens, Greece and Nafplion, Greece. Lesya has been traveling ever since. She’s traveled to Australia, South East Asia, South America and all over Europe.
Lesya was born in Ukraine and moved to Long Island, New York when she was a child, that’s where she lives and works today. It’s easy to say she’s an inspiration – she embodies the idea of enjoying life to its fullest.
Pictured above left: Lesya and her friend at Oktoberfest. Photos courtesy of Lesya.
Pictured above left: Inside the popular HB beer tent. Pictured above right: the famous Oktoberfest cookies, to be worn like a necklace. Photos courtesy of Lesya.
Pictured above: German flag. Photo from my archives – 2017.
Pictured above: Photo from the top of the New Town Hall, Munich. Photo from my archives – 2017.
Pictured above: Photo from the top of the New Town Hall, Munich. Photo from my archives – 2017.
Pictured above: Bavarian architecture detail. Photo from my archives – 2017.
Pictured above: View from the top of the New Town Hall. Photo from my archives – 2017.
Pictured above: View from the top of the New Town Hall. Photo from my archives – 2017.
Pictured above: View from the top of the New Town Hall. Photo from my archives – 2017.
Pictured above: Bavarian architecture. Photo from my archives – 2017.
Oktoberfest Fast Facts
Oktoberfest is one of the largest festivals in Europe with an average of over 7 million visitors1 per year.
The festival starts in late September and runs through the first week of October.
Bring lots of euro. Also, don’t bring your debit and credit cards.
Most tents are enormous. And some tents can hold up to 10,000 people.
Beer tents fill up fast – the last night I was there, it was standing room only for anyone arriving later.
People will start drinking before noon, so plan to arrive early to find a table.
Hold on tight to your beer when you cheers! Be sure to look people in the eye when you say “prost”.
You’ll find pretzels, sausage, and saur kraut all over Munich, all the beer food you could want!
Those cookie stands with heart-shaped cookies covered in frosting – you’re supposed to give those to your loved ones.
The city and metro will be insanely crowded.
You can buy the traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest outfits, dirndl for the ladies and lederhosen for the men, in Munich for around 100-200 euro. However, you definitely don’t have to wear these outfits. For some, a folk-inspired outfit is preferred. I bought a dirndl at a small store in Munich and I kept it as a really cool souvenir.
Braided hair is in.
You will walk a lot, especially if you walk home at night. There will be a line of taxis waiting outside the main gate. But for Lesya and I, we decided to walk off the beer.
Nights will be pretty chilly. I was cold in a small sweater and my dirndl. So, better to come prepared.
You will sing, stand on tables, and get a little rowdy – and this is the fun of Oktoberfest, especially toward the end of each night.
Go to the top of the New Town Hall for an incredible view of Munich and the most amazing photo opp.
Walk around the city and go to the castles. This is one of the cool things about Munich and its history. Remember, there’s a lot more to Munich than Oktoberfest.
The famous Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired the Disneyland castle, is under a 2-hour drive from Munich. I didn’t make time to see it, and I regret it!
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