Ein Prosit! An Oktoberfest Honeymoon in Munich

Arrive in Munich via the Hauptbahnhof (central train station) and check in at the 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, just across the street. In addition to the great central location of this hotel, enjoy its quirky accents, from the giant swan chair in the lobby, to the typewriter and book of silly German phrases in your hotel room.

Oktoberfest Tip #1: If you book this hotel with a travel advisor, we can get you guaranteed early check-in and late check-out, which you may need after a long night of drinking!

Exploring Town

After checking in, walk to the famed Marienplatz, the central square in Munich. The Neues Rathaus (The New City Hall) has a large clock that chimes at 11:00am, 12:00pm and 5pm from March to October. It's a cute show to watch if you happen to be there at one of those times!

At this time, be sure to buy some traditional German attire for Oktoberfest if you don’t have it already! Men traditionally wear Lederhosen, leather pants that can be worn with or without suspenders. Women wear Dirndls, a dress with a close-fitting bodice and apron worn over a white blouse. Feel free to mix it up - no judgment here! For lederhosen, if you don’t know your size, I recommend Lederhosen Wagner, where a no-nonsense German woman will match you with the perfect lederhosen in a few short minutes. There are also pop-up stores that sell lederhosen and dirndls if you need something in a pinch.

Near the Marienplatz, be sure to also explore the Viktualienmarkt, an open-air market known for its local specialties and lively atmosphere. You can find something for any palate!

Dinner and Drinks

Stop for dinner at the Augustiner am Platzl. Order their delicious Schnitzel, käsespätzle (potato dumplings with cheese which are my absolute favorite German side dish), and of course a liter of the "Augustiner hell" or light Augustiner beer. This beer is so light and delicious, I highly recommend it as an Oktoberfest staple, because you really can drink a LOT of it.

After dinner, head to the world famous Hofbräuhaus just down the street. During Oktoberfest especially, this place will be packed, but as a honeymooning couple you can easily find seating somewhere among the 3 large floors. If you’re still hungry, try the Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), a popular Oktoberfest delicacy, and of course when at Hofbräuhaus you have to try their house beer.

Opening Parade

If you happen to be in Munich on opening day of Oktoberfest, watch the Opening Parade that marks the official start of the festival! At noon, the festival officially starts after the first tapping of the keg by the mayor, who exclaims, "O'zapft is!" (It is tapped!) and 12 shots are fired in the air. For the rest of Oktoberfest, the festival opens at 10am on weekdays, and 9am on weekends.

Oktoberfest tip #2: If attending opening day, I highly recommend watching some of the parade, but don't wait till the end of it to start walking to the Theresienwiese (the Oktoberfest grounds). Everyone starts moving in that direction at the same time, so many entrances get too crowded and get closed off.

Whether you come for opening day or not, spend your first day getting a lay of the land! The Theresienwiese is HUGE, and contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest isn't just a bunch of beer tents. Think of the best carnival or state fair you've ever been to. It's bigger and better than that - amusement park rides and games that are fun for the whole family, juxtaposed with beer tent revelry.

Noteworthy landmarks, attractions, and items

The Ferris Wheel - I highly recommend it for the most incredible views of the Theresienwiese and the Munich City Center.

Lebkuchenherzen (gingerbread hearts)- these large gingerbread cookies you can tie around your neck are in stalls all over the place, and they are SO cute! They all have different words and phrases written on them, so get one that fits your vibe!

The Kotzwiese, or "puke hill" - located at the large Bavaria statue on the South end of the Theresienwiese that overlooks the festival. True to its name, this hill is the place people come to when they're not feeling particularly well. It can be fun to people watch, but don't sit here for obvious reasons (unless you ARE one of these people, and in that case, no judgment here).

The Major Beer Tents (from North to South):

Marstall - the newest Oktoberfest tent, opened in 2014, horse themed and named after the former Royal Riding School in Germany! Beer served: Franziskaner and Spaten

Fischer-Vroni - known for their grilled fish on a stick and LGBTQ friendly scene! Beer served: Augustiner

Armbrustschützen-Festzelt - A more traditional Oktoberfest tent, known for hosting the annual crossbow shooting competition. We sat in the beer garden just outside. Such a lively, fun atmosphere! Beer served: Paulaner

Ochsenbraterei - known for their ox specialty dishes and popular with the locals! Beer served: Spaten

Hofbräu-Festzelt - known as the "international" tent because many tourists gather here! We came on a Monday night and it was still quite the party! The inside is beautiful, with several wreaths made from hop vines and Bavarian themed art on walls and banners. Beer served: Hofbräu (of course)

Augustinerbräu-Festhalle - They serve our favorite beer that we drank at dinner the previous day, the Augustiner Hell, so of course we had to stop by here! It's a friendly atmosphere that is also great for families. Beer served: Augustiner

Hacker Festzelt - Known for its beautiful blue sky ceiling that makes you feel like you're in the "heavens" of Bavaria! Beer served: Hacker-Pschorr

Schottenhamel-Festhalle - Known as the tent where the mayor taps the first keg of Oktoberfest! Beer Served: Spaten

Pschorr Festzelt Bräurosl - Named after the Pschorr innkeeper's daughter, Rosi, who was popular for her beauty! Also known for their LGBTQ friendly scene - The LGBTQ community comes together on "Gay Sunday," the first Sunday of Oktoberfest. Beer Served: Hacker-Pschorr

Paulaner Festzelt - has a tower with a rotating beer mug on top, which is the most popular photo op at Oktoberfest! VIPs like to come here as well, such as FC Bayern players and other celebrities. Beer served: Paulaner

Löwenbräu Festzelt - known for its large lion in front that roars "Löööööwenbräääääu," and popular with international visitors. Beer served: Löwenbräu

Schützen Festzelt - known for its delicious suckling pig and shooting ranges. You can also get more than beer here - wine, champagne, schnapps, and more. Beer served: Löwenbrau

Käfer Wiesn-Schänke - known for being the place where all the celebrities hang out! The interior is like a cozy Alpine cabin, and since it's not licensed as a beer tent, closing time is after midnight. Beer served: Paulaner

Kufflers Weinzelt - This is the wine tent! Recommended for anyone who (quite understandably) gets sick of beer. They do serve wheat beer, but their specialty is wine, champagne, and prosecco. Beer served: Paulaner wheat beer only until 9pm

Oktoberfest Tip #2: If going with a group, I highly recommend reserving a table at your desired tent well in advance! (8 people is the minimum).

After the previous day's adventures, take it easy today and take in the sights of Munich. Start with a yummy breakfast at Cotidiano Promenadeplatz . Get the sweet and salty pancake tower with a fried egg and bacon on top - so good!

Englischer Garten

Take a stroll to the Englischer Garten, stopping along the way to watch any parade you may come across.

At the Englischer Garten, watch the surfers on the waves of the Eisbachwelle. This is a small river that runs through the garden and hits a group of rocks at just the right angle to produce a perfect wave for surfing! Walk to the Monopteros, a Greek style round temple on a hill, which is a great lookout point to view the rest of the garden.

The Englischer Garten also has multiple beer gardens that are great to check out. Head to the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm, a beer garden at the Chinese Tower. Grab a beer, or if you need a break from alcohol consumption, grab a Spezi - a mixture of cola and orange soda that was created in Germany! Have a sausage lunch at the Seehaus beer garden, where you can sit at a table looking out on the lake. After lunch, take a paddleboat out on the lake and work off those calories. So much for a rest day!

The Residenz

On the way back to the hotel, if you’re up for it, stop by the Residenz. A magnificent palace that served as the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs. Admire the ornate Baroque interiors and lavish staterooms. Must-sees are the gorgeous Hall of Antiquities and the treasury, where all the crown jewels are housed.

The Deutsches Museum

After an early breakfast at a nearby coffee shop, take the S Bahn to the Deutsches Museum. Transportation is very easy to navigate in Munich, and your hotel is conveniently next to a Bahnhof (train station). As one of the largest science and technology museums in the world, the Deutsches Museum offers an immersive journey through the fascinating realms of science, engineering and innovation. You can easily spend several hours here with its interactive exhibits!

Have a delicious lunch of butter chicken and garlic naan at nearby Indian restaurant Monsoon Taste of India, then take the S Bahn back to Oktoberfest!

Back to Oktoberfest

Since this is your last day in Munich, take some time to buy any Oktoberfest souvenirs you want. Walk around the carnival grounds and go on any rides you’d like. Then I recommend choosing one or two of your favorite beer tents to immerse yourself in for awhile. Sit at one of the tables, order food and liters of beer and engage with the other people at your table. Sing, dance on the benches, drink, and take in the festive Oktoberfest atmosphere on your last day there!

Oktoberfest Tip #3: The advantage of going to Oktoberfest as a couple on your honeymoon is that you can almost always find room at a table, no matter how crowded the tent is. Just pull the "We're on our honeymoon" card and people will gladly make room for you!