5 Essential Experiences to Have in Bavaria This Fall

Explore Munich

Visit the capital of the Bavarian state, one of the most culturally rich cities in Germany brimming with museums, architecture, and art galleries. From the BMW Museum near the Olympiapark to the beer gardens around the city, explore Munich in an iconic German car like a Volkswagen or BMW. When all is said and done, stay at one of the city’s most luxurious properties, Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich, located in the heart of city and home to “Munich’s most beautiful sitting room.”

Go Shopping

A walk along the iconic Maximilanstrasse in Munich can be an exciting experience. Built by Bavaria’s King Maximilian II in the 1850s, it is not one of Germany’s most exclusive shopping boulevards, wit brands aimed at the most affluent. Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Giorgio Armani and Chanel are all there as well as homegrown stores such as the Unützer handmade shoe boutique.

With the traditional markets selling local delicacies alongside luxury designer boutiques, both the elite and more budget-conscious shopper will be able to find whatever they desire.

Experience Oktoberfest

An average of almost 7 million people visit the Germany for the festival taking place from September 16 to October 3, this year. With Oktoberfest being one of the biggest beer festivals in the world, it is here you can experience the true Bavarian spirit where locals gather in their traditional attire and celebrate traditional beer, food and culture. The festival is held annually in a meadow just outside Munich. In addition to eating, drinking and music, visitors can enjoy festive parades and a variety of fairground rides.

For a more relaxed take on the Oktoberfest celebration, pack your lederhosens and head to the Bavarian Alps where the spirit of Oktoberfest can be felt in all corners of Germany. This is the place to retreat from the crowds and experience alpine towns, stunning mountains and beautiful vistas.

Hit the Alps

A two-hour ride from Munich, the beautiful Bavarian Alps are truly a sight to see. It is a mostly rural area located in the south of Bavaria, with crystal glacier lakes, lush forests and one of the most scenic places to visit in Germany. Whether walking, hiking, mountain biking or skiing, the Alps are of the Bavaria’s (and Germany’s) premier holiday destinations. Running along the border between Germany and Austria, the Bavarian Alps are home to Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, where you can go glacier skiing from December to May.

Berchtesgaden, one of the regions well-known resort towns hosts the Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden. A unique blend of five-star luxury, Bavarian style, warmth and recreational activities make Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden one of the most special locations in the Bavarian Alps. Here, 1000 metres high in the mountains, guests can relax, unwind and enjoy being close to nature, all while trained and professional staff take care of everything.

Eat like a Local

To soak up all of that delicious German beer, Bavarian food is rich and doughy. Some favourites include pretzels (hearty, doughy twists studded with salt) served in giant wooden baskets, weisswurst (a white sausage made from ground up veal and bacon), schweinshaxe (roasted pig knuckle) served with a large potato dumpling, schnitzel (a slab of meat hammered flat, battered and then deep fried) and spaetzle (little chewy dumplings often served with cheese and fried shallots on top). Guten appetit!