Celebrated in various German cities during October, this event is one of the most special times to visit Berlin.
The current tradition commemorated throughout Germany boasts over 200 years of history and originated in Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria, which is located in the south-east of the country. In 1810, to commemorate a royal wedding, festivities were held in the fields opposite the city gates. The event was lavish and even included a horse race, which became a tradition every year. Over the next two centuries, Oktoberfest took on a life of its own and continues to celebrate Bavarian culture with music, dancing, costumes, food and beer from the region.
As Germany’s main city and capital, Berlin hosts its own version of the event, which, although smaller, has fewer tourist and fairer prices, not to mention free entry to celebrations in large squares or traditional beer halls all over the city. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the Munich Oktoberfest but on a smaller scale, making it the ideal month to discover the German capital. Make sure you book a hotel in Berlin well in advance.
Make sure you visit three top places for Oktoberfest – Zentraler Festplatz am Kurt-Schumacher-Damm, Alexanderplatz and Mercedes Platzem – where enormous tents are pitched to accommodate live music and traditional dances, as well as Bavarian food and beers (normally in giant tankards). Those wanting to get into the party spirit, can dress up in lederhosen and mingle with the locals.
