Germany…the land of pretzels, lederhosen, and most importantly, beer! It’s Oktoberfest season, which means beer establishments everywhere are in a season of celebration. Pretty fun that you can celebrate Oktoberfest from the other side of the world these days!
We were fortunate enough to spend some time taking a road trip through southern Germany this past summer, where we spent 10 days traveling from Munich to Salzburg, Austria. Surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery we’ve ever laid eyes on, we took advantage of every opportunity to enjoy a liter of fresh lager and soak in all Germany had to offer.
No matter how much research you put into a trip, there are always surprises along the way. I thought I would put together my list of lessons-learned for everyone who has their sights set on traveling to Germany (particularly, Munich). Here are your must-knows before you go!
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Cash is king…
…especially at biergartens. Forget trying to rack up points on your fancy travel credit card. It is VERY common to walk into an establishment that is cash-only! This goes for restaurants, museums (see #3), and even some shops. We got stuck a couple of times, and were rushing around the city, frantically looking for an ATM. Carry plenty of cash so this doesn’t happen to you!
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Oktoberfest is NOT the true German experience you’re looking for!
We heard over and over again that Oktoberfest attracts the tourists while the locals head elsewhere. If you want to experience “authentic” Munich, Oktoberfest isn’t the time to do so. That said, there’s no doubt Oktoberfest is loads of fun, so if that’s your motive for going, party on!
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But on that note, the Oktoberfest Museum should not be missed!
Tucked in a back alley, away from the city, and situated in Munich’s oldest historic townhouse lies the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum, where you can learn all about the history of the brewing and beer-drinking culture in Germany. Better yet, you can enjoy local beer and freshly baked pretzels as part of your museum tour! This is a spot few tourists know about, and rumor has it that they serve a great food, too.
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Germany? Or, Bavaria?
If you come to Munich expecting views of the striking black, red, and gold flag flying high, think again. I was surprised how few times we actually saw the German flag! Instead, most of southern Germany proudly flies the blue-and-white checkered Bavarian flag. Bavarians are very proud of their roots, and seemingly strive to set themselves apart from the rest of Germany. Bavaria is said to be the region that displays the most authentic, traditional German culture (some call it old-fashioned), but it seems to be exactly what the tourists want!
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You can only eat so much bratwurst…
German food is good…for the first few meals. By the end of our trip, I felt like I was going to explode if I even laid eyes on another sausage. Don’t get me wrong, I could eat giant pretzels and drink beer everyday, but other than those staples, I needed some variety in my food. What we eventually learned was that you can’t underestimate the various international cuisines you will find in a city like Munich. I think our favorite meal was last one on our road trip, where we had THE BEST Indian food. We also had some great Italian food in Munich. So, don’t be afraid to step outside the box with your food choices—they won’t disappoint.
Not only do we recommend everyone travel to Germany at some point, we also think everyone should take the opportunity to drive through the beautiful Bavarian countryside and see all that the country has to offer. The roads are easy to navigate (very similar to the road system we have in the US), and you will have the chance to see some truly incredible sights (Dachau Concentration Camp, castles, and surreal mountain views).
I hope these tips point you in the right direction on your future travels to Deutschland! Prost!
