Magnificent Munich & The Frühlingsfest

Provisional Itinerary

Friday 17 April – Arrivals & Festival Opening

Arrive in Munich and settle into your hotel. In the afternoon, head out to explore the Altstadt (Old Town) with its famous Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel, and a climb up St. Peter’s Church for stunning city views.

From 3 pm, make your way to the Theresienwiese as the breweries and showmen roll into the festival grounds, bringing the fair to life. The opening ceremony kicks off at 4 pm in the traditional festival hall Bayernland with the official tapping of the first beer barrel – a proper Munich moment and well worth seeing!

Afterwards, enjoy your first stein and a bite to eat in one of the beer tents or open-air gardens. It’s a brilliant, relaxed way to ease into the weekend’s festivities.

Saturday 18 April – Market Bargains & Beer Tent Cheer

If you’re an early riser (or fancy a browse), head down to the Theresienwiese from 7 am for the BRK Flea Market — one of the largest in southern Germany. Locals and visitors alike hunt for bargains and curiosities, with everything from vintage treasures to quirky keepsakes.

Later, spend some time exploring the Viktualienmarkt, Frauenkirche, and perhaps the Munich Residenz before heading back to Frühlingsfest for an afternoon of traditional food, lively music, and fairground rides.

Evenings at the festival are lively and atmospheric — try local dishes like Käsespätzle or Kaiserschmarrn, and soak up the Bavarian cheer with live bands and clinking steins.

Sunday 19 April – Classic Cars & Park Strolls

On Sunday, the Automobil Club München (ACM) hosts its fantastic vintage car meeting on the Theresienwiese. From 10 am, classic cars of all shapes and sizes will be on show — from rare pre-war models to iconic VW Beetles and gleaming American classics. The main parade of particularly valuable oldtimers takes place from 10 am to 2 pm, so it’s a must for car enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike.

You might also spend part of your day wandering through the beautiful English Garden, stopping for a drink at the Chinese Tower biergarten, or watching the surfers on the Eisbach wave.

Later, return to Frühlingsfest for one last evening of music, funfair rides, and beer tent camaraderie.

Monday 20 April – Palace Gardens & Farewell Steins

Before heading home, why not visit Schloss Nymphenburg, Munich’s grand baroque palace with its beautiful parklands and historic rooms? Alternatively, if time allows, stop by the Deutsches Museum or take a leisurely riverside stroll along the Isar.

Round off your stay with a final beer in a traditional beer garden — Augustiner-Keller is a great option — and raise a glass to a fabulous Munich weekend.

Holiday Inn Munich- City Centre

Ideally located in the heart of Munich, the Holiday Inn Munich – City Centre is the perfect base for discovering everything this fantastic city has to offer. Just a short stroll from the beautiful old town, the famous Viktualienmarkt, and Marienplatz, the hotel also enjoys excellent public transport connections, making it easy to explore further afield.

Modern, stylish, and welcoming, the hotel offers comfortable rooms with everything you need for a relaxing stay, including free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Guests can unwind in the inviting lounge bar or enjoy a hearty breakfast before a day of sightseeing.

Whether you're visiting for the beer gardens, Bavarian culture, or world-class museums, the Holiday Inn Munich – City Centre puts you right in the middle of it all.

How to get from the airport to the hotel

The easiest (and cheapest!) way to reach the Holiday Inn Munich – City Centre from Munich Airport is by S-Bahn. Take either the S8 (recommended) or S1 train from the airport station to Rosenheimer Platz — the journey takes around 35–40 minutes and trains run every 10 minutes. From Rosenheimer Platz, follow the signs through the underground passage to the hotel, which takes just a few minutes on foot. Tickets cost around €11.50 per person and are available at the airport station.

Provisional Flight Information

17/04/26 London Heathrow to Munich Dep: 0855 Arr: 1150

20/04/26 Munich to London Heathrow Dep: 2045 Arr: 2145

17/04/26 Manchester to Munich Dep: 0650 Arr: 0950

20/04/26 Munich to Manchester Dep: 2200 Arr: 2305

17/04/26 Birmingham to Munich Dep: 1050 Arr: 1340

20/04/26 Munich to Birmingham Dep: 2000 Arr: 2235

Included luggage allowance

London Heathrow - One cabin bag up to 56x45x25cm (22x18x10in) - includes wheels and handles and up to 23kg (51lb), plus small bag up to 40x30x15cm (16x12x6in) up to 23kg (51lb) – must be placed under the seat in front. Additional 23kg checked in luggage is available to pre book for an additional cost.

Manchester & Birmingham - One item of hand baggage with a maximum size of 55x40x23cm including handles and wheels max 8kg; plus one accessory (such as a small handbag or laptop bag) with a maximum size of 40x30x10cm (must be placed under the seat in front). Additional 23kg checked in luggage is available to pre book for an additional cost.

Passport validity

For UK passport holders your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

The rules of travel to most European countries have changed. Starting in the first half of 2025 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay.

ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to a number of European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport (and other documents if required) and verify that you meet the entry conditions.

NB - There is no official date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.

Global Health Insurance Card

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.

Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.

NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!

The latest FCO travel guidance for Germany

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany