Morning atmosphere during autumn in the Englischer Garten in Munich

Love letter to the Munich autumn

Ascendant: Zeppelin

Cool and fresh, chestnut brown, and a little sense of longing: autumn and the city of Munich are naturally perfect partners.        

Objectively, autumn is beautiful everywhere - but it's most beautiful in Munich. Where else would you find such an excess of a folk festival dedicated solely to the month of October? What other city can offer such an international salute to this season? Even though the Oktoberfest itself is hardly melancholic, during this time there's not just a Zeppelin over the city, but a very particular sense of longing too.

Everyone in Munich, whether they love the Oktoberfest or not, is familiar with those delightful days at the end of September when stable high pressure keeps an infinitely blue sky stretching far across the Theatinerkirche (church). No other colour sets off the traditional Wittelsbach yellow so perfectly as an autumn sky!

There's a refreshingly cool scent in the air in the mornings, from the first snow that has fallen in the mountains and the leaves that have dropped overnight. In the afternoons, it's warm enough to dip your toes into the Isar river, and in the early evening, you can simply pick a few chestnuts as you make your way home in the twilight. Carrying a fresh chestnut in your coat pocket is said to bring happiness.

Incidentally, chestnuts are not just part of the city's beer garden decorations. It can't be a coincidence that they are exactly the same colour as a large pretzel at the Oktoberfest.

Incidentally, chestnuts are not just part of the city's beer garden decorations. It can't be a coincidence that they are exactly the same colour as a large pretzel at the Oktoberfest and as the smoothly polished seats on the old Munich trams that occasionally still jangle around the corner. These are three key elements of what makes the Munich feeling come together in the autumn.

The long and generally stunningly beautiful autumn is also ideal for the not exactly small group of Munich residents who spend all year saying "We must get out to the mountains!" but have somehow never managed it - damn!. First, there was "still too much snow", which segues seamlessly into "much too warm for a walk". But in September and October there are no excuses. Quite the opposite – at this time of year the great playground between the Chiemsee (lake) and the Zugspitze (mountain) is particularly beautiful.

When the Kirchweihdult (fair) on the Mariahilfplatz (square) is dismantled at the end October, the city's fountains get their wooden cladding and the white and blue fleet that plies Starnberger See (lake) is anchored in the harbour, it's time for the second half of autumn to begin.

Not a day goes by when you're not bombarded on all sides with images of brightly shining maple leaves on the ground and pumpkins by the side of the road. Why, we think to ourselves, do we always make the mistake of using up our summer holidays in August rather than during these golden October days? Next year, for sure!

When the Kirchweihdult (fair) on the Mariahilfplatz (square) is dismantled at the end October, the city's fountains get their wooden cladding and the white and blue fleet that plies Starnberger See (lake) is anchored in the harbour, it's time for the second half of autumn to begin. Even that has its benefits as the city finally enjoys some peace. Fewer tourists, fewer convertible car drivers, the large play areas become parks again and the Isar is a quiet Alpine river once more.

And as you stroll across the warmly lit Viktualienmarkt (food market) in the late afternoon to see whether there are any wild mushrooms left, you may just walk into a wall of fog just to the left of the Karl Valentin Fountain. And when you emerge on the other side, winter will suddenly have set in.

 

 

Text: Nansen & Piccard; Photos: Dominik Morbitzer

 

Also interesting: Tips for each month can be found here.

Seasons in Munich
Flowers in the Werneckstraße in the district Schwabing in Munich.

Love letter to Munich spring

Topless

As soon as the first spring-like temperatures arrive in Munich, the city's restaurants and cafés begin the big chair shuffle.

As soon as the first spring-like temperatures arrive in Munich, the city's restaurants and cafés begin the big chair shuffle. A convergence on a gastronomic social phenomenon.

Shore along the river in Munich during summer

Love letter to the Munich summer

The Summer Olympics

The bluest lake, the best beer garden: What the locals do in the summer season.

When things really warm up in the month of May for Munich, it’s off to the mountains, the surrounding lakes and the beer gardens.

Morning atmosphere during autumn in the Englischer Garten in Munich

Love letter to the Munich autumn

Aszendent: Zeppelin

Cool and fresh, chestnut brown, and a sense of longing: autumn and the city of Munich are naturally perfect partners.

Cool and fresh, chestnut brown, and a little sense of longing: autumn and the city of Munich are naturally perfect partners.

Munich Card & City Pass

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Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

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During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

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Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

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Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

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The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

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Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

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Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

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Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

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Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich

Discovery trip incl. City Pass

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2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

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Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.