Autumn in Germany has a set appointment that, every year, draws travelers from all over the world: the Oktoberfest, the great Bavarian festival that in 2026 returns to Munich’s Theresienwiese from September 19 to October 4.
To make this period even more appealing, a Ryanair promo offers a 10% discount on air tickets to reach Germany and organize a trip right during the Oktoberfest season. To take advantage of the promotion you must book by September 21, 2026, while the indicated travel window runs from September 21 to October 31, 2026.
It’s therefore the right moment to think about a short break among breweries, Bavarian traditions, art cities and autumn atmospheres.
From Brindisi to Memmingen, not far from Munich
If you depart from Brindisi, one option is to reach Memmingen, a small town in the Swabian-Bavarian Alps that preserves an authentic medieval atmosphere and allows you to detach, at least for a few hours, from the most crowded destinations.
The historic center invites you to stroll along streets that recount its glorious history as a trading hub for goods such as leather, spices, wines and fine fabrics: among the most characteristic are the Herrenstraße, the “lords’ street,” where once stood the homes of the wealthiest merchants, and the Kalchstraße, connected to the first urban expansion along the Salt Road.
Another street to traverse is the Weinmarkt, today pedestrian, where you can admire buildings that once belonged to the various guilds active there: weavers, grocers, blacksmiths and merchants.
Memmingen also becomes an interesting base for reaching Munich and the famous Theresienwiese to take part in Oktoberfest in just over an hour by train.
From Milan–Bergamo to Berlin, the Oktoberfest at Alexanderplatz
From Milan–Bergamo you can instead fly to Berlin, where one unmissable event is organized at Alexanderplatz from September 25 to October 4, 2026, when the square transforms into a large Oktoberfest-style festa, with Bavarian beer, traditional gastronomic specialties and live music.
The atmosphere evokes that of traditional Bavarian celebrations, with a large tent, an outdoor beer area and regional dishes, including pork knuckle, roast chicken and pretzels. Traditional music is not missing, nor are events tied to Bavarian costumes, such as a Dirndl‑themed competition.
The advantage is the possibility to pair the Oktoberfest experience with a journey to discover Berlin, one of the most vibrant and history-rich cities in Germany.
From Bologna to Cologne for the new Royal Wiesn
The third idea starts from Bologna and leads to Cologne, where in October 2026 the Royal Wiesn makes its debut, a Bavarian folk festival inspired by the Oktoberfest atmosphere.
The event takes place at the Tanzbrunnen, on the Rhine, with days dedicated to music, gastronomy and Bavarian traditions. The official program includes dates on 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 October 2026, with various formats and time slots.
The experience focuses on the dimension of the grand Bavarian celebration, with a tent, traditional music, regional specialties and König Ludwig beer. Among the dishes offered are pretzels, roasted chicken, pork knuckle, Obazda and other Bavarian specialties, along with some vegetarian options.
The 11 October is planned as a Sunday brunch, while on 18 October the festival ends with the “Royal Wiesn goes Cologne Pride,” the so-called Pink Sunday.
Cologne thus offers the opportunity to extend the Oktoberfest atmosphere even after Munich’s festival has ended.
