| During the months of September and October, Munich | | | | diverse civilizations and cultures, and it has food to |
| becomes alive with tourists and locals who join | | | | excite each and every individual palate. From |
| together in the frothy mess that is Oktoberfes. With a | | | | Steckerlfisch, which is grilled fish on a stick, to tasty |
| visitor count of around six million people per year, this is | | | | cheese noodles called Kasespatzle, there is a variety |
| the world's largest fair. Or, to put it another way: this is | | | | of food available in this fair that almost goes beyond |
| the world's largest knees up! | | | | belief. |
| Held in a huge field, the Theresienwiese, in the outskirts | | | | Hostels |
| of Munich, Oktoberfest was originally held for 16 days | | | | The huge number of budget travelers and |
| at a stretch, ritually ending on the first Sunday of | | | | backpackers who arrive at Munich for the |
| October. However, the days of celebration were later | | | | Oktoberfest need a good place to rest their head |
| stretched to 17 in order to ensure that the festival | | | | following hedonistic days of drinking at the festival. |
| went on till October 3rd, which is also the much | | | | Luckily, there are many hostels in Munich that provide |
| celebrated German Unity Day. | | | | accommodation during the days of the fest. Even |
| These days, the fest is held for seventeen or eighteen | | | | more luckily, some of these are to be found a within a |
| days, depending on which date the first Sunday in | | | | stone's throw of the Oktoberfest site, which makes |
| October falls. | | | | stumbling home from a day of drinking that bit easier. |
| The Festival | | | | A great example of such a hostel in Munich is the |
| The beer tents form the central aspect of the | | | | Wombats City Hostel. This hostel is a short walk |
| Oktoberfest. Brewers from around the world set up | | | | away from the grounds where the Oktoberfest is held |
| their tents in the Theresienwiese, offering a heady mix | | | | and is known worldwide for the great facilities it offers. |
| of music, food, and - of course - more beer than you | | | | Be it ambience, comfort or cost effectiveness, the |
| could imagine in a month of sundays. | | | | Wombats offers you the best of everything. |
| The only problem is often the huge crowd in these | | | | Another good hostel in this city is the 4 You Munchen |
| tents, so the backpacker who wants to get the best | | | | Youth Hostel. Located near Munich station - and thus |
| of Oktoberfest should get into these tents by 10 a.m. | | | | conveniently situated in terms of transport - this is a |
| Being an early bird is worth it because you wont be | | | | decent hostel for backpackers and budget travelers. |
| served beer unless you get a seat, and if you are late, | | | | The central location and good facilities on offer |
| all the good seats will be taken! | | | | (including an excellent bar that runs regular Happy Hour |
| While Oktoberfest is commonly known for its beer, it's | | | | knees ups) mean that the backpacker will find it a |
| the food that many talk about after the event. | | | | memorable place to lodge in. |
| Duringthe fest, Munich becomes home to people from | | | | |