Munich Beer Tours & Oktoberfest
Munich is where beer is a way of life: the historic halls like the Hofbräuhaus, the chestnut-shaded beer gardens, the six great breweries that pour at Oktoberfest, and a beer culture protected by the 1516 purity law. A guided tour is the way to drink it like a local. Compare the top-rated Munich beer experiences below, then read our notes.
Top-rated beer tours in Munich
The best beer tours to book in Munich
The most booked beer tours in Munich, compared. Tours take you through the old beer halls, the Hofbräuhaus first among them, and the beer gardens, with the history of Bavarian brewing and a beer at each stop.
| Experience | Length | Rating (reviews) | Best for | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Tour of the Famous Beer Halls and Breweries | 3.5 hours | 4.5 (1,026) | The most booked | Check availability |
| Beer and Beyond Tour of Up to 3 Beer Halls and Gardens | 3 hours | 4.7 (244) | Beer gardens | Check availability |
| Old Town Food Tour with 10+ Tastings, Beer and Pretzels | 3 to 3.5 hours | 4.7 (197) | Food and beer | Check availability |
| Hands-On Brewery Tour with 4 Organic Beers | 1 hour | 4.7 (137) | A working brewery | Check availability |
| Old Town Beer and Pub Tour with 4 Beers | 2.5 hours | 4.8 (27) | Small groups | Check availability |
Our pick: the Guided Tour of the Famous Beer Halls and Breweries, rated 4.5 from 1,026 reviews on GetYourGuide.
Ratings and review counts as shown on GetYourGuide in October 2026. Check the listing for live prices and availability.
How to choose
The guided tour of the famous beer halls and breweries is the most reviewed. For beer gardens as well, the beer and beyond tour of up to three beer halls and gardens is cheaper. To see a brewery at work, take the hands-on brewery tour with four organic beers; with food, the old town food tour with beer and pretzels.
Formats: beer hall and beer garden tours with tastings and Bavarian snacks; brewery visits and tasting flights; Oktoberfest guided experiences with a reserved table; private beer-and-food walks.
What you taste: Helles (pale lager), Dunkel (dark), cloudy Weissbier/Hefeweizen, Märzen (the Oktoberfest style), and seasonal Bocks, from the six Munich breweries – Augustiner, Paulaner, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Spaten and Hacker-Pschorr.
Price: roughly 40 to 70 dollars for a beer hall or brewery tour with tastings; more for Oktoberfest packages with a table.
Already in Munich? Our guide to what to eat in Munich and where names the places locals go, what to order and where to drink.
The halls, the gardens and the breweries
Munich’s beer comes in three settings. The beer halls – the Hofbräuhaus above all – are cavernous, loud and historic. The beer gardens, shaded by chestnut trees, are the summer soul of the city, where by tradition you may bring your own food and just buy the beer. And the breweries themselves run tours and tastings. A guided tour explains the styles, the etiquette and the history, and takes you to the places locals actually drink.
The six breweries and the purity law
Only six breweries are allowed to pour at Oktoberfest, and they are Munich’s giants: Augustiner (the local favourite), Paulaner, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Spaten and Hacker-Pschorr. All brew under the Reinheitsgebot, the 1516 purity law that allows only water, malt, hops and yeast. The everyday drink is a litre Mass of Helles; the wheat Weissbier is the other staple.
Oktoberfest and when to go
Oktoberfest runs from mid-September to the first Sunday in October on the Theresienwiese, and guided experiences with a reserved bench are the sane way to do it. Outside the festival, the beer gardens are best from May to September; the halls run year-round. Pair a beer tour with a Munich food tour for the Bavarian dishes.
How we choose
We list only experiences with a strong rating over a meaningful number of reviews and free cancellation where available, and we favour small-group and family-run hosts. FindEatLocal earns a commission when you book through GetYourGuide or Viator links on this page; it doesn’t change the price you pay. More about how we choose.
FAQ about Munich Beer Tours & Oktoberfest
Frequently asked questions
When is Oktoberfest?
From mid-September to the first weekend of October, on the Theresienwiese in Munich. Guided experiences with a reserved table are the easiest way in.
What beer should I order in Munich?
A Helles (pale lager) is the everyday choice, or a cloudy Weissbier; both come by the litre Mass in the halls and gardens.
Can I bring my own food to a beer garden?
Traditionally yes, in the self-service areas - you buy the beer and may bring your own picnic, a genuine Munich custom.
Which beer tour is best in Munich?
On GetYourGuide the most booked is the Guided Tour of the Famous Beer Halls and Breweries, rated 4.5 from 1,026 reviews. Also highly rated: the Beer and Beyond Tour of Up to 3 Beer Halls and Gardens and the Old Town Food Tour with 10+ Tastings, Beer and Pretzels. The table above compares them by length, rating and who they suit.
What does a beer tour cost in Munich?
In October 2026 prices on GetYourGuide started from about €27 per person, and most of the top-rated options cost between €27 and €103. Longer experiences with a meal, private options and day trips cost more. Check the listing for the live price.