Oktoberfest is back in the Algarve

Oktoberfest is a beer festival from Bavaria, Germany, which was created to celebrate the marriage of King Louis I in 1810. This annual event is also a trade and entertainment fair celebrated in Munich, in southern Germany, which has spread to various parts of the world, including Portugal.

The Portuguese version of the Bavarian festival has practically everything that made the event famous in Munich, Germany, starting with the kitchen, where Bavarian cuisine is recreated. In fact, in Porches this festival started initially in the kitchen.

According to João Miguel Pais, Food & Beverage Director at Vila Vita Parc: "The first Oktoberfest started in 2012 as a way of doing something different. We set up our Biergarten restaurant and as a result of it being a restaurant inspired in Bavarian cuisine, we ended up replicating this party on a small scale."

"It was a bit of a restaurant party, we had about 50 guests all by invitation, it wasn't open to the general public. Then we kept going, year after year, it kept growing. We closed in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic and reopened in 2022 with a slightly larger format. It did quite well and at the moment it's the biggest Oktoberfest we have ever done," he added.

For those who like beer, in addition to the traditional food, this festival features the traditional German beer "Erdinger". In addition, the whole atmosphere is German, with the staff wearing traditional clothing.

As for 2023, the reactions couldn't be better. "It's the first time we've had such a big event. It's the biggest Oktoberfest in Portugal and the closest to the one in Bavaria. We grow every year. This year we decided to do it this way."

Although entry is free of charge, the team recommends booking a table, which can be done by calling the Biergarten restaurant (on 282 381 177) or the Vila Vita Parc hotel (available on +351 282 310 100). Both numbers will direct you to Oktoberfest reservations.

Oktoberfest opens every day at 5pm and closes at midnight, except on Sundays when it opens at lunchtime. "To give families the chance to come and enjoy it too," he said.

Paula Martins is a fully qualified journalist, who finds writing a means of self-expression. She studied Journalism and Communication at University of Coimbra and recently Law in the Algarve. Press card: 8252

Paula Martins