Auer Dult (May)

The Auer Dult: Munich's Seven-Century-Old Market Fair in the Au District

There is a market fair in Munich that has been running longer than the Roman Colosseum has stood. The Auer Dult dates back to 1310, making it one of the oldest continuously operating market fairs in Central Europe. Three times each year — May, July, and October — the Mariahilfplatz in Munich's historic Au district transforms into a sprawling open-air market of 161 stalls, an old-fashioned fairground with rides straight out of a storybook, and a beer garden where time slows to a comfortable Bavarian crawl. The May edition, called the Maidult, catches Munich at its most golden: blooming chestnut trees, warm but not yet summer-hot light, and a gentle excitement that makes this edition the locals' favorite.

What to Expect at the Maidult

The Auer Dult is not Oktoberfest, and it deliberately does not try to be. It is something older and, to many minds, more authentic. The heart of the fair is the Jahrmarkt — the annual market — where 161 vendors sell an astonishing variety of goods: antique copper pots, hand-painted pottery, leather goods, traditional kitchen tools, wooden toys, and household objects you didn't know you needed. Beyond the stalls sits a modest fairground with carousels, a small Ferris wheel, and gentle family rides. The beer garden is compact and exactly the kind of place where Bavarian grandparents teach their grandchildren how to properly raise a Maß. Food is predictably excellent — roasted almonds, gingerbread hearts, and grilled Hendl.

Getting to Mariahilfplatz

Mariahilfplatz sits in the Au district, just across the Isar River from Munich's old town. The neighborhood feels worlds away from the tourist center — quieter, more residential, deeply Bavarian. From Marienplatz, it's a fifteen-minute walk along the Isar, crossing one of Munich's beautiful bridges. The nearest U-Bahn station is Fraunhoferstraße (U1, U2, about an eight-minute walk), and several tram lines stop directly at Mariahilfplatz. If you're biking, München's excellent bike lane network makes the flat ride a genuine pleasure, especially along the river path.

Exploring the Au District

The Au district is one of Munich's most charming neighborhoods, and the Dult is the perfect excuse to explore it. Beyond the fairground itself, the area offers plenty to fill a full day:

• Mariahilfkirche — a baroque church from the 1650s that survived both world wars, standing right on Mariahilfplatz as the spiritual center of the district.
• Müller'sches Volksbad — one of Munich's most beautiful historic swimming halls, built in stunning Renaissance revival style, a short walk from the fair.
• Glockenbachviertel — Munich's vibrant nightlife district across the river, packed with bars, restaurants, and creative spaces.
• Isar riverbanks — some of the best urban nature walking in Germany, perfect for a post-Dult stroll.
• The Au harbor — a charming stretch of the Isar with a small beach area, increasingly popular with locals in summer.

Beer Pricing and Practical Tips

A Maß at the Auer Dult runs approximately €9 to €10 — noticeably cheaper than Oktoberfest or central Munich beer gardens, reflecting the Dult's working-class roots. Entry is completely free. The Maidult runs for nine days in early to mid-May, with stalls opening from morning until evening. Pro tip: visit on a weekday morning for the best browsing experience — vendors are relaxed, antique prices are sometimes negotiable, and the crowd is thin. Evenings bring a warmer atmosphere but more competition for beer garden seating.

Seven Centuries of Market Tradition

The year 1310 marks the earliest documented market fair held in the village of Au — then a separate settlement from Munich, known for its Isar-powered mills. Originally called a Jahrmarkt, meaning annual market, the fair served as a crucial trading hub for the region's agricultural and artisan goods. Au eventually became part of Munich in 1854, but the Dult remained rooted in the same square. It split into three annual editions — the Maidult in May, the Jakobidult in July, and the Kirchweihdult in October — to serve seasonal needs. Today the fair is no longer an economic necessity, but it remains a living tradition connecting modern Munich to seven hundred years of gathering, trading, and celebrating in the same place, season after season.