A Family-friendly Guide To Bavaria

Move over hotels. Say Ja! to farm stays. This is your chance to not just explore nature, but become part of it with your family. Wake up to the clucking of hens in the midst of stunning Bavarian countryside, play in hay all day, gorge on the freshest food, and visit the stables to say Hallo! to horses. Many working farms across Bavaria welcome you to get your hands dirty with farm work, including milking cows, planting seeds, collecting eggs, and the like. Farm stays, however, don’t require you to ‘rough it’. Accommodations are clean and comfortable, and come with modern amenities. Many farm stays even have spas and wellness centers.

Zoos have survived the test of time as the most popular family outing. Bavaria boasts several great zoos, the most well-known among which are Hellabrunn Zoo (Munich), Nuremberg Zoo, and Augsburg Zoo, home to thousands of animals, fish and reptiles across a few hundred species. Exotic aquatic creatures at Sea Life Munich never fails to fascinate visitors.

Legoland Günzburg is one of the top five amusement parks in Germany and promises hour after hour of fun and adventure for the entire family. Go on a building spree with 56 million Lego bricks, squeal aboard thrilling rides, marvel at the enormous structures and cities made of Lego bricks, and climb the observation tower to take it all in at once. There’s also as much climbing, jumping, balancing, and playing opportunities as the hearts’ of little guests desire.

Legoland-Allee 1, 89312 Günzburg, +49 (0) 180 6 700 757 01

If the idea of cuddling with your family in a tent or a caravan under the stars and waking up to breathtaking views fascinate you, try camping in Bavaria. Take your pick from 420 campsites across Bavaria, based on whether you want to go to sleep next to a sparkling lake or by majestic mountains, or both! All campsites maintain a high standard of cleanliness and safety, and most provide all the modern facilities and activity options travelers desire.

Nobody does beer like the Germans. A beer garden (biergarten) in Germany, and especially in Bavaria, is not a place to merely grab a beer, but a perfect family day out option. Most beer gardens double as picnic grounds that allow you to bring your own food as long as you purchase beverages from them. Almost all beer gardens offer activities for children, like sandpits and mini tractors, while some even have small petting zoos! If you’re lucky, you may even catch a live music performance.

Bavaria Filmstadt, Munich, one of the biggest movie-making facilities in Europe, is filled to the brim with exciting attractions. On a guided tour around the set, learn about the making of German and international movies and TV shows, and hunt down dangerous gangsters at the 4D motion ride. To remember fondly your time at the Filmstadt, you can get computer-enhanced pictures of your family aboard the magic carpet, in a hot-air balloon, or riding an enchanted creature.

Bavariafilmpl. 7, 82031 Grünwald, +49 089 64992000

Kletterwald Prien am Chiemsee is the ultimate destination for active, sporty families. Built in a setting of towering trees dating back hundreds of years, Kletterwald offers 13 adventure courses across several exciting trails, involving 110 challenging exercises. These trails are of varying difficulty and suitable for a range of age groups and experience levels.

Harrasser Str. 39, 83209 Prien am Chiemsee, +49 08051 9650885

Schloss Thurn Park spoils young and old alike with its vast treasure of activities and attractions – endless rides including aqua rides, roller coasters, enchanted bridge, fairy tale forest, puppet shows, a 400-year-old oak tree, trains, playgrounds, a beautiful castle, and lots more. Several restaurants and cafes take care of your hunger pangs.

Schloßpl. 4, 91336 Heroldsbach, +49 09190 929898

Enjoy virgin, pristine nature with your family at the country’s first and largest national park, Bavarian Forest National Park. Explore the abundant wilderness of the forest on bike or foot, cruise across the calm waters of the Arbersee, learn local legends about the Rachelsee, walk the treetops, get up and close with exotic animals, or indulge in snow sports in winter.

Bavaria is one of the best regions in Europe for winter sports. Zugspitze, Allgäu, Bavarian Forest and Karwendel are among the most popular winter sports destinations in Bavaria. In many parts of Bavaria, for example Zugspitze, winter sports season kicks off in October and continues well into May. Thrill-seekers can indulge in skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, tobogganing, and many other snow sports. Several resorts offer ski lessons for children as well.