The Best Vacations in Germany for Kids
Germany is a wonderland for children. There are castles and real life fairy tale locations for the princess set, as well as world-class skiing, hiking and cycling for the active family, not to mention city museum trips and rollercoasters aplenty. Here’s our guide to the best vacations in Germany for kids.
Cycling
Rhine cycle trail
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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
The Rhineland has such a hold on the German imagination – think Goethe, Hesse, Schumann and practically every 19th century bildungsroman – that it is no wonder UNESCO designated 120km (75 miles) of it a World Heritage Region. Some 40 castles and palaces line the river, while Loreley rock – a feature of countless poems – still stands proudly. The cycle trail covers 1,233km (766 miles) on mostly flat ground, following the river from the south of France to North Rhine Westphalia.
Baltic coast cycle trail
Snaking its way from Kiel in the northwest to Fehmarn Island in the northeast, the Baltic coast cycle trail is all about sandy white beaches, steep cliffs and breathtaking views. Shallow bays are great for an afternoon swim to cool off and gorgeous islands and peninsulas along the way will keep your memory card full to bursting.
Castles
Castles
You can hardly turn around in Germany without bumping into a castle. The best known to visitors is Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, the inspiration for the Disney castle. Across the lake, King Ludwig II had his summer home, Hoheschwangau. Both castles can only be visited by appointment with a guide. Visits in summer should be reserved in advance.
Hohenschwangu Castle, Alpseestraße 30, Schwangau, Germany, +49 8362 930830
If that sounds a bit too intense, have a look at the Castle Road, a 1,200km (746 mile) route from Mannheim in the west to Prague in the east. There are more than 70 castles along the route, so kids can follow the trail of emperors, princes and knights
Museums
Germany has more than 6,200 museums covering every topic imaginable. Some, like mustard, may not be so interesting for small children – or anyone for that matter – but others like the Deutsches Museum in Munich and the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin are paradise for children and adults alike. Both Berlin and Munich have museum districts, so they’re both good places to base a museum holiday from.
The Natural History Museum in Berlin has the world’s largest dinosaur skeleton and other extinct animals like the world’s oldest bird and a Tasmanian tiger, alongside a T-Rex called Tristan.
The German Museum leaves dinosaurs and paintings behind and focuses on science, technology and astronomy. The Experimental Workshop allows children and adults to explore physics and other science disciplines with their hands.
Fairy tales
Hotel
Fairy tales
The fairy tale trail (Deutsche Märchenstraße) is a 600km (373 mile) route between Bremen and Hanau focusing on the stories of the Brothers Grimm. The trail passes through four nature reserves and cities like Hanau, Steinau, Marburg and Kassel. Along the way, you can stay in places like the 14th century Sababurg Castle – the Sleeping Beauty Castle – where four-poster beds, a garden full of pink roses and portraits of the Brothers Grimm make this castle hotel the perfect place for fairy tale-obsessed kids. Every Sunday there is a live performance of Sleeping Beauty, as well as scavenger hunts in the garden.
Castle Sababurg – Sababurg 12 Hofgeismar, Germany, +49 5671 8080
Nature
Resort, Treehouse
Nature
Germans love going out in “the nature.” For many, walking up the side of an Alp is the only way to spend a holiday, as fresh air is considered essential for good health and spiritual restoration. Since most Germans have children, it follows that there are plenty of places to experience the outdoors in a way that is fun for kids.
The Erlebnispark Tripsdrill Natur-Resort between Stuttgart and Heidelberg offers 77 hectares of wilderness park ready for kids to explore. Stay in a treehouse or frontier wagon and listen to sheep, wolves and animals howl through the night. If you want something a little different, there’s also a rollercoaster.
Erlebnispark Tripsdrill – Cleeborn, Germany, +49 7135 9999
Mammut Tripsdrill rollercoaster I © Immanuel Giel/WikiCommons
Events
Kieler Woche (ships)
Every June since 1882, thousands of sail boats and tall ships have descended on Kiel, a city in the north of Germany, for Kieler Woche, the largest sailing event in the world. During Kieler Woche, 4,000 sailors from all over the world race 800 boats in over 50 classes, ranging from tiny single-sailor dinghies to massive yachts. Boats are cool, but so is the Spiellinie at the Krusenkoppel, Germany’s biggest cultural children’s attraction. It’s a huge kids’ wonderland, with a full slate of activities for children of all ages along with ample space to run, tumble, hammer and explore. Oh, and a pirate ship.
Amusement parks
Park
Amusement parks
If forests or cycle paths don’t provide the thrill per minute your children require for a successful holiday, consider one of Germany’s many amusement parks. There’s Europa Park, a few kilometres from the French border in southwest Germany, Phantasialand in Cologne, Heidepark in north Germany nearish to Hamburg, Belantis Theme Park just outside Leipzig and Hansa Park in Lübeck.
Younger children might like Legoland, halfway between Munich and Stuttgart, Playmobil Funpark just outside Nuremburg, or Ravensburger Spieleland near Lake Constance.
Hamburg’s Miniature Wonderland, meanwhile, is the world’s biggest smallest thing, where 11km (6.8 miles) of train track take visitors through miniature versions of the Alps, Scandinavia, the U.S. and a good mix of places in Germany. Great care (and $12.5 million) has been taken to get the details exactly right.
Modelleisenbahn Miniatur Wunderland, Kehrwieder 2-4/Block D, Hamburg, Germany, +49 40 3006800
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