family travel guide
Germany is firmly on the tourist map: Central Europe's largest country attracts city lovers, ski enthusiasts and those seeking a quiet but respectable holiday in the heart of nature.
Everyone has their own positive associations with the country. Some will remember the great Germans: composers, artists, writers and philosophers. Others will appreciate the country's advanced economy and low crime rate. German motorways and cars will certainly come to mind. German precision and punctuality will also come to mind. Finally, there is the beer and sausages so beloved of its people, as well as football.
To confirm the validity of these accolades, we would like to describe another important part of the travel component that many parents are interested in — holidays in Germany with children. Kidpassage has researched information on the best museums and theme parks, the most important cities and resorts, winter and summer holidays and can confidently say that family holidays in Germany are unbelievably good.
The Federal Republic of Germany is in central Europe. The northern coast of the FRG is washed by the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. The southern part is crossed by the mountain ranges of the Alps.
The country borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south and the Benelux countries to the west. Germany covers an area of 357 thousand square kilometres and has a population of over 80 million. The capital is Berlin.The Schengen Agreement applies to Germany and EU citizens can travel to Germany without a visa.
A family holiday in Germany has many advantages and a few disadvantages. The pros are nice to talk about, the cons are also necessary: you have to travel prepared.
Above all, Germany is a comfortable place to be with a child of any age. If you're travelling with a toddler, you'll appreciate public transport that's easy to get on with a pushchair, and changing tables in all public toilets.
If you're travelling with a restless toddler, you'll appreciate the number of playgrounds and play areas in restaurants. Ski resorts have family holiday programmes that cater for the little ones as well as the grown-ups. Themed hotels for kids are rare in Germany, but there's little need for them. There is so much to see and do outside the hotel that travellers only return to their rooms to sleep.
Service in hotels is a definite plus. Whether it is a luxury or budget hotel, guests are surrounded by care. Families with young children can expect to find everything they need to care for their baby (just be aware that many services are available on request).
A big plus is the excursion and entertainment programme. Germany has special museums, quests, amusement parks, water parks, zoos — you name it.
But you can't see everything at once, because the attractions are spread all over the country. But even if you stay in one of the big cities, you will spend at least a week with its museums and entertainment.
A nice bonus is that you can visit Germany with children all year round. Skiing and tobogganing, mountains and lakes, walks and excursions can be combined in any proportion and the results are just as wonderful.
The weather is not always kind to tourists — it rains a lot in the summer and there is a cold, wet wind blowing in the winter. But holiday plans here are very varied. You can spend a beautiful day outdoors or hide from the rain in museums. And the acclimatisation goes unnoticed, which is a definite plus.
One more nuance: traditional German cuisine seems heavy and not suitable for children. Indeed, there are some things that only a well-trained stomach can digest. On closer inspection, however, it turns out that there are many German dishes that are suitable for children and, above all, that they like them.
The tourist season in Germany can be described as follows: December to April — winter high season, May to September — summer high season. The country is flooded at all times of the year with tourists wanting excursions, mountains, festivals, sausages and beer. Peak season is Christmas Eve and July and August, the holiday season. So how do you find the right time to take your child on holiday?
The best time for a family holiday is in the summer. It can be as varied as you like: city trips, hiking in the mountains and trips to lakes.
If you can, plan your trip for September. In early autumn, the crowds dwindle and the weather, although cool, is pleasant with clear skies and no rain.
However, the bathing season in Germany is very short and the lakes are only open for swimming in July and August. But in the second half of the summer, the water gets as warm as +23-25°C.
Skiers have their own answer to the question of when it is best to go to Germany: certainly in December, when the mountains are covered with snow. To enjoy skiing, we recommend visiting the ski resorts in the second half of January — March to avoid the holiday crowds and take advantage of the good snow cover.
Winter holidays in the cities are best planned for December. In the run-up to Christmas, there are colourful, fun Christmas markets in the main squares, with lots of fun and treats for children throughout the month.
April and May as well as September are good times to visit Germany with a young child — the cooler, more temperate seasons are ideal for a relaxing holiday.
Germany's climate is typical of central Europe: summers are not too hot and rainy, winters are mild and often snow-free. This average characteristic has its own nuances: Summers are warm enough for sunbathing on Germany's southern lakes, while winters are quite snowy in the mountains, to the delight of mountain skiing enthusiasts.
The term 'holiday season in Germany' is interpreted differently by everyone. When it comes to holidays in ski resorts, December and March are the best months for recreation.
During this time, there is a lot of snow in the mountains and the temperature stays at +1-4°C during the day and -2-6°C at night. In April, the snow melts when temperatures reach 11-12°C, and May is the start of the alpine trekking season or complete relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
From May to September, temperatures in the mountains range from +19-24°C, but at night the thermometer drops to +8-12°C. If you want to spend your holiday in Germany in the city, summer is the high season.
The average temperature during the summer months is +20-25°C. However, it is worth checking the weather forecast before travelling: it can be hot as high as +30°C or cold as low as +15°C. It often rains in May and August, so an umbrella and suitable footwear are essential.
The weather in September is also good for excursions. It cools down to 16-20°C, but the days are sunny and there's little rain. The weather starts to get colder in October, with temperatures dropping to freezing in winter. But if you want to see Germany in all its festive glory, it's time to hit the Christmas markets.
Many tourists say that a December holiday is the best holiday in Germany with children — just be careful not to let your clothes blow away: the cold wind will chill you to the bone even if there is no frost. Winter temperatures range from -3°C to +3°C and last until March. Temperatures don't get much warmer until mid-April and don't reach +18-19°C until May.
German cuisine, tourists think, is not suitable for baby food. This is partly true: no one will offer you knuckle of pork with sauerkraut, spicy currywurst sausages or Mett - raw minced meat with salt and pepper.
On the other hand, native German dishes include Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), Flammkuchen (pizza-style pancakes), Klopse (soft meatballs), and Eier im Nest (scrambled eggs with potatoes and herbs) — a meal suitable for children. Teenagers can be offered all kinds of sausages, a lentil soup with potatoes, vegetables, and sausages and a crispy pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe).
Traditional German meals are hearty, the portions in restaurants are substantial and you must somehow manage to leave room for dessert.
Berliners doughnuts and Rohrnudeln can be eaten on the street, but Frankfurter Kranz and Prinzregententorte cakes are better enjoyed at a café table. If you prefer to cook for yourself, check the opening times of grocery shops. Smaller shops may close at 17:00-18:00, supermarkets at 19:00-22:00 and even earlier on Saturdays. All shops are closed on Sundays.
Public transport in Germany is the epitome of German punctuality. The U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses all arrive exactly when they are supposed to, and only in Baden-Baden are they scolded for being a few minutes late.
Service interruptions are short, and even a night-time disruption will not last more than 3-4 hours (and there are usually several night-time bus services).
A single ticket is valid for all public transport in Germany. The cost varies depending on the length of the journey and the area covered.
The minimum ticket costs €2.80-2.90 for adults and €1.40-1.70 for children aged 6-14. If you travel frequently during the day, it is a good idea to buy a day pass, which costs less per journey than individual tickets.
In Germany's major cities, there are tourist cards that give you free travel on public transport and discounts on museums. For example, the Berlin WelcomeCard, which is valid for 48 hours, costs €25 and is good for one adult and three children aged 6 to 14.
Trains are very convenient for travelling around Germany. If you are travelling within the same federal state, it is a good idea to buy a regional ticket. This gives you free travel on regional trains and public transport.
After much discussion, the federal and state governments approved a single nationwide ticket for 49 euros on 02 November 2022. This is a cheap ticket for local and other transport.
Short information about the €49 ticket
Regional tickets. There are 13 of them, e.g. Bayern Ticket, SchönerTag Ticket NRW, Niedersachsen Ticket, which includes Bremen and Hamburg, and so on.
They are valid for travel within the same state. However, some tickets also allow you to travel to neighbouring countries/states. For example, a Bayern Ticket allows you to travel to Salzburg.
The cost of the ticket depends on the number of people travelling. You can travel with between 1 and 5 passengers. Some tickets have a fixed price. The Brandenburg-Berlin ticket costs €33. Up to 5 adults + 3 children aged 6-14 travel free.
These tickets are usually valid for one day. On weekdays from 9am to 3am the next day. And on weekends and public holidays from midnight to 3am the next day.
Make sure you check which transport your ticket is valid for. It is usually valid on all regional transport — buses, metro, trams, commuter and regional trains. Private buses and high-speed trains — EC, ICE, etc. — are excluded. But sometimes there are restrictions on normal buses too. For example, the Schleswig-Holstein ticket is NOT valid on buses. And in Hamburg you can only use it in the AB zones.
The bus network is not as well developed as the rail network. However, in smaller towns and mountainous regions, buses are the most common means of transport. Travellers who prefer the car to all other modes of transport often rent a car in Germany.
The quality of German roads doesn't need to be advertised, but it is necessary to pay attention to the traffic rules: the fine for speeding can be up to €680, for not wearing a seatbelt - €30, for breaking rules of child transportation — €70. You can only park your car in car parks (usually paid).
A family holiday in Germany promises to be rich and exciting. Hardly any other country in Europe offers so many attractions for children.
In terms of large amusement parks, the country has the upper hand: the number of amusement parks is close to a hundred.
If you are travelling with a child in Germany, be sure to visit at least one of the most famous parks — Legoland in Günzburg or the Legoland centres in Oberhausen and Berlin, Europa-Park in Rust, Phantasialand in Brühl, Movie Park in Botrop, Hansa Park in Zirksdorf, Skyline Park in Bad Wierishofen. Munich's Oktoberfest is always a huge amusement park. And because Germany doesn't have particularly warm summers, it has Europe's largest indoor water park, GALAXY.
Other great places to spend time with your child include zoos. Munich Zoo is the second largest in Europe.
Hamburg Zoo and those in Leipzig and Hanover may not be as big, but they offer just as much fun. And the town of Walsrode has a bird park that is the best of its kind in Europe.
If you're holidaying in Germany with small kids, it's more important to know whether there's a shady park nearby for a stroll. There are plenty of parks and gardens in the cities, and most have more than one playground.
What else can you do with a child in Germany? You have to orientate yourself on the spot. For example, in Berlin you can take a sightseeing bus, in Hamburg you can visit the huge harbour, in Düsseldorf you can walk along the Rhine River and in Cologne you can climb to the top of the Cologne Cathedral.
The lakes of southern Germany have long been popular with those who love the great outdoors. Lake Constance, Königsee, Kimsee, Tegernsee — people come here not so much to swim (although the water can get as warm as +24°C on milder days) as to relax in peaceful and comfortable surroundings, enjoy the clean mountain air and impeccable service.
There are also excellent opportunities for outdoor activities, with squash courts, tennis courts and riding clubs close to the lakes. Many people are attracted by the opportunities for boating and sailing. Even in winter, life does not stop at these resorts: the frozen lakes are transformed into curling rinks and outdoor ice rinks.
Winter brings skiing enthusiasts to Germany. The ski resorts in Bavaria (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberstdorf, Reit im Winkl and others) offer more than just a place for experienced skiers: there are plenty of opportunities for children to enjoy skiing for the first time.
Children's ski schools have experienced instructors to help even the youngest learn skiing techniques, and there are easy slopes for beginners to practice their skills on.
Another advantage of a skiing holiday in Germany with children is the affordability of ski passes: skiing in Austria is considerably more expensive.
Children under the age of 6 ski for free, and ski passes for children aged 6-14 are usually 20-25% cheaper than those for adults. Family ski passes are cheaper for the whole family.
Ski resorts in Germany are generally considered to be less advanced than those in Austria. However, it is true that in Bavaria not so much attention is paid to après-ski, but the quality of the preparation of the slopes and the work of the lifts deserves an "excellent" rating.
Tourists who want to have their say can compare the skiing infrastructures of neighbouring countries: there are ski passes that allow skiing in both German and Austrian resorts. And as the après-ski programme in the resorts is not very extensive, we recommend that you combine your winter holiday in Germany with a trip to the neighbouring cities.
What to see in Germany? The choice is huge, and therefore incredibly difficult: a royal palace or a technical museum? Antiquities or contemporary art? Show children the discoveries of others or let them make their own? You may be able to do a lot if you know what the main attractions of each city are.
A special and very popular format is children's museums. In Berlin, these are the Labyrinth and MACHmit! centres, where children are free to choose their own activities, stick their noses into everything and be restless wisecracks.
At Hamburg's KLick Museum, children are invited to relive the recent past. The Odysseum in Cologne turns games into scientific experiments and fairy tales into reality. And after a visit to the Experiminta Museum in Frankfurt, kids discover that physics is a fascinating subject.
When holidaying in Germany with children it is nice to visit one of the toy museums — in Munich, Hamburg, Hanau, Sonneberg and Nuremberg.
The Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann, on the other hand, can hardly be called a children's museum — unless you count the fact that on the tour the children themselves reincarnate as Neanderthals and discover how to make fire, tools and caves.
On the contrary, Hamburg has a completely child-friendly attraction that is not a museum at all. It's an amazing Miniatur Wunderland railway layout with moving trains and hundreds of cute little things.
Nothing could be more childlike than following in the footsteps of your favourite fairytale characters. The German Fairytale Route runs from Hanau to Bremen, passing the homes of Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty and, of course, the Bremen Musicians.
It should be noted that interesting places for children are not necessarily specialised museums. You can't imagine a child being indifferent to the Museum of Technology in Berlin, with its many interactive exhibits and simulations, or the Hamburg Maritime Museum, where you can use a sextant, a periscope and get to know the role of a sailor.
And here are some more ideas for things to do in Germany with a child.
1. Technical museums. In addition to the Berlin Museum mentioned above, the German Museum of Science and Technology in Munich, the largest polytechnic museum in the world, is well worth a visit. Also worth a visit are BMW in Munich, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in Stuttgart and Audi in Ingolstadt.
2. Historical museums. The Pergamon and New Museums in Berlin, the Helms Archaeological Museum in Hamburg and the Römisch-Germanisches Museum in Cologne are all dedicated to the history of the ancient world. Turn the page on history at the Spandau Citadel Museum in Berlin, the Bavarian National Museum in Munich, the Royal Palace in Dresden and the city museums.
3. Art museums. The most famous are the Alte and Neue Pinakothek in Munich, where you can see paintings by the most famous artists of the XIV-XX centuries. Works by famous masters can also be seen in the Berlin Gemäldegalerie, the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Dresden), the Brandhorst Museum (Munich), the Walraf-Richartz Museum (Cologne) and many others.
4. Ethnographic museums. Old Germany comes alive in the Düppel complex near Berlin and in Hessenpark near Frankfurt. The Museum of World Cultures in Frankfurt, the Museum of the Five Continents in Munich and the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum in Cologne present the traditions of different nations.
5. Natural History Museums. What do the Senckenberg Natural History Museum in Frankfurt, the Natural History Museum in Berlin and the Palaeontological Museum in Munich have in common? They all display skeletons of prehistoric animals. And at the Biosphere Museum in Potsdam, the tour is like a real jungle adventure. Of course, many of the attractions are concentrated in the big cities, but the smaller, historic towns also have a special charm.
Almost all of Germany's UNESCO World Heritage sites are outside the major cities: from the old town of Regensburg to Aachen Cathedral and the prehistoric lake dwellings in the foothills of the Alps.
And even Neuschwanstein Castle — the same castle that inspired Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty — is far from the tourist centres.
A complete list of things to do with children in Germany would take more than one page. But even a short list is enough to fill at least a week.
Is there a single city in Germany where you can say: if you've seen it, you've seen the country? No - Germany's regions are very different from each other in terms of landscape, traditions, cuisine and even language.
What they have in common is impeccable hotel service, excellent roads and a friendly attitude to tourists. So, when you travel to Germany, don't look for a place to stay with children, look for a holiday programme to suit your tastes.
Germany's capital is a big, bustling but very interesting city, especially if you're taking teenage children on a family trip. If you have at least a couple of days to explore the entire Museum Island and the museums of Potsdam, it's well worth giving them at least a few days to explore. Berlin has children's museums, amusement parks and lots of playgrounds, so the little ones won't get bored.
Germany's second largest and greenest city. The main reasons to visit Hamburg with children are the family-friendly museums and the absolutely stunning amusement parks. The weather in Hamburg may require some adjustments to your itinerary as it often rains.
A little off the beaten tourist track in Germany, Düsseldorf is a great destination for travellers looking for something different. Walking around the city is a great activity and for the best museums we recommend a visit to the neighbouring towns of Oberhausen, Duisburg or Mettmann.
One of the oldest cities in the country with a very distinctive face. If you're wondering where to go in Germany with children, museums, top theme parks and all the excitement of a big city, Cologne is the place to be.
The capital of Bavaria, Germany's most popular holiday destination for children. A packed programme of sightseeing and entertainment will satisfy even the most discerning of travellers, and city walks can be complemented by holidays in the ski resorts or on the lakes.
Bavaria offers the most comprehensive answer to the question of which resorts in Germany are suitable for holidays with children: the winter resorts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberstdorf, Reit im Winkl and the lakes of Kimsee, Königsee and Tegernsee are in the south of the region.
When deciding where to go in Germany with a child, many people only see Frankfurt as a hub, but the city deserves more attention.The city has a wide range of family entertainment and an entire museum promenade. The thermal spas of Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden are close to Frankfurt.
One of Germany's most famous spa resorts, suitable for both serious and relaxing holidays. The town is perfect for an eventful and varied day out.
Once you have decided where to go in Germany, you can start looking for accommodation. There are two main options: hotels and apartments, while villas, cottages and guest houses complete the list in the resorts.
Hotels in major cities, no matter how prestigious, ensure that travellers get a good night's sleep and a good breakfast before heading out on an excursion. You can therefore expect a cot and breakfast to be included in the hotel price.
There are very few family hotels in Germany with activities for children, but almost all offer discounts for families with children. Swimming pools, games rooms and playgrounds are only available in spa hotels, where the list of out-of-hotel attractions is relatively short.
A more comfortable option for an independent holiday in Germany with children can be an apartment. They are usually larger than a similarly priced room and come with a kitchenette. This is a good option for families with young children who are still eating baby food.
Germany has a dozen and a half international airports. The largest are in Munich and Frankfurt am Main, with smaller ones in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Stuttgart. It's quicker to get to the ski resorts from Salzburg and Innsbruck airports in Austria.
There are trains to Germany from all neighbouring countries. From Russia there are direct trains from Moscow to Berlin and Moscow to Paris. From Ukraine and Belarus you can reach Germany by train with a change in Warsaw. You can buy tickets on the website of the German railway company Deutsche Bahn: https://www.bahn.de.
One of the options for travelling to Germany from other countries. There are several companies, including the German company Flixbus.
As an option for getting to Germany, many people choose to travel by car. Note that major cities have designated environmentally friendly Umwelt zones, and a Green environmental sticker is required to enter such a zone by car. Plakette stickers can be obtained from ADAC centres, Dekra offices and state registration authorities. It is also available to order online at https://www.umwelt-plakette.de
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