Munich with children: top sights and things to do with kids

Having spent three years living in Munich, we’ve experienced firsthand just how amazing this city can be. The city offers a perfect mix of historical landmarks, outdoor activities, and kid-friendly experiences. From the bustling city center to the tranquil parks, there are countless sights and highlights in Munich to explore with children. In this post, we’ll share our favorite things to do with kids in Munich, ensuring your visit is packed with memorable moments for the whole family!

Englischer Garten Munich with children

Let’s begin with one of the nicest things to do in Munich with kids: visiting the Englischer Garten. This park is one of the largest city parks in the world. The Mittlerer Ring, the middle ring road of Munich, divides this vast city park of 375 hectares into two sections.

The southern part, located near Munich’s historic center, is the livelier section. On nice days, locals flock to this area of the Englischer Garten. On the large lawns and along the banks of the small streams in the park, people sunbathe or have picnics. This large city park in Munich also offers plenty of things to do for kids. There is plenty of space for them to play, both on the large grassy fields and in one of the playgrounds. For young children, there is even an old carousel! You can also rent pedal boats on the lake in the park. The southern part has two large, cozy beer gardens where you can enjoy a half-liter or liter of beer while the kids play.

The section north of the Mittlerer Ring is much quieter. This part of the park is mainly used for walking or sports. Of course, this section also has two beer gardens, which are much less touristy than those in the southern part.

Munich top sights: Eisbachwelle

The Eisbach is a man-made river running through the Englischer Garten. Under a bridge on the southern side of the park, an artificial wave has been created. This wave is called the Eisbachwelle. The Eisbachwelle is popular with surfers, and you will always see someone surfing here. Other surfers wait at the water’s edge for their turn to jump onto their surfboards and ride the wave for about 10 seconds to half a minute. This spectacle always attracts many onlookers. It’s fun to watch on your own, but for children, this is definitely one of the highlights in Munich.

Olympiapark Munich with children

Olympiapark is Munich’s sports park, where the 1972 Summer Olympics were held. You can still see many of the original Olympic venues, as most of the Olympic stadiums with their distinctive architecture remain. You can even swim in the Olympic swimming pool. The Olympic Stadium is still fully intact. The stadium is now mainly used for events and concerts, but sometimes it also hosts major sports competitions. One of the coolest activities we enjoyed was climbing the roof of the Olympic Stadium. Tickets are also available for a zip-line from the roof. These activities in Munich’s Olympic Stadium are, of course, not suitable for children.

Many people also exercise outside the stadium: running, rollerblading, yoga. The residents of Munich love to go to Olympiapark to stay fit. But it’s also a great park to relax or take a walk. The park has several beer gardens, playgrounds, and a pond where you can rent pedal boats. In the center of the park is Olympiaberg. It’s a small climb, but from the top, you get the most beautiful views of the city. On clear days, you can even see the Alps from the top of the Olympiaberg. And if there’s a concert at the Olympic Stadium, the hill fills up with people who enjoy listening from there. We’ve attended free concerts by Phil Collins and Ed Sheeran this way. For young children visiting Munich, the SeaWorld location in Olympiapark will be one of the great highlights of the city.

BMW Welt & BMW Museum with kids

While you’re at Olympiapark, make sure to visit BMW Welt. This is one of the most fun things to do for your kids in Munich. I’d describe it as a large public car dealership, where the newest models from BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce are displayed. In the past, you could also sit in some of the cars, but during our most recent visits, that wasn’t possible anymore. If you have kids who are interested in cars, you must add a visit to BMW Welt to your things to do in Munich. BMW Welt is located on the edge of Olympiapark. It’s open daily, and entry is free.

Do you have real car enthusiasts in the family? Then also visit the BMW Museum, which is a part of the BMW Welt. Here, you can learn everything about the history of this Munich-based car brand, from how the first car parts were made to the most popular models over the years. The BMW Museum is located opposite BMW Welt. You’ll need to purchase tickets for this.

Allianz Arena Munich with children

Are your kids not into cars, but you have soccer fans in your family instead? Bringing a visit to Allianz Arena, the home stadium of FC Bayern München, is definitely one of the things you should do wit kids in Munich. You can also book tours of the stadium. These tours are available on days when Bayern München isn’t playing. The tour lasts about 60 minutes and takes you to various parts of the stadium, such as the stands, press room, and player tunnel. At the end, you can visit the FC Bayern München museum, where you can learn everything about the club’s history and its players. We’re not huge soccer fans, but we still really enjoyed touring Allianz Arena.

Sights in historic center Munich

It’s also worth taking a walk through the historic center of Munich with your children, taking in all the beautiful sights. The Munich’s center is stately, with many beautiful buildings. It’s reminiscent of Vienna. Here are the highlights of all sights in the city center of Munich:

• Residenz & Hofgarten: The Residenz is the former city palace of the kings of Bavaria. The building has a beautiful facade, although it was partially destroyed during World War II. The newer construction is less impressive. You can also visit the interior of the Residenz, but be prepared to spend a few hours, as it takes time to explore all the rooms. The Hofgarten, which is part of the Residenz, is open to the public.

• On the same square (Max-Joseph-Platz), you’ll find Munich’s opera house. The stateliness of this area is also reflected in Maximilianstrasse, which houses the most expensive fashion houses and hotels. On the other side of Maximilianstrasse (and the Isar River), you’ll find the enormous building of the Maximilianeum, which now houses the Bavarian Parliament.
• Marienplatz, in the heart of the city center of Munich is full of sights. On this square, you’ll find the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). The latter building is especially characteristic of Munich, as it is a neo-gothic structure that resembles a church. At the top of every hour, there’s a show where a small disk with figurines spins around.
• Viktualienmarkt is a daily market where you can buy delicacies, herbs, and other goods. It’s a large market, and there’s also a beer garden here.
• Also, take a look at Hofbräuhaus. This is the oldest brewery in Munich and one of the most visited sights by tourists. You can eat here and, of course, drink beer. However, in my opinion, there are other breweries in Munich where the food is better and the beer tastier (more on this below).
• There are several church towers you can climb for a fantastic view over the city and the surrounding area. For example, you can usually climb the tower of the Neues Rathaus. Another recommendation is the church tower of St. Peter’s Church. You can also climb one of the towers of the Frauenkirche. This gothic church is already beautiful with its two domed towers. The Frauenkirche is a landmark and plays a major role in defining the skyline of Munich.

Munich top sights: Isar

The Isar is the river that flows through the city. What’s great about this river is that there are several walking paths along it. Even though the Isar flows through the city center, walking along the Isar feels very peaceful.

The Isar also offers some fun things to do for kids in Munich, as there are various spots for swimming. Most of the beaches are on the southern side of Munich, near the Hellabrunn Zoo. Another popular spot is in the north of the city, near the dam in the Oberföhring district. But there are many other ‘beaches’ along the Isar where you can swim with children in Munich.

Ostpark & Michaelibad with children

One of my favorite parks in Munich is Ostpark. This is partly because the park was close to our house, and we visited it frequently. Ostpark is located in the eastern part of the city and is especially popular among locals. You won’t encounter many tourists here.

In Ostpark, you can do the same things with kids as in other parks in Munich. People come here to walk, exercise, or relax a little. Of course, Ostpark also has a beer garden and a playground. If you walk through the park and suddenly see plumes of smoke, don’t be surprised—it’s because there’s also a large field where you can have a barbecue. On the edge of Ostpark, there is also a public pool with a large outdoor pool: Michaelibad. It’s a nice spot on warm days.

Riemer See Munich with children

Another great place to visit on warm days is Riemer See. This is a large lake with a small beach where you can sunbathe and swim during the summer. On hot days, going to the Riemer See is one of the most popular things for families and kids. There’s a small sandy beach, a large green sunbathing area, and a volleyball court. You can also do some water sports here, like stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP).

Riem is a district in the eastern part of the city. This area used to be home to Munich’s old airport. The control tower and a section of the runway are still visible. Today, you’ll find a residential neighborhood, Munich’s convention center, and a large shopping mall here. There are many walking and cycling routes around Riem.

Museum highlights Munich

Between Königsplatz, the Hofgarten and Englischer Garten is the Museumviertel. This is the green neighborhood where all the major museums are located. Most of them are housed in impressive buildings. Here, you’ll find museums with old art, such as the Alte Pinakothek, the Glyptothek, and the State Museum of Egyptian Art. In Museumviertel, there are also museums for modern art, like the Pinakothek der Moderne and Museum Brandhorst. These museums in Munich sometimes also have special exhibitions with things to do for kids.

Another museum worth visiting is the Deutsches Museum, which isn’t in this neighborhood but is one of the most museum highlights in Munich. It’s dedicated to Germany’s technical history and is very interesting for older children.

Visit a ‘biergarten’ with children in Munich

A visit to Munich is not complete, without visiting a ‘biergarten’. We really miss them now that we no longer live in Munich. The beer gardens are not only in the city center but also in the parks and on the outskirts of the city. My favorite beer gardens are the ones in the parks. Here are the five most enjoyable and pleasant beer gardens in Munich:

• Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm: This beer garden is located in the middle of the Englischer Garten, by a Chinese-style tower. A traditional brass band often plays in this tower, creating a cheerful atmosphere.
• Seehaus im Englischen Garten: This beer garden is also in the Englischer Garten, by the lake. You can sit here and enjoy a view of the lake, which is filled with ducks and pedal boats.
• Königlicher Hirschgarten: This massive beer garden on the west side of the city claims to be the largest beer garden in the world. Despite its size, it still feels cozy and intimate, thanks to its location in a park.
• Hirschau im Englischen Garten: This smaller beer garden is also located in the Englischer Garten. The nice thing about it is that it’s relatively quiet, and most tourists haven’t really discovered it yet.
• Michaeligarten: This beer garden is located by the lake in Ostpark in Munich. Its location is similar to Seehaus, but the big advantage of Michaeligarten is that it’s not as touristy.

Beer gardens also have playgrounds. You can enjoy a drink and food while your children play and run around. The great thing about beer gardens is that you’re allowed to bring your own food. Beer gardens are great places to have lunch with kids. You’ll also see locals using beer gardens to celebrate parties.

Munich highlights: Schloss Nymphenburg

In the center of Munich, you’ll find the sights Residenz and Hofgarten, but outside the city center, there’s another grand palace belonging to the former royal family of Bavaria. This palace is called Schloss Nymphenburg. It was built in the 17th century in the Baroque style. Schloss Nymphenburg is one of the sights in Munich that you must visit.

You can visit the inside of the palace. A visit inside doesn’t take as long as a visit to the Residenz, as there are fewer rooms to explore. But the outside is actually much more fun and beautiful. The palace itself is huge, and it also has a very large formal garden. The garden has a canal, large lawns, fountains, various statues, small themed gardens, a terrace where you can enjoy a drink, and much more. Be sure not to miss a walk by the Badenburger See with the Apollo Temple.

Event highlights Munich

There are several major events and things to do in Munich throughout the year that are also fun to visit with kids. Most of these events take place at Theresienwiese, a large field on the outskirts of the city center.

The most famous event in Munich is, of course, Oktoberfest. This event takes place every year during the last two weeks of September and the first few days of October. Around 6 million visitors come to celebrate in lederhosen and dirndls. If you’re in Munich during this time, one of the most fun things to do is visiting Oktoberfest. Of course, you won’t go into the beer tents with kids, but besides the beer tents, there are plenty of amusement rides. In fact, Oktoberfest is like a large amusement park, with several (large) roller coasters, log flumes, swings, haunted houses, bumper cars, and more. The first time I visited Oktoberfest as an adult, I was amazed by all the attractions. Kids will love it. There’s also a special area with a children’s carnival. This area has all the traditional amusement rides for smaller children.

On the same field, in the spring, there’s the Frühlingsfest. This festival is similar to Oktoberfest, but it’s smaller in scale. There are only one or two large beer tents, and most of the attractions are smaller. The attractions are generally a bit more family-friendly, and there’s no roller coaster with four loops, as there is at Oktoberfest.

Around Christmas, there are several Christmas markets in squares throughout the city. The most beautiful Christmas markets are at the Residenz, Marienplatz, and Weißenburger Platz. At Theresienwiese, there’s Winter Tollwood, a large festival with food trucks, Glühwein stalls, and booths selling products and goods from all over the world. In the summer, there’s a summer edition of Tollwood (around June/July) in Olymiapark.

Therme Erding with kids

About a half-hour drive from Munich is the town of Erding. This town is mainly known for Erdinger beer, but it also has a large tropical water park: Therme Erding. This (supposedly) largest pool in Europe will be one of the highlights of Munich for your kids. Warm water, lots of water slides, and various indoor and outdoor pools await.

Indoors, you’ll find a wave pool, a large subtropical pool, several hot tubs, and a hall with 28 water slides. Some slides are only suitable for older children because they’re very fast or steep. There are also several slides where you need a rubber ring. These slides make swimming at Therme Erding one of the top things to do for kids in Munich.

The outdoor pool is also large. It has a large sunbathing area and several big water slides. The outdoor pool is only open when the outside temperature is at least 18°C (64°F). The outdoor pools that you can access from the indoor pools are open year-round. One of these outdoor pools even has a small beer garden where you can drink Glühwein in the winter.

For adults, there’s also a separate area with saunas and special wellness baths. You’ll need to buy an extra ticket for this. There’s also a wellness section that is only accessible without swimwear, exclusively for adults.

Things to do with kids in the surroundings of Munich

Munich is about an hour’s drive from the Alps. We often found ourselves in the Alps on weekends. When visiting Munich, it’s a must to combine your city visit with a mountain hike. The last time we visited Munich with children, we also climbed Wankberg for a day. There are many beautiful hiking routes in the German Alps. The most beautiful routes can be found around Füssen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, near Walchensee, Tegernsee, and Schliersee.

Not a fan of hiking? The surroundings of Munich will still be the highlights of your trip. There are many beautiful lakes where you can swim, enjoy watersports, walk around, or take a boat ride. Around these lakes, you’ll also often find beautiful country houses or castles. Tegernsee, Schliersee, Ammersee, and Starnbergersee are all within an hour’s drive from Munich (traffic permitting).

Do you want to read more about some highlights of the surroundings of Munich? These are our experiences with Hiking the Wankberg: a family-friendly hike in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Eating in Munich, with and without children

Eating out with children in Munich is perfectly fine in the beer gardens, although the quality can vary greatly from one to another. In the beer gardens, you’ll typically find Bavarian dishes such as currywurst, half a chicken, schnitzel, or bread with Obatzda. Of course, you can also go to restaurants with children. Over the past few years, we’ve visited quite a few, and below are our recommendations. Unfortunately, not all of them are suitable for children.

German:

• Andy’s Krablergarten: The schnitzel paradise of Munich, though they also offer other German dishes. The restaurant has a beer garden outside, making it a great venue in Munich for eating with kids.
• Augustiner Keller: My favorite German restaurant in Munich. It offers great food and is in a nice location. It’s part of the Augustiner brewery. When the weather is nice, you can sit outside in the beer garden, but there’s also plenty of space inside. You can easily bring your kids here.
• Bapas: A combination of Bavarian food and tapas—you can try various small Bavarian dishes here. While the food quality isn’t the best German food in Munich, it’s a fun concept for discovering Bavarian cuisine. You can also bring kids here.
• Michaeligarten Wirtshaus: A German restaurant with a beautiful location by the water in Ostpark. The food is good, and it’s a pleasant place to bring your kids.
• Kaisergarten: Offers higher-quality German food but is a bit on the expensive side. The manager can be quite unfriendly. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend bringing kids here often.

European:

• Prinz Myskin: A vegetarian restaurant with creative dishes based primarily on Italian and Asian cuisine. It’s not very suitable for children.
• Cafe Zeitgeist: I’ve only had drinks and snacks here, never a full meal, but it has a very cozy atmosphere.
• Nage & Sauge: A modern restaurant with a fairly small menu, mainly featuring salads and pasta. It’s not ideal for children.
• Tante Emma: A lovely spot for breakfast and lunch. You can definitely bring kids here.
• Taverna Paros: A good Greek restaurant with a lovely atmosphere. It’s often quite cramped and full, so this place is only suitable for children who can handle tight spaces.

Other world cuisines:

• Tahdig: A Persian restaurant with delicious food (and a few unique dishes). It’s quite small and not really set up for children.
• Blue Nile: An Ethiopian restaurant with great food. The tables and the restaurant itself are small, making it difficult to dine here with a family.
• Afghan Restaurants: Munich has several good Afghan restaurants: Chopan, Lemar, and Nigin. Not all locations are large or child-friendly, but some are more accommodating for children.
• Cochinchina: A modern Vietnamese restaurant popular with Munich’s younger residents. It’s not a place I would quickly go to with children.

Child-Friendly accommodations in Munich

Where is the best place to stay when visiting Munich with children? Finding child-friendly accommodations in the city center can be a bit difficult. There are many hotels in the city, but the availability of apartments is somewhat limited. Keep in mind that accommodation prices tend to be higher than in other parts of Germany.

When we visit Munich with children, we usually book an apartment on the outskirts or just outside the city. We visit the city of Munich and its sights on day trips. We always ensure the accommodation is easily accessible by public transport, so we don’t have to worry about parking in the city

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