Immerse yourself in the Dachau of today: a city full of modern diversity, creative energy and undiscovered beauty.
Advertising: We were able to explore all this beautiful places in Dachau with kids in cooperation with Geheimatorte. Here you will find even more hidden treasures in Upper Bavaria.
I was born in Dachau, so I’m really happy to be able to show you the modern, artistic and natural side of the town. Dachau is often seen as a town with only dark connotations from the Third Reich, but it has so much more to offer. Dachau is also featured on the “Geheimatorte” (secret places) website, which offers recommendations for hidden gems in Upper Bavaria. These spots are easily accessible by public transport and not yet on many people’s radars.
Dachau was one of Europe’s most important artists’ colonies in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many painters found inspiration here in the motifs and shadow plays around the Dachauer Moos. It’s even said that every tenth inhabitant was a painter back then. If you’d like to know more, you can read more here. There are now lots of great restaurants in the old town, and there are plenty of child-friendly activities too.
A trip to Dachau is a great choice for a family outing, and one that will appeal to all ages. Bring the whole family, including your grandparents and aunts, and be amazed by the diversity of this town.
We’d love to show you some of Dachau’s hidden gems, perfect for the whole family. From breathtaking views of Munich and the Alps to gorgeous playgrounds, unpackaged stores serving the best pistachio croissants in town, and local shops brimming with Dachau’s unique charm, we’ve got you covered.
The best thing about it is that everything is within walking distance, so you can just let the day unfold at your own pace.
Kickstart your day at the foot of Dachau’s old town.
Our favourite way to start the day in Dachau is with a relaxed train ride from Munich Central Station to Dachau. You can take the regional train, which often has a double-decker carriage, which is great for kids, to Dachau station, where you’ll arrive in just 12 minutes, or you can take the S-Bahn to Dachau Stadt. The Simperl unpackaged store is just a stone’s throw away, and it’s the perfect place to get in the mood for Dachau’s special flair with a delicious breakfast in the courtyard.
The Unverpacktladen is a lovely place at the foot of the old town where everyone feels right at home. The relaxed atmosphere in the store is the perfect way to start the day. At the weekends, there’s a small breakfast menu with fresh pistachio croissants, muesli to fill yourself and enjoy immediately, as well as delicious coffee and milk drinks. While you have breakfast in the courtyard, the kids can play with the house dog or simply go for a run around the courtyard.
Cultural gems and hidden gems in the old town
Luckily, our favourite store, Sinneslust, which has a big following in Dachau, is right on the way. The owner is really enthusiastic and has a great way of presenting international brands in her store that you won’t find everywhere else. From tableware and clothing to jewellery and decorations, you’ll find all the beautiful things you’re looking for here. It’s no surprise that mums and kids love this store. It’s so big, you don’t even know where to look first.
The picture gallery on the second floor of the Sparkasse building is almost opposite. It’s definitely worth a visit to find out more about the Dachau art colony. The exhibition features works created exclusively in the Dachau area, including pieces by renowned artists such as Eduard Schleich the Elder, Christian Morgenstern and Lovis Corinth. There’s also a free interactive booklet with a little treasure hunt through the exhibition where the kids can solve puzzles to make the visit just as much fun for them. We spent a total of 30 minutes in the picture gallery and discovered the artistic side of Dachau, which is still completely unknown to most people.
Dachau Castle: It’s got a bit of history and some lovely green spaces, plus there are plenty of fun things to do.
Just a few metres further on, right after the town hall, our tour continues to Dachau Palace. It’s a city landmark and was once a popular summer residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty, complete with a courtyard garden. The view over the city is pretty impressive, all the way to Munich and even the Alps. Inside the palace, which has only one of the four original wings still standing today, we quickly stop by the stunning palace hall. The Renaissance ceiling is really beautiful, and they hold concerts there regularly. Alternatively, we can go straight to the courtyard garden, which blooms in all colours, especially in spring and summer. The pergola of lime trees is particularly special, and there’s a modern children’s playground hidden behind an archway on the castle wall. There’s a climbing frame with a playhouse and slides built into a converted container.
Dachau is a great place to combine city and nature.
You’ve got the palace and the Amper river right on your doorstep.
Once you’ve had a look around the courtyard garden, the path takes you straight into the palace park. If you turn gently to the left, you’ll see the so-called Witches’ Cottage. Right next to it is the bee garden with its nature trail, where we take a quick break. We head down the hill via the steps to the castle, and 10 minutes later we’re standing in the splendour of nature on the tranquil banks of the Amper. This is a great spot to get a feel for what inspired the artists of the time to create their motifs. If you follow the path to the right for another 5 minutes, you will come to the Amper playground, where you can take a well-deserved break.
Culinary discoveries in Dachau
When hunger strikes, there’s only one place we head for: the lovely Café Samstagskinder in a small side street of the old town of Dachau. They have a great selection of delicatessen products and dishes, from paninis to lunch dishes to some really tempting cakes and cinnamon rolls. Everything is made with love in your own kitchen.
We also recommend the Café Zaunkönig, just a few metres away in a cosy courtyard, or the Kulturschranne. For dinner, try the Kochwirt for traditional Bavarian food.
That was our favourite day in Dachau. We hope you enjoy discovering the city from a new perspective after reading this post. Have fun!
