A family day full of insider tips that even some Munich kids don’t know yet!
As locals, we at The Urban Kids are always on the lookout for new and exciting places in our beloved hometown of Munich. We’re on a mission to uncover hidden gems that will delight all members of the family, big and small. We might be sharing our insider tips with the world, but we’re still just as excited as you are to explore these amazing places together as a family.
If you want to fall in love with Munich as a family, you simply have to see the city on the Isar! Its special location in relation to the mountains and lakes that surround it makes it truly magical. So first of all, if you want to get to know Munich with your little ones, you don’t have to choose between city and nature – you can enjoy both! It’s easy to see why Munich is such a popular destination for families when you consider the city’s proximity to the stunning Bavarian countryside, from the Ammersee to the Zugspitze. And with the local public transport offering so many options, it’s simple to explore the city and beyond.
At www.geheimatorte.de, you can discover the best sustainable rail travel routes for a family day out in Munich.
Let’s take a lovely bird’s eye view of Munich!
But first, let’s head back to the centre, to Marienplatz in the heart of Munich. There, we can get an overview of all the wonderful possibilities that lie at our feet! We’d highly recommend taking in the view from the New Town Hall, called Neues Rathaus.
The entrance to the tower is a little hidden away to the left of the main entrance, but don’t worry, a lift will take you up there in no time! From the viewing platform, you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the Allianz Arena and the Alps. It’s a great place to soak up the atmosphere and take in the sights, and it’s not just the views that are impressive – it’s also a great place to make plans for the day ahead!
Art for the whole family
And there’s more! It continues at the Lenbachhaus. And while some folks might still think “Museum, how boring…”, we can guarantee that the art here is something that kids will love too! The wonderful collection of works by the “Der Blaue Reiter” group of painters is explained to the youngest art lovers with fun stories and exciting background information, by kids for kids, via a special audio guide.
Many people don’t realise that the museum has a lovely garden and a hidden basement. While you can find a green and quiet oasis in the big city outside on cosy chairs between rippling fountains, the special exhibitions are a world of their own, between the underground and the museum. Currently, everything revolves around virtual worlds. You’re welcome to dive in and touch anything you like! Once you’ve had your fill of knowledge, you can always come back for a bite to eat.
Restaurant Ella is a real treat for the whole family, with delicious dishes for young and old alike. And if waiting around doesn’t float your boat (it doesn’t float ours either!), you’ll find there’s plenty to keep your eyes on. The view from here of Königsplatz is truly magnificent. And when your food arrives, you’ll know you’re in for a real feast!
If you’re looking for a different museum to explore with your teenagers, the MUCA is a great option! It’s just a stone’s throw from Marienplatz, so it’s super easy to get to.
The first Museum of Urban Art in Germany is located in the middle of Munich’s old town in a former transformer station on a 2,000 square metre site. It’s a wonderful space that celebrates “a young and ephemeral art form in which street and urban art are in dialogue with other genres of contemporary art, cross-fertilising each other and leading to new insights.” The platinum cast of a human skull, set with over 8,000 diamonds by world-famous artist Damian Hirst, is sure to be a big hit with the older kids!
Typical Munich!
It doesn’t matter how old you are, there’s one thing that everyone loves: You’ll find the Eisbach surfers at the English Garden, right next to the Haus der Kunst. This just goes to show that even in the big cities with their city beaches, Munich has plenty of surfers too!
Even without a beach, this spot has everything you could want for a great river surfing experience. The waves are just right for riding, and there’s plenty of room for spectators to watch the action. Plus, there’s a legendary kiosk right on the shore, Fräulein Grüneis, where you can stock up on fresh pretzels, the best coffee, or a cold drink while you admire the surfers.
As you stroll through the gorgeous English Garden, the heart and soul of Munich’s beer garden and open-air culture, you’ll find yourself in Schwabing. It’s no surprise that Schwabing and shopping go hand-in-hand! After all, it’s the perfect place for a traditional Munich shop for high-quality wooden toys. Since 1956, this shop on Leopoldstraße has been a local favourite, offering a wide range of unique and high-quality products. Whether you’re looking for special birthday gifts, unusual souvenirs, or a colourful variety of craft materials to get creative with, Kunst & Spiel has something for everyone!
As we make our way towards Westpark, which is at the top of our little ones’ Munich hit list, especially in summer, because of its wonderful water playground, we pass through Glockenbach. Even though it’s a really trendy area, you can still find some lovely traditional Bavarian touches here. We love Wirtshaus Maximilian, which serves the best schnitzel in the city by far! They sometimes even play parlour music, which is just so lovely. It’s the perfect place to enjoy all the best bits of Munich, and the service is so warm and friendly, too! We all agree on that.
Gans am Wasser and the East Asia Ensemble
And now, let’s head west together! We’re off to Gans am Wasser! This is the lovely name of the little kiosk at the Westpark water playground. The cool water is the absolute highlight for the little ones, especially on hot days! This playground is absolutely amazing! It’s got everything, and its huge tower and slide make it one of the best in Munich for kids. While some love splashing around, others are drawn to something that’s a bit different for a Bavarian park: East Asia in Westpark. There’s a Thai temple with a Buddha statue in the middle of a Japanese garden and an impressive pagoda from Nepal. It’s so lovely to see the splendour of Asia in a Munich park!
Munich is always full of surprises! At its heart, you’ll find a lively city centre where Bavarian tradition and the pace of modernity blend together perfectly. But it’s not just about the city – Munich also has lots of green urban oases, beautiful riverbanks and lakes in the neighbouring countryside. All of this shows us that we’re truly blessed to be here!
So, come and visit us! Because “zam sei“, which means being togehter in Bavarian, is the most beautiful thing!
