Or, you simply declare a full day as theirs and do only kid-friendly activities. What did they pack? From the sandy beaches of the north through the rolling farmland and low mountains of the centre to the craggy peaks of the Alps in the south, Germany is especially good for active family holidays, with authentic wilderness in nature reserves, national parks and game parks. This post may contain affiliate links. Or if you have an older child. Tip: If you are in Southern Bavaria, beware or Dec 5; Krampusnacht. For example, there may be some special days to be on the lookout for or days that everything will be close that you will need to plan accordingly for the family. Kinder Hotel is an actual chain of Certified family friendly hotels. Sometimes they even have little train figurines as well. It measures 876 kilometres from north to south and has a range of holiday options almost as big. We packed as much into the days as possible, sight saw everything we could, and made sure we did everything on every itinerary. It was a cold, December day with freshly fallen snow from the night before. FAQ: Can Kids Go to Oktoberfest? There are plenty of great vacations for families and were here to give you the very best of the best in this iconic central European country. Dont worry, driving in Germany does not need to be scary! By having a Family Ticket, you can have at 4 children aged 6 to 14 years hassle-free on all your tickets. I have stuffed plenty of other stuff into the car seat bag with the seats! Here are some of the reasons why using the trains in Germany (particularly with kids) is a great option, Know the Different Kinds of Trains: The main types are RE (Regional), IC (Inter City) and ICE (Inter City Express). When visiting Munich with your family, its important to find a place to stay that will provide you with all the amenities you need. If you love nature, youll love hiking and biking through the forests and valleys here. Germans traditionally send New Year's cards to tell family and friends about events in their lives during the past year. Its a great place to bring kids studying history for GCSE or A-level, and there's plenty to do in the surrounding Brandenburg region too. Thats why weve put together this list of the best family vacations in Germany. The family room (double plus 1 set of bunks) that we have stayed at in Stuttgart was actually way bigger than a hotel room. Country: Germany. Dont worry, the magical ambiance will be there at any time of the day! In addition to its natural beauty, the Harz Mountains are also home to some great cultural attractions. However, it can get EXTREMELY crowded (and yes, rowdy) at times. The city walls, castles, museums, and churches are all popular attractions that draw visitors to this charming town. I was 15 when I first went to Dachau Concentration Camp and it will forever be etched in my memory. Before we get into all the specifics of Germany family vacation and where to visit Germany with kids, I think it is really important to point out a few cultural differences (particularly things I have noticed as an American living in Germany). If you want to limit screen time, negotiate a For every X minutes of reading, you can watch X movies/ shows type of deal. Country: Germany. Most of these have some sort of all inclusive or half board package available as well. Give them their own, full day. From the Bavarian city of Nuremberg (Nrnberg), take the German Toy Route stretching 300km to Erfurt in central Germany. If you are going to request a car seat through your rental company, know that it often is an extra fee. Just off the North Sea coast, check out the large islands of Sylt, Fhr, Amrum and Pellworm, or the tiny but populated Halligen islets. Some kids can get sucked into a book for hours, others will turn their nose up at the idea of it. 6. Pilot your own houseboat on the Mecklenburg lakes, and have a gander at dreamy Schwerin Castle. If youre looking for a great family vacation spot in Germany, the Harz Mountains should be at the top of your list. This is probably a no brainer. And then, obviously, there are just normal hotels. Youll find Germans out in all weather and its a reminder that rain, snow, or shine, you can find something to do! For parents, theres a bewildering variety of different beers, while German wines dry or fruity whites and full-bodied reds are a world away from the cloying sweetness of Blue Nun. The castle is a mix of styles from Gothic to Renaissance. You can find Park and Rides just by googling them (IE: Munich Park and Ride) and youll just park your car, sometimes for free, sometimes for a few Euro/day. So, should you go to them with your kids? For regular family travel inspiration and ideas. Take part in a huge range of outdoor activities based on and around the forests, rivers and lakes of the region, including treetop adventure parks, swimming, kayaking and archery. Family Traveller | Family holidays to Germany - Family Traveller Skiing: Germany has some wonderful skiing options! If all that fresh air gets too much, you can turn to Germanys biggest theme park, Europa-Park, for help, or explore Freiburg, Heidelberg with its extraordinary castle, Tbingen, the Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim and magnificent hilltop Hohenzollern Castle. If you are still trying to narrow that down, dont miss my Best Time To Visit Germany post. Copyright 2023 Lisa Goodmurphy and Gone with the Family, All Rights Reserved. However, it can be nice to have a bit more space in your hotel room. Family Resorts in Germany Everything you need for a fun family holiday in one place. Pro Parenting Tip: If you have a baby/ toddler, I cant recommend baby wearing in castles enough. This can help cut down on rooms needed! Youll almost always pay some sort of free when booking at family-specific accommodations, like KinderHotels. But for those short on time, here are a few of my kids favorites: If you are traveling with older kids (teens) the rules here in Germany for drinking are much different than what you are used to in the US. Yeah.avoid those), Reviews on cleanliness. February 14 - Valentine's Day - Observance (See also: Valentine's Day Food) February 20, 2023 - Shrove Monday - Observance. You can actually filter out different things like prices, pools (pools arent too common in Germany, unless at more of a resort style hotel or big chain), number of rooms and more. Family vacations in Germany. For further information see our terms and conditions. Note: Kids over 6 count towards the group when booking the above mentioned regional tickets. Its ok to stop for a few hours at a local park and miss out on a museum if that means that your younger kids arent crabby. Here is what to look for when reading reviews: Before we had kids, my favorite places to stay at in Germany was family run Pensions and Guesthouses. about your trip. As mentioned previously, we collect points and miles, so we often stay at places like Mariott, Hyatt, Hilton, etc. There are also plenty of activities and events to enjoy, such as the Christmas parade, musical performances, and food festivals. We would find ourselves trying to pack super light when using trains, but if we have the car, we toss in that extra bag of diapers, bring along some extra snacks, etc. Family holidays in Germany - Responsible Travel Yet all too often its overlooked in favour of the Med and other destinations that are perhaps perceived of as more glamorous. to rent! Read reviews on these, Staff friendliness. Living in Regensburg allows for plenty of day trips in Bavaria and full on vacations in Germany and Europe. Berlin's the largest city in Europe. While you arent wrong, Germany is SO much more beyond tons of pork, wursts, and beer. Estimated tonnes of CO2 produced for return flights for a family of four. Go early and on the weekdays. Since youve gotten this far, you already read my FAQ above about if Oktoberfest is ok for kids to attend. This region is a popular tourist destination due to its stunning scenery and wine-tasting opportunities. They are decent sizes. Drive the German Fairy Tale Route (Deutsche Mrchenstrae), stretching 600km from Hanau in central Germany to Bremen in the north and dotted with attractions linked with the Brothers Grimm, from locations where they lived and worked to regions connected with their fairytales, such as The Town Musicians of Bremen. You have a kitchen to cook meals in (cut down on costs). Here you will find the latest offers at a glance directly in your inbox and you will not miss any super deals of Kinderhotels Europa anymore. My preferred search engine is Booking.Com. Germany is my home country and every time we travel there, we try as many new accommodations as possible. When looking for a place to stay in Berlin with your family, you will have plenty of options to choose from. This is a similar concept to the Kinder Hotels, where there are many hotels throughout Germany that cater to families. Another thing to keep in mind when booking accommodation is the location. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase then we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. How you approach a camp will depend on your childrens age, developmental and emotional abilities, etc. The ICE trains are the ones that you would take longer distances and are the fast trains. You can also go hiking, mountain-biking and canoeing in the Harz Mountains National Park. Read The Traveling In Germany With Baby Guide Here. Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. As a serial traveler myself with kids, I have found that car rentals are NOT very trustworthy when it comes to car seats. Accommodation, especially in rural areas, is vastly cheaper than the Mediterranean and eating out is usually a bargain too. Pro Tip: Short on other luggage space? It is the second-largest city in Bavaria (after Munich), with a population of 535,628 (2013). This was also well before the times of individual entertainment systems on flights. For younger readers, you can read some Grimms Fairytales. The Regional Trains occasionally have a person that goes train to train offering small snacks (chips, candy bars) and drinks. Make-up workshop at the Bavaria Filmstadt. Fotograf Brunner, Ralf GNTB/Deutsche Zentrale fr Tourismus e.V. Looking for thrills? If you know you are going to be taking an ICE train and want these areas, then I recommend booking your ICE train tickets as soon as they come out (typically about 3 months out) and booking your family compartments immediately. You can get a room for your whole family for less than a typical guesthouse or hotel room. The Black Forest is a large forested area in southwestern Germany that is home to rolling hills, quaint villages, and plenty of outdoor activities. Finding family accommodation in Germany isnt always as straightforward as it is in the US and the rooms are often smaller, making it harder to accommodate for families. Most hostels you can pay an extra fee for fresh linens and towels. Stop over in Hamburg, with the largest model railway in the world (the Miniature Wonderland) and the mighty Planten un Blomen park with its water light-shows by the lake every night in summer, its pony rides, its summer roller rink and winter ice rink, and its free family events including puppet theatre, circus and an annual children's festival. Dont miss the glory that is Neuschwanstein Castle, said to have inspired Disney in his design for Cinderellas castle. Since we are travel hackers, we also prefer to fly on points to help keep costs down, especially during the expensive summer months. Its kind of like our own little enclosed play area. The Black Forest offers (almost) everything you need for the perfect family holiday: shady forests, imposing mountains, blue lakes and exciting activities for the whole family. Despite me feeling like I was freezing, I remember thinking I cant even begin to utter a complaint, knowing that people wore less than potato sacks here. I left Dachau feeling frustrated, mad, and confused that something like this could happen. This has the advantage of making it generally great value. Heidelberg also has a lot of other tourist attractions, including the Philosophenweg (Philosophers Walk), a famous walking path that goes through the Heidelberg Forest. Make a jaunt into Baden-Wrttemberg in the border triangle of Germany with France and Switzerland a great place for low-key, relatively inexpensive family holidays, especially if you love the great outdoors. But with such a vast country to explore, it can be hard to know where to start. Germany is a great year-round destination, with something to offer every traveler. Family holidays on the North Sea in the Kstenperle. However, in the Familienbereich, your kids are free to be.well, kids!!! February Holidays in Germany. Check In / / Check Out / / Guests View map Popular Breakfast included 9 5 stars 5 & up 37 Luxury 8 Property types Resorts 48 All-inclusives 2 B&Bs & Inns 1 Condos 1 Show more Amenities Free Wifi 34 Experience family holidays in Germany - everyone feels at home here from toddlers to grandparents. There are HUGE water parks on the grounds, several restaurants to choose from, and family activities on sight like bowling, playgrounds, mini golf, paddle boats, and more. Have them look up a Things to Do In X City and pick one place or activity that they would like to see. Family Holidays to Germany 2023 / 2024 | TUI.co.uk Kids under 6 do not need a ticket, however, if you are booking a long distance train and want seat reservations (more on this in a minute) then they will need a seat reservation as well. There is usually a commons room where the family can go to hang out, play board games, play pool or air hockey etc. THE 10 BEST Germany Family Resorts 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor However, just to reiterate, there are PLENTY of amazing other fests and Volksfests that arent Oktoberfest that may be a bit more family friendly, not nearly as crowded, and still give a similar experience without all the drunk tourists. Book now for great savings. Some hotels dont have a problem with this in Germany, but you have to notify the hotel of all the number of people in the room for safety rules and regulations. Some markets, like the Nuremberg Christkindle Market, actually have kid-designated Christmas Market areas with kiddie rides and figurines. Here are some of the things you need to know about each as well as some pros and cons. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure. Once kids are a little older (think preschool and above) then they start to be less demanding of your time during flights. Greater flexibility. 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. YES! Read A Day Trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle. Exploring cities with kids in tow can be exhausting, but there are always plenty of child-friendly options waiting to be discovered, Having a family doesn't mean you need to sacrifice that spirit of adventure. Make a beeline for Bavaria, one of the most popular German family holiday destinations. Yes. Enjoy the Baltic Sea coast in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern a little less rugged, with white beaches and pleasant water temperatures until September; watersports include windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, kitesurfing, diving and sailing. 9 of the Best Family Vacations in Germany Depending on how big your family is, you can always ask if they offer a family discount as well. Read my full explanation, Should My Kids Go On a Concentration Camp Tour here (and HOW to approach/do it). Brotzeit refers to an informalsupper of salamis, hams, breads and gherkins. Reading. This gives you several days at just one hotel, where you don have to constantly repack and move. Heidelberg is a city located in the southwestern part of Germany. Just my 4 year old??) When you go to request one, give the following information: So, as you can see, at the end of the day, picking if you should drive or take the trains is probably going to come down to. Activity Kit: Another great (free!!) Germany holidays + Family holidays | Travel | The Guardian In Germany, part of the curriculum in the public schools is that all pupils must go to at least once concentration camp. Just my 4 year old??) Since you will be traveling, having a travel journal is something kids can really get into. Family holidays in Germany - Kinderhotels Europa Meaning, we may miss some top sights in a town because we go at a much slower, relaxed pace. But do leave room for some of that world-famous Black Forest Gateau. Germany is especially famous for its sausages and bread. morning, Available for everyone, funded by readers. Therefore, when we lived in the US and were coming back to Germany frequently, we almost always brought our car seats. Obvious options like Anne Franks Diary, The Boy In the Striped Pajamas for WWII and young adult readers comes up. Let your teen just kick back and chill. Therefore, as a family of 4, we can easily fit into a normal, king sized hotel room. Family holidays in Germany - Responsible Travel - Vacations for what you get in return. One great way to break up the sightseeing with a family is to find an amusement or theme park for a day! In Upper Bavaria, enjoy the delights of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the foot of Germanys highest mountain, the Zugspitze. All you have to do is go to the meal car of the train and ask for it. Great cakes and desserts range from fruit-filled dumplings to strudels, pancakes, cream-filled gteaux and nutty pastries. This has allowed us to create our own Germany family itinerary for wherever we may want to go and adapt it to our current phase of kid life. You get your own little cottage that comes mostly stocked with linens and full kitchen amenities (although read my full review for a list of things you should bring along with you). All rights reserved. Fest season can start as early as the spring (For example, Nuremberg has their annual Frhlingsfest often around April and youll then be able to find local fests on and off all summer. Best Family Vacations and Holidays in Germany All of that said, here are our choices for the best family vacations in Germany. Family Holidays to Hamburg 2023 / 2024 | TUIHolidays.ie Here's a list of all the German public holidays you need to know in 2022 and 2023, as well as other important dates to make a note of on your calendar. What did they do to get ready for the trip? Therefore, they can actually be quite difficult (and expensive!) In Baden-Wrttemberg, sample Maultaschen, a kind of oversized ravioli filled with minced and smoked meat, spinach and breadcrumbs, served sliced and fried in a pan with scrambled eggs, simmered in a vegetable broth or dressed with butter and onions and served with a potato salad. Angelina shares her tips for ultimate cruise control. Your email address will not be published.