Family vacation in Bavaria: These are the best travel destinations

Family vacation in Bavaria – more than alpine panorama and farm idyll

A family holiday in Bavaria is always a good idea, no matter what the season. Our largest federal state in terms of area offers a wide range of destinations for everyone – from rustic farms and hip cities to idyllic landscapes. Here we present the most beautiful regions with suitable excursion tips.

Family vacation in Franconia

Let’s start in the north of Bavaria. Franconia is a region characterized by dense forests, castles and medieval towns. Franconian Switzerland , a tourist region in Upper Franconia, is worth a trip . Here you can not only explore the pretty mountain and hilly landscape with its striking rock formations and caves with your family, but also numerous castles and ruins. We recommend Pottenstein , an idyllic little town that has a lot to offer (including a rock pool, a summer toboggan run, a Sophienhöhle and Pottenstein Castle). Other excursion destinations in Franconia that are suitable for families are:

• The world heritage city of Bamberg with numerous playgrounds, a large park and a picturesque old town.
• The metropolitan region of Nuremberg with the cities of Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Ideal for shopping, but also for discovering. Nuremberg offers, among other things, the Nuremberg Children’s Museum, the interactive Deutsche Bahn Museum and the Playmobil Funpark amusement park.
• In summer, the Brombachsee south of Nuremberg offers the perfect backdrop for summery days. Here you can swim, ride a bike or just relax.
• In the baroque city of Würzburg , you and your family can discover the Marienberg Fortress and the opulent Würzburg Residence or take a boat trip on the Main

Family vacation in the Bavarian Forest

The Bavarian Forest is a popular holiday destination, especially in winter. There are family-friendly ski and toboggan runs (for example at Sankt Engelmar ) as well as numerous hiking trails that lead through the snowy winter forest. In Sankt Engelmar you will not only find numerous opportunities for winter sports, but also excursion destinations away from snow and ice. In the tobogganing and leisure paradise of St. Engelmar, you can whiz down the mountain with your loved ones on the summer toboggan run or throw yourself into a wild ride on the roller coaster. The adventure park with treetop path is also recommended. Other excursion destinations in the Bavarian Forest are:

• The Großer Arber  offers hiking and climbing fun for the whole family, including the ArBär children’s area.
• The western town of Pullman City near Eging am See.
• Encounter mighty dragons in the Dragon’s Lair in Furth .
• Go on an animal safari in the Bayerwald-Tierpark Lohberg .
• Regensburg , the largest city in the region , offers a cozy flair .
• There are numerous family-friendly accommodations in the Bavarian Forest – from farms to wellness hotels to family hotels .

Family vacation in Bavaria in summer: bathing fun at the lakes in the foothills of the Alps

In summer, the numerous lakes in the foothills of the Alps attract visitors. You have several options for a family holiday in Bavaria by the lake. Whether Chiemsee, Starnberger See or Lake Constance – here you can relax with your family by the water, enjoy the panoramic view of the Alps and jump into the cool water. If the weather is not quite suitable for swimming, you can also go on boat trips or hikes.

• Chiemsee : The “Bavarian Sea” is best known for its two islands, which are located in the middle of the lake. On the Herreninsel is the New Palace, a “Bavarian Versailles” by Ludwig II of Bavaria. Also worth seeing, but much smaller, is the Fraueninsel with a monastery and a charming village with small hotels, restaurants and handicraft shops. The historic Chiemsee train, which has been taking tourists to the ship landing stage in Prien am Chiemsee since 1887, is sure to arouse enthusiasm among youngsters.
• Starnberger See : At Sternberger See near Munich you can spend a nice holiday with children. In the towns of Starnberg, Berg, Pöcking, Feldafing and Tutzing there are lidos, many hotels and cafés. The ships on which you can sail across the lake also depart from the main towns. In Starnberg there is a leisure pool right on the lake as a bad weather option – including an indoor pool, slides, diving platform and sauna area.
• Ammersee : The little brother of Lake Starnberg can also be explored with the excursion boat that connects the most important places with each other. There is also a hiking and cycling path that goes right along the shore of the lake – with the exception of the southern shore, where you will pass nature reserves, housing estates, beaches and beer gardens.
• Lake Constance : Bavaria has gotten a small tip from Lake Constance. In the district of Lindau you can spend relaxed holidays with your family. In addition to great bathing fun, the area offers the Ravensburger Spieleland, the Sea-Life in Konstanz, the stilt houses in Unteruhldingen or the Affenberg in Salem.

Tobogganing fun in the foothills of the Alps

The foothills of the Alps are ideal for a family holiday in Bavaria in winter. Snow-covered mountain peaks, bright blue skies and right in the middle you and your family on the sled. The foothills of the Alps offer numerous opportunities for winter fun and action. The most beautiful toboggan runs include:

• Allgäu mountain landscape on the Breitenberg : Six kilometers long
• At the Alpspitze in Nesselwang : 3.85 kilometers long
• Hirschalpe : Six kilometers long, very winding
• Natural toboggan run from the summit of Mittag near Immenstad t: 5.2 kilometers long
• On the Blomberg : toboggan runs in every level of difficulty, about two kilometers long
• Toboggan run on Wallberg near Rottach-Egern : 6.5 kilometers long, is the longest natural toboggan run in Germany

Wellness and family vacation in Bavaria

Traveling with children is exciting and sometimes exhausting. Are you looking for more relaxation and wellness? Then the numerous thermal baths in Bavaria are a good option. You can relax in the warm brine water or in the sauna and the children have fun in the action area with numerous slides and a wave pool.

• Erdinger Therme : Europe’s largest thermal spa landscape awaits you with a spectacular slide park, wave pool and a large sauna area. There is also a hotel in the thermal baths where you can spend the night with your family.
• Therme Obernsees : The Therme Obernsees near Bayreuth also offers a good mix of wellness and family fun. The thermal bath also includes a thermal baths village with overnight accommodation.
• Therme Bad Aibling : The traditional moor spa with a panorama of the Alps is considered one of the most beautiful thermal baths in Bavaria. Here both the adults get their money’s worth (sauna, steam bath, infrared cabin) as well as the kids (water slide).
• Therme Bad Wörishofen : The Therme Bad Wörishofen is a true South Pacific dream. Under the palm trees you can relax in the warm water and let yourself be massaged by the numerous massage jets. In the BlueFun sports pool, the little ones get their money’s worth with lots of paddling and sliding fun.