1 Week No-Stress Family Alps Journey: Austria & Bavaria

After arriving in Munich, you’ll head straight into the Austrian Alps toward Obergurgl, which sits at a higher elevation than most villages and feels immediately dramatic and remote in the best way.

You’ll check into Hotel Almhof, which is my go-to “kinderhotel” and family-owned property in the Alps because it gets the balance right. It’s polished but not stuffy, and the infrastructure for kids is genuinely strong. There are multiple indoor play areas, a large pool complex with dedicated children’s zones, and a supervised kids’ club, so you’re not constantly needing to “entertain.”

For rooming, book one of their 1- or 2-bedroom family suites so everyone has space to spread out.

Dinner is easy here—you have the same table for the duration of your stay. After travel, I’d keep the afternoon simple—settle in, let the kids explore the play areas, and take advantage of the pool, kids areas inside and out, and the separate adults-only spa tower. The top level of the spa tower has a clothing-optional shower, rustic sauna, and infinity pool.

This is intentionally a slower, flexible day based out of Hotel Almhof so you can adjust to weather and energy.

In winter, this is where you lean into ski school and the very approachable terrain in Obergurgl—they work with busses that take you to the nearby Zillartal arena. It’s one of the easier places for families to get comfortable skiing, and there are great sledding and snow play options layered in.

In summer, you shift into alpine exploration, with gondolas up for easy ridge walks. There is one right across the street that is about 1.5 miles round trip to the Waldspielplatz-Gerlos, a big play area, scenic drives like the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, and simple hikes with big payoff views.

Either way, you’ll end the day back at the hotel, which is part of the appeal here—the pool, spa, and multiple play zones make it easy to wind down without needing a plan.

Drive to Innsbruck, which is one of the easiest alpine cities to explore with kids.

Spend time walking through the Old Town, along the river, and take the Nordkette Cable Car up into the mountains for a quick, high-impact viewpoint. There is a small playground in the main city park as well—probably best for kids 10 and under.

For lunch, I typically suggest something casual and local like the iconic and centrally-located Stiftskeller Innsbruck before heading back to Hotel Almhof to relax for the evening. The spa is even open late and available for buyouts.

Today you shift landscapes from dramatic peaks to a softer lake setting, arriving at Sporthotel Achensee.

This is a more relaxed, outdoorsy property with direct access to trails and the lake. Like Almhof, it works well for families because there are multiple play areas, indoor activity spaces, and a large pool/wellness zone. The spa area on the lower level also has an adults-only clothing-optional spa and sauna relaxation area.

I’d again recommend booking into a larger family room or suite (1–2 bedrooms where available) so the stay feels comfortable rather than tight.

If timing allows, take a walk to the north end of Lake Achensee (it is flat) or settle into an early dinner at the restaurant.

This is a true “no-rush” day around Lake Achensee.

In summer, you can do a boat ride across the lake, try the historic Achensee Cog Railway, or just move at your own pace through the trails in Karwendel Nature Park. There are plenty of activities on the property as well—my child and I did a 30 minute trail ride—he was too young for a longer trail ride. The equestrian setup is impressive—the horses are clearly well cared for. They also offer pony rides and carriage rides for toddlers.

In winter, this becomes more about quiet scenery—lakeside walks, cross-country skiing, or even a horse-drawn sleigh ride if conditions allow. There are plenty of easy walking paths and spots to stop and linger. Chill out back at Sporthotel Achensee for pool time and an easy evening.

You’ll cross into Germany (no border crossing or fees) and spend the day around Tegernsee, which feels a bit more refined and polished than Achensee and has more dining options.

Plan for a relaxed day—walk along the lake, take the Wallberg Cable Car for views, and stop for lunch at Bräustüberl Tegernsee, which is classic and right on the water.

You’ll return to Sporthotel Achensee for your final night in Austria.

Your final stop is Schloss Elmau, which is in a different category altogether—this is where the trip elevates. Do note that you will need to have 5 Euro cash on hand as it is located on a private road.

For families, I strongly recommend staying in the Hideaway building (not the Retreat). That’s where the family pool, family spa, kids’ club, and main play areas are located, which makes a big difference in how easy the stay feels day-to-day. Like the other properties, there are multiple dedicated play spaces, but here they’re especially well integrated into the overall experience.

Room-wise, I would look at Junior Suites or 1–2 Bedroom Suites in the Hideaway so you have proper space.

You can keep this visit simple—walk the valley, let the kids roam, use the pools—or, if timing aligns, attend one of the hotel’s concerts or yoga workshops, which is a unique add-on. The breakfast buffet and dinner are excellent—you can order made-to-order items off the menu or take advantage of the buffet.

From here, it’s about a 1.5-hour drive back to Munich for departure or a final overnight.