Munich for Families: Biergartens, Castles & Bavarian Day Trips

Marienplatz & the Glockenspiel

Marienplatz is the heart of Munich and one of those places you naturally find yourself returning to throughout a trip. The historic buildings, energy of the square, and famous Glockenspiel make it a must for first-time visitors. We loved getting there early in the morning before the crowds fully built up and simply taking in the atmosphere.

Climb St. Peter’s Church Tower

The climb to the top of St. Peter’s Church is absolutely worth it for the panoramic views over Munich’s rooftops and Old Town. Seeing the city from above gave us a much better sense of the layout and the Alps in the distance on a clear day were beautiful.

Viktualienmarkt

Munich’s famous outdoor market is filled with food stalls, fresh produce, flowers, and local specialties. It’s a fun place to wander and grab casual snacks or lunch, but timing matters. We found the market became extremely crowded between about 12–3 p.m., especially for families with strollers. Go earlier or later in the day for a much more enjoyable experience.

English Garden

The English Garden was one of our favorite places to slow down during the trip. The kids loved spotting ducks and other wildlife while the adults enjoyed relaxing in the biergartens scattered throughout the park. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend several hours without really planning to.

Traditional Biergartens

One of the things that surprised us most about Munich was how family-friendly the biergarten culture felt. Many have playgrounds or open areas for kids to run around while adults relax and enjoy the atmosphere. It creates such an easygoing environment for multi-generational travel because everyone genuinely seems comfortable there.

Olympic Park

Olympic Park is a great break from the historic side of Munich and offers plenty of open space for families. The grounds are beautiful for walking and the overall area feels active and energetic, especially in spring weather.

Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

This was easily one of the biggest “wow” moments of the trip for both kids and adults. The castle looks straight out of a storybook, especially surrounded by the Bavarian Alps in spring. We loved spending time exploring the area around the castle just as much as seeing the castle itself. Our lunch nearby with mountain views ended up being one of our favorite meals of the trip.

Freising & Landshut day trip

One of our favorite decisions was getting outside Munich to explore smaller Bavarian towns. Freising and Landshut gave us a more local, relaxed feel compared to the busier tourist areas, and both were beautiful to wander. These slower days added balance to the trip and made Bavaria feel much bigger than just Munich itself.

Wander Munich’s Old Town without a plan

Some of our favorite moments in Munich came when we stopped trying to follow a strict sightseeing schedule and simply explored. The Old Town is incredibly walkable and full of side streets, cafés, and unexpected little finds. Leaving space for spontaneous wandering is part of what makes Munich feel so enjoyable.

Augustiner-Keller

A classic Munich biergarten experience and one of our favorite family-friendly dining spots of the trip. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and the outdoor playground made it especially easy for kids to stay entertained while adults relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Hofbräuhaus München

Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also worth experiencing at least once for the energy and ambiance alone. Traditional music, communal tables, and a lively atmosphere make it feel festive rather than formal, and we were surprised by how family-friendly it actually felt.

Dorfwirt

This restaurant near Neuschwanstein Castle ended up being one of the most memorable meals of our Bavaria day trip. The mountain cheese soup was an unexpected favorite with our group and the cozy atmosphere paired perfectly with the alpine surroundings.

Brau-Stüberl Freising

A traditional Bavarian restaurant and brewery in Freising that gave us a more local dining experience outside Munich. It had the classic warm, welcoming atmosphere you hope to find in smaller Bavarian towns and was a great stop during our day trip.

Kaffee München at Viktualienmarkt

This coffee spot always seemed to have a line, and after trying it ourselves, we understood why. Their original Florentiner cookie became one of our favorite treats in Munich, and it was the perfect quick stop while exploring the market area.