Exploring Munich with Teens: Where to Go and What to Do
Munich might be famous for its beer halls and annual Oktoberfest, but it’s also a great spot for a family vacation with older kids. The Bavarian Capital serves up medieval castles, beautiful gardens, fun museums, and delicious bratwurst as well as beer.
This comprehensive guide breaks down all the best things to do in Munich with teens, no matter their interests. Car enthusiasts? Check. History lovers? Check. Sports fans? Check, check, check! Side-step the amusement parks and introduce your kids to a great city with a rich history spanning centuries.
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Fun Things to Do in Munich for Teens
1. Visit Nymphenburg Palace
This 17th-century palace was the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria at the time. It’s a lavish French Baroque palace with over 200 acres of parkland. (It may remind you of a little palace called Versailles outside of another European city …) You and your teens could easily spend a whole day exploring the palace and the surrounding area!
There are several ticket options depending on how many of the historical sites you want to visit. The garden is free to stroll around, but you can also visit the palace interiors (with audio guides) and several museums, Museum of Man and Nature, and the Marstall Museum, which displays royal coaches. If you prefer a guided tour, you can get tickets here.
It only takes around 30 minutes to reach the palace by public transportation from the city center.
2. Cycle in the English Garden
The English Garden (known as Englischer Garten in German) is one of the largest city parks in Europe. In fact, it’s the biggest in Germany and is even bigger than Central Park in New York City. While Central Park covers 843 acres, the English Garden boasts 910. It’s the perfect place to pack up your own food from a local deli and enjoy a picnic as a family (in warm weather)!
This massive park dates back to the 18th century. Its name references the laid-back style of green spaces popular in England in the 1900s. There are over 78 km/48 miles of walking and bike riding trails as well as ponds, rivers, towers, and theaters.
Rent a bike from one of the many rental shops near the park, like CYCLE Munich or Trek Bicycle. It’s a great way to explore these vast natural landscapes in little time
3. BMW Welt & Museum
Munich is the headquarters of BMW vehicles. You can visit their futuristic distribution center and the museum across the street! This is a must for any teen who has just gotten their driver’s license and is car-obsessed.
BMW Welt showcases the manufacturer’s latest models. There are also fun exhibitions like the original BMW 750iL from the 1997 James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. At the BMW Museum opposite, learn about BMW’s 100-year history and see designs and prototypes.
Choose one or the other if you only have a short time. BMW Welt admission is free (guided tours are available), but there is a fee for the BMW Museum.
4. See Olympiapark München
Have you ever wondered what happens to the stadiums and other buildings built for the Olympic Games after they’re over? Well, Munich hosted the summer Olympics in 1972, and it’s a great place to visit with your teens. Most of the buildings have been repurposed into museums, concert venues, and more.
First, the Olympic Park Süd gardens are a beautiful green space with their own Olympic Lake. It often hosts seasonal funfairs, outdoor movie screenings, and an ice skating rink, which are great fun. Don’t miss the Walk of Fame to spot the handprints of famous people like Elton John and Ozzy Osbourne.
Olympia Hall and the iconic Olympic Stadium now host music concerts and sporting events. Take a closer look at the upcoming program to see what’s on during your family trip.
If you’re traveling with young children as well as teens, check out Sea Life Munich. It’s one of the best places in the Olympic Park to take the whole family! Note: The Olympic Tower is closed until mid-2026.
Our Favorite Munich Tours with Teens
5. The Residenz
For those who are interested in history, riches, and extravagance, you will want to check out the Residenz! The Residenz in central Munich is the former palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. It is an extensive palace that received many upgrades over centuries before becoming more accessible to the public in the early to mid-1900s.
The vast palace features a variety of former living spaces, but the real draw is the coin collection and the treasury. The Bavarian state coin collection features over 300,000 coins spanning over a thousand years, and is one of the world’s largest collections. If you prefer jewels to coins, however, the Residenz has that too! The Wittelsbach dynasty collection of jewels is housed in the treasury.
The palace also holds the Cuvilles Theatre and the Herkulessaal, the latter of which operates as the primary concert venue for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, meaning that there may be an opportunity to see live music.
6. Allianz Arena Guided Tour
The Olympic Park isn’t the only place to visit with sports-mad teens. Germans absolutely love soccer and widely consider it their national sport. Bayern Munich, the local team, is often the best-performing! Check out their home stadium, Allianz Arena, to learn more about the team’s 125-year history and see the incredible 75,000-seat area up close.
Book tickets to the FC Bayern Munich Museum and a guided walking tour. It’s a 2.5-hour experience, so well worth the 50-minute metro ride from the city center. Walk through the Players’ Tunnel, the press room, and even the coaches’ bench.
Even better, attend a match if there is one scheduled during your trip! Watching a sport on vacation is such an underrated cultural experience. Don’t forget, in Germany they call soccer fußball or fussball.
7. Marienplatz Glockenspiel
As Munich’s Old Town square, Marienplatz is such a lovely place and somewhere you can’t miss on your trip to Munich. It’s where you’ll find churches like St. Peter, Munich’s oldest church, and the Toy Museum. However, one of the best attractions in Marienplatz is the Glockenspiel.
This is a large mechanical clock on Munich’s town hall. It has 43 bells and 32 life-sized figurines that perform for around 15 minutes several times a day. It performs at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 9:00 PM year-round, as well as 5:00 PM in the summer.
You’ll know it’s over when a golden bird chirps. The Marienplatz Glockenspiel is super cute and re-enacts scenes from Munich’s history.
Top tip: For a better view, head to level three or four in the Hugendubel bookstore opposite.
8. Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
Dozens of European castles claim to have influenced Walt Disney’s iconic fairytale castles. However, Neuschwanstein Castle is confirmed to have been Disney’s primary influence for the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Yes, the one on the Disney logo and in the parks!
Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the 19th century for King Ludwig II. It’s a turreted castle on a hilltop, and you can tour the preserved royal apartments. It’s just 118 km from Munich (approximately a 1.5-hour drive), so it’s one of the best day trips for families with teens.
Book this epic Neuschwanstein Castle day tour to avoid renting a car and waiting in long lines. This tour includes skip-the-line access so you can concentrate on soaking in the castle’s charm. And not navigating traffic!
9. Visit the Deutsches Museum
While the Louvre is the world’s largest museum, the Deutsches comes very close. This science and technology museum is almost 600,000 square feet with over 40 interactive exhibition spaces. Aviation, agriculture, astrophysics … If your teen is interested in anything to do with STEM, they will have a great time at the Deutsches Museum.
It’s housed on a small island — the aptly named ‘Museum Island’ — in the middle of the Isar River. There’s no way you’ll be able to see everything in one trip. It’s a good idea to prioritize what your kid is interested in and make a beeline for that section first.
Do you plan on visiting many museums? Consider the Munich City Pass for access to over 45 attractions and free public transport.
10. Family-friendly Beer Gardens
Believe it or not, beer gardens and beer halls in Munich can be very family-friendly! Just as it’s normal for British and Irish families to take their kids to the pub during the day, this is normal in Germany. It’s a great place to make new friends and dine in a relaxed atmosphere (during the warmer months!).
However, some beer gardens in Munich are more family-friendly than others. Here are some of the best:
- Augustiner-Keller: Its beer garden has 5,000 seats!
- Chinesischen Turm: Great place for lunch in the English Garden
- Hirschgarten: This is the world’s largest beer garden. It’s inside a deer reserve!
- Zum Flaucher: Small, relaxed beer hall and garden by the Isar River
- Waldwirtschaft: Regional German restaurant with a large beer garden
Grilled sausages, chicken schnitzel, and pretzels are usually on the menu at beer gardens. Some (but not all) even allow you to bring your own food as long as you buy drinks!
11. Explore Viktualienmarkt
This 200-year-old farmer’s market is the best way to spend a couple of hours with your teens. It’s home to over 140 stalls!
There’s lots of produce here (fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, etc.), but so much more. Buy German wine to take home and fresh pastries to keep you fueled. Viktualienmarkt is open from 8:00 AM-8:00 PM every day except Sundays.
12. Visit Frauenkirche
Bombed in 1945, Munich’s 15th-century cathedral was thankfully restored in the 1990s. It’s a beautiful Gothic structure in Marienplatz, which is free to explore. There’s a small fee to access the South Tower for epic views over the city and the Alps. Note that there are 89 steps and a short elevator ride to the deck.
Don’t miss the “Devil’s Footprint” inside the church. The legend is that when architect Jorg von Halspach needed money to build the church in 1468, he made a deal with the devil. The devil would provide the funds, but demanded that there be no windows to let in light.
As von Halspach built columns to conceal the windows, the devil felt tricked and stamped his foot. You can see the black footprint embedded in the tile.
13. Dachau Concentration Camp Day Tour
This is in no way a “fun” experience to have on your trip to Munich. However, it is important for young people to have an understanding of the atrocities of WWII. If you have mature teens who are interested in learning about German history, book a day tour to the Dachau Concentration Camp.
It was the first camp opened by the Nazis in 1933. Today, the concentration camp exists as a memorial and museum to the horrendous events that occurred inside.
It’s possible to travel there independently via train, bus, and a short walk. However, I think this time of experience is more rewarding with a tour guide. Their local knowledge will provide essential context and insights about the victims and survivors. This half-day tour to Dachau is comprehensive but won’t overwhelm your teens.
14. German Hunting and Fishing Museum
Museums are the best places to seek shelter on a rainy day. And Munich isn’t immune to downpours, even in the summer! The German Hunting and Fishing Museum is a quirky, underrated option. It’s full of oddly shaped stuffed animals, prints, old weapons, and an impressive antler collection.
One of the main reasons why everyone should check out this museum is to see the taxidermized Wolpertinger. These folkloric creatures are said to inhabit the dense Bavarian forests.
In reality, they are mashups of small mammals and birds. Think of a fox with wings, a rabbit with horns, and a deer with feathers. The Wolpertinger is a spiritual cousin to the North American jackalope! Your teens will love the novelty of this fun, affordable place to spend an hour or so in Munich’s Old Town.
15. Pinakothek Art Museums
Not every teen will want to spend their trip in art museums, and that’s okay! But if you have creative teens, then the Pinakothek art museums in Munich are a must-visit. They are a group of museums in total, tucked away in Maxvorstadt, Munich’s cool university district.
Alte Pinakothek is one of the oldest art galleries in the world. It displays around 900 paintings at any one time. Most of which are Old Masters dating from the 14th to the 18th century. Da Vinci, Rubens, Raphael, and German Renaissance painter Dürer all feature.
Pinakothek der Moderne is a contemporary museum showcasing graphics, art, and design from the 19th and 20th centuries. Find works by prominent Cubist and Pop artists like Picasso and Warhol. Museum Brandhorst is the go-to spot for modern sculptures, photography, and multimedia installations.
Combination tickets allow access to several of the museums’ permanent collections. The Pinakothek museums are also included in the Munich City Pass! Other art museums in Munich include Sammlung Schack, Haus der Kunst, the Egyptian Museum of Art, and Kunsthalle München.
16. Visit the Allgäu Skyline Park
While you might want your kids to learn on your vacation to Munich, it’s still their free time from school! It’s equally important to fill your itinerary with leisure activities as well as more educational experiences. Visiting an amusement park like the Allgäu Skyline Park is one of the best ways for them to blow off steam.
Rent a car and drive only 80 km east (around one hour) to Allgäu Skyline Park. It’s not just a kiddie park! There are over 60 rides and rollercoasters, plus water rides, haunted houses, and Ferris wheels.
“Sky Wheel” is the highest European overhead roller coaster, and the “Sky Dragster” is the most powerful motorbike rollercoaster in the world. At around $40 per ticket per day, it’s a lot cheaper than Disney World.
17. Munich Christmas Markets
Are you visiting Munich with teens during the festive season? The whole family is in for a treat! Since Bavaria is the birthplace of Germany’s Christmas markets, Munich is one of the best places to visit. It’s usually open from late November to Christmas Eve every year.
There are over 10 markets dotted around the city; Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz is the most iconic. Germany’s largest nativity scene is there! Your teens will love some of the quirkier markets, too. Pink Christmas Market is for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Chinese Tower Christmas Market has a curling rink and carriage rides.
Every market boasts lots of German festive treats and stalls selling artisanal gifts and decorations. The whole family will have an incredible, unforgettable experience and a Christmas to remember.
Where to Stay in Munich
- Hotel am Viktualienmarkt has an attic room that will sleep 5 and breakfast is included. The property is very clean and comfortable and easy walking distance to the farmers market and Marienplatz.
- Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel is a five-star luxury hotel with 2 bedroom suites that can accommodate up to 6 people. Close to Munich central train station. Read our review HERE.
- Platzl Hotel is close to Marienplatz and the center of town. It has a 16th-century restaurant, spa, and airport shuttle on request.
- Hotel Bayerischer Hof is located in Munich’s shopping district and has 5 restaurants, a rooftop pool, and private parking for hotel guests.
Munich with Teens is Unmissable
Munich is such a beautiful city, beyond the beer, and a great option for family travel with teenage kids. From Olympiapark to its many museums, there’s plenty to do in Munich for teens who crave new experiences.
You’ll have the best time making memories with your kids before they’re spreading their wings. Just hope you don’t inspire them to take their first adult trip back to Munich with a group of friends in October!
