From underground adventures to experiences that are out of this world, Munich is packed with family-friendly fun during the summer months. Enjoy the best the Bavarian city has to offer with a stay at The Charles Hotel and get stuck into these fantastic things to do with your family.
Lions and tigers and bears—oh my! Hellabrunn Zoo has it all. In fact, it’s not just a zoo; it’s a beautiful nature reserve, just 20 minutes by car from The Charles Hotel. Founded as the world’s first Geo-zoo in the early 20th century, today it offers a wildlife viewing experience that’s more akin to a safari trip than your typical zoo. To make your visit extra special, consider booking a private tour or taking part in one of the many workshops or events this summer.
Harness your adventurous spirit and head down into the magical Salt Mine Berchtesgaden, where you can literally slide underground to see the “white gold” that awaits. See the sparkling Mirror Lake and walk through a mine that’s been in operation since 1517. Before you go, grab a bite to eat from the on-site Restaurant Reichenbach and a souvenir at the Salt Shop.
Opened in 2018, ESO Supernova offers an intergalactic experience for families. The state-of-the-art planetarium projects scientifically accurate 3D shows (in English and German) on its 360-degree dome, while the exhibitions and guided tours offer even more multisensory, interactive experiences about the wonders of our universe. Let us pack you a picnic and when you come back down to earth, you can enjoy lunch in the sunshine in the picnic area.
Open Air Cinema at Olympic Park
Running from May to September, the Open Air Cinema at the Olympic Park is a must-visit for those fancying a movie night under the stars. Settle in to enjoy recent blockbusters, art house productions and even 3D cinema al fresco. Screenings are available in English and other languages in addition to German, and best enjoyed with a beer, wine or cocktail in hand.
A festival with culture, fun, and the environment at its heart, Tollwood (dates TBC 2021) is an amazing occasion for the whole family. While there are ticketed events for concerts from everyone from Billy Idol to Earth, Wind & Fire, over 70% are free. Each year, the varied programme includes a whole host of theatre, music and circus performances that the young and the young at heart will love.
The soul of a destination – that special something all travellers yearn to glimpse – is really the soul of its people. It is timeless humanity refracted by a place’s unique qualities, by its bounty and scarcity, its landscape and climate.
A child with flour-dusted hands, entirely absorbed in the soft tactility of dough, falls quiet in concentration. The same wonder is felt as a small finger points skywards, following the erratic flight of a bumblebee – noticing that the orange pom-poms clinging to its legs are, on closer inspection, minute pockets of pollen. These are the seemingly small moments, observed offline, that are exactly the kind of adventure the best family holidays create. One where each destination invites children and teens to become absorbed in the world around them – not their devices – making, discovering and noticing along the way.
Florence becomes the most compelling creative retreat when you fall in step with the city’s pace. In Milan you might ‘get your hustle on’ and Rome leans into a meandering walk or Vespa ride, this city, the birthplace of the Renaissance, draws us more towards strolling.
