10 Free Things to Do in Munich With Kids
Plan a family trip on a budget with these ten free things to do in Munich with kids!
Known for its rich history in parallel with modern architecture, innovation, technology and finance, Munich can already be a bit of a puzzle when it comes to finding the best things to do. So, when it comes to finding free things to do in Munich with kids, it’s OK to feel a little lost.
We won’t sugarcoat it – Munich isn’t necessarily a cheap destination. Finding exciting and free things to do with kids is a challenge but fortunately we’ve compiled the best activities for you to discover.
From sprawling parks to fascinating landmarks, Munich provides a wealth of options that will keep children entertained while also giving parents a chance to explore the city’s charm without worrying about costs.
In this guide, we’ve highlighted our favorite free activities to enjoy with kids in Munich. Whether you’re interested in nature, culture, or hands-on adventures, there’s something for every family.
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Quick List: Free Things to Do in Munich With Kids
- 1. Hang Around Marienplatz
- 2. Enjoy BMW Welt
- 3. Visit the Deers at Hirschgarten
- 4. Attend Free Museums
- 5. Go Sledding at Maximiliansanlagen in Winter
- 6. Walk Along the Rivers
- 7. Wander Through Olympiapark München
- 8. Stroll Through Englischer Garten
- 9. Tour the Exterior Grounds of Nymphenburg Palace
- 10. Experience Oktoberfest
The Essentials for Visiting Munich With Kids
🎟 With a combination of the underground metro, tram, and bus, public transportation covers Munich’s city center very well. Kids under 6 don’t need to buy tickets!
👶🏻 The streets of Munich aren’t ancient which means they’re great for strollers. There are sidewalks and smooth concrete that don’t make manoeuvring a stroller a complete nightmare.
☃️ If you don’t mind the cold, visiting Munich in the winter can be magical with kids. The holidays give Munich a different identity, and the city remains very active even during winter.
🚊 Take the S-Bahn from the airport to the city center. It runs every 15 minutes and costs around €14 (still cheaper than a taxi or Uber).
💸 In general, Germany is known for not widely accepting cards as payment in every establishment. Don’t assume smaller places like coffee shops will take your card, so be sure to have cash on hand.
10 Free Things to Do in Munich With Kids
1. Hang Around Marienplatz
At the heart of Munich lies Marienplatz, the city’s most famous and picturesque town square. Marienplatz is filled with shops, historic buildings, and is arguably the best spot for a family photo during your visit to Munich.
The Rathaus-Glockenspiel is one of the most recognized and iconic features of Marienplatz, with its handcrafted figurines offering a free puppet show from the clock tower.
2. Enjoy BMW Welt
Although the BMW Museum has paid admission, BMW Welt, located right next door, is always free to visit. What’s the difference? BMW Welt is a more casual version of the BMW Museum or BMW Factory, both of which dive deeply into the history and engineering of BMW.
In contrast, BMW Welt functions more like an exhibition hall, with rotating displays of various vehicles. It features a stylish gift shop and also highlights the impressive architectural design of the building itself.
BMW Welt is also where the most dramatic unveiling of purchased cars takes place. If you special-order a BMW, you’ll receive a ‘first glimpse’ of your car on a rotating platform—an experience that feels straight out of a James Bond movie!
3. Visit Deers at Hirschgarten
Easily accessible by the S-Bahn, this green space offers the best of both worlds for families—a fantastic beer garden for the parents and plenty of outdoor activities for the kids nearby.
While adults relax and enjoy the spirit of Bavaria, children can run around the meadows, play table tennis or basketball, or climb the jungle gyms.
What sets Hirschgarten apart from other parks is its animal park filled with deers, which is completely free to visit—a sure way to entertain any young child!
4. Visit a Free Museum
Families who want a taste of culture without spending a fortune on museum tickets can visit a handful of admission-free art galleries in Munich. Places like the Kunstpavillon provide insight into the artwork of students and showcase a number of exciting rotating exhibits.
Additionally, Motorworld is an absolute must-see for car enthusiasts and is surprisingly free to enter (when there is no organized event taking place).
Both children and adults are sure to enjoy a visit to Munich’s Palaeontological Museum, which always offers free admission to everyone. Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?!
The NS-Dokumentationszentrum is yet another free museum; however, given the serious nature of its exhibits, it may be more suitable for families with older kids.
The center serves as a memorial and educational space dedicated to documenting the history of National Socialism and its impact on Munich and beyond. It aims to foster reflection and dialogue about the dark chapters of Germany’s past, focusing on themes of totalitarianism, human rights, and the importance of remembrance.
5. Go Sledding at Maximiliansanlagen in Winter
Winter sledding is the perfect way to experience theme park-like thrills without spending any money. The hills in Maximiliansanlagen park are renowned for offering ideal slopes for sledding during cold months, when Munich is blanketed in snow.
As the closest large green space to Munich’s center, the park provides a convenient escape from the bustle of city life. Maximiliansanlagen is also home to the Maximilianeum, the Bavarian State Parliament.
6. Walk Along the Isar River
If Munich excels at one thing, it’s providing a walking path along the entire river that flows through the city. You could stroll along the river for hours!
The waterfront trails offer a variety of notable spots, including outdoor beer gardens, playgrounds, and places to relax by the water—perfect if you’re visiting in the summer.
One of the most unique sights can be found along the Eisbach River, which runs parallel to the Isar. Here, you can watch people surf—right in the middle of Munich!
7. Wander Through Olympiapark München
The site of the Olympic Games in Munich has been transformed into one of the city’s most iconic and charming parks in Germany. With an aquarium, exhibit hall, ice arena, walking trails, playgrounds, an outdoor movie theater, and the Olympic Stadium, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring.
Olympiapark was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, and its futuristic design—particularly the sweeping glass canopies—was inspired by the vision of creating an ‘Olympic city of the future.’
The park is free to enjoy and wander through, though some attractions, like the Olympiaturm tower, require paid admission.
8. Stroll Through Englischer Garten
The Englischer Garten is Munich’s version of New York City’s Central Park. It’s vast, with 78 km of trails for hiking and cycling. Created in the 18th century, it remains one of the largest urban parks in the world.
Families who love the outdoors can easily spend hours exploring the Englischer Garten. Popular activities include picnicking in the meadows, hiking through the woodlands, and visiting attractions like the Japanese Tea House and the Monopteros temple.
9. Self-Tour the Exterior Grounds of Nymphenburg Palace
Originally built in the 17th century as a summer residence for the Bavarian electors, the palace features an expansive and beautifully landscaped park, which includes gardens, fountains, and several smaller buildings.
The combination of historical significance, architectural beauty, and natural scenery makes Nymphenburg Palace a must-see attraction in Munich, offering a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Bavarian nobility.
Fortunately, experiencing everything outside of the palace is completely free. You must only pay an admission if you wish to enter any of the buildings, exhibits or take part of a guided tour.
10. Experience Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest attracts visitors, both globally and locally, to its festivities every year, starting in late September and lasting for over two weeks.
While its history originated in 1810, it has since transformed into a grand celebration of Bavarian culture, featuring traditional music, food, and, of course, a wide variety of beers from local breweries.
What many people often overlook is that Oktoberfest isn’t just about beer.
The festival is filled with other attractions, including those typically found at any fairground, such as roller coasters and carnival games. While adults definitely participate in these activities after a stein or two, it’s not uncommon to see many children enjoying Oktoberfest as well.
Furthermore, Oktoberfest is completely free to enter and explore; visitors only need to pay for attractions, as well as for beer and food.
FAQs Visiting Munich With Kids
Does Munich Have Free Museums?
There are a handful of museums in Munich that always offer free entry. You’ll find art galleries or art spaces (such as Archiv Geiger) with rotating exhibits that are always free for visitors. Additionally, traditional museums such as the Palaeontological Museum and NS-Dokumentationszentrum offer free admission year-round.
Alternatively, many museums offer free entry on specific days. Unfortunately, these offers are somewhat scattered in terms of timing, so be sure to double-check the website of the museum(s) you’re most interested in before scheduling your visit.
Lastly, even many of Munich’s most prominent museums always offer free admission for children under 18 years old.
Is Munich Safe for Families?
Munich has a very low crime rate in comparison to fellow major cities in Europe. There is nothing in particular that families need to be cautious of when visiting Munich with kids.
The city is known for being clean, well-organized and tourist-friendly. Subway stations are well-lit, emergency services are reputably responsive and frankly, it’s Germany, so most people follow every little rule.
As with any big destination, families should continue to exercise common sense when among crowds and be mindful of their personal belongings.
How Many Days to Spend in Munich With Kids?
Munich has a lot to offer, but not everything is concentrated in the city center. Attractions and activities are spread throughout the metropolitan area, so it may take a bit longer to see everything you want to.
If you’re planning to stay within the center of Munich, a couple of days should be enough. For those renting a car or looking to explore lesser-known sites, you’ll want at least 3 or 4 days.
Are Children Allowed in Beer Halls in Munich?
The idea of alcohol being a taboo for children isn’t prevalent in most European countries. In short, parents regularly go to bars, restaurants, and beer halls with their children. There are no strict rules against children being in beer halls, particularly if they are accompanied by a guardian.
Even during Oktoberfest, children are present during the daytime. The only regulation for Oktoberfest is that children under 6 are not allowed in the beer tents after 8:00 p.m. Children aged 6 to 16 are allowed in the beer tents as long as they are with their parents.
When is the Best Time to Visit Munich With Kids?
Shoulder season months can be a bit dreary and grey in Munich. Therefore, we recommend planning a trip in the summer or during the holiday season when festivities are taking place. Munich also tends to be quite chilly aside from June – August, so set your expectations if you plan to spend time outdoors with your kids.
Normally, we dislike visiting cities in the summer because it can get unbearably hot, but Munich summers are quite mild without excessive temperatures.
The Christmas atmosphere in Germany is on another level, so it’s never a bad idea to enjoy the holiday spirit while in Bavaria.
Is Munich Bike Friendly?
Munich is very bicycle-friendly, with many dedicated bike lanes throughout the city center. Families who enjoy cycling will love Munich because its flat terrain makes it easier for children to participate.
However, pedestrians need to be cautious when walking, as cyclists tend to move quickly. Tourists unfamiliar with bike lane markings might accidentally step into their paths.
How to Get Around Munich With Kids
Munich’s public transportation system consists of four main types: U-Bahn (underground trains), S-Bahn (suburban trains), trams, and buses.
All of these are seamlessly integrated together, allowing passengers to transfer between them with the same ticket. This makes travel across the city and surrounding areas convenient, efficient and uncomplicated (the perfect recipe for travelling with kids).
The U-Bahn and S-Bahn are the backbone of Munich’s public transit, with the U-Bahn covering the city center and urban areas. As a tourist, you’ll likely not worry about the S-Bahn because it extends further into the suburbs and nearby towns.
The trams, which run above ground, offer a scenic way to travel through the city, particularly in central districts. Buses fill in the gaps, reaching places that the trains and trams don’t cover.
Tickets are sold based on zones, and they can be purchased from machines at stations or through a mobile app. The system also offers various ticket options, including single tickets, day passes, and group tickets. The best part is, children under 6 years old ride for free!
Where to Eat in Munich on a Budget
Pair the best free things to do in Munich with the most affordable places to eat. Inexpensive bites aren’t hard to find in Munich, as German food is generally humble and straightforward.
The stereotype holds true—yes, pretzels are readily available throughout Munich and are quite affordable from any bakery. If you’re not dining at a restaurant, you can also enjoy delicious schnitzels (often served with bread as a casual version) for under €10.
Lastly, you can’t walk down a street in Germany without coming across a döner kebab shop. In our opinion, it’s the best food you can find in Germany, and it’s always easy on the wallet.
Where to Stay in Munich for Families
The most wholesome and desirable neighborhood in Munich is Schwabing. This part of Munich was once known as the city’s artistic bohemian quarter but has since evolved into one of the loveliest (and most upscale) places to live.
Schwabing boasts beautiful, tree-lined streets, elegant historic buildings, and proximity to landmarks like the Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world.
For families traveling with kids, there’s nothing better than accommodation located close to a park!
Transportation couldn’t be easier, as the U-Bahn runs along Leopoldstraße, allowing you to reach the city center in just minutes.
Recommended Family Friendly Accommodation in Munich
Schwabinger Wahrheit by Geisel – CHECK PRICES
Flemings Hotel München-Schwabing – CHECK PRICES
La Mansion Vi Vadi Hotel – CHECK PRICES
