We are traveling with our kids, age 11, 13, and 18. I'm trying to decide if it's better to do a bike tour in Salzburg and see Sounds of Music sights or spend time in Munich? Not sure what to do for kids in Munich.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Cheryl
When are you going?
How many days and is this an either/or city choice? Also do your children have any hobbies or passions?
Loads of things to do with kids in Munich - but first, what sort of things do the kids and you like to do?
We are going in early July. Kids like to do active things and would like to explore the town, but I don't see them spending time in museums, etc.
This is probably an either city choice
We went to both Munich & Salzburg last June with our 11 yr. & 14 yr. children.
In Munich we did RS Walking tour via app, watched the glockenspiel in the Marienplatz, toured the Residenz & Nymphenburg Palace, enjoyed watching the deer while eating/drinking at Hirschgarten, did the BMW plant tour (highly recommend), took day trips to see Herrenchiemsee, went to Mittenwald for the Karwendelbahn and hiked up to Andechs from Herrsching. We walked through the Englisch Garten stopping on 2 separate visits at both the Chinesischer Turm for a bite & the other biergarten along the lake. We also watched the surfers.
In Salzburg we did the Fraulein Maria Sound of Music bike tour (highlight of our stay), explored the city with RS audio tour, went to the Hohensalzburg Fortress and walked along the Monchsberg path ending with lunch at Augustiner.
My children enjoyed both cities. The BMW plant tour & Fraulein Maria Bike tour were the highlights from each city for my kids. There is plenty more to do, see and explore in each location.
Recent Trip Report of family with 11 & 15 year old sons that went to both Munich and Salzburg.
In Munich, go to Mike's and rent bicycles. Then head to the English Gardens for a day. Miles upon miles of trails to ride on, and you can stop at the beer gardens for lunch etc. It is really a great way to spend a day!
My vote would be Salzburg. We have been to both with an 11 y/o. I think he enjoyed Salzburg more. We biked from the old town along the Salzach to Hellbrun Palace. We also did a SOM tour and a concert in Mirabell. He's now 24 and has so many great memories of that first big trip!
Salzburg - salt mine. Werfen ice cave
Cheryl, how many days do you have, because you can easily do both! The SOM bicycle tour is a wonderful way to see Salzburg. You'll go all over the city, learn some very fascinating history and get your SOM fix too! My teenage boys weren't too thrilled with the prospect of such a tour, but they loved it! My teenage daughter was thrilled as well. I would recommend you book a private tour with Fraulein Maria, so that you can go at the pace of your youngest and enjoy the tour as a family. It's not much more per person and it may allow you to have a little bit of a later start so that you can drive or train from Munich.
In Munich, the BMW museum and Olympic Park would be great. As another poster mentioned, you can rent bikes with Mike's Bike Tours in Munich. Cycle through the park (Englischer Garten) and make sure you go see the surfers on the river! The Deutsches Museum is pretty cool too.
Thanks to all for the posts! Very helpful!
