However, there are plenty of reasons why you and the kids should visit it. There are all sorts of family-friendly experiences to enjoy around the country, so why not take advantage of them
Berlin
Despite being flattened and divided during the 20th century, Berlin has quickly emerged as a cosmopolitan and exciting city. There are plenty of historical sites to show your kids. And it also has a surprisingly diverse food scene which is certainly worth enjoying. Visit during Christmas and the city plays host to some wonderful festive markets. Kids will love tucking into fresh sausages and local cheeses.
Munich
The capital of Germany’s much-visited Bavaria region, Munich is a rich and thriving city. Compared to the modern and trendy Berlin, you feel like you are in an entirely different country with its traditional costumes, and regal German architecture. Take a stroll around the English garden with the kids and you will be able to watch the impressive river surfers who ride the waves of the Eisbach. Just remember to avoid the autumn period since this is dominated by Oktoberfest.
Hamburg
The second-largest city in the whole country, Hamburg is a jewel in the north of Germany. It is home to one of the biggest harbours in the world and it also has more bridges than Amsterdam and Venice put together. This is also the city where the Beatles got their initial big break, and you can still stroll down the streets where they played their first gigs.
St. Pauli still has remnants from its gritty past, but it remains an interesting place to visit. Take a look at bag storage near Hamburg Central Station to make sure this is sorted and you are not worrying while you are visiting this amazing city. You don't want extra admin on your hands, especially when you're travelling with your children.
Cologne
Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, but most of the remnants from those glory days are long gone - barring the magnificent cathedral, which remains one of the most-visited places in the country. While you are here, you will certainly enjoy the city's pleasant scenery and abundant parks. Many places have outdoor equipment that children can play on. It's definitely enough to keep them entertained in the afternoon.
Leipzig
Not far away from Berlin, Leipzig warrants a few days to explore its treasures. The Leipzig Marriott Hotel is a great spot to spend however long you have here. Just like one of the other nearby cities Dresden, Leipzig has started attracting youthful residents who have formed their own kind of culture here.
Leipzig is famous for some of its play centres and creches where kids can go. However, it also has other family-friendly activities including The rare, the old town hall, and the Marktplatz Leipzig.
Dresden
If you haven't been to Dresden yet, the city is well worth visiting. It's famous for the role it played at the end of World War II, when it was heavily destroyed and had to be fundamentally rebuilt from the ground up. Today, the city is starting to recover its former imperial glory. Most of the architecture is in traditional Baroque style and runs beautifully along the curving bank of the Elbe River.
Dresden tends to be a little bit cheaper because it's in East Germany. It's not a particularly popular tourist destination, but it certainly has historical value. For this reason, it's great for families, especially if your children are a bit older and currently studying history in school.
Frankfurt
Most of us know Frankfurt for its airport or its downtown commercial centre. For many years, it was one of the only true competitors to London's financial dominance. Interestingly, Frankfurt is Germany's only true skyscraper skyline. None of its other cities, including Berlin, have any significant clusters of high-rises.
In fact, 20 years ago, the collection of skyscrapers in Frankfurt was so unusual for Europe that it was called Europe's Manhattan. Frankfurt also offers numerous world-class museums and beautiful parks. The city itself is a haven for culture, having been a critical part of German history for many years.
Interestingly, Frankfurt is surprisingly cosy once you get outside of the glass-and-steel centre. There is the historic Sachsenhausen neighbourhood, which has rustic taverns and traditional architecture.
Stuttgart
Another city worth visiting with kids is Stuttgart. This location is a bit more sleek and innovative compared to many other German cities, although it remains deeply connected to nature through sustainable design. Make sure you don't miss this city, especially if you are a car person.
Stuttgart is home to both the Mercedes and Porsche museums, with some of the most interesting exhibits in the world. Around the city, the birthplace of the automobile, are unique rolling hills, which make a great base to stay at if you want to get out into the countryside.
Germany: A Country That Offers Families A Lot
When you go to some countries, all of the major cities outside of the capitals feel roughly the same, but that's simply not true with Germany. It has a vast array of different experiences for families who want to benefit from the local culture.
For example, Dresden is romantic and historic, while Frankfurt is more dynamic and cosmopolitan, with cosy elements.
You can think about German cities in terms of their signature experiences. For example, many people go to Frankfurt to enjoy the warmth and food, while families go to Stuttgart for world-class automotive museums. Berlin obviously has its historical sights and monuments.
Fortunately, Germany is a relatively compact country, so it's possible to visit multiple German cities in a single family trip. It's also well connected by rail, so if you want to get around easily, you can.
Ashley Pugh ;
Ashley Pugh is one of the Co-Founders of Familydaysout.com and has been committed to writing family related content since 2008. There isn't much about family attractions that Ashley doesn't know, after visiting hundreds of them worldwide over the last 20 years.
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