An Austria and Germany itinerary with little kids? YES, and it might just be the most family-friendly place we’ve ever traveled! Think crystal-clear alpine lakes, gondolas to mountaintop playgrounds, and hotels that are literally built for families.
We spent 14 days in August road tripping through Austria and the Bavarian Alps with our two kids, ages 2 and 5. We stayed at two all-inclusive style ,family hotels, hiked through gorges, saw a real-life fairytale castle, and lived out my Sound of Music dreams in Salzburg.
I’m sharing everything we did on our Austria and Germany itinerary, where we stayed, and where we ate, day by day. Save this one for your planning!
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Quick trip overview
- Fly into: Munich, Germany
- Trip length: 14 days
- Home bases: Munich (Germany), Salzburg (Austria), Bramberg am Wildkogel (Austria), Ried im Oberinntal (Austria), and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany)
- Best for: Families with kids who love the outdoors
- Getting around: Rental car
Google Maps Link
I put each stop into a google map if you want to copy our exact Austrian and Germany itinerary! Access google maps link here.
Austria and Germany Itinerary
Day 1: Munich, Germany
Where we stayed: Hotel Englischer Garten
After a long overnight flight, we wanted somewhere cozy and easy, and this little family-run hotel was exactly that. Book Hotel Englischer Garten here! Our family suite was tucked upstairs with its own private bathroom. We loved the garden out back for the kids to burn off some energy. The real selling point is that it’s just steps from the Englischer Garten, with a charming beer garden right across the street.
Explore the Englischer Garten
We wanted something easy for our one day in Munich, so we found a spot along the river to watch the surfers ride the famous standing wave. So cool to see! Afterwards we stopped by Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm for a traditional German beer garden experience. The kids loved the pretzels and hot dogs and playing on the playgrounds.
Take a food tour
We love doing food tours in new cities to get a taste of the culture and learn more about the area. We didn’t have time this time around but would recommend this food tour! We always book our food tours through Viator and have the best experience.
Day 2: Salzburg, Austria
An easy 1.5 hour drive from Munich, Salzburg was the dreamiest way to kick off our time in Austria. It’s the city of Mozart, gorgeous baroque architecture, and of course, The Sound of Music (which is why we came). We gave it two days, although we could have spent so much more time here and in the surrounding area!
Where we stayed: Schloss Leopoldskron
Staying here has been a dream of mine forever, and it somehow beat every expectation! Book Schloss Leopoldskron here. Sound of Music fans will recognize it as the backyard of the Von Trapp family home in the movie. So many iconic scenes were filmed right here!
The property has two buildings. We stayed in the more affordable one (Meierhof) next to the palace and still had full access to the grounds. Snacks at the on-site restaurant overlooking the lake was a highlight.
Visit the Mirabell Palace Gardens
While I would have loved to do a Sound of Music tour around Salzburg, they were hours long and my kids (and husband) wouldn’t have lasted. Instead, we opted to see some spots from the movie on our own time. These gardens are gorgeous and completely free to visit and is where “Do-Re-Mi” was filmed. So many spots to recreate your favorite scenes!
If I would have been able to book a Sound of Music tour, I would have booked this one!
Day 3: Salzburg, Austria
Breakfast at Schloss Leopoldskron
Not staying at the palace? You can still book breakfast here! The buffet is served in a stunning ballroom overlooking the lake, and is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Afterwards, explore the palace on your own or book a guided tour for the full story. The library with a hidden staircase was a highlight!
Explore Residenzplatz
This grand square and its fountain are another must for Sound of Music fans. No Austria and Germany itinerary is complete without strolling through an old city, so you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants all around. We spent the afternoon exploring with this as our home base.
Try a Mozartkugel
No trip to Salzburg is complete without a Mozartkugel! These famous chocolates are a ball of pistachio marzipan and nougat, all dipped in dark chocolate. Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst created them in 1890 and named them after Mozart, the city’s most famous son. You’ll see them in chocolate shops all over town, but look for the silver and blue wrapper to find the original. We went straight to the source at Confiserie Fürst, where it all began!
Day 4: Bramberg am Wildkogel, Austria
Where we stayed: Habachklause Family Resort
Habachklause Family Resort is the whole reason this trip happened! It’s been on my dream list for years, and it lived up to every bit of the hype. Habachklause is designed from top to bottom for families with little kids, and I’m convinced I’ll never stay a more perfect hotel again.
Every meal is covered, from breakfast and lunch to afternoon snacks and dinner. Between meals, you’ll find multiple pools, a family spa, and an adults-only spa for when you need a breather. The outdoor play area is next level, with pedal carts and a water area.
My favorite part? It’s a working farm. Much of what you eat is grown or raised right on the property, and the rest comes from local producers. The kids fed the animals and rode ponies, and the included kids club ended up being our daughter’s favorite part of the entire trip!
While staying here, we would usually do an outing in the morning to early afternoon, then come back to the hotel to play and swim before dinner. We stayed here days 4-9.
Day 5: Saalbach, Austria
Montelino’s Adventure Trail in Saalbach
This was a dream day! Austria is full of hikes that are geared towards kids, and Montelino’s Adventure trail has it all. Ride the Kohlmaisbahn gondola up the mountain (make sure to get an adventure book before you go up), then follow the trail back down to the mid-station. Along the way, kids will find hands-on play stations, games, and even a few animals to say hi to. Stroller friendly which is a plus. REALLY wish we had hikes like this in the US!
Lunch at Panorama-Alm
Plan your day around lunch at Panorama-Alm Saalbach. It’s located right on Montelino’s Adventure trail on the mountain. Snag a table outside while the kids splash around in the little pond and play on the playground. Hands down one of the best lunch views of our trip! Note that there’s another great restaurant and playground right near the mid-station called Montelino’s Wasserspielplatz, which has a water play area, if that works better in your schedule!
Day 6: Zell am See, Austria
Spend the day at the beach club
The lake in Zell am See is so stunning it almost looks fake. Public lake access is limited in this part of town, so the beach club is well worth the entry fee. You’ll find a restaurant, lounge chairs and umbrellas to rent, pools, and docks for jumping straight into the crystal-clear water. Literally a postcard and the best way to spend a hot summer day.
Wander the town
After your swim, take a stroll through town. It’s packed with cute shops, cafés, and restaurants, and it’s so easy to lose an afternoon here. Make sure to grab gelato from the Grand Hotel’s little gelato stand. Stroll the hotel’s gardens and make sure to bring cash, because that’s all they take.
Take out a rental boat
Those little rental boats bobbing on the lake are just too cute. We had every intention of hopping in one, but a double kid meltdown had other plans. If your crew is in better spirits, go for it! I’d recommend Scheicher Boote (Rent a Boat) right by the Grand Hotel for no other reason than they were the cutest and the ones pictured here.
Day 7: Kaprun, Austria
Hike the Sigmund-Thun-Klamm gorge
Looking for a hike that wows without wearing out little legs? This is it. There’s a small fee for adults, and kids get in free. The wooden walkway winds through the gorge in about 15 to 20 minutes, and our 5 year old walked it on her own. Rushing water surrounds you the whole time, with a beautiful waterfall waiting at the end.
Keep going to the Klammsee
Don’t turn around once you exit the gorge! Add on another 10 minutes to reach the Klammsee, the most unbelievably blue lake. At the far end, you’ll find a playground and a cozy little restaurant called Klammseestüberl.
We grabbed drinks and ice cream and let the kids play before heading back. The return route skips the gorge and takes you across a bridge right over the top of it, with incredible views of everything you just walked through. Such a perfect family day!
Day 8: Krimml, Austria
Krimml Waterfalls (Krimmler Wasserfälle)
Plunging 380 meters (about 1,250 feet) in three tiers, the Krimml Waterfalls are the tallest in Europe. We added tickets to the WasserWelten (Water Worlds), a play area packed with hands-on water exhibits you won’t find anywhere else. We loved playing here just as much as the kids, and we easily could have stayed longer if the rain hadn’t been rolling in.
Walk to the base of the falls
From the play area, it’s an easy 15-minute stroll on a paved path to the bottom of the falls. If you want to get really close, scramble up a few rocks and get ready for lots of mist! Up for more? The full waterfall trail climbs about 4.6 km (2.9 miles) to the top, which takes roughly 2.5 hours. With two little ones and a rainy forecast, we didn’t do the whole trail. Next time!
Day 9: Ried im Oberinntal, Austria
Where we stayed: Hotel Mia Flor
Our second family hotel was a more budget-friendly pick, and it still checked every box. It’s not quite as new or modern as Habachklause, but the amenities more than make up for it, and the location was exactly what we wanted. Book Hotel Mia Flor here!
Meals can be added onto your stay, and there’s also multiple pools, a family spa, an adults-only spa, and an outdoor swimming lake. Kids get a kids club plus indoor and outdoor playgrounds, so there’s never a dull moment.
Day 10: Ried im Oberinntal, Austria
Spend the day at Badesee Ried
This little lake surprised us big time! It’s only a 5-minute walk from Hotel Mia Flor, and it turned into one of our favorite days of the whole trip. There’s a shallow area for little swimmers and a deeper section for bigger kids with a blow up jungle gym. But the real star is the giant waterslide, and we went down it more times than I can count.
There’s a small entry fee, but it’s free with the summer guest pass that comes with your hotel stay. You can also rent pedal boats and stand up paddle boards. When everyone got hungry, we grabbed lunch at the snack bar right on the water. So dreamy!
Day 11: Serfaus, Austria
Ride the Komperdellbahn gondola
We set aside a whole day for mountain fun and rode the Komperdellbahn gondola up from Serfaus. There are tons of alpine play areas in this region, but this one won us over with its mix of playgrounds, easy kid-friendly hikes, and restaurants all close together. Pick up your tickets at the Komperdellbahn valley station (Talstation) in Serfaus.
Play at the Murmliwasser playground
Once at the top of the gondola, you’ll see this expansive playground. The underground tunnels were a huge hit, and they came in extra handy when the skies opened up! Sadly, the rain turned into a full-on downpour with strong winds, and the forecast wasn’t getting any better. We packed it in early, but would be so great on a sunny day.
Next time: Piratenweg (Pirate Trail)
This pirate-themed trail near the playgrounds was high on our list, but the weather had other plans. From what I read, it takes about 1.5 hours and is perfect for adventurous little ones. If you get a clear day, don’t miss it (and tell me all about it)!
Explore Serfaus
Back down the mountain, we spent some time wandering Serfaus. This region is full of charming alpine villages, including this one. Note that you aren’t able to park in town if you’re not staying there, so you’ll have to pay for parking outside of town and then walk or bus in. It was about a 20 minute walk from the parking lot to the base of the gondola.
Day 12: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Where we stayed: aja Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Hello again, Germany! We crossed back into Bavaria and checked into this sleek, modern hotel. It had everything a family needs: kid-friendly rooms, an indoor/outdoor pool, and breakfast to start the day (complete with a family area and play gym). Add in a great location and gorgeous mountain views, and we were happy campers.
Book aja Garmisch-Partenkirchen here!
Keep in mind this one isn’t all-inclusive like our two Austrian family resorts. Think of it as a classic hotel stay, and a great home base for exploring town.
Lunch at Toni Alm
This was one of the best meals of our whole trip! Toni Alm sits right at the foot of the mountains, so the views are incredible, and if you’re lucky you’ll catch a train rolling by. We ordered a few Bavarian specialties and loved every bite.
Since it was a rainy day, we got cozy in the glass garden without any wait. On a sunny day, I’d book ahead, because this place fills up fast!
Hike Partnachklamm (Partnach Gorge)
Being we got hit with another rainy day, we decided to check out another gorge. We parked at the Olympic ski stadium, then hopped on a horse-drawn carriage for the ride to the gorge entrance. (It’s about a 25 to 30 minute walk if you’d rather go on foot.) The kids were over the moon about the carriage, and it ended up being their favorite part of the day.
The path through the gorge is about 700 meters (not even a half mile), winding through rock tunnels with the river roaring below. Unlike the Sigmund-Thun-Klamm, this is an out-and-back trail, so you’ll share the path with people heading both directions.
Dinner at Gasthaus zur Schranne
For a true Bavarian dinner, this spot hits the mark. It’s set in a restored 19th-century inn, complete with a traditional beer garden. Expect hearty classics like schnitzel and goulash, plus Kaiserschmarrn for dessert. There’s a kids menu too, which made it an easy win for our family.
Day 13: Neuschwanstein Castle and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Tour Neuschwanstein Castle
Ever wondered what inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle? Here it is in real life! We set our alarms early to make the most of the day. One big tip: book your tickets way in advance. When I checked the official site a few weeks before our trip, every single time slot was sold out.
Thankfully, I found this guided tour on GetYourGuide. It covered our guide, bus tickets up the hill, and entry for the castle interior tour. The inside tour lasts only about 30 minutes, which is just right for little attention spans.
Lunch at Schmölzer Wirt
Can you tell I like lunch with a view? This restaurant sits beside a crystal-clear river with the mountains as a backdrop. We filled up on traditional Bavarian dishes while the kids played in the little hut outside that had a fun play kitchen. Love that most of the restaurants here have play areas for kids!
Explore Garmisch-Partenkirchen
This Bavarian town is straight out of a storybook. We spent the afternoon strolling past colorful painted buildings and popping into shops. Then we stumbled onto a traditional German band playing in town, and the kids danced their hearts out!
Make sure to walk Ludwigstraße in Partenkirchen, a historic street lined with painted façades (called Lüftlmalerei), boutiques, and cafés. Over in Garmisch, wander Frühlingstraße to see its 18th-century houses and flower-filled balconies.
Day 14: Munich, Germany
Our last day was spent traveling back to Munich and flying home! Thank you for reading if you made it this far!!
Tips for visiting Austria with kids
01. Book family hotels with meals included. All-inclusive kid hotels like Habachklause and Mia Flor take so much stress out of the day. No hunting for dinner with tired kids!
02. Look for summer guest cards. Many alpine hotels include a summer pass that gets you into local lakes, gondolas, and attractions for free or at a discount. Ask at check-in.
03. Have a rainy day plan. Mountain weather changes fast, and we got rained out more than once. Gorge hikes, indoor playgrounds, and hotel pools saved us.
04. Book Neuschwanstein early. Tickets sell out well in advance. If the official site is sold out, a guided tour is a great backup.
05. Carry some cash. Smaller spots, like the gelato stand in Zell am See, are cash only.
06. Rent a car. Many of the best family spots are in small mountain towns, and a car gives you the flexibility to work around nap times and weather. Important! You will need an Austrian vignette before driving on Austrian motorways. These can easily be purchased at gas stations before crossing over into Austria. Book car rental here.
Is Austria worth it with young kids?
I could not recommend this trip more with little kids! Austria might be the most family-friendly place we’ve ever been. Between the kid hotels, mountaintop playgrounds, and gorgeous lakes, and play areas in restaurants, there was something for every age. Add a fairytale castle and a little Sound of Music magic, and you’ve got a trip your whole family will talk about for years.
Have questions about planning your own Austria and Germany itinerary? Drop them in the comments, and follow along on Instagram for more family travel ideas!
