Family Holiday Bavarian Forest: Tips for Your Stay
Family holiday Bavarian Forest: All tips on getting there, packing list, activities and All Inclusive with kids in the Bavarian Forest.
Why the Bavarian Forest is perfect for families
Forests, lakes, mountains. And in between: plenty of room to run wild. The Bavarian Forest is one of the most family-friendly regions in Germany. No surprise. There's endless nature here, short distances and a pace that works even with small children.
WaldmĂĽnchen sits right in the middle, directly on the Czech border. From the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof you can walk to Perlsee in five minutes (just 1 km). Splash around in summer, ice skate in winter. And if you want more: the Bavarian Forest National Park is 90 km away, the GroĂźer Arber 75 km. Both are worth a day trip.
For more excursion and hiking ideas, check our Bavarian Forest Guide.
The best time to travel for families
Short answer: there's no bad time. But there are differences.
Spring (April to May): Fewer guests, mild temperatures, the first hiking trails are snow-free. Perfect if you like things peaceful.
Summer (June to August): High season. Perlsee is warm enough for swimming, the days are long. Pack sunscreen and insect repellent.
Autumn (September to October): Golden forests, crisp air, mushroom picking. The kids love it.
Winter (December to March): The AlthĂĽtte ski area is just 3 km away. Sledding, building snowmen, then off to the sauna. Cosy in the snow.
Concretely: when to book?
For summer holidays at least three months in advance. For low season, four to six weeks is often enough. Bavarian school holidays book up fast.
All Inclusive: what it means for you
All Inclusive may sound like package tourism. Here it mainly means: you don't have to worry about a thing. With children, that's worth gold.
What's included:
- Breakfast buffet to start the day
- Lunch for everyone not out and about all day
- Cake and ice cream in the afternoon (yes, every day)
- Dinner buffet with rotating dishes
- Drinks all day: coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, beer and wine
No signing chits, no totting up. The kids grab cocoa whenever they like. You enjoy a quiet coffee in the afternoon. Done.
What does it cost for the children?
Children up to 2 years stay free. From 3 to 6 years you pay 15 euros per night, from 7 to 12 years 35 euros and teenagers from 13 to 16 years 45 euros per night. Everything included.
Sonnenwolfi Kids' Club: free time for everyone
The Sonnenwolfi Kids' Club looks after children from 3 to 12 years. Crafting, playing, romping. Your children are kept busy, you have time for yourselves.
In concrete terms: you can hit the pool (10x4m), the whirlpool, or from 3 pm the Finnish sauna and steam bath. With a clear conscience. The kids are having their own fun.
Tip: Plan at least one morning when the kids are at the club and you do something together. A walk for two, a coffee in WaldmĂĽnchen or simply an hour at the whirlpool. You've earned it.
The perfect packing list
Here's what you really need. No more, no less.
For all seasons
- Hiking shoes (for the kids too, broken in!)
- Rain jacket and a thin fleece
- Swimwear and pool slippers for pool and sauna
- Sunscreen, even in winter
- Backpack for day trips
- Water bottles
In summer additionally
- Insect repellent
- Sandals or water shoes for Perlsee
- Sun hat for the children
In winter additionally
- Thermal underwear
- Gloves (two pairs per child, one will get wet)
- A sled if you have one (also available locally)
Five excursions your kids will love
1. Perlsee (1 km): Five minutes on foot. Swimming, pedal boating, watching ducks. The easiest outing.
2. Wildgarten Furth im Wald (15 km): Wild boar, lynx, a big adventure playground. Half a day is enough.
3. AlthĂĽtte ski area (3 km): Ideal for beginners in winter. Short slopes, ski school on site.
4. GroĂźer Arber (75 km): The highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest. Up by gondola, marvel at the view, hike down. Doable for kids from age 6.
5. Bavarian Forest National Park (90 km): Treetop walk, wildlife enclosure, primeval forest. Plan a whole day. It's worth it.
Practical tips for getting there
WaldmĂĽnchen lies in eastern Bavaria, close to the Czech border. The address: Torweiherweg 5, 93449 WaldmĂĽnchen.
By car: Via the A3 towards Regensburg, then on along the B22. From Regensburg it's about 90 minutes. Hotel parking is free.
By train: Nearest station is Cham (25 km). From there continue by bus or taxi.
Our tip: Drive. You're more flexible for excursions and can easily bring toys, the pushchair and the unavoidable three cuddly toys.
How your family holiday becomes really good
A few more things we want to share with you:
- Don't over-plan. Two activities a day is plenty. In between: pool, kids' club, simply doing nothing.
- Make the most of the afternoons. Cake and ice cream from the afternoon, then to the pool or out for some fresh air. That's the rhythm that works with children.
- Book a room with a balcony. Most of the 136 rooms have a balcony or terrace. Sit out in the evening, look at the mountains, enjoy the quiet.
Read on
Ready for your family holiday?
The Bavarian Forest is waiting. Clean air, nature on your doorstep, a kids' club that lives up to its name and All Inclusive that makes the holiday easy. Check available dates and secure your family room. Book your family holiday now and experience the Bavarian Forest together.