My 24 Hours in Munich

Waking up with the first sunbeams in the morning, I pull my dad out of bed. After having my muesli for breakfast, we go running to the outdoor training trail at the river Isar. When I was here for the first time I was only two months old and stressing out my dad because I was so hungry for my mum’s milk. But now that I am three years old, I climb the machines, discover the woods and scramble around the nearby playground. My favourite place to have a picnic, play football and dip my feet into the water is nearby as well: Rosengarten.

Our next stop is Café Dukatz for a “pain au chocolat” and watching the street life from the little bar inside. Then we head to the playground at the Glockenbach – water pump and climbing paradise! While I’m having a blast my parents can get some tasty snacks “to go” at Café Schneewittchen, which is right next to the playground. Two great kids’ stores are nearby, too. The first is Zuckerschnürl, where we buy presents for my friends’ birthdays (and sometimes my mum can’t resist buying something fancy for me too, and she’s also a big fan of the pretty postcards they sell – girls…haha). The other one is Sohletti which is a good shop for high quality kids’ shoes… at least that’s what my parents think. I prefer the sneaker shop early near Viktualienmarkt for buying my shoes. Their slogan: “sneakers not diapers” says it all. On the way we stop at Café Creme for a Haribo marshmallow mouse and a kids’ cappuccino, at Lese Lotte for books and at Auryn for a new toy. My favourite ice cream parlour is Jessas. Their coconut sorbet and chocolate ice cream is so yummy – I could easily live off it!

Another playground that has captured my heart is the playground at Wiener Platz (also sunny in the evening hours). I’m starting to get hungry by now, so we go to the Fischhäusl (the best time is 12 noon sharp) and gorge ourselves on grilled octopus, calamari or fresh fish of the day. Take a seat in the backyard at the little fountain! Even for my grandma from Hamburg, the Fischhäusl is high on her bucket list whenever she is visiting us in Munich. Another favourite lunch spot of mine is the Pommes Boutique in the district Maxvorstadt. I love their french fries!

For a snack in the afternoon we get some raspberries at the fruit store of K. R. Kropp, who used to be a swing trumpeter in the Munich orchestra. Afterwards we head to the Isar beach at the Praterinsel; the best spot for kids is down the hill at the little playground. Here we collect stones, throw them into the river and go for a little swim in the very shallow water.

After waking up from my afternoon nap, we either grab some ice cream at True & 12 Handmade Ice Cream or some yummy pizza next door at Pizzesco’s. The neighbouring shop Buch Perthel has some great books for kids. Have a look! At the moment, I especially love the kids’ atlas “Alle Welt.” A must-have book for kids who love to travel.

At the end of my perfect day we pop in the toy shop SpielART to look for some new secondhand toy cars or animals.

By the way, another favourite spot of mine in Munich is a classy one: the Deutsches Museum. Inside there are three must-sees: the planes, the model railway (check when the show is on!) and the children’s paradise in the cellar. Don’t forget to bring some clothes to change into, you might get wet at the water games – no, wait – you have to get wet!

The playground in Kronenpark / Obergiesing is amazing, too. It’s where we used to live and where I spent the first two years of my life. We went there like every day.

For the parents: grab a coffee and a “Vanilleschnecke” (vanilla pastry) at the café Liebreich. Have great salads and lots of other home made food for lunch at Café Sonnenschein and buy some cheese at Giesinger Käsealm. In the evening, get a babysitter and head to Upper Eat Side for a nice piece of meat. If you like Turkish food, Keko is the place for you. Oh and don’t miss the Saturday market on Mariahilfplatz. You will probably meet me there, together with my parents and my little brother. Come over, say “hi, let’s play!” and off we go.

ps.: for swimming in summer I love the natural pools Maria Einsiedl and Naturbad Samerberg, every spot along the Isar but especially somewhere near Flaucher and lakes outside the city, such as Pilsensee, Starnbergersee, Eibsee , Deininger Weiher and most of all Walchensee.

pps.: if you come to Munich and wanna rent a buggy, car seat or anything else head to toddgo.com