Things to do in Munich on a stopover and where to stay

Some of the best things to do in Munich with kids includes sightseeing at Marienplatz and cycling through the English Garden, plus enjoying traditional Bavarian food at the Hofbräuhaus. Read on for more of what EL’s JESS SMIT and her family got up to on their stopover, including which Munich hotel they stayed in and what they liked about it.

Where to stay in Munich: KOOS Hotel&Apartments

Munich is a city that’s ideal for exploring on foot, and KOOS Hotel&Apartments helped make that remarkably easy. Just a short stroll from the Hauptbahnhof train station, this Munich hotel puts many of the city’s major sights within easy reach. That meant we spent more time sightseeing and less time studying transport maps!

Our apartment had two bedrooms, a living area and, perhaps most importantly after a week in the snow, a washing machine. Anyone travelling with children will understand the particular joy of tackling a pile of damp ski gear before boarding a long-haul flight.

Munich itself proved wonderfully easy to navigate as a family. We joined the crowds in Marienplatz to watch the Glockenspiel, spent a morning admiring cars at BMW Welt, climbed to the top of St Peter’s Church, hired bicycles to explore the English Garden and stopped beneath the Chinese Tower for giant pretzels and a cold Helles while the children ran off some energy.

The hotel breakfast struck the right balance between virtuous and indulgent. There were fresh smoothies, regional produce and a make-your-own breakfast bowl station, alongside a pancake machine that quickly became the children’s favourite. Adults, meanwhile, could help themselves to sparkling wine and assemble a DIY mimosa before a day of sightseeing.

Lunch at KOOS Bowls & Bar offered a welcome palate reset after a week of schnitzels and käsespätzle. My colourful Asian bowl disappeared quickly; the children’s cheeseburger bowls vanished even faster.

Following a renovation in 2024, the property feels fresh and contemporary, with light-filled communal spaces, natural materials and apartment-style accommodation. Sustainability runs through the experience at KOOS too, from regional sourcing in the kitchen to a breakfast concept designed to minimise waste. There are no plastic keycards to misplace either – your phone doubles as your room key.

For families looking to add a few days in Munich to their next itinerary, this Munich hotel gets the essentials right: a central location, plenty of space and all the ingredients for a relaxed city break.

Inside Munich’s famous Hofbräuhaus

No first visit to Munich feels complete without a stop at the Hofbräuhaus München. Founded in 1589, the city’s most famous beer hall is a spectacle of brass bands, communal tables and Bavarian tradition.

Our children spent much of the evening trying to count how many steins each waiter could carry at once. Between that, the brass bands and the giant Brezeln, they were completely captivated. They enjoyed it so much that our choice of restaurant for the following evening was made for us.

The food matches the setting: traditional, generous and designed to be enjoyed alongside a cold beer. Highlights include goulash, sausages and the signature pork knuckle, served with a rich dark beer sauce and potato dumpling.

If a litre of beer feels ambitious, order a Radler – Bavaria’s refreshing mix of lager and lemonade. We came for the history but returned for the atmosphere.

Did you know? Facts about Hofbräuhaus

• The Hofbräuhaus began as a royal brewery – it was originally established by Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria to brew beer for the royal court.
• In 1632, during the Thirty Years’ War, the Hofbräuhaus helped save Munich from destruction by supplying Swedish troops with 23,168 litres of beer.
• After nearly 240 years serving Bavarian royalty, the Hofbräuhaus finally opened its doors to the public in 1828.
• Around 600 patrons have their own personalised beer steins stored in special lockers at the venue.
•  The beer hall seats around 1,000 guests.

This article first appeared in the August 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.

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