Families welcome: fun and games in 7 German cities

Freiburg: fun for all ages in Breisgau

Freiburg: city view with Freiburg cathedral ©DZT (Francesco Carovillano)

What makes Freiburg , Germany's warmest city, particularly attractive not only for students but also for families? The planetarium, several children's museums, many cycle paths and the splashing paradise formed by the 'Bächle' flowing through the picturesque old town. And then there are the many excursion options to the nearby Black Forest, the Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum or the Europark near Rust, where more than 100 rides and other attractions await you on 95 hectares.

Karlsruhe: a top-notch family city

Botanical Garden ©DZT (Francesco Carovillano)

In terms of family fun, the Baroque planned city of Karlsruhe goes above and beyond 'planned'. In addition to the Museum of Natural History, its network of cycle paths and the many playgrounds, for example in the Zoological Gardens, are strong evidence of this. More can be seen from the local mountain of Durlach, where a fun ascent on the ancient funicular railway is just the beginning.

Leipzig: goodbye coalfield, hello leisure!

Stand-up paddling on Lake Markkleeberg ©DZT (Florian Trykowski)

Johann Sebastian Bach and the Thomanerchor choir, the opera and the world's largest railway station – what's the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Leipzig ? Perhaps it's the 'Zoo of the Future', if only because of the 'Pongoland' great ape enclosure. Leipzig's many parks and green spaces are also unique, especially in the former lignite mining area in the south of the Saxon metropolis. Where there were once open-cast mines and factories, there are now numerous lakes and the Belantis amusement park.

Augsburg: animals, puppets, firemen

Augsburg: UNESCO world heritage, hydropower plant Wolfzahnau ©Stadt Augsburg, UNESCO Welterbe-Büro (Zehntausendgrad)

Jim Knopf, Urmel, Sams: at the Puppet Theatre Museum in Augsburg, children can experience the puppets of the Augsburg puppet theatre, tried and tested on TV, up close. Meanwhile, you can meet your favourite animals at the zoo or in the 'Butterfly Pavilion' in the Botanical Garden. The interactive fire brigade adventure world in Martini Park is dedicated to everyday heroes, while the forest and animal adventure trails in Siebentischwald forest also offer interactive experiences – a paradise for nature-lovers.

Essen: first to the interactive mine, then to the lake!

Essen: Zeche Zollverein site, UNESCO World Heritage ©DZT (Julia Nimke)

The transformation of disused industrial areas into cultural and green spaces in Essen is also great for families – especially the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein Coal Mine, thanks to the Phänomania Experience Field and its 120 hands-on stations, footgolf and many other ways to make time fly. Another prime example is Lake Baldeney, a swimming and biking paradise.

Berlin: perfect for playful little ones

Visitors to the children`s farm watch the geese in the outdoor enclosure ©DZT (Jens Wegener)

Bad weather in Germany's vibrant capital is certainly no reason to call off a family holiday . You could spend weeks in the museums alone, ranging from the Museum of Natural History to the DDR Museum, and from the Museum of Technology to ANOHA, The Children's World of the Jewish Museum – not to mention the climbing and trampoline parks and the extensive theatre programme. And when the sun's out, there are dozens more activities, including the zoo, children's farms, Wannsee and much more.

Kiel: water, wind and Wallachian sheep

Kiel: Sailing ships at the Kiel Week ©TASH (Heinrich Hecht)

The "pearl of the north" also scores highly on the family rankings. Its many beaches alone explain this, which offer views of the fjord and ice cream as well as heaps of that holiday feeling. And the sailing camp! With exciting courses and a varied supporting programme, sailing fans of all ages can soak up the fun. On the other hand, you can wander through the Zoological Museum and, a little farther out, the Arche Warder, Europe's largest zoo for rare breeds of farm animals.