Germany rewards slow travel. From Berlin’s layered history and vibrant neighborhoods to Hamburg’s harbor charm and Munich’s alpine gateway, this 90-day itinerary keeps costs low and spirits high. Expect world-class museums, sprawling parks, kid-approved science centers, and castles that look borrowed from storybooks.

Practical perks for budget travelers: Germany’s local and regional transport is excellent—consider the nationwide monthly Deutschlandticket for unlimited buses, trams, U/S-Bahn, and regional trains. Many museums offer free or low-cost Sundays, playgrounds abound, and bakeries are both delicious and affordable. Families can stretch euros with picnic lunches, lunch specials (Mittagsmenüs), and multi-ride transit passes.

Visa note: 90 days fits the standard Schengen allowance for many nationalities. If you’re exploring Germany’s new Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) for job seekers, this slow-stay plan clusters you in the biggest job markets—Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich—so you can balance sightseeing with weekday admin or interviews. Always confirm requirements with official sources before you travel.

Berlin

Germany’s capital is a living classroom—Cold War sites beside royal palaces, street art beside opera houses. It’s also one of Europe’s best cities for families: enormous parks, kid-focused museums, and affordable food from every corner of the world.

Where to stay (family-friendly neighborhoods): Prenzlauer Berg (playgrounds, cafés), Charlottenburg (quiet, near parks and palaces), or Schöneberg (central, residential). Search furnished flats or family rooms on VRBO Berlin or value hotels and aparthotels on Hotels.com Berlin.

Getting to Berlin: Fly into BER and compare fares on Omio (flights). For city and regional trains, use Omio (trains in Europe); local transit is included with a Deutschlandticket.

Days 1–7: Orientation, Icons, and Easy Wins

• Brandenburg Gate + Reichstag Dome (free, book ahead): Start at Pariser Platz and loop to the Reichstag’s glass dome for sweeping city views and a crash course in German democracy.
• Unter den Linden to Museum Island: Walk past Bebelplatz and the State Opera to the UNESCO-listed Museum Island. If you hit the first Sunday of the month, many museums offer free entry—reserve time slots in advance.
• Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Straße: An open-air site where kids can see preserved wall segments and a watchtower; moving, well signed, and free.
• Tiergarten and playgrounds: Stroll shaded paths to the giant playground near the Victory Column, then picnic.

Eat & drink (budget-friendly): Grab Turkish-German street food at Curry 36 (classic currywurst) or Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap (grilled veg-heavy döner). For breakfast and coffee, The Barn and Bonanza roast excellent beans; Zeit für Brot bakes cinnamon knots kids devour. Dinner ideas: Henne (crispy roast chicken), Burgermeister (under-the-bridge burgers), Nil (Sudanese falafel and peanut sauce). Expect €4–8 for street eats, €10–15 for mains at casual spots.

Days 8–14: Hands-On Museums and Neighborhood Markets

• Deutsches Technikmuseum + Science Center Spectrum: A full day of planes, trains, and experiments kids can push, pull, and light up. Family tickets are good value.
• Futurium (often free): Interactive exhibits about future living—great for older kids and teens.
• Tempelhofer Feld: A former airport turned giant park. Rent bikes, fly kites on old runways, and watch sunsets.
• Maybachufer Turkish Market (Tue/Fri): Snack on gözleme, fresh juices, and olives while musicians busk along the canal.

More bites: Markthalle Neun’s Street Food Thursday curates global flavors; Domberger Brot-Werk for sourdough; Five Elephant for cheesecake; Dong Xuan Center for Vietnamese canteen-style lunches.

Days 15–21: Animal Magic, Art, and Open-Air History

• Berlin Zoo & Aquarium: One of Europe’s largest; plan 3–4 hours. The adjacent Tiergarten is perfect for naps-in-strollers.
• East Side Gallery: The longest surviving stretch of wall is now a riverside art walk. Pair with a Spree promenade at sunset.
• Topography of Terror (free): Outdoor and indoor exhibits on Nazi terror institutions. Older kids/teens will grasp the context after the Wall Memorial.
• Charlottenburg Palace Gardens: Free to roam; bring scooters.

Days 22–33: Day Trips and Lakes (All on Regional Trains)

• Potsdam (30–45 min): Sanssouci Park’s palaces and fountains make an easy, beautiful day. S-Bahn and regional trains covered by a Deutschlandticket.
• Wannsee + Pfaueninsel: Swim in summer, ferry to Peacock Island for gentle forest walks (note seasonal schedules).
• Köpenick + Müggelsee: Old-town charm and Berlin’s largest lake for beaches and boat rentals.
• Spreewald (1–1.5 h): Punting through a maze of canals; pickles and quark dishes are local staples.

Berlin transport tips: A monthly Deutschlandticket is a bargain for families riding daily. Kids under 6 usually travel free; older children get discounts—check local rules. For occasional intercity trips, compare ICE saver fares on Omio (trains).

Travel to Hamburg: Morning train Berlin–Hamburg on ICE takes ~1 h 45 min; advance saver fares can run ~€18–39 per adult on Omio (trains). With a Deutschlandticket, use regional trains (about 3–3.5 h, no extra cost). Buses can be ~€9–20 via Omio (buses).

Hamburg

Hamburg marries maritime history with modern design—warehouse canals, the Elbphilharmonie’s wave-like roof, and parks threaded with streams. It’s compact, stroller-friendly, and full of kid-pleasers from model railways to zoo adventures.

Where to stay: Eimsbüttel (green, local), Winterhude (near the city park and lakes), or HafenCity for sleek, walkable convenience. Compare apartments on VRBO Hamburg and hotels on Hotels.com Hamburg.

Days 34–41: Harbor Icons and Park Days

• Speicherstadt + Miniatur Wunderland: The world’s largest model railway is mesmerizing for all ages; book ahead and budget 3–4 hours.
• Elbphilharmonie Plaza (free ticket): Ride the curving escalator to the viewing deck for harbor panoramas.
• Planten un Blomen: A botanical park with themed gardens, playgrounds, and summer water-light shows.
• Old Elbtunnel: Walk or cycle under the river from St. Pauli to the docks for skyline photos.

Eat & drink: Try a harbor-fresh Fischbrötchen (fish sandwich) at Brücke 10; Franzbrötchen (cinnamon pastry) at Kleine Konditorei; Public Coffee Roasters or elbgold for specialty coffee. Bullerei offers hearty lunches in a lively space; Oberhafen-Kantine serves North German classics in a historic crooked hut.

Days 42–48: Neighborhoods, Museums, and Sunday Rituals

• Alster Lakes: Rent paddleboats, stroll the Jungfernstieg, and watch sailors skim across the water.
• Hagenbeck Zoo: A leafy, old-world zoo; combine with the aquarium if weather turns.
• International Maritime Museum: Ship models, navigation tools, and an entire deck for kids to touch and try.
• Sunday Fischmarkt (very early): Go at dawn for music, produce, and market banter; nap afterward in Altonaer Balkon park.

More tastes: Nord Coast Coffee roasts and makes waffles; Peter Pane (burger chain) is reliable with kids; Café Paris is a Belle Époque beauty for breakfast if you time weekday specials.

Days 49–58: Easy Day Trips (All on Regional Trains)

• Lübeck (45–60 min): Brick Gothic spires and marzipan history—loop the old town and riverside.
• Lüneburg (30–40 min): Red-brick gables, salt-mine heritage, and cobblestone streets made for gentle wandering.
• Schwerin (1–1.5 h): A fairy-tale lakeside palace on an island; bring cameras and snacks.
• Stade (50–60 min): Half-timbered houses and a tranquil harbor town feel.

Hamburg transport tips: A Deutschlandticket covers S-/U-Bahn, buses, ferries (like the scenic HVV 62 to Finkenwerder), and regional trains—great value if you’re riding daily. For faster intercity legs, compare ICE fares on Omio (trains).

Travel to Munich: Hamburg–Munich by ICE is ~5.5–6 h; advance fares often €30–80 on Omio (trains). The regional-only route is very long—only choose it if you’re committed to the Deutschlandticket and break the trip with a stop (e.g., Nuremberg). Overnight and daytime buses are also available via Omio (buses).

Munich

Munich pairs baroque palaces and beer gardens with science museums and alpine day trips. It’s pricier than Berlin—plan more picnics—but parks, lakes, and family facilities make long stays easy.

Where to stay: Haidhausen (village feel, near Isar), Schwabing (near the English Garden), or Sendling (quieter, good transit). Check family apartments on VRBO Munich and hotels on Hotels.com Munich.

Days 59–66: Old Town, Gardens, and Science Days

• Marienplatz + Glockenspiel: Time the animated figures (late morning) and wander to the Frauenkirche and Viktualienmarkt for snack stalls.
• Deutsches Museum: One of the world’s great science museums—bridges, electricity, aeronautics, plus a dedicated kids’ area.
• English Garden: Watch river surfers at the Eisbachwelle, then head to the Chinese Tower beer garden (playground and pretzels).
• Hellabrunn Zoo: A “geo-zoo” laid out by continents, shady and spacious for strollers.

Eat & drink: Breakfast at Café Frischhut (Schmalznudel doughnuts) or Cotidiano. Coffee at Man Versus Machine or Mahlefitz. Budget comfort food: Steinheil 16 (big schnitzels), Bergwolf (currywurst and fries), and Giesinger Bräustüberl (local beer, hearty plates, family seating). At Viktualienmarkt, graze on soup, cheeses, and fruit for an inexpensive lunch.

Days 67–75: Palaces, Parks, and Play

• Nymphenburg Palace + Botanical Garden: Stroll the canals and swan-dotted park; small pavilions feel like secret castles.
• Olympiapark + BMW Welt/Museum: Climb the Olympic Hill for views, tour BMW’s shiny showroom, or visit the museum for design lovers.
• Allianz Arena (FC Bayern): Stadium tours delight little fans; pair with a playground stop in nearby Fröttmaning.
• Isar River meadows: Warm days mean pebbly beaches and picnic dinners.

Days 76–88: Alpine and Castle Day Trips (Regional Trains)

• Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau (via Füssen, ~2 h): Reserve castle entries early; views from Marienbrücke are the postcard moment.
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen (~1.5–2 h): Walk the Partnachklamm gorge (check safety/season), or take kids to the playgrounds around the Kurpark. The Zugspitze cable car is spectacular but pricey—choose a clear day.
• Starnberger See or Ammersee (30–60 min): Swim, rent pedal boats, and eat lakeside fish sandwiches.
• Nuremberg (~1–1.5 h): A fine old town, toy museum, and Kaiserburg castle.

Final Days 89–90: Revisit favorites, pick up souvenirs at local weekly markets, and enjoy a last picnic in the English Garden or along the Isar.

Munich transport tips: A Deutschlandticket covers all local transit and regional trains to the day-trip towns listed. If you need a fast ICE back to your departure city, price it on Omio (trains) and compare with buses on Omio (buses). For flights home from MUC, check Omio (flights).

Daily Budget and Money-Saving Tips

• Transit: The Deutschlandticket (~€49/month) is unbeatable for families riding often. It’s personal and generally non-transferable; kids under 6 typically ride free.
• Food: Breakfasts from bakeries (€3–6 per person). Street food and market lunches (€5–10). Cook dinners at your apartment a few nights per week—Aldi, Lidl, and REWE have ready-to-eat options.
• Museums: Target free or €1 Sundays (Berlin and Munich have excellent options) and combo/family tickets.
• Water and parks: Tap water is safe; carry bottles. Parks, lakes, and playgrounds are free and everywhere.

Intercity travel at a glance: Berlin–Hamburg ICE ~1 h 45 (from ~€18–39 if booked early); Hamburg–Munich ICE ~5.5–6 h (from ~€30–80). Search and book on Omio (trains); compare long-distance buses on Omio (buses). Flights into or out of Germany: Omio (flights).

This slow-travel Germany itinerary fills 90 days with parks, palaces, science, and seaside breezes while keeping costs sensible. With Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich as your bases—and regional trains as your chariot—you’ll see the country’s greatest hits at a family-friendly pace.