Those who spend the summer at home don't have to miss out on special vacation moments: Even as a day-trip destination, Munich Airport has adventures big and small in store - whether it's trying padel for the first time, a playful journey through the region in the visitors park, or, just a few kilometers away, a shaded forest adventure trail.
Long rallies, plenty of action, and lots of fun: During the Padel Days from August 15 to September 6, one of the world's hottest sports is coming to the airport for the first time. For three weeks, the Forum at the Munich Airport Center (MAC) will be transformed into a large event space featuring three padel courts, many visitors, and a daily program of sports and entertainment. Padel is a mix of tennis and squash; it's easy to learn and appeals to people of all ages and fitness levels - families with kids, groups of friends, and anyone who wants to try something new.
So how about picking up a racket right in the heart of the bustling airport, between the terminals, hitting balls against the glass walls of the courts, and creating vacation memories with your loved ones? Padel Days offers activities for all skill levels, including equipment and instruction.
During the week, the focus is on open play - anyone who wants to participate should reserve a slot in advance. No prior experience is required. On the weekends, special events will take place, such as the Munich City Championships on August 23 and the Bavarian Padel Championships on September 5 and 6. As part of a One Point Challenge on August 29, beginners will face top professionals in a direct knockout format - and every rally could lead to a surprise. A highlight for young players is a NextGen Tournament organized by the German Tennis Federation (DTB) on August 16: Here, young talents will have the opportunity to showcase their skills while being closely evaluated by DTB scouts.
The event kicks off on August 15 with an opening event featuring exhibition matches, celebrity guests, interactive challenges, music, and live entertainment. Event attendees can park at a discounted rate in the P20 parking garage.
Marvel at airplanes, travel through the region and around the world, even become a pilot yourself - all in a single afternoon: The Visitors Park at Munich Airport is much more than just a place for airplane enthusiasts. Even the visitor hill alone is enough to make children's eyes light up and stir a longing to travel - all without a plane ticket. From here, at a height of 28 meters, you can enjoy spectacular views of the runways as large long-haul jets and smaller aircraft take off or begin their approach for landing.
Just a few steps away, the diverse adventure playground is waiting to be explored. Among climbing structures, slides and an airplane they can climb into and play in, children embark on a journey of discovery across different continents. Here, they swing, balance, and fly - there are no limits to their imagination. Afterward, the whole family can head to the newly redesigned 18-hole mini-golf course. The courses now not only invite players to sink a hole, but also tell exciting stories about the airport and its surrounding area - featuring information and photos of places, initiatives, and projects. This turns every round into a playful journey through the airport region. Tickets are available at Tante Ju's Speisenwerkstatt, the family restaurant with a beer garden.
The Family & Kids Tours are also a real highlight of any vacation. After a quick security check, the bus drives directly onto the apron - an area normally reserved for airport staff. Families get to see airplanes, special vehicles, and apron operations at an international hub up close - all explained in a way tha's easy for young airport fans to understand. The tours start at the Visitors Park shop and last about an hour.
Sometimes it doesn't take much to make a summer vacation day special: some exercise in the fresh air, sturdy shoes, a little curiosity - and a shady forest full of exciting discoveries. On the Forest Adventure Trail in the Freising Forest, just a 20-minute drive from the airport, families can take a deep breath, experience nature with all their senses, and learn more about the local forest in a playful way.
Along the roughly two-kilometer-long loop trail, you'll find numerous interactive stations, informational signs, and plenty of lightbulb moments. How does the bark of different trees feel? How can you tell the different tree species apart? And what animals live in the forest? With a total of ten themed stations and 16 tree species stations, the walk becomes a varied journey of discovery where children learn through play and adults see the forest with new eyes.
The fact that the Forest Adventure Trail offers such a wide variety of nature experiences and unforgettable moments in the great outdoors is also thanks to the long-standing support of Munich Airport: For over 15 years, the airport has been committed to the project and has, among other things, made it possible to expand the trail with new stations dedicated to tree species.
