One Day in Merano with Kids – Summer Edition

Are you trying to figure out how to spend your summer day in Merano as a family? There are so many things you could do with your kids in Merano that it’s worth staying for more than a day, but if that’s all you’ve got, let’s make the best of it!

I’m a mamma of three and we live in central Italy (Tuscany), but we are in the Dolomites every year (it’s my favorite place, and my kids love it too!). We have our go-to spots in the Dolomites, but we also enjoy checking out new places. Merano is somewhere we come back to because it’s full of kid-friendly activities, it’s gorgeous, and it’s easy to get to.

Don’t wander around Merano, wasting time. Check out our one-day itinerary for a realistic (but full) and fun day in Merano (Meran in German). I’ve included a Google Map at the end.

Andiamo – Let’s go!

Table of Contents

Why You Should Visit Merano in Summer with Kids

Some of the things we appreciate most about our visits to Merano:

Merano always seems to be full of plenty of other families.

There are tons of kids activities in and around town (cycling, easy walking paths, little fountains, the Alpin Bob at Merano 2000).

Merano’s thermal baths have a kid-friendly outdoor area that suits all ages of kids, from babies to teens.

Merano has a walkable pedestrian center.

There are a few playgrounds in the center of town.

The area’s walking paths are beautiful, interesting, and manageable for the entire family (little kids can walk on them or you can push them in a stroller).

Why Skip a Visit to Merano in the Summer with Kids

You’re set on visiting the Dolomites and staying in the mountains. Merano is surrounded by beautiful mountains but it’s in a valley.

Summer days in Merano can be very hot! If you or your kids don’t do well in the heat, you may want to head higher into the mountains or escape to a lake or the sea.

Check out the Best Places to Visit in Italy with Kids

Itinerary – One Day in Merano with Kids

1. Arrive in Merano. If you’re driving, park in the St. Josef parking garage. It’s clean, has video surveillance, is very close to the center of Merano, and it’s much cheaper than nearby alternatives (like the Merano thermal bath parking garage). Leave the parking garage and walk to the pedestrian center of Merano.

Boy looks out at river in Merano, Italy. Green trees and buildings on other side of the river. Mountains in background and sky is blue with puffy, white clouds. — *Checking out the river on our stroll from the parking garage to the pedestrian center*

2. Visit a playground. Elisabeth Park is on short walk into the center, and the Kurhaus Playground is in the center. If it’s already hot, remove your shoes and dip your toes in or walk around the Kneipp Path next to the Kurhaus Playground. There are also little fountains that squirt up from the ground across the river at near the entrance to the Terme di Merano, and they’re perfect for little kids who want to get wet and cool off a bit. Good To Know: There’s a public toilet behind/below the slide at the Kurhaus Playground.

Children's playground in Merano, Italy. Children play on a disc swing, there are other toys like a metal slide, regular swings, and a funny seat. Parents sit on benches. — *Kurhaus Playground*

3. Stroll the Via Portici and check out the shops. Stop in at one of the Sportler shops if you need outdoor gear, visit a toy shop, or stop for a snack at one of the bakeries. Tyrolia is a fun shop with small toys, trinkets, and gifts for kids to explore (but heads up that it’s narrow and may not be best for toddler-age kids). Edelweiss has traditional clothing in kids’ sizes.

4. Grab a snack or picnic supplies at the EUROSPAR grocery store (on Via Portici) and walk to the Animal Garden on the Gilf Promenade.

Boy walks on path. To his left are ferns and two sculptures made from plants - an Atlas holding the globe on his shoulders an da woodpecker. This is in Merano, Italy's animal garden. — *My son checks out the Animal Garden on our walk*

5. For lunch, either have a small picnic on the Gilf Promenade (there are benches along the walk) or head back to the center and have lunch at Forsterbräu Meran. It’s casual, has plenty of space indoors and outdoors, serves typical dishes, and there’s even a kids menu. Or, for a quick lunch, grab hot dogs or sausages at the stand by Ponte della Posta. My boys love these, and you can sit on benches right on the river or cross the river and sit on the grassy Passer Terrace right on the river. If you have a picnic on the Gilf Promenade, stop for gelato at Caffé Wandelhalle. There’s a tiny play area with sand and buckets/shovels at the base of the large tree in front and there are a few balance bikes available. But keep an eye on little ones, as the fence between the café/walkway and the river is easy to squeeze through.

Good To Know: If you love gelato, head to our favorite gelateria in town – Sabine (near the Terme Merano). You could also go here on your walk to the car at the end of the day (it’s kind of between town and the St. Josef parking garage). There’s no indoor seating but there are a couple of benches outside the shop.

6. In the afternoon, choose to play and swim at the Terme Merano (it’s very kid-friendly and full of families in the enormous outdoor section), head up to Merano 2000 (hiking, a fantastic outdoor playground, and the Alpin Bob!), or explore the incredible (and kid-friendly!) Trauttmansdorff Gardens. The most convenient to town is the Terme Merano (it’s in the center), but you can easily reach Merano 2000 and the Trauttmansdorff Gardens by a direct bus in under 20 minutes. Each of these places has an option or two for a light meal at the end of the day.

Good To Know: You could easily spend an entire day at any of the afternoon options (the Terme, Merano 2000, or Trauttmansdorff Gardens). If you have more time to spend in the area, they’re all worth visiting! When I ask my kids which is their favorite, there’s no clear winner – they love spending time in each place.

Two boys stand outside in front of swimming pools and grassy areas at the Terme Merano in northern Italy. The grassy area also has trees. — *My boys in the outdoor area of the Terme Merano*

7. Arrivederci! Head back to your car and drive safely to your next destination. Or settle in at a hotel or apartment in or around Merano. Check out my recommendations for Where to Stay in and Around Merano with Kids.

But What if It Rains?

Don’t fret! If you catch a rainy day in Merano (we have plenty of times), some of the best options are:

Spend time at the Terme Merano in the indoor pools. They’re warm but not hot, so kids can go in them too.
Explore the Via Portici (walk under the porticoes to stay out of the rain) and check out the shops.
Visit the Trauttmansdorff Gardens. True, they aren’t covered, but if you have an umbrella or rain jacket, you’ll be fine. There are some covered places to sit, plus there are indoor exhibits scattered throughout the gardens. And, you can head into the castle and play the world’s largest pinball machine!
Go to the cinema. Merano has a movie theater in the center and although the films are almost always in German and Italian, it could still be fun to eat popcorn and watch a cartoon!

What to Pack for Your Day in Merano with Your Family

Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc.
Rainjackets if the forecast shows rain.
Swimsuits if you’re heading to the Terme. There’s a shop inside that sells suits, toys, towels, etc. You can also rent towels.
A stroller or baby carrier if you have a baby or small child and want to explore Merano’s walking paths and promenades.
Comfortable shoes for all of the walking you’ll be doing! Read my guides to Choosing Kids Shoes for Italy and The Best Shoes for Italy.
A change of clothing if your kids want to play in the little fountains in the piazza in front of the Terme.

Good To Know: Merano has plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, etc, but if your kids have a favorite snack, feel free to bring it with you.

I hope you enjoy your day in Merano with your family!

You may want to check out
Cycling the Merano to Bolzano Bike Path with Kids
Dolomites with Kids
Italy Packing List for Kids
Italy with a Baby or Toddler

Map of One Day in Merano with Kids

Candice Criscione

Candice, a mamma of three, is an Italy trip planner and travel guide who has been living, traveling, and working in Italy for over two decades. She uses her extensive experience in Italy to help travelers plan their first (or tenth!) trip to bella Italia. She lives in Tuscany with her husband and three boys and when she’s not writing for Mom in Italy or The Tuscan Mom, you can find her cycling the Tuscan hills and exploring Italy with her boys!