Legoland Germany: The Complete Guide
Discover how to make the most of your visit to Legoland in Germany, exploring all the attractions, best rides, and unforgettable experiences that await you.
Legoland Germany, officially known as Legoland Deutschland, is a Lego-themed amusement park in southern Germany focusing on families with kids and Lego enthusiasts.
It's located just outside the town of Gunzburg, in southern Germany.
For us, Legoland Germany was one of the most unexpected stops on our Bavaria road trip. But firstly, we want to say something about our Lego history.
In a nutshell, it's not that exciting as it's practically one of the most common stories. I played with Lego as a kid but gradually lost interest in it.
I only came out of the dark ages recently when I bought a few small sets to build for fun. Lucie never really got into Lego as a kid, but she now likes some of the adult-themed sets, like flowers, pictures, or Star Wars (okay, that's me).
As we were loosely making progress down the Romantic Road on our journey from Wurzburg to Fussen, we were given plenty of opportunities to make several detours.
Roughly around Rothenburg, we realized that Legoland Germany is located just about a 30-minute drive from Augsburg, one of the stops along this scenic route.
Our experiences with themed parks were pretty much nonexistent to this point, so we decided to give it a try and see whether this kind of thing was for us or not.
So, is everything awesome? Let's find out!
Visiting Legoland Germany Without Kids
We did quick research before our visit and found that you can visit Legoland Germany without kids.
We also read that the park is mostly focused on families, so we were still really not sure what to expect from it.
As the Legoland was practically on our planned route, we decided to give it a go.
After a short discussion that, we can simply leave earlier if it won't be our cup of tea.
So we booked the tickets the day before, and the next morning, we just simply pulled into the parking lot, grabbed our daypack, and headed for the entrance.
Here, we scanned our tickets and headed toward the first attraction.
Some say it's better to walk to the furthest point of the park or to visit the most popular ride as soon as possible to avoid the crowd, but we didn't find it like it was needed on this day.
We also downloaded the map from the official Legoland Germany website, which helped us navigate our way through the park easily.
Is There Enough to Do for Adults Without Kids
Well, that's one of those unknowns you can only solve after you actually visit the place in question.
Legoland is definitely a child-oriented park, and if Lego is not your thing or you're a seasoned amusement park veteran, then we would probably say you might quickly get bored there.
However, if you like Lego and don't visit amusement parks frequently, then we would say it has plenty to offer, even to adults.
Our case might be specific, though, as we don't visit amusement parks (Lucie was in Disneyland once a long time ago, though), so everything was a bit new for us.
Best Rides and Attractions
Legoland is all about fun. So here we share our favorite rides and attractions in Legoland. Keep in mind that the list is by no means complete.
We skipped some of the kid-oriented attractions, movies, rides, and also the Flying Ninjago, which looked like the last thing we would do in this life.
We both easily got motion sickness even on Nazca Lines or Galapagos Islands Cruise, so this was a big no.
Age and Height Restrictions
Before we dive into it, there's one important thing to consider when visiting with your kids. Each attraction within Legoland Germany has minimum height and age restrictions.
For instance, Mythica MAXIMUS rules were: minimum height/age for kids accompanied by an adult: 120 cm and six years and 130 cm and eight years when unaccompanied by an adult.
The maximum height was set to 200 cm. Make sure to check them in advance if you're visiting with kids of different ages so you can plan your day at the park right.
The Great Lego Race
We followed the good old advice: start slow and ease your way into it, which brought us to the rollercoaster known as the Great Lego Race. And also the fact that it's practically right next to the main entrance.
It's a classic wild mouse experience with several sharp turns and one pretty cool drop, although the ride itself is fairly short.
Luckily, we arrived early, and there was no line, so we seized the opportunity and did two or three additional rides.
Atlantis by Sea Life
The only place we had to wait for about 15 minutes was the Atlantis by Sea Life, but that was because they let you in only every 20 minutes or so.
Here, we got a chance to explore the sunken city of Atlantis with shipwrecks, submarines, sharks, rays, and tropical fish.
The highlight of Legoland's Atlantis is the eight-meter glass tunnel, which is really cool and allows you to see all the models and fish up close.
And that's probably our biggest gripe with it. We had no idea there was a regular aquarium, and seeing live fish in such a tiny space is really not our thing.
Replacing the real fish with Lego models would be definitely much cooler, in our opinion, but that's probably not going to happen.
Mythica MAXIMUS
Okay, Mythica MAXIMUS was easily our favorite ride in Legoland Germany. It's relatively timid and short, at least compared to some crazy rides we've seen in the US.
But we're not roller coaster enthusiasts with tons of experiences from similar rides, so we can only say that the two corkscrews had a great hang time and really got our hearts pumping.
The best part was that there wasn't a line of people waiting for this attraction as it was still so early in the season.
Mythica MAXIMUS is also what makes Legoland Deutschland a slightly better choice than Legoland Denmark for adults, but that's just our opinion.
Observation Tower
A rotating lift at the Observation Tower that dominates the park takes you up to 43 meters above the ground, giving you a 360-degree view of the whole area.
The view from the top was pretty cool, especially the Mythica MAXIMUS with the Legoland Castle in the background.
Some people prefer to visit the Observation Tower first because it gives you a good park overview.
We had a map on our phone, so we saved the Observation Tower for later.
Fire Dragon
Castles are one of Lego's signature sets, and you can explore one here.
Our main reason for coming here was the Fire Dragon, which is easily Legoland's best roller coaster.
Again, don't expect anything crazy, but it's not a slouch either, and some of the turns were quite sharp.
There was practically no waiting time, so we did two consecutive runs and continued to Lego Factory.
Lego Factory
Another must-see place we visited in Legoland was the Lego Factory.
There was a short movie about how bricks are produced, which was quite interesting, but the best part is that you can peek inside a small Lego factory to see how Lego is made.
Seeing the process, the injection molding machine, and the printing machine, followed by the assembly and packaging, was really awesome.
One of the coolest parts about the factory is that it has a store where you can buy tons of various Lego parts. We also received a small 4x2 yellow brick as a souvenir at the end of the tour.
Simply put, Lego Factory is a must-see for all adults and parents.
Miniland
Miniland is one of the signature attractions of every Legoland experience.
The German Legoland, consisting of 23 million retail Lego bricks (you've heard right), focuses on local towns, cities, and attractions and features Frankfurt's 'Mainhattan,' Berling on a 1:20 scale, Port of Hamburg, Swabian Countryside, or Neuschwanstein Castle.
One of the coolest Lego models in Miniland is the epic 5 x 4.5 meters Allianz Arena, a football stadium with 75,000 seats and home to Bayern Munich. That's not all.
There were also models of Venice, Netherlands, Switzerland, and five of the tallest skyscrapers in the world.
Not surprisingly, Miniland was one of the places we enjoyed the most, especially as the giant place is filled with countless details and scenes.
Legoland Store
We knew that the prices at the official Legoland Store were high, so we just went in with the intention of lurking and not shopping.
And also because we use it as a shelter during a couple of showers.
Well, it was hard to resist. You might be tempted to treat yourself when you see everything so neatly stored on the shelves, with no sets locked behind glass or damaged by scalpers.
That said, we still do believe it's better to resist the temptation and save money if you buy online back home.
Obviously, if you just need a souvenir, then that's a whole other story.
Opening Hours
Legoland Germany is typically open from 10 AM to 6 PM from mid-March until the beginning of November.
The park closes completely for a couple of months in winter (usually February and March) but remains open in December.
On top of that, each season has several closure days. Always make sure to check their reservation calendar before you go to avoid disappointment.
You get early access to the park if you're a Legoland hotel guest.
When to Go
As we mentioned earlier, Legoland Germany is open from March to November, though there are some exceptions.
We believe spring and autumn are the best times to visit Legoland Germany as you will avoid the summer crowds and have more time for rides and other attractions.
We did Legoland Germany in mid-April, and the weather was exactly what you would expect from a typical spring day.
There were a few downsides. It was really cold, so all the water attractions, like Captain Nick's Splash Battle, looked pretty uninviting.
Summer - July and August - is the ideal time to visit Legoland for those who prefer warm days with plenty of daylight and don't mind higher prices and longer waiting times.
Avoid Crowds
So, if you want to experience Legoland without crowds, we have some tips to share with you.
First, go in the off-season/shoulder season. The weather may not be ideal, but the park will definitely be less crowded.
We also recommend visiting Legoland on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds. Not surprisingly, weekends get busy even in the off-season.
Winter
If you happen to visit Germany in December, you can still visit Legoland.
Legoland WinterWonder is a special event that runs from the end of November to the beginning of January and allows you to experience the park even during the winter season.
There are a few extras during this time, like a giant illuminated Duplo tree, ice skating rink, laser show, Christmas parade, and tons of lights.
Outdoor attractions like Mythica MAXIMUS, the Temple X-pedition, or Ninjago The Ride remain open.
Entrance Fee
Okay, now the less fun part. The entrance fee to Legoland Germany is between €40 and €70 for adults, which is frankly a lot of money.
The ticket price is really high, even compared to places like Neuschwanstein. Even though we paid 'just' €44 per person as it was still off-season, this was easily the most expensive attraction we visited.
We traveled around Germany on a budget and were hesitant about whether it was worth spending so much money. We discussed it and eventually decided to give it a go.
Don't forget that the parking is not included in the ticket price.
Plus, it's a classic Legoland park, so be prepared that everything else, like food, drinks, photos (for instance, digital photos were like €30), lego sets, souvenirs, and accommodation, is also expensive.
You can purchase your tickets via the official website. If you prefer GetYourGuide or similar sites, they also have Legoland Tickets.
How Much Time Do I Need
Generally, we believe a full day in Legoland Germany, is more than enough for most visitors. Keep in mind that this is highly individual, and there are several important things you need to factor in.
Firstly, we went without kids, so everything was easier. We can imagine that you will really need a full day to get the most out of the park if you bring your kids along.
Secondly, we visited Legoland on a weekday in the off-season, only a few days after it opened for the season. There were few people yet, so the overall experience was very enjoyable.
Most importantly, we didn't have to wait in line for rides. And this is probably the most important thing you need to consider.
You can expect waiting times to be anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes in peak times, making your progress through the park much slower than you would expect.
Unfortunately, it could be even more on one of those crazy busy days, as waiting times of 45 minutes are not unheard of.
To give you an example, we did three consecutive Mythica MAXIMUS rides thanks to literally no waiting time. One ride takes roughly 80 seconds, and I would say that the whole three-ride experience didn't take more than 15 minutes.
On a busy day, this could very well be a two-hour thing, with most of the time standing in a line. Our tip is to download the official app to get updates on waiting times.
If you're pressed for time, approximately four to six hours should also be fine in Legoland Germany, though your visit might feel rushed, especially during the main season, which, as mentioned above, brings longer waiting times.
On the other hand, Legoland offers packages including accommodation and multi-day tickets, which are perfect for those who can't get enough of the adrenaline rides or just want to take things slowly.
Some say spending two or three days in Legoland is easy, especially if you have small kids, and we have to believe them.
What to Pack
Similar to our many recent trips - Ireland, Iceland, etc., we packed only essentials for our Germany road trip.
As our choice was limited, we wore our trusty travel pants, a down jacket, and runners while keeping our rain jacket in our daypack.
Note that you will most likely spend a full day in the park walking around, participating in activities, and doing rides, so make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
For outside summer months, make sure you have an extra layer or two and check the weather forecast so you know what sort of weather to pack for.
You could also leave some extra clothes in your car just in case. Just don't forget that you need to get a stamp on your hand at the turnstiles so you can re-enter the park later.
Water Rides
If you plan on doing water rides, make sure you pack some rain ponchos or a change of clothes unless you visit in summer or on a particularly hot day.
Even though it was really cold and we had only our trusty rain jackets, we decided to try the water slide by the end of our visit.
After waiting more than 15 minutes in a Jungle X-Pedition line, we were told there was a technical problem and the attraction was closed.
That probably saved us from being wet and miserable for the rest of our visit, though, as we didn't have any rain poncho with us.
Food and Drinks
Lastly, you are allowed to bring your own food and drink (you can also refill your water bottle there). It's a fairly big deal as it saves money but, most importantly, time.
Obviously, there are tons of places to eat and drink inside Legoland, so you can decide for yourself what works best for you.
Daypack
We brought our small daypack to keep our water bottle, snack, and an extra layer.
Don't forget that backpacks are not allowed at some attractions (Mythica MAXIMUS) and must be kept in designated bins before every ride.
Bring only essentials and keep your car keys, phone, etc. always with you.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
How to Get There
Legoland Deutschland is located in Bavaria, halfway between Munich and Stuttgart. The amusement park sits just off the A8 that connects both cities.
The nearest town of Gunzburg can be reached by train or bus, and there are three airports - Airport Memmingen, Stuttgart Airport, and Munich Airport - about 60-90 minutes from here.
Car
The easiest and most convenient way to get to Legoland Germany is by car. The park is close to the A8 (one of those famous German autobahns), so you can easily reach Legoland from all nearby cities.
It takes about 30 minutes to get there from Ulm, 90 minutes from Munich, 90 minutes from Stuttgart, and 40 minutes from Augsburg.
Train
There's a train to Gunzburg from Ulm and Stuttgart (there's one transfer when departing from Munich). For current timetables, check DB (Deutsche Bahn).
From Gunzburg train station, you can take a public bus 818A to Legoland.
Just make sure you buy the ticket to Legoland Park or Legoland Feriendorf so the bus ticket is included.
Rent a Car
We use Rentalcars.com, a reliable rental website that helps you compare prices, find the best car rental deals, and make reservations for your next trip.
Parking
Legoland Germany has a huge (and we mean really huge) on-site parking that is conveniently located right next to the main entrance.
It was fairly empty when we arrived, so we could easily park near the main entrance.
The only downside is that it's not free. The parking ticket at Legoland Germany cost €10 for a car at the time of our visit.
We bought it online in advance and scanned it at the barrier on the way out.
Where to Stay
Legoland Germany is one of the most visited attractions in Bavaria, so you can be sure there's no shortage of accommodation there. You are actually spoilt for choice, but that's not surprising.
Legoland Holiday Village
We'll start with the Legoland Holiday Village. It's the most convenient place to stay as it's only a short walk from the park.
The village is huge and boasts Ninjago Quarter, Pirate Island Hotel, Forest Adventure Lodge, or one of the three Legoland Castles. That's not all, though. The village also has pirate-themed camping barrels and its own large campsite if arriving by campervan.
Staying in the Legoland Village gets you the immersive experience of a family-friendly resort, but be prepared that it's a pretty expensive experience.
Hotels Near Legoland
The next option is the nearby town of Gunzburg. You will find nice, affordable hotels only a short drive from Legoland's entrance.
There are also two relatively large cities within a 30-minute drive from Legoland. Ulm is in the west, while Augsburg sits in the east.
We decided to stay in Augsburg as we wanted to explore this city later. You could also visit Legoland on a day trip from Munich or Stuttgart, where you'll find tons of hotels.
So here we compiled a quick list of the best hotels near Legoland Germany for every budget.
Gunzburg | Gunzburg City - If you're looking for an affordable hotel with chic decor, family rooms, tasty breakfast, excellent location, and free parking, Gunzburg City is a perfect choice.
Agusburg | ibis Augsburg Koenigsplatz - We stayed in this ibis hotel in Augsburg's city center. It has affordable rooms with functional design, private parking, and a great location.
Ulm | Henry's Sleeping - This modern hostel in Ulm's city center is perfect for budget travelers and backpackers. It has dormitories and private rooms, beds with lockers for your personal things, and a lounge to meet new people.
Munich | Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski - If you're looking for luxurious accommodation, Munich's Kempinski should be on your list. This 5-star hotel offers everything you need when away from home and much more.
Is Legoland Germany Worth Visiting?
Legoland Germany combines Lego, an amusement park, adrenaline attractions, and a family-friendly approach, and if that works for you, it's definitely worth seeing.
In fact, this is one of the top-rated attractions among families visiting Bavaria. Despite the fact it's geared toward families with smaller kids, we enjoyed Legoland even as adults without kids.
We found that attractions like Miniland, Factory, or Mythica MAXIMUS offer plenty of fun, even for adults or parents.
We must admit that a big reason we enjoyed this theme park was that there were not that many people around, so we didn't have to wait for the rides.
The only downside is that it's not a cheap day out, but we know that's pretty common with these types of places.
If you're a Lego fan, we went to Lego House in Denmark a few months later, and it was another great experience, so make sure to check this post to find even more inspiration.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
