Promotional material of one of the farmsteads for tourists in Germany
Today this place, with many animals, a magical forest where a stream flows, invites tourists to relax. In the large knight's castle and the giant sandbox, children can have a great time, while hiking and nature lovers can enjoy the idyllic landscape.
Tourist farmsteads like this are very popular with German families. According to Deutschland.de, about 5 million people annually spend their holidays there. The trend is growing – today there are over 500,000 such farmsteads in Germany! The offerings are diverse: from farmsteads where you can go horseback riding or simply pick fruit, to organic farms and wineries.
All participants benefit. Guests, especially children, get to know nature and relax here. Farmers replenish their coffers and possibly get some help with farm management.
Many farmsteads offer charming surroundings and sometimes a rich history. Literature lovers, for example, are drawn to the cultural farmstead "Villershausen Estate" in Herleshausen, Hesse. There, it is said, Friedrich Schiller found inspiration for his drama "The Robbers." The water-surrounded fortress dates back to the 13th century, and the old manor house was first mentioned in writing in 1591. Today, alongside agricultural and forestry operations, there is a golf course, a cultural forum, and apartments for tourists.
In a survey conducted among children by the publishing house Deutscher Landschriftenverlag in 2014, the most popular tourist farmstead in Germany turned out to be the "Geigerhof" in Benediktbeuern, Bavaria. This farmstead offers families with children not only a full range of play and adventure opportunities against the backdrop of picturesque Upper Bavaria, but also has everything families with small children need: strollers, baby monitors, or bottle warmers.
Those who do not want to decide on a specific farmstead can, incidentally, travel from one farmstead to another in a camper van. By purchasing the guide "Landvergnügen," you also get a vignette that allows you to park your vehicle overnight at nearly 250 locations across Germany: from farmsteads and wineries to ostrich farms.