Anyone coming to Memmingen in the Allgäu for the first time is usually surprised at how colourful the old town is. Gates, towers, house facades and old craftsmen’s quarters present themselves to visitors in all kinds of colours. You can explore Memmingen on various city tours, such as the “Red Route” to the most important sights or the “Green Route” to the most beautiful green corners of the city. An adventure rally and free handcart hire are available for families with children. A cultural highlight of our Allgäu round trip is the MEWO art gallery with its impressive modern art. For an absolute contrast, visit the Swabian Farm Museum in Illerbeuren. As one of the oldest open-air museums in Germany, it provides an exciting insight into the building history of the region between the 17th and 20th centuries.
On a leisurely stroll through the historic old town of Memmingen, all alleys lead here: to Memmingen’s market square. As there is always something going on here, the central square is often referred to as the town’s “parlour”. One of the most important questions for visitors is: When is the market in Memmingen? The popular weekly market, whose tradition dates back to 1286, takes place every Tuesday and Saturday. Here you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, sausage and cheese, poultry or fish at numerous stalls – in short, everything your heart desires. The town’s landmark is also located on the market square: St Martin’s Church. On a guided tour of the tower, you can climb the 65 steps of the church tower, enjoy the fantastic view over the town and the Allgäu and learn exciting facts about the history of the tower.
Memmingen’s market square is home to the town’s most beautiful historical buildings. An absolute eye-catcher and popular photo motif for tourists is the elaborately designed Memmingen wheelhouse. The medieval administrative building dates back to the 15th century and housed various offices such as the Privy Council or the town’s financial administration until 1805. This tradition is still continued today, as the city’s social welfare office is based here. There is also a shop and a pub on the ground floor. Particularly worth seeing on the historic building are the façade with a 19th century view of the city, the four-storey mint tower and the arcade with round arches.
Together with the wheelhouse, Memmingen’s town hall forms an architectural ensemble worth seeing on the town’s market square. Where a medieval council chamber in half-timbered style stood until the end of the 16th century, a multi-storey Renaissance building was erected, which is still a landmark of the town today. The time-honoured town hall with its imposing façade is particularly popular in the afternoon due to the special light. Due to its unique atmosphere, the town hall is particularly popular with locals for wedding ceremonies. Extra tip: A visit is also worthwhile in the dark, as the Memmingen town hall is then spectacularly illuminated.
A stop in Kempten im Allgäu should not be missed on a short trip through the Allgäu. In addition to the impressive St Lawrence Basilica, you will find other Kempten sights such as the Kornhaus, the Zumsteinhaus and the Serrohäuser on the central market square. The name Hildegardplatz goes back to the many different fountains that have stood here over the centuries – such as the Hildegard fountain, which was located here in the 19th century in memory of the church’s founder. The weekly market in Kempten, which takes place on Hildegardplatz every Wednesday and Saturday, is also well worth a visit. Another architectural eye-catcher in the city is located nearby: the Bigbox Kempten. At first glance, the multifunctional event hall really does look like a big box.
You can experience how the princes lived in the Allgäu in the 17th century at the Princely Residence in Kempten. The imposing building was once the first church building in Germany and was erected after the Thirty Years’ War. The residence included a monastery, the collegiate church of St Lorenz and the prince abbot’s chambers. These magnificent rooms can still be visited today. A little warning: as great care is taken to preserve the princely residence, all visitors must wear felt slippers to protect the floor.
Around 50 kilometres from Kempten, just before the Austrian border, you can marvel at the power of water. The Scheidegg waterfalls plunge impressively over several steps more than 40 metres into the depths. In one of the largest nature reserves in the Lindau region, you can also visit the Rohrach Gorge, which is up to 200 metres deep and is home to many rare plants and animals. The best way to explore the geotope of the Scheidegg waterfalls is on a hike along one of the circular trails with their many beautiful viewpoints. Extra tip for families: the water playground, the fairytale forest with interactive radio play and the geological adventure trail are also great fun for young visitors.
The picturesque spa town of Oberstaufen is an absolute must on our Allgäu Route. In addition to sights such as the parish church of St Peter and Paul, the Gothic chapel of St Bartholomew and the show dairy with its own cheese school, the village of Oberstaufen offers numerous opportunities for shopping and eating out. The village is also a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. You can ski and snowboard to your heart’s content in the Steibis ski area. For children, there is a children’s ski area near the mountain station with a magic carpet, ski carousel and conveyor belt. Those who prefer to explore the snow without skis can explore the snow-covered landscape on a winter hike or whizz down the natural toboggan run on a sledge. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the Allgäu mountain landscape from the many mountain huts with their inviting sun terraces.
The Alpsee Coaster summer toboggan run near Immenstadt in the Allgäu is a great experience for the whole family. On Germany’s longest year-round toboggan run, you can hurtle down almost 3,000 metres into the valley at speeds of up to 40 km/h. With more than 100 bends, you can ride through picturesque mountain meadows and woodland for between six and ten minutes. A chairlift takes you comfortably to the top. And if you want to take a break after such a speedy ride, you can stop off at one of the restaurants down in the valley or at the top with a view of the Alpsee mountains.
If you are looking for some peace and quiet after a speedy ride on the Alpsee Coaster, you can relax nearby at the Großer Alpsee in Immenstadt. The largest natural lake in the Allgäu is in an idyllic location surrounded by Allgäu meadows and is perfect for a swim or a walk. The Großer Alpsee is particularly popular with families with children, as the little ones can splash around in the shallow water without any worries. The lake also has plenty to offer water sports enthusiasts – from surfing and kitesurfing to sailing, everything is possible here. The perfect place to simply relax and take in the beautiful panorama.
Near Sonthofen, you will find a gorge that delights numerous visitors every day with its unique natural spectacle. In the Starzlachklamm gorge in Sonthofen, the Starzlach river plunges into the depths in several waterfalls. Rockfalls and kettle-shaped water mills make the spectacle particularly worth seeing. If you look closely, you can discover fossils and nummulites in the rock faces. You can also go on hikes and mountain bike tours from the Starzlachklamm car park. Stand-up paddling is also possible here. On your short break in the Allgäu, you can also visit the nearby towns of Immenstadt and Sonthofen with their numerous leisure activities.
The Breitachklamm gorge in Oberstdorf is a very special attraction in the Allgäu. At 150 metres, it is not only the deepest gorge in the Bavarian Alps, but also in the whole of Central Europe. And a visit to the Oberstdorf gorge really is an experience. A narrow path leads uphill and downhill along the roaring Breitach river and imposing cliffs. The thundering water creates a fine mist of water between the rocks, reflecting the light in a fascinating way. The Breitachklamm gorge hike leads from Oberstdorf Tiefenbach to the nearby Kleinwalsertal valley. Extra tip: The Breitachklamm gorge in winter is a unique experience. Instead of thundering masses of water, you can marvel at a true fairytale landscape of snow and ice. Sparkling icicles of all sizes as well as ice curtains and other bizarre shapes of frozen water await you.
On a short trip through the Allgäu, a visit to the southernmost municipality in Germany is an absolute must. Oberstdorf is known as a climatic health resort and winter sports mecca. The 2.4 million tourists who visit the town every year not only admire the picturesque Alpine-style houses with views of the Alps. Oberstdorf is also the ideal starting point for hikers, mountaineers and skiers. The Oberstdorf ski areas on the Söllereck, Fellhorn and Nebelhorn in particular, as well as the popular cross-country ski trails, attract numerous visitors in the winter months. A highlight of the year is of course the opening competition of the Four Hills Tournament, which is traditionally held in Oberstdorf.
Oberstdorf’s Spa Park is not just a place worth visiting for spa guests from all over the world. The idyllic park with its well-tended green areas and cosy seating invites you to unwind and enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains. If you need a little more entertainment, you can do a bit of sport on the boules court and in the Fugger Aktiv Park. Younger visitors are also guaranteed not to get bored with the large playground and the Oberstdorf market train. Events are also organised here throughout the year, such as the “Culture in the Park” event with live music and delicious culinary offerings.
Although this excursion destination has long since ceased to be one of the Allgäu’s insider tips, it is no less worth seeing. You can reach the 2,224 metre-high summit of the Nebelhorn either on foot, e.g. via the popular Hindelanger via ferrata. Or you can take the Nebelhornbahn, the highest cable car in the Allgäu, from Oberstdorf. Once at the top, you can marvel at the famous view over the 400 peaks of the Alps. There is a lot going on on the Nebelhorn, especially in winter. The ski area boasts three gondola lifts, two chairlifts, a T-bar lift and the longest valley run in Germany.
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