In a nutshell
- The Allgäu is one of Germany’s most popular vacation destinations — the scenery is unique, and a trip here is a seriously great way to unwind and disconnect from everyday life.
- Fantastic hiking routes, mountain lakes, and welcoming alpine huts make this region a dream for nature lovers of all levels.
- Traveling with kids? There’s no shortage of options — from adventure hiking trails and swimming spots to family-friendly resorts and playful nature trails.
- Christian and Jana are locals who know the Allgäu inside out. For our Heimatliebe series, they share their best Allgäu hidden gems — from top sights and secret spots to the best restaurants and places to stay.
Tips and Info for a Vacation in the Allgäu
Before we dive into our Allgäu insider tips, here are a few things to know before your vacation in the Allgäu.
Location
The Allgäu sits in southern Germany, spanning two states — Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
The Bavarian state capital Munich is about 130 kilometers away by car. From Ulm, it’s only 80 kilometers as the crow flies.
The popular vacation region of Lake Constance is just a short drive away. The largest city on the lake is Constance, about 100 kilometers from the Allgäu.
For mountain lovers, a side trip to the Bavarian Alps is absolutely worth it. The one-hour drive takes you through beautiful Austria and past the Zugspitze.
Hotel Tips
Here are our hotel recommendations in the Allgäu for every budget:
Interview with Locals: The Best Allgäu Hidden Gems
Our Experts
We’re Christian and Jana, hiking bloggers from the Allgäu.
In 2012, Jana moved to the Allgäu to be with Christian, and one of her first questions was “So what is there to do around here?” Christian’s very simple answer was “Hiking.”
And so we started exploring the Allgäu on foot. Christian, a native Allgäuer, rediscovered his home region in a whole new way.
Since 2015, we’ve been sharing our hiking experiences on our food-and-hiking blog A Tasty Hike. In our first hiking guide Bergtage für Familien – Allgäuer Wandererlebnisse für Groß und Klein we recommend many wonderful leisurely hikes for the whole family in the Allgäu.
Allgäu in 3 Words
Mountains, hiking, and Kässpatzen.
Why Go There
The Allgäu is simply incredibly diverse — you’re guaranteed to find the right activity for you. Into leisurely hiking? High-alpine sports? Or just unwinding at one of the many lakes? You’ll find it all here.
When should you visit? Honestly, it doesn’t matter. Stunning landscapes and countless activities are available year-round. And there’s always delicious food wherever you go.
What Makes the Allgäu Unique
Despite what skeptics might say: the Allgäu has the most delicious Kässpatzen of all! That alone is reason enough to come here. If you want the world’s best recipe, you’ll find it right here.
Sights and Attractions in the Allgäu
Must-Sees
We could of course mention Neuschwanstein Castle — it’s probably the most famous sight in the Allgäu. So we’ve checked that one off the list.
But there are plenty more highlights that may not be quite as well known, yet are every bit as spectacular.
The Breitachklamm gorge is perfect for an exciting family hike. You’ll encounter a spectacular natural spectacle — narrow paths, roaring waterfalls, and deep gorges. Seriously impressive stuff.
You also shouldn’t miss the Buchenegger Waterfalls. The trail up and down is already great, but standing at the base of the waterfall and feeling the sheer power of the falling water is an absolute highlight.
And here’s a real Allgäu hidden gem: a side trip to Alpe Sonnalp. The baked cheese from their own dairy is absolutely divine.
If you love hiking as much as we do, you’ll be in your element at Großer Alpsee. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, beautiful trails line up one after another. We’ve rounded up our five favorites on our blog.
What we love about the Alpsee is that it delivers in every season — and the food scene never disappoints either.
When It Rains
Rain doesn’t come all that often in the Allgäu, thankfully. Our hometown, Leutkirch im Allgäu in particular, has been repeatedly recognized as the city with the most sunshine hours in all of Germany.
And really, there’s no such thing as bad weather — only the wrong clothing, right?
But yes, it does rain occasionally, and hiking in the rain isn’t exactly fun. Fortunately, the Allgäu has a great selection of thermal spas that make for a perfect rainy-day outing.
We especially recommend:
With Kids
The Allgäu is a fantastic destination for families. There are great adventure hiking trails designed especially for kids, with play and learning stations along the way. Little ones can really let loose, discover tons of new things, and even pick up some knowledge about nature.
We especially recommend the forest adventure trail and the Scheidegger Waterfalls.
Another under-the-radar pick for kids is the Juwelenweg on the Breitenberg near Pfronten, featuring loads of stations and information boards. Kids learn about nature and the Allgäu in a playful way, while adults get to soak up the stunning scenery.
In Oberjoch, there’s also the family hotel Oberjoch Familux Resort, which is purpose-built for families. And back in Leutkirch, the Center Parcs Park Allgäu opened a few years ago — not only great playgrounds but also a fantastic adventure pool.
Book your stay at Center Parcs Park Allgäu
Allgäu in Winter
Winter is one of the best times to visit the Allgäu! Unlike much of the rest of Germany, the region usually gets heavy snowfall, meaning winter activities are virtually unlimited. If you’re traveling in December, everything is beautifully decked out for the holidays too.
Skiing or snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, winter hiking, epic snowball fights, or simply relaxing at a wellness hotel with a steaming hot tub surrounded by a stunning winter landscape — all of this is possible in the Allgäu.
For Relaxation
Anyone coming to the Allgäu purely to unwind will feel right at home at the Hotel Hubertus in Balderschwang. This spa hotel has everything a relaxation-seeker could want, and it’s beautifully situated. If you do feel the urge to hike or try other mountain activities, you can head out directly from the front door.
Best Viewpoints
There are many great vantage points in the Allgäu, but we especially recommend the Alpkönigblick! We’ve rarely experienced such an incredible panorama. From up here, you can see the entire Alpine foothills as well as the Allgäu High Alps. On a really clear day, you can even spot the Zugspitze and parts of the Austrian and Swiss Alps.
The hike to this viewpoint is short and easy. We also recommend stopping for a bite at Kling’s Hütte — there’s even a great children’s playground.
Best Photo Spot
This might sound a little surprising, but we’d send you to the Lecknertal valley in Vorarlberg. Yes, that’s technically already Austria — but from there you can hike back over to the German side and enjoy a phenomenal view of the Allgäu Alps and the Nagelfluh range.
Wildest Activity
If you’re into adventure, the Allgäu has plenty to offer — there’s no shortage of thrills here. How about a round of canyoning or a tandem paragliding flight? You’ll not only have a blast, but you’ll experience the beauty of the Allgäu’s landscape in a completely different way.
The wildest sport you can try here is probably Bubble Soccer. You can give it a go in Sonthofen near Kempten. If you haven’t tried it yet, you absolutely should — it’s an incredible amount of fun.
Best Event of the Year
Probably the most well-known event in the Allgäu is the Allgäuer Viehscheid in autumn — the time when cows are brought down from the Alpine pastures into the valley for winter. The festively decorated animals and the traditionally dressed farmers and herders are a wonderful sight.
For the Christmas season, we recommend the many beautiful Christmas markets — the one in Bad Hindelang is a particular favorite of ours. It’s very traditional and offers a wonderful selection of Allgäu crafts alongside a great range of local culinary specialties.
Food and Drink in the Allgäu
Culinary Specialty
Without a doubt: Kässpatzen (also known as Kässpätzle). The difference between Swabian Kässpätzle and traditional Allgäu Kässpatzen lies mainly in the shape of the dough — classic Allgäu Kässpatzen are smaller and rounder, which is why they’re often called Knöpfle. Swabian Kässpätzle tend to be more elongated.
Favorite Restaurants
Here’s a genuine Allgäu secret spot we haven’t mentioned anywhere else: near us there’s the Moosackerhof, which is pretty hard to find even with Google Maps. It’s out in the middle of nowhere and serves delicious, regional food. In summer, you can enjoy the sun on the outdoor terrace well into the evening.
We also highly recommend the Alpe Sonnhalde. The baked cheese is an absolute treat, and this cozy mountain hut with its hospitable owner is definitely an experience in itself.
Also well worth a visit is the Rössle, right next to Center Parcs Allgäu. It has a beautiful beer garden and seriously delicious food — our personal favorite is the Cordon Bleu. The meat comes exclusively from regional farms.
Best Ice Cream
The best ice cream in the area? Head to the Eiscafe Dolomiti in Kisslegg. But the little town is worth a visit for more than just the great ice cream — Kisslegg itself makes for a wonderful day trip.
Activities in the Allgäu
Swimming in the Allgäu
There are many great spots for swimming in the Allgäu. Even though you’re far from the ocean, there are plenty of beautiful lakes and ponds to choose from.
Our favorite swimming destination is the Eschacher Weiher — a sweet little pond very close to Kempten. The views are gorgeous, and on hot days it’s a wonderful place to cool off.
Another lesser-known spot for kids is the Eistobel near Isny. There’s no lake here, but there are great shallow swimming spots where kids can splash around to their hearts’ content and adults can take a refreshing dip.
Most Beautiful Hike
We can only pick one? That’s a tough call. Our absolute top hiking pick in the Allgäu is the tour to the Schrecksee — though it’s not for beginners. There’s a total of 900 meters of elevation gain on a very steep climb. If you feel up to the challenge, you’ll find the detailed trail description here.
Also great is the hike to the Sennalpen Derb and Oberberg. There’s a short steep section, but it’s really not long — and the view afterwards makes it more than worth it.
Most Beautiful Cycling Route
One area of the Allgäu that’s still relatively unknown and less visited is the Adelegg. That’s exactly what makes it a great place for cycling — away from the crowds and totally off the beaten path.
Where to Shop?
Even though the Allgäu is primarily known for its stunning nature, there are also charming towns well worth exploring. A popular destination for leisurely strolling is Kempten, right in the heart of the Allgäu. You’ll find great shops both big and small, a lovely town center, and of course plenty of highly recommended restaurants.
Where to Stay in the Allgäu
Special Hotels
Two great places to stay immediately come to mind: the Hotel Hubertus in Balderschwang and the Naturresort Haubers in Oberstaufen. Both offer an excellent base for hiking and activities in the Allgäu.
Book Hotel Hubertus in Balderschwang
Book Naturresort Haubers in Oberstaufen
For families, we recommend Center Parcs here in Leutkirch. There are cool indoor and outdoor playgrounds (open even to non-guests), restaurants, and a huge fun pool with a large wellness area. Ideal for a vacation with kids.
Book your stay at Center Parcs Park Allgäu
For more great wellness hotel recommendations: 12 Special Wellness Hotels in the Allgäu.
Best Base
This naturally depends on which part of the region you want to explore. As a fairly central base, we recommend the areas around Nesselwang and Immenstadt. There’s plenty to discover right on your doorstep, and you can quickly reach other corners of the Allgäu from either.
We strongly recommend arriving by car — the public transportation network unfortunately isn’t very well developed here.
