Inn-Salzach Travel Tips: Insider Advice from Two Locals

Tips and Info for a Vacation in the Inn-Salzach Region

Before we get to our interview, here’s the most important info you need before heading to the Inn-Salzach region.

Location

The Inn-Salzach pre-Alpine region sits in the southeast of Bavaria, more specifically in Upper Bavaria.

The Bavarian state capital Munich is about an hour’s drive away. Augsburg is less than two hours away.

Austria is also just around the corner. A drive to Salzburg, for example, takes only about an hour and a half.

Our Hotel Recommendations

Our hotel picks for the Inn-Salzach region, for every budget:

Interview with Two Locals: The Best Insider Tips for the Inn-Salzach Region

Our Experts

We’re Kathrin and Dominik from the travel blog Vacaymood. For more than five years, we’ve been traveling the world together — though not full-time, since we both work for an industrial company.

Our most memorable trips have been to Africa and Australia. We usually choose our destinations with an eye toward impressive nature experiences and great food.

We also love it right at home, in the Inn-Salzach region — because there’s seriously no shortage of great things to do here either.

Inn-Salzach in Three Words

Gentle cycling tourism – regional pre-Alpine cuisine – great weather

Well, almost three words…

Why Go There!

The Inn-Salzach region is all about low-key tourism away from the crowds, reliably good weather during the Bavarian summer, and a varied mix of nature and culture — plus excellently maintained cycling paths. And that’s just the start of what makes this corner of Bavaria so special.

Tucked between the two idyllic Alpine rivers Inn and Salzach, the region is also known for its regional, incredibly delicious pre-Alpine cuisine.

What Makes Inn-Salzach Unique

This region has some real standout highlights. Believers from around the world visit the famous spiritual site of Altötting with its Black Madonna, which draws around one million pilgrims and Marian faithful every year.

Marktl am Inn also pulls in many visitors as the birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI.

Just a few kilometers further, you’ll find the longest castle in the world in the historic Salzach town of Burghausen, perched on a hill above the old quarter with its picturesque main square.

Let a historically costumed guide take you through the over one-kilometer-long castle and explore the moats, torture chambers, and grand banquet halls. Or take in the panorama from the castle walls over the emerald-green Wöhrsee — where you can actually go swimming too.

Things to See and Do in Inn-Salzach

Must-Sees

Beyond the highlights already mentioned, there’s plenty more to discover in the region.

Feel the history of the oldest Cistercian monastery in Old Bavaria at Raitenhaslach, or zoom through the forests in Oberreith on a Flying Fox at the recreation park.

In summer, don’t miss the by-now legendary open-air concerts at Schloss Tüssling, set against a stunning historic backdrop, where world-class acts take the stage one after another.

Most Beautiful Hike

Starting from Marktl, follow the Inn River along the Innleite and Dachlwand. After a short but challenging climb, you’ll pass the Bärenhöhle (Bear Cave) and reach the Leonberger Aussicht viewpoint — where the castle of the Counts of Leonberg stood from the 12th to the 15th century.

Nothing remains of the castle, as it collapsed into the Inn River below. After that little detour into history, head to the Leonberger Biergarten, where Bavarian classics are waiting for you.

Most Beautiful Town

Honestly, we’d recommend three towns.

The three Mediterranean-style Inn-Salzach towns of Burghausen, Neuötting, and Mühldorf — with their wonderful main squares and characteristic Inn-Salzach architecture — are real gems between the two rivers.

Narrow merchants’ houses line up side by side, their colorful facades and arcades framing all kinds of shops below.

On Rainy Days

Rainy weather on vacation is never fun, but if it happens here, it really isn’t a big deal.

Head to the indoor climbing gym in Oberreith, enjoy the new indoor pool and sauna area in Burghausen, or try your hand at the forge at the Hammerschmiede.

Beer brewing courses, bread baking, and yodeling lessons are also great alternatives when the weather turns. And if you’re after something a bit more intense, the Torture Museum at Burghausen Castle is genuinely fascinating.

With Kids

The Inn-Salzach region is seriously fun for children. The Wildfreizeitpark in Oberreith will make little ones’ hearts race — it’s not just rabbits and hedgehogs here, but goats, sheep, pigs, horses, deer, birds of prey, and much more.

For a bit more action, there’s the Waldseilgarten high ropes course and a 400-meter-long Flying Fox.

The region’s cycling network also offers countless family-friendly tours for every age. Enjoy the magic of the Inn on a ride from Wasserburg to Gars, or learn something new on one of the many nature trails or adventure farms.

And for something truly adorable: book a guided alpaca hike.

Inn-Salzach in Winter

Almost every small town here has its own Christmas market during Advent. The really special ones, though, are the Altötting Christmas Market on Kapellplatz, the romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Tüssling, and above all the Forest Christmas Market in Halsbach.

When it’s snowing, this last one is simply unmatched for holiday atmosphere.

At the tail end of winter, when things start to warm up again, the International Burghausen Jazz Week traditionally takes place — a great reason to plan a late-winter visit.

Best Viewpoints

Three spots come to mind right away.

From the Marktler Aussicht viewpoint, you look out over the Marktler Badesee and the Inn River. On a clear day, you can even see the Alps in the background.

For the second vantage point, you’ll need to cross the Salzach into Austria. From Hochburg-Ach, you get the best view of Burghausen Castle with the old town and the Salzach River below — an incredible backdrop.

The view from the Haager Schlossturm is also stunning. From up here, you look out over the pre-Alpine panorama of the Chiemgau. The tower is also one of the best spots in the area for photographing kestrels.

Best Photo Spots

Burghausen Castle with the Wöhrsee looks great in photos no matter the weather.

The sunset from the Marktler Aussicht viewpoint is also not to be missed. But see for yourself:

Coolest Activities (Besides Hiking)

Why not try a guided river tour on the Inn and Salzach with a Big-SUP for ten people? We only discovered this recently and it’s an absolute blast.

What really sets the region apart, though, is cycling. Inn-Salzach is Germany’s youngest cycling travel region and has been recognized by the ADFC for its 1,500 km of bike paths and 24 fantastic themed tours. Cozy beer gardens, great places to stay, and friendly locals are all part of the deal.

Food and Drink in the Inn-Salzach Region

Culinary Specialty

Something you’ll find at virtually every pub in the area is the Teufelstoast. Just ask for it and let yourself be surprised. Beyond that, simply make your way through the delicious pre-Alpine cuisine — you really can’t go wrong.

Favorite Restaurants

Top of the list is Huberwirt in Pleiskirchen — family-owned for over 400 years and awarded a Michelin star in recent years. Absolutely worth a visit.

You should also make time for the beer garden and brewery tap of Brauerei Ametsbichler in Aschau am Inn. Try the Bavarian Brotzeit platter and book a brewery tour while you’re at it.

At Gasthof Raspl in Unterneukirchen, the food never disappoints. A great selection of quality steaks and fresh salads, plus seriously good desserts — it’s a reliable favorite.

Where to Stay in the Inn-Salzach Region

Best Base for a Vacation

We’d start by looking in Burghausen, Altötting, or Mühldorf. From any of these, the sights described above are within easy reach and you’re well-positioned without being too far off the beaten path.

Favorite Hotel

The Traumschmiede in Unterneukirchen. The hotel is part of the Gasthof Raspl mentioned above — and the same great quality and attractive design from the restaurant carry right over into the rooms.