In Isny im Allgäu, the choices range from historic cultural sites to seasonal winter sports. The former Benedictine monastery, Isny Castle, houses the Friedrich Hechelmann Art Gallery, the Isny City Museum and the Municipal Gallery. Other attractions include sections of the city wall that visitors can walk along, as well as around 40 kilometers of officially designated cross-country ski trails. This gives you a range of options when planning your visit: city history, independent exploration or exercise in the snow.

Culture and City History in Isny

The former Benedictine monastery, Isny Castle, is home to three named cultural venues: the Friedrich Hechelmann Art Gallery, the Isny City Museum and the Municipal Gallery. Other historic buildings and collections also offer insight into the city’s nearly thousand-year history. These include the Preacher’s Library, the city wall, towers, gates, patrician houses, churches and the castle.

You can see a specific feature of the city wall along the Lower City Wall: the rampart walk is accessible in parts, and original arrow slits have been preserved. If you prefer to find your own way around, you can use the free Lauschtour app. It leads through the city’s history and nearby nature along the Isny Oval, letting you explore Isny independently.

Cross-Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing and Sledding

Isny offers a range of options for cross-country skiing. The network includes around 40 kilometers of officially designated trails. Additional routes in and around Isny add around 30 kilometers. These are approximate figures; trail lengths and grooming are seasonal and may change. The Volksbank Allgäu-Oberschwaben eG Cross-Country Ski Stadium has sprint and competition courses. Snowmaking and floodlights make it possible to train there even when there is little snow and after dark. Snow and lighting conditions may vary.

At the Felderhalde ski area, there is a 300-meter descent where beginners can practice the snowplow and parallel turns. Another winter option is the Max-Wild-Arena, with its sledding and toboggan run. The activities differ: cross-country skiing on the trails, downhill practice at Felderhalde, or sledding and tobogganing at the arena. These facilities are seasonal, so check current operating conditions before visiting.

A Market Visit for a Culinary Touch

Isny’s weekly market offers meals and snacks such as Indian curry, bratwurst, Leberkäse rolls and fish sandwiches, along with sweet and savory baked goods. The food on offer from individual vendors may change. The market adds a range of food options to the cultural and sporting activities, without requiring any particular focus for your stay.

More to Explore in the Broader Ravensburg Destination

In the broader Ravensburg destination, the Humpis Quarter Museum offers its own focus on cultural history. It opened in July 2009, and its permanent exhibition spans five buildings in a late-medieval residential quarter. Regular public tours and individually bookable tours are available for school groups, children and adults. Booking details may change, so it is worth checking before planning a visit.

Also in the broader Ravensburg destination is Achberg Castle, the county’s cultural center. It sits high above the Argental valley and showcases Baroque architecture. The circular hiking trails starting at the castle pass over gently rolling meadows on the high bank and through steep slopes with ravines along the valley flank of the Argental. Achberg Castle is open to all visitors and offers educational activities for children with a guide. These attractions are part of the broader Ravensburg destination and should be distinguished from the cultural and winter activities in Isny.

Discover More Destinations

Argenbühl, Bergatreute, Bad Waldsee, Altshausen, Ravensburg, Berg near Ravensburg, Wilhelmsdorf, Wangen im Allgäu

Back to the broader travel overview: Ravensburg.