Immenstadt in the Allgäu combines a special cultural destination with nature experiences at the Großer Alpsee and recurring festivals. The Hofmühle Museum, the MuseoApp and trails around Bühl appeal to a range of interests; the Christkindlesmarkt and Viehscheid give potential travel dates a clear framework. When planning, it is worth first considering whether culture, a tour by the lake or a particular event should be the main focus.
Museums and digital discoveries
The Hofmühle Museum is a regional museum focusing on the Upper Allgäu and offers 1,000 m² of exhibition space. The MuseoApp Immenstadt offers a different way to explore: it provides an augmented reality experience through the royal residence town of Immenstadt and around the Hofmühle Museum and the Mountain Farming Museum in Diepolz.
The Allgäu Mountain Farming Museum in Diepolz is an interactive open-air museum. In historic buildings, it documents the lives of Allgäu mountain farmers; its opening hours vary by season. The Kuhnigundenweg leads to the museum. There, visitors can walk through a life-size cow’s stomach and churn butter themselves. If you plan these activities, check the latest programme details in advance.
Festivals throughout the year
The traditional Immenstadt Christkindlesmarkt takes place every year on the first weekend of Advent. Arts and crafts, Christmas treats and musical entertainment are spread across Marienplatz and Klosterplatz. The market provides a specific reason to plan a visit for the first weekend of Advent.
Another date is the traditional Viehscheid: it always takes place on the third Saturday in September and is accompanied by a party in the festival tent. For travel planning, these are two clearly distinct time windows—the third Saturday in September and the first weekend of Advent. This makes it possible to decide early which event to focus on, without treating both dates as part of a single season.
Around Lake Alpsee and Immenstädter Horn
The Alpsee circular trail is a moderately difficult loop around the Großer Alpsee and is 10.94 km long. The starting point and finish are at the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park Centre in Bühl. The route can be reached by train to Immenstadt station, followed by bus 39 or 11 in the direction of Oberstaufen to the “Bühl, Naturparkzentrum” stop. Check the timetable before travelling, as bus services may change.
The landscape park in Bühl by Lake Alpsee includes an explorer’s pond that visitors can cross on a raft. The route over Immenstädter Horn takes you through a different landscape, with natural mountain forests and species-rich alpine pastures; smaller and larger waterfalls lie along the way. If you are looking for a high ropes course instead of a hike, you can find the Panorma Kletterpark on Mittagberg. It offers climbing fun on three levels and panoramic views over the royal residence town of Immenstadt and the Großer Alpsee.
Nearby and in the Upper Allgäu
Nearby, the Bärenfalle forest ropes course is located right in the Alpsee Bergwelt between Immenstadt and Oberstaufen. The Kiddy course is intended for children aged 3 and over. This is a separate destination in the surrounding area and should be distinguished from the attractions in Immenstadt mentioned above.
The wider travel destination of the Upper Allgäu also offers more options. Oberstdorf has 200 kilometres of hiking trails and nature trails. You can also visit the Heini-Klopfer ski flying hill there; the tower lift takes visitors to the viewing platform on the ski jump tower. Cycling in the Upper Allgäu ranges from leisurely to sporty, and rustic mountain huts serve regional specialities. These regional activities add to the options for visitors who do not want to limit their stay to Immenstadt.
Discover more destinations: Diepolz, Waltenhofen, Oberstaufen, Blaichach, Hörnergruppe, Weitnau, Wildpoldsried, Wiggensbach
Go to the main travel overview: Upper Allgäu.
