City history, art, markets and a variety of routes give a stay in Marktoberdorf several clear focal points. The museums tell the story of the town’s development and history; they are complemented by a focus on contemporary art and seasonal market traditions. Those who prefer to get around on foot, by bike or along a pilgrimage route will also find specific options.
Museums: from village to town and art
In 18 rooms covering around 380 square metres, the Marktoberdorf City Museum presents the development of a place from village to market town to city. This progression offers a local perspective on the various stages of the city’s history. The Giant Mountains Museum is housed in the same building; its historical focus is on the expulsion from the homeland after the Second World War. The two museums therefore highlight different aspects of local history.
The Marktoberdorf Artists’ House offers a different perspective, focusing on contemporary art. Its municipal collection includes works by more than 100 represented artists and has provided a cross-section of Allgäu and Swabian art since the 1970s. By comparison, the City Museum focuses on the town’s development, while the Giant Mountains Museum explores a particular chapter of post-war history.
The Spöttl Nativity Scene in the City Museum is a seasonal cultural highlight: it is considered Swabia’s oldest mechanical nativity scene and is traditionally displayed during Advent. Visitors wishing to include the museums and the nativity scene in their travel plans can use their different themes and the Advent connection to help choose the right time to visit.
Markets throughout the year
The market calendar includes the annual Urbani and Martini markets, as well as a Christmas market and a weekly farmers’ market. The city has been organising the Christmas market for more than 50 years. Around 40 festively decorated stalls offer items including decorations, feltwork, wood carvings, ceramics, jewellery, sweets and warming drinks. The regular market formats therefore differ both in the time of year they are held and in what they offer.
The annual markets are recurring events, but their specific dates and the Christmas market programme may vary from year to year. If a particular market is an important part of your stay, it is worth checking the dates before travelling. The weekly farmers’ market, by contrast, offers a regular point of reference in local market life.
On foot, by bike and along pilgrimage routes
The Clemens-Wenzeslaus Path begins in the centre of Marktoberdorf and leads to the temple at the end of Lindenallee. The route is just under 6 kilometres long; information boards explore stories and history connected with Marktoberdorf’s most famous resident. The route thus combines a specific trail with information about local history. The Hochwieswald Bike Route is designated for sporty mountain bikers. It is a joint project of the City of Marktoberdorf and the German Alpine Club, Allgäu-Immenstadt Section, Marktoberdorf Local Group.
Two longer cycling routes also pass through Marktoberdorf: the town lies on the 475-kilometre Allgäu Cycling Loop and the 156-kilometre Allgäu Cycle Path, which runs from Isny to Halblech. Connections to other stage destinations are available via Marktoberdorf’s bicycle-friendly railway station. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by their stated total lengths and respective itineraries; the station connection is also useful for planning stages.
Another perspective is offered by a pilgrimage route from Munich to Lake Constance, which passes through Marktoberdorf. The town is the destination and starting point for several route variations. One runs from the Auerberg through the Geltnach Valley to Marktoberdorf and continues to Oberthingau or Görisried. This route planning differs from that of a single circular trail: the sections mentioned connect several places and offer different possible directions.
Discover more destinations: Lamerdingen, Füssen, Unterthingau, Roßhaupten, Waal, Rieden am Forggensee, Ronsberg, Mauerstetten
For the overview of the wider region: Ostallgäu.
