Located in southern Swabia, close to Bavaria, is the Allgäu region, which also covers part of its territory Baden-Württemberg and Austria. Allgäu is known for its Alps, green pastures, palaces, and castles. It is also a very popular holiday destination among Germans, due to the variety of activity options and climate prone to rest and relaxation.

King Ludwig II

The famous Swan King, a great enthusiast of high culture and arts, spent his childhood in the family castle, Hohenschwangau, located in this region, where he was inspired by his great work, the Neuschwanstein Palace, today one of the main tourist attractions in Germany. The mountains and alps with privileged landscapes nourished the imagination and inspired this great monarch in his achievements. Throughout his life, the region was the chosen scenario when he wanted refuge from his duties as king.

The main cities

Allgäu is a region that covers many locations, but some cities deserve to be highlighted in the travelers’ itinerary.

Kempten

The main city of Allgäu, with more than two thousand years of history, houses the Cambodunum Archaeological Park, which tells the history of the city, the oldest in Germany with written and archaeological records. Visitors will be able to visit excavations, conduct guided tours, in addition to very fun and interesting workshops aimed at children.

It is possible to observe in the architecture of the city the presence of the influence of when it was under the Protestant Union, found in the old city and also the Catholic one, in the Residenz palace and Saint Lorenz Basilica.

Memmingen

This city attracts many travelers who wish to take a light stroll, walking leisurely in the center with medieval airs, visiting the city’s attractions, such as the Church of the Knights and the City Hall. For those wishing to go hiking through nature, due to its well-maintained trails, Memmingen is also a good option.

Füssen and the Romantic Road

Another city worth mentioning in Allgäu is Füssen, the last city on the Romantic Road (starting from the north). With an altitude of more than 800 meters above the sea, nestled among the mountains, and with more than 700 years of history, this medieval city has a spectacular historic center, with Baroque churches, walls, and Gothic facades.

The beautiful river Lech with its clear waters cuts through the city. In addition, the city is home to the Hohes Schloss, the former summer palace of the Augsburg princes.

Local cuisine

The cuisine of the region, like German in general, is abundant and very tasty. For those who enjoy tasting typical foods from the places they visit, in Allgäu you will have delicious experiences.

The region is fertile in a variety of cheeses, and we certainly can’t talk about local cuisine without talking about it. Perhaps, for this reason, one of the most outstanding dishes in the region is Käsespätzle (homemade macaroni and cheese), which is Allgäu’s version of this popular dish. Fine and fresh alpine herbs are also incorporated into the local cuisine.

For dessert, candy lovers should try the Zwetschgen Knödel, the dumpling made from flour, curd, and plums, which are wonderfully soft and served with cream, ice cream, fruit jam, and sprinkled with flour.

Christmas markets

The Christmas markets are a great German tradition, attracting tourists from all over the place to attend this magical and joyful event. If your travel is scheduled for December, be sure to visit any of these markets, it will be an unforgettable experience.

In the Allgäu region, three cities hold this event, Kempten, Memmingen and Marktoberdorf.