Hello all. My husband and I are planning to visit Germany for a couple of weeks Starting on May 27. During our first week we are planning to visit the Bavarian area for 3-4 days. Right now we are considering Fussen as our home base as it appears it is well centered to main attractions even though after reading some of the post here, we may skip the castles as they appear to be Turist traps. It appears Fussen has plenty of lodging in its town center. However, I'm looking for a more bucolic away from the crowds lodging but not too far away from attractions. At the same time would like to be immersed in the culture and its local people. We love the outdoors We will have a car. Any and all suggestions are welcome
Posted by
The States
92 posts
Last August, I stayed at the Best Western and thought it was a winner. It's not in the city center, but it's not too far away either. If you want to stay further out, the hotels around the lake Forggensee looked pleasant.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4816 posts
Good choice to avoid the castles, but I would never have gone to one of my favorite places, Fussen, if my daughter hadn't wanted to see the castle. I really liked the little museum there.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1877 posts
Personally I don't like Fussen, mainly because it's very touristy. And if you're not interested in Schloss Neuschwanstein because of the tourists it makes little sense to go to the one town that exists just to cater to people wanting to see the castle.
If you must stay in Bavaria, away from most of the tourists, go to Mittenwald, or Krun. If you're okay with being in Austria go to Erwald. All of these are less centrally located, much more bucolic, and not too far from the attractions. But you would need a car.
Posted by
8771 posts
Personally, I love Garmish and going up the Zugspitze.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1447 posts
Take a look at Murnau am Staffelsee. With a car you can get around.
Posted by
North Carolina
17 posts
Hello.
I seem to be an outlier here because I really like Füssen. The town itself is quaint, has several interesting sites, and there are many lovely walks along the river. Plus, it is close to the Alpsee and the Forggensee. Füssen also has one of the finest examples of a Totentanz ( Dance of Death) in all of Europe. It is in the form of a large and well preserved mural. If you are unfamiliar with a Totentanz, Google it. I also think that the countryside around Füssen is particularly attractive. That area is known as the Allgäu (not quite the Alps, but you can see them from there), and it‘s fantastic to drive through with a car.
I also would not simply write off the royal castles. Yes, taking the inside tour of Neuschwanstein is ok to skip, but not Hohenschwangau. The Wittelsbach royals actually lived there. And the inside has a lot of original decor and furnishings. You will get a flavor of what it was like to live there in the 19th century. I also think that some of the walks around the castles, especially up to the Marienbrücke are worth doing. If you love the outdoors, a little hiking, want to get the Postcard picture of Neuschwanstein, and you’re a little thrilled by scary heights, walk over the Marienbrücke. Have a great trip!
Posted by
NYC area
3036 posts
We stayed here in December 2024. Loved it and the quiet setting, yet a few minutes to Fuessen. Which we love visiting. We could see Neuschwanstein from our balcony.
Posted by
Munich
637 posts
I seem to be an outlier here because I really like Füssen
No you are not :-)
I like the area around Füssen, and whenever I'm there, I always go to town. Maybe I don't come at a time when it's too crowded. I always find something in the small shops in the pedestrian zone and Spaghetti Ice is always good at the ice cream shop there, too.
The mentioned Helmerhof is fantastic. I also like the Hotel Sommer (spa hotel) right at the lake. However, what I like even better (but outside of peak season) is booking a hotel at Hopfensee – Hotel Geiger.