Fussen, Germany – a small ancient town located in the Algoy Alps at an altitude of 800 m above sea level. Ornamental painted houses, medieval churches and ancient castles have made it one of the most beautiful cities in Bavaria, and picturesque mountain landscape, clear lakes and natural springs – a sought-after climatic resort.
General information
Fussen, located on the banks of the Lech River in the government district of Swabia, is a cozy town with a population of just over 15,000. Situated near the Austrian border, it offers easy access to neighboring Tyrol and is a popular destination for tourists in the Alps.
However, Fussen itself also has something to be proud of. Mineral water springs, healing mud, and a well-developed health resort infrastructure have turned it into one of the best European resorts, which is visited by about 100,000 people every year.
Interestingly, rest here is good at any time of the year, because the calm and windless weather in Fussen rarely presents unpleasant surprises. In summer, the air temperature is kept at +26°C, and in winter, the thermometer rarely falls below -5°C. At the same time, July is considered the hottest month, and January is considered the coolest. The rains are very frequent, but they are not prolonged.
The moderate, mild climate, pleasant atmosphere, and leisurely daily routine of the locals make this a great resort for both older people and those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and want to enjoy leisurely walks and peaceful views of the city’s landmarks. However, this does not mean that only misanthropes and retirees visit this place. Young and active tourists also have plenty to do. The area offers excellent opportunities for eco-tourism, cycling, and sailing. In addition, with the arrival of winter, the city turns into a ski resort, where steep professional slopes are combined with gentle slopes for beginners.
However, the beautiful nature and wide opportunities for outdoor activities are not the only pride of this ancient settlement. The city of Füssen in Germany is famous for its unusual architecture and numerous historical landmarks that attract tourists. As you enter the city, you will be greeted by an unusual fountain that consists of large stone pillars that spray water onto the pavement. During hot weather, anyone can cool off under these pillars. Most of the city’s residential buildings and public structures feature unique window frames and colorful triangular roofs. In addition, all of them are decorated in the Lüftlmalerei technique, a traditional Bavarian painting technique that involves applying a baroque image directly to wet plaster. This technique creates monograms, balconies, mirrors, galleries, clocks, and even entire paintings on the smooth walls of the facades. As a result, the buildings have a festive and elegant appearance.
Attractions
Bavarians are very sensitive to their natural and historical heritage, so all the sights of Fussen in Germany are in truly perfect condition. Let’s explore the most popular sites.
Old Town
Altstadt von Fuessen is the historical part of Fussen, which was founded during the time of the Holy Roman Empire. Here, you can see all the features of a classic German settlement, including the remains of the city walls, the Town Hall with its ancient clock, the city gates, and many beautiful medieval buildings. The Old Town also has its own market square, known as the Bread Market, a luxurious palace that now houses the Museum der Stadt Fussen, a Franciscan monastery, and the ruins of a Roman villa.
The Altstadt von Fuessen center is represented by the pedestrian Reichenstrasse, which was once the great Roman road. Today, it is the wealthiest street in the city, filled with old painted houses, branded shops, souvenir stalls, and cozy restaurants offering the best Bavarian and European cuisine. However, traditional German sausages with pretzels and sweet mustard, apple strudel with vanilla cream, and Fleischkäse are the most popular dishes.
Other buildings located in the Old City include the single-nave Church of St. Nicholas, which features ancient frescoes, stucco, angel figurines, a beautiful marble altar, and a sculpture of Nicholas of Myra, the church’s patron saint.
The old city pharmacy, which is rightfully called the most beautiful building in Altstadt von Fuessen, deserves no less attention. Its main characteristic feature is the ancient painting, which creates the effect of a fully present baroque setting.
The Old Town ends with the St. Magnus Fountain, a five-meter-high structure in the shape of a stone bowl. In the center of this pedestal stands a pillar topped by a figure of a priest fighting a fearsome dragon.
Monastery of St. Magnus
If you look at photos of Fussen in tourist brochures, you will probably notice the Monastery of St. Magnus, which was founded in the mid-12th century and is named after a famous Bavarian missionary. Over the years, the monastery has undergone several architectural changes. For example, a couple of centuries later, a small basilica was built in the Italian Baroque style, which is considered one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks.
The walls of this majestic structure are adorned with artistic paintings depicting the life and deeds of the great preacher, while the lower level is adorned with marble medallions and the vaults are adorned with luxurious medieval stucco. However, perhaps the most historically significant aspect of the church is the crypt located beneath the main altar. Here, for centuries, the monastery’s most cherished relics have been preserved, including the incorruptible remains of Saint Magnus, as well as his cross, staff, and chalice.
Other monastery rooms are also of great interest, including the Knights’ Hall with its columns, the oval library, and the city museum, which features hundreds of unique exhibits. Among these, the most popular are the series of paintings titled “Dance of Death,” an exhibition of antique coffins, and a collection of various musical instruments (violins, lutes, and more). Music enthusiasts will also find a surprise in the Monastery’s Princely Hall, where not only chamber music concerts but also jazz performances are regularly held.
There is also a small library in the city museum, with hand-painted ceilings and walls. It contains many handwritten books, interesting medieval editions, and ancient folios.
Location: Lechhalde 3, 87629 Fussen.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein can be called without exaggeration the most famous castle of Fussen – every year it is visited by about 1.5 million tourists from all over the world. Located at the very foot of the Alps, it seems to have come from the pages of children’s books. Snow-white walls, sharply contrasting with the red entrance gate, pointed towers, many carved balconies, semi-circular windows – it was Neuschwanstein that became the prototype of the fairy-tale palace from Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.
Working hours:
- 01.04 – 15.10: from 09:00 to 18:00;
- 16.10 – 31.03: from 10:00 to 16:00.
The castle is open every day except for 24.12, 25.12, 31.12, and 01.01.
You can only get there with a guided tour, which costs between 12 and 26€, depending on the type of ticket.
Location: Neuschwansteinstrasse 20, 87645 Hohenschwangau.
Alatsee
Alatsee, nestled in the middle of the Bavarian Alps, is located 4.5 km from the city and is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Fussen, Germany. Despite its relatively small size (490/290 m), Lake Alat has a remarkable depth of over 30 meters. However, its most distinctive feature is the 15-meter-deep layer that is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Among them, special attention should be paid to the photosynthetic purple bacteria, which not only saturate the water with oxygen, but also give it a beautiful purple hue. However, everything below this zone is considered a dead zone due to the lack of oxygen, and there are almost no living organisms there.
Location: 87629, Fussen.
Hohenschwangau Castle
The Hohenschwangau Castle, whose name translates to “high swan land,” is located near the village of Schwangau. Hidden in the midst of a dense coniferous forest, it is one of the most fascinating attractions not only in Fussen but also throughout Bavaria. Tourists are captivated by the castle’s main façade, adorned with intricate bas-reliefs, and its lavish interior design, featuring medieval frescoes and original mid-19th-century furniture. You can only visit Hohenschwangau Castle as part of a group tour, which lasts 30 minutes and is conducted in English and German.
Location: Alpseestrabe 30, Hohenschwangau.
Waterfall on the Leh River
The description of Fussen’s attractions with photos concludes with Lechfall, an artificial waterfall that was created on this site during the construction of the dam. As the water cascades down the five steps, it plunges into a gorge that, unlike the dam itself, is of natural origin.
You can walk or drive to the waterfall. There is a fenced-in viewing area and a small kiosk selling tea, coffee, and other beverages. The Marienbrücke bridge over the river provides a beautiful view of Neuschwanstein Castle.
Location: Fussen Outskirts.
Tip! Free maps and brochures describing tourist routes can be obtained at the Information Center, located right in the city center.
Where to stay?
There are plenty of hotels, hostels, campsites, guesthouses, and apartments available for rent in the city. Most of them are located in the city center or within walking distance of the main attractions. The cost of a 2-bed room in a 3-star hotel starts at around 60€ per night. On the other hand, renting an apartment for the same period will cost around 150€.
How to get there from Munich?
If you know how to get from Munich to Fussen, you can use one of these methods.
| Carrier | Departure | Arrival | First / last flight | Travel time | Traffic interval | Ticket price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method 1: By train from Munich to Fussen | ||||||
| Deutschen Bahn | München Hbf | Füssen Hbf | 03:17/ 20:44 | 2.5 – 4 hours | 10-60 minutes | 24.20 – 37.50€ |
| Method 2. By bus | ||||||
| Flixbus | München ZOB | Füssen ZOB or Füssen Pulverturm | 08:15/12:15 | 2.5 – 3 hours | 3 flights per day | 12.60 – 19€ |
It should also be noted that you can get here by your own or rented vehicles. In this case, it is worth using the A7 autobahn and federal roads B310, B17, B16, and B179 (the latter comes from Austria).
Tip! If you decide to come here with a Bavarian ticket, don’t forget to check the train schedule between Munich and Fussen in advance. Due to the limited validity of this ticket, you can leave Munich no earlier than 9 a.m. and return no later than midnight.
Interesting facts
When talking about the city of Füssen, Germany, it is impossible not to mention a few interesting facts about its history:
- Fussen is the end point of the famous Romantic Road, which runs through all of Bavaria.
- An advertisement for Milka chocolates was filmed on the banks of the Lek River.
- By the way, the cow is the main symbol of the city. Postcards with images of happy cows, as well as cow bells, are sold in every souvenir shop. Moreover, a bas-relief of this animal can be seen even in the central city square.
- The most unusual theater in Fussen is located on the shore of Lake Vorgensee. Instead of traditional curtains, it features a glass backdrop that overlooks the lake, which is illuminated by powerful spotlights at night.
- The coat of arms of Fussen is a golden shield with three running legs on it. The exact origin of this symbol is unknown, but most historians believe that it is related to the ancient Roman road that ran through the Alps and served as a major trade route. However, some argue that the legs on the coat of arms represent the flow of history or the rotation of the sun.
- There are many pubs, cafes, and eateries in the city, but most tourists specifically look for Gasthof “KRONE”, a themed restaurant decorated in the style of medieval chivalry. It is customary to eat with your hands, wiping your dirty fingers on huge paper bibs.
- The first name of Füssen was Foetibus (from the Germanized word for “leg”). Over the course of the city’s 400-year history, it has been changed five more times. It was first called Fozen, then Fozin, then Fuozzen, then Füzzen, and finally Füssen.
