Exploring the Oberammergau Region
By Car or Bus to Ettal, Linderhof, Wieskirche, and Füssen in Germany
Mar 31, 2008
The small Bavarian village Oberammergau in Southern Germany is famous for its Passion Play but this beautiful region has many other sights worth exploring. In addition to nature – it is located in the northern reaches of the Bavarian Alps – major cultural and historical sights worth exploring include the fairy tale, Disney-like castles of Mad King Ludwig (Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof), and Rococo masterpieces such as the UNESCO-listed Wieskirche and Kloster Ettal Monastery.
- The region is easiest explored by car but all sights can also be reached by rail or bus. However, double check return times, especially over weekends. Cycling to Ettal and Linderhof is also a sound option.
Kloster Ettal Monastery
The very small village Ettal is dominated by its large and magnificent Baroque monastery building. It is mostly visited to see its marvelous Rococo church – the only church in Germany with a figure eight floor plan. However, it is the magnificent painted dome by Johann Jakob Zeiler and stuccowork by Johann Baptist Zimmermann that attract the most attention.
Several outdoor cafés and restaurants make Ettal a pleasant town to stop in for coffee or lunch. However, note that the large Hotel Ludwig der Bayer is very popular with bus parties – arriving at the wrong hour for lunch can entail serious waiting times.
- Ettal is only around 4 km from Oberammergau – a pleasant hike or use Bus 9606 (towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen) or Bus 9222 (towards Schloss Linderhof). Journey times are 8 to 15 minutes.
Schloss Linderhof Palace
Schloss Linderhof Palace is the smallest and only castle that was actually completed by Bavarian King Ludwig II. The small palace is beautifully located in a large park.
Schloss Linderhof is around 16 km (10 miles) from Oberammergau – turn off in Ettal. Drivers can continue on the small valley road through Reutte in Austria to further castles in Füssen (see below). Linderhof can be reached in half an hour on direct Bus 9222 from Oberammergau.
- Linderhof is in a fairly isolated area – double check bus return times, especially on weekends. Missing the last bus will require phoning for a taxi or hitching a ride.
The UNESCO-Listed Wieskirche
The Wieskirche (Church in the Meadow) is often considered the definitive work of the Bavarian Rococo and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. The church was designed by Baroque master architect Dominikus Zimmermann (1685-1766) while his equally talented brother Johann Baptist Zimmermann (1680-1758) did most of the paintings.
- The Wieskirche is around 30 km (18 miles) to the northwest of Oberammergau. The church itself is around 3 km (1.8 mile) from the main road towards Steingaden (and on to Füssen). Ample parking is available at the church but the bus service is limited to a few buses per day.
The Disney-Like Schloss Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles
Mad King Ludwig – the Germans generally prefer fairy tale king – is famous for his fantasy castles. None attracts more international visitors than Schloss Neuschwanstein – the Disney-like castle perched on a cliff overlooking the small town Schwangau near Füssen. The nearby Schloss Hohenschwangau Castle is also of interest. Wise travelers reserve tickets in advance. Füssen itself also has a real historic castle in addition to other historical sights.
Füssen is around 50 km from Oberammergau – see the circular route below for a more interesting route. Buses to Oberammergau are available a few times per day and usually require a transfer. Buses take around 90 minutes.
- Travelers missing the last bus from Füssen are likely to see Munich Main Station and Murnau en route back to Oberammergau.
Suggested Circular Drive from Oberammergau
The following circular drive from Oberammergau is around 100 km long and passes by all the sights described above in addition to passing through beautiful nature.
- Oberammergau – Ettal – Schloss Linderhof – Reutte (Austria) – Füssen & Schwangau (Schloss Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles) – Wieskirche – Oberammergau.
Note that the road from Linderhof to Reutte in Austria goes through a beautiful but isolated valley – it is the first road to close and the last to re-open in heavy rain or snow. Oberammergau to Füssen return on German roads only is the same distance and better option in bad weather.
- Always fill up when traveling through Austria – gasoline is currently much cheaper than in Germany due to different tax regimes.
Traveling to Oberammergau by road or rail from Munich (München), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Innsbruck is fast and easy. Pleasant hotels make Oberammergau a good base from where to explore this beautiful part of Bavaria in Southern Germany.
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