Last Updated on September 29, 2024 by Soumya
Are you visiting Fussen, Germany, and looking for the best things to do in this quaint Bavarian town? You’re at the right place.
Located at the edge of the Bavarian Alps, Fussen is a beautiful town filled with history, culture, and natural beauty. It is one of the final stops on Germany’s famous Romantic Road, filled with charming villages, rolling hills, and historic castles.
Apart from visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, there are many amazing things to do and see in Fussen.
From strolling through the colorful streets of the Old Town and discovering Fussen’s musical history to stepping into beautiful churches and getting fascinated by Luftlmalerei or German air paintings, here are the ten best things to do in Fussen, Germany.
Sadly, Fussen is often only used as a thoroughfare for the Neuschwanstein Castle. But the town deserves so much more!
I encourage you to spend at least a few hours in this beautiful Bavarian city and explore the best that Fussen has to offer.
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10 Fun Things to Do in Fussen Germany
Explore the Old Town of Fussen
Fussen is one of the oldest towns in Bavaria, Germany with a history dating back 700 years. It is also the highest town in Bavaria!
You know what that means? Fussen’s Old Town is a picturesque area with historic churches, narrow cobblestone streets, and colorful buildings – all set against an impressive mountainous landscape.
Begin your old town city tour at Schrannenplatz, the old city square, and discover charming cafes, boutique shops, and centuries-old churches.
The official tourism website of Fussen has a mobile photo city tour with 11 stops, which you can access by calling the, which has landline number mentioned here.
Discover Fussen’s History of Music
On your city tour, do not miss the Lute Maker Fountain at the bread market. It takes us back to Fussen’s lost lute and violin-making history. Apparently, Fussen’s Lute Maker Guild is the oldest in Europe.
The fountain represents Caspar Tieffenbrucker, one of Fussen’s most important lute makers from the 16th century.
I had no clue that Fussen was once a city of music. But given the Alps’ connection with music – for example, Mozart in Salzburg – I could totally relate to it. Also, Fussen had easy access to wood from spruce and maple trees in the forests of North Tyrol and Ammer Mountains, which was the best raw material for musical instruments.
Digging up these little things about a place gives me so much happiness. I am glad to say that Fussen did not disappoint me!
Step into a Beautiful Church in Fussen
Fussen, Germany, has plenty of churches. Each one features stunning baroque interiors, intricate frescoes, and captivating altarpieces that fascinated me.
If you’re visiting Fussen on a day trip from Munich, alongside Neuschwanstein Castle, you may not have time to see all the churches. That’s why here are a few important ones.
The Monastery of St. Mang stands out with its impressive façade and elaborate frescoes depicting the life of Saint Magnus. Today, the church is home to the Fussen Heritage Museum, which has a beautiful display of lutes and violins from the 17th—19th centuries.
Other beautiful churches in Fussen include the Nativity Church of St. Nicholas and Spital Church, which has a beautiful Luftmalerei mural on its facade.
📖 Read Next: 10 Best Day Trips from Munich by Train
Visit Fussen’s High Castle
Remember to visit Fussen’s High Castle, a medieval castle offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the charming town below.
Perched on a hilltop, Hohe Schloss, or High Castle, is a well-preserved medieval castle from the 14th century. In the olden times, it served as a residence for the Bishops of Augsburg, but now, it houses an art gallery and museum.
Here, you can see the Bavarian State Collection of Paintings and Sculptures from Germany’s Swabian-Bavarian and Allgau regions. You’ll also find an extensive collection of art from the Monastery of St. Mang, located nearby.
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
I first heard about Fussen, Germany, when researching to visit Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich.
Neuschwanstein Castle is a beautiful Romanticist palace perched on a cliff in the Bavarian Alps. Commissioned by the Bavarian King Ludwig II in the 19th century, Neuschwanstein is often touted as the Fairytale Castle of Germany.
You cannot miss visiting Neuschwanstein Castle on your Fussen trip. In fact, Neuschwanstein is the reason most people make the trip to Fussen, in the first place.
The easiest and most convenient way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle is by taking a train from Munich Central Station to Fussen. Then you can ride a bus from Fussen to Hohenschwangau, the small town closest to Neuschwanstein Castle.
Be sure to book your Neuschwanstein Castle tickets in advance, as they sell out quickly. For more details, refer to my Neuschwanstein Castle Travel Tips Guide.
✦ Pro Tip: Do not forget to click pictures from Marienbrucke, the best Neuschwanstein Castle photo spot.
Stop by Hohenschwangau Castle
If you’re a castle lover, you’ll be happy to know that there is another beautiful castle near Neuschwanstein called the Hohenschwangau Castle.
This 19th-century castle was the summer residence of Bavarian royalty, including Mad King Ludwig II.
You can easily explore both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles on a single day trip from Fussen.
Discover the Luftlmalerei Paintings of Bavaria
When visiting Fussen, look out for the captivating tradition of Luftlmalerei, or “air painting.” Luftlmalerei is a unique style of mural painting, adorning the walls of houses and churches and is a distinctive feature of Bavarian architecture.
In Fussen and the charming villages surrounding it, you’ll find numerous local churches and traditional homes adorned with vibrant and detailed Luftlmalerei, often depicting scenes from folklore, history, and daily life.
Spital Church in Fussen is a great example. As you hike up to Neuschwanstein Castle from Hohenschwangau Village, you’ll notice many homes and buildings sporting the coveted air paintings.
Taste Delicious Bavarian Cuisine
When in Fussen, feel free to indulge in delicious Bavarian food.
Start with weisswurst, a delightful white sausage made from minced veal and flavored with parsley, lemon, and cardamom.
If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss apple strudel, a warm pastry filled with spiced apples and raisins. Also, try schneeballen (snowballs) and quarkballchen (curd-cheese doughnuts)—I especially love the cheese doughnuts.
Wrap up your meal with a refreshing wheat beer.
Madame Plusch and Gasthof Krone are great places to try local specialties in Fussen.
Head to Linderhof Palace
Only short drive from Fussen is Linderhof Palace, another of King Ludwig II’s magnificent creations. It is the only palace that Ludwig II lived to see completed.
Linderhof is much smaller than Ludwig’s other palaces but is equally impressive. Its interiors are opulent, and the gardens are beautiful.
Visitors often combine a day trip to Linderhof Palace with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle. You can do that or visit each separately.
Hike around Alpsee Lake
When visiting Fussen, you cannot miss hiking in the Alps. The hills and meadows around Alpsee Lake are the perfect place to burn some calories.
Hiking trails also offer you the perfect photo op, picturesque landscapes framed by majestic mountains, lush forests, and the clear blue waters of the lake.
Other Day Trips from Fussen, Germany
Fussen’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding region.
You can take day trips to nearby places such as the Pilgrimage Church of Wies, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the picturesque town of Oberammergau. The Royal Fairytale Tour from Fussen allows you to see the best of Bavaria by combining Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Castle, Oberammergau, and the Church of Wies in one day.
Plan a cable car ride to Tegelberg for fascinating views of Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian Alps.
Where to stay in Fussen, Germany?
Travelers often visit Fussen as a day trip from Munich. However, Fussen is also a great place to stay a night or two if you want to make it a base for day trips to nearby areas.
Some of the best hotels in Fussen Old Town are Hotel Hirsch, Hotel Sonne Fussen, and Luitpoldpark Hotel.
Travel Tips for Fussen
- Fussen, Germany, is a great year-round destination. Even winters are beautiful here. When the snow covers the houses and the streets, the entire place, including nearby Neuschwanstein Castle, turns into a winter wonderland.
- The best way to Fussen is by train from Munich Central Station. There are direct trains and trains with one stop at Buchloe. The journey takes about 2 hours and is extremely scenic.
- Fussen is a small town easily accessible by foot, so the best way to get around is by walking.
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