Discover Kaufbeuren

Kaufbeuren combines a historic old town with different ways to explore the city’s history, art and culture. You can explore the old town on foot, learn more about the history of the former Free Imperial City at the city museum, and discover other subjects at additional museums—from changing art exhibitions to industrial history. The Crescentia Pilgrimage Trail also begins in Kaufbeuren and leads beyond the city on a circular route. Depending on your interests, you can focus on culture and local history or set out on a multi-day hike.

Old Town, Monastery and City Walls

Kaufbeuren’s historic old town can be explored on foot. The Crescentia Monastery, considered the original nucleus of Kaufbeuren, is located right in its heart. The Crescentia Memorial at the monastery displays valuable original objects from the secular and religious life of Saint Crescentia. Exhibits include clothing she wore on her travels, as well as the decree of her canonization. This makes the site a place where both Kaufbeuren’s history and mementos of the saint take center stage.

The historic fortifications are another distinctive feature of a walking tour: large sections of the city wall, along with numerous towers, are well preserved. The Fünfknopfturm is the city’s landmark. The walls and towers give an exploration of the old town a distinctive architectural focus and complement visits to the museums and monastery.

Museums and Exhibitions

The Kaufbeuren City Museum presents the history of the former Free Imperial City in a modern permanent exhibition. The Kunsthaus Kaufbeuren offers a different perspective, with changing exhibitions on 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century art, as well as cultural and historical topics. This allows you to choose between a permanent exhibition on the city’s history and changing art and cultural themes.

The exhibition venues in the center of Kaufbeuren are easy to reach on foot. Their varied themes can therefore be included in a walking exploration of the city and its culture.

The Isergebirgs-Museum Neugablonz offers insights into 400 years of German cultural and industrial history in the Jizera Mountains. The museum also presents the history of Neugablonz, Kaufbeuren’s largest district. The Gablonzer Industrie exhibition offers another perspective, with exhibits including costume jewelry, souvenirs, toys and bags. The range of exhibitions thus spans local history, art, and cultural and industrial history.

The Crescentia Pilgrimage Trail

The Crescentia Pilgrimage Trail begins at the monastery in the historic old town. The almost 90-kilometer circular route passes through Mindelheim and Ottobeuren before returning to its starting point in Kaufbeuren. Experienced hikers are advised to complete the route in four daily stages. This is a different undertaking from a stroll through the old town: the route combines a starting point in Kaufbeuren with a multi-day hike through the places listed above.

If you are choosing between a stay focused on the old town and a longer excursion, the pilgrimage trail offers a clear distinction: you can either explore on foot and visit the exhibition venues, or take the circular route, which is recommended in four stages. The recommendation is specifically for experienced hikers.

In the wider Ostallgäu travel region

The landscape of the wider Ostallgäu travel region offers a different perspective from Kaufbeuren’s old town and museums. At 2,082 meters, Hochplatte is the highest mountain in the Ostallgäu. At more than 15 km², Forggensee is Bavaria’s fifth-largest lake and Germany’s largest reservoir. During the summer season, Forggensee boat cruises regularly offer trips. If you plan to take a cruise, check the timetable for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Rieden am Forggensee, Unterthingau, Westendorf, Mauerstetten, Nesselwang, Schwangau, Oberostendorf, Roßhaupten

Back to the wider travel guide: Ostallgäu.