Discover Marktoberdorf

Discover Marktoberdorf through its local history, distinctive nativity scene tradition and routes with a range of themes. The town museum focuses on the development of the town; it also features contemporary art, post-war history and markets that give the year its character in different ways. If you enjoy being outdoors, you can choose between a themed trail, a mountain bike route, and cycling and pilgrimage routes. You can shape your stay around culture, market dates or getting active.

Local history, art and nativity scene tradition

In 18 rooms covering around 380 square metres, the Marktoberdorf Town Museum traces the development of a place from village to market town and then to a town. This gives your visit a clear thematic thread: the focus is on how the place changed through these different stages. The Riesengebirgsmuseum Marktoberdorf is housed in the same building. Its historical focus is the expulsion from people’s homes after the Second World War. So, under one roof, you’ll encounter two distinct perspectives: the development of the town and a chapter of post-war history.

The Künstlerhaus Marktoberdorf is dedicated to contemporary art. More than 100 artists are represented in the municipal collection, which has provided a cross-section of Allgäu and Swabian art since the 1970s. Another seasonal highlight is the Spöttl nativity scene in the town museum: it is considered the oldest mechanical nativity scene in Swabia and is traditionally displayed during Advent. Together, these subjects offer different ways to explore Marktoberdorf—from local history and art to a festive tradition that comes especially into focus during Advent.

Another historical point of interest is in the underground car park at Marktoberdorf Town Hall: it houses one of the region’s largest post-war bunker complexes. This bunker heritage adds a specific place connected to the post-war period to the museum’s themes.

Markets throughout the year

The market calendar follows different rhythms. A weekly market is held each week, while the annual Urbani and Martinimärkte and a Christmas market round out the year. The city has organised the Christmas market for more than 50 years. Around 40 festively decorated stalls offer items including decorations, felt crafts, wood carvings, ceramics, jewellery, sweets and warming drinks. Alongside the regular weekly market, there is also a seasonal market with a wide range of goods.

If a particular market is important to your travel plans, check the dates in advance. Market dates vary from year to year, and the Christmas market programme may also change.

On foot, by bike or along pilgrimage routes

The Clemens-Wenzeslaus Trail starts right in the centre of Marktoberdorf and leads to the temple at the end of Lindenallee. The route is just under 6 kilometres long; information boards explore stories and history relating to Marktoberdorf’s most famous resident. The trail combines a manageable distance with a historical theme. The Bikerunde Hochwieswald is aimed at sporty mountain bikers and offers a different kind of outing. It is a joint project between the city of Marktoberdorf and the German Alpine Club, Allgäu-Immenstadt Section, Marktoberdorf local group.

Marktoberdorf is also part of longer cycling routes: the city lies midway along the 475-kilometre Radrunde Allgäu. The 156-kilometre Allgäu Radweg runs from Isny to Halblech and also passes right through Marktoberdorf. The cycle-friendly Marktoberdorf railway station provides connections to other stages of the routes. The two cycling routes offer distinct options for travel planning: a longer circuit through the Allgäu or a route with the named endpoints of Isny and Halblech.

Marktoberdorf is also on a pilgrimage route from Munich to Lake Constance and is both the starting point and destination for several route options. One option leads from the Auerberg through the Geltnachtal valley to Marktoberdorf and continues to Oberthingau or Görisried. When looking for accommodation, you might first consider whether you would rather make time for museums and markets or focus on cycling and pilgrimage stages. The activities mentioned offer different ways to shape your stay without requiring a single set itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lamerdingen, Stötten Am Auerberg, Obergünzburg, Halblech, Ronsberg, Pforzen, Seeg, Rieden am Forggensee.

Back to the main travel overview: Ostallgäu.