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The Allgäu with Children: Which Town, Which Apartment, Which Season
Swimming in the Alpsee, whizzing down to the valley on the summer toboggan run, visiting the cows on an alpine farm: the Allgäu has everything you need for a family holiday. Families are best off staying in Immenstadt on the Großer Alpsee, where the lake, the Alpsee Coaster and over twenty playgrounds are close together, in an apartment with separate sleeping areas. Whether the holiday really turns out relaxed, though, is decided at the planning stage – with the right town, an apartment where everyone has enough space, and a few ideas for a rainy day.
Many of our guests travel with children, and from them we know what makes a family holiday in the Allgäu a success. Here are our tips for the three most important decisions: where, which apartment, when.
The right town for your family holiday
With children, short distances matter more than anything else. The less time you spend in the car, the more is left for the day. That is why we recommend Immenstadt: the Großer Alpsee for swimming, the Alpsee Coaster, high-ropes course and Abenteuer Alpe adventure area in the Alpsee Bergwelt, the Mittagbahn chairlift and easy walks are all close together here. If the weather changes, the next outing is only a few minutes away. And for the hours in between, the town has more than twenty playgrounds, from the pirate ship by the lake to the wooden aeroplane. You will find them all, with our verdict, in the article Playgrounds in Immenstadt.
Sonthofen is a practical alternative: a lively small town with an indoor pool, shops and doctors, centrally located in the Oberallgäu. Blaichach and the Gunzesrieder Tal are wonderfully quiet and ideal for families with older children who enjoy hiking. And Oberstdorf, with its high mountains, is a wonderful destination for a day trip.
A holiday apartment with room for everyone
When choosing your holiday apartment, don't just look at the maximum number of guests. Four people will fit into an apartment with a bedroom and a sofa bed, but then one child sleeps in the living room. With two bedrooms, the little ones can go to bed early and you can still enjoy the evening in peace.
Five of our holiday apartments sleep up to six people – in Immenstadt, Blaichach and near Sonthofen. How the beds are arranged is listed for each apartment. One of them has bunk beds, usually the children's favourite spot. In almost all apartments you can have a cot free of charge on request; just let us know briefly after booking.
Our luxury chalet, on the other hand, is an adults-only retreat.
The best time for a holiday with children
If you plan to swim a lot, July and August are the best months, because the Alpsee is then pleasantly warm. However, this is also high season, and on hot weekends the shore gets busy. If your children are not yet at school or you are flexible, late June and September are well worth it: mild weather, quiet hiking trails and noticeably lower prices. What the other months have to offer is explained in our article on the best time to visit the Allgäu.
Ideas for a rainy day
With a few ideas up your sleeve, even a grey day can be lovely. The Alpsee Coaster runs in light rain too. The indoor pool in Sonthofen is around a quarter of an hour from Immenstadt. The Allgäuer Bergbauernmuseum (mountain farming museum) in Diepolz above Immenstadt fills half a day and is more exciting for children than most museums. And the Breitachklamm gorge near Oberstdorf is even more impressive in the rain – just remember non-slip shoes.
We are constantly adding more ideas to our overview of places to visit in the Allgäu with a map. Which town suits you best overall is shown in our comparison Where to stay in the Allgäu?
Frequently asked questions about a family holiday in the Allgäu
Which town in the Allgäu is best for a holiday with children?
We recommend Immenstadt. The Großer Alpsee for swimming, the Alpsee Coaster, high-ropes course and Abenteuer Alpe in the Alpsee Bergwelt as well as easy walks are all close together there. With children, short distances are worth their weight in gold.
Do you provide a cot?
Yes, in almost all our holiday apartments we provide a cot free of charge – just let us know briefly after booking. The exceptions are the Ifenblick apartment in Oberstdorf and the luxury chalet, which we only let to adults.
Which holiday apartment suits a family with two children?
With small children, an apartment with a bedroom and a sofa bed is enough. If the children are older or you would like to sit together in peace in the evening, choose one of our apartments for six people with more sleeping space.
What can you do in the Allgäu with children when it rains?
The Alpsee Coaster runs in light rain too, the indoor pool in Sonthofen is quickly reached, and the Allgäuer Bergbauernmuseum in Diepolz above Immenstadt easily fills half a day. From a central base, you have all of this close by.
When is the best time for a family holiday in the Allgäu?
July and August are ideal for swimming in the Alpsee, but that is also when it is busiest. If you are flexible, late June and September are well worth it, with mild weather, fewer crowds and lower prices. You will find all the months at a glance in our article on the best time to visit.
Is the Großer Alpsee suitable for swimming with children?
Yes, there are shallow areas along the shore and lawns for sunbathing. On busy summer weekends, the nearby Niedersonthofener See is a lovely, quieter alternative.
Town and dates decided? Then find the right holiday apartment for your family now – booked directly with no commission, free cancellation up to 30 days before arrival.
More articles
Where to Stay in the Allgäu? An Honest Comparison of the Towns
Immenstadt, Sonthofen, Blaichach, Oberstdorf or Oberstaufen: which town suits your holiday? Our comparison as local hosts.
A Holiday in the Allgäu in a Holiday Apartment: Your Guide to a Mountain Break
A holiday apartment in the Allgäu: which town suits you, what to expect and what matters when booking – tips from locals.
Best Time to Visit the Allgäu: Month by Month – and Our Recommendation
The best time to visit the Allgäu: why we recommend September and October – and what weather, crowds and prices are like each month. Tips from locals.