Fantastic Things to do in Beautiful Oberammergau

Oberammergau is a beautiful little destination located in an Alpine valley in southeastern Germany. Filled with colorful buildings and rich history, this quintessential German village is the perfect location for a wide variety of activities. This includes riding an alpine-coaster, hiking, breweries, castle visits, and even the chance to see the historic Passionsspiele. In this post, you will discover everything you need to know when planning your trip: historical information, where to stay, how to get around, and all the best things to do during your stay in Oberammergau.

Benedictine Abbey and Brewery near Oberammergau

A Few Facts About Oberammergau, Germany

Oberammergau, Germany is located in Southern Germany in the state of Bavaria. It is located along the Ammer River in the greater district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (where the 1936 winter Olympics were held). It is most famous for the Passion Play that locals put on once every 10 years.

One of the things that Oberammergau is particularly known for is its wood carvings. In fact, the Bavarian State Woodcarving School is located there. There are many shops throughout the village where you can buy carvings to bring back as souvenirs.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of the village, I recommend stopping in at that Oberammergau Museum during your visit. Although it is small and will only take about 30 minutes of your time, it is also very informative.

How to Get to Oberammergau, Germany

The closest airport to Oberammergau is München (Munich) International Airport.

While it is possible to get from Munich (München) to Oberammergau by train (just under 2 hrs with one transfer), my best advice to you is to rent a car.

Although public transportation is certainly an option in the area, the connections might not be scheduled as regularly throughout the day (this could also vary depending on the time of year, summer vs winter). Or, you might have trouble finding easy connections between various activities. In other words, depending on where you’re trying to travel to, you may have to travel back to Oberammergau in between destinations. This could potentially result in a loss of valuable vacation/sightseeing time.

Also, because the village is located in the Alps, it can be a challenge to get to certain places without a vehicle. This is especially true if you’re wanting to explore some of the more remote spots in the surrounding areas.

Where to Stay in Oberammergau

There are dozens and dozens of places to stay in Oberammergau, or even in nearby Unterammergau.

Our visit was scheduled around the 2022 production of the Passionsspiele (passion play), so demand for lodging was quite high. We ended up booking a cute little top floor apartment in Unterammergau (which is only a 5 minute drive or train ride away from Oberammergau). We made our booking through Booking.com (if you click on the link, you can book the same place as well). It was a lovely apartment and the views from the balcony were stunning.

***Full disclaimer: the shower/tub situation was a bit awkward. The way the tub is positioned in the slant of the roof, it is almost impossible to stand up fully.

1. Explore or Attend the Oberammergau Passionsspiele

This is a once in a lifetime event and I feel so lucky that we were able to attend in 2022!! This incredible play of the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ has been performed in Oberammergau since 1634. This dynamic play with actors/actresses, musicians, live animals, and elaborate props is produced every 10 years. During production year, the play is performed daily for thousands of audience members who travel from all over the world just for this momentous event. (In 2022, it was performed a total of 110 times!)

One of the most unique aspects of this play is that only people who are native to Oberammergau, or who have lived there at least 20 years are allowed to participate. This includes every aspect of the production, from the actors/actresses, to the choir, to orchestra members, to firemen, to ushers, etc. Altogether, it takes overs 2,000 participants to make the production a smooth success.

The Origin of the Passionsspiele Tradition

You might be wondering why on earth such a tiny village would take on such a monumental task every 10 years. So, here is the inspirational story of the famous Passionsspiele’s origins.

In the 1600s, the Boubonic Plague spread quickly across Europe. Despite the town’s best efforts, eventually it showed its ugly face in 1632, when a man named Kaspar Schisler attended a church festival. Leaders of the village came together and prayed for God to spare their little village from destruction. And, in return, they would honor Him by re-enacting the story of the passion of the Christ once every 10 years. Fortunately, during the course of the following year, some residents did show signs of infection, but no one perished. In 1664, the first Passionsspiele was performed. This tradition has continued (with minimal interruption) to this day.

To read a more complete history of the Passionsspiele, please click here to view it on the Passionsspiele website.

Plan Your Visit to the Passionsspiele Theater Between Performance Years

The most recent Passionsspiele performance was in 2022 (postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic). Therefore, the next performance will be held in 2030. But, if you are planning to visit sometime in the next year or two, do not fear, you will find that you can still visit the Passionstheater and explore this unique history. There is even the opportunity to see a variety of other performances which are produced in the space. To learn more about upcoming shows, please visit the Passionstheater website.

Plan Your Visit to the Passionsspiele During Performance Year

The next Passionsspiele performance is not scheduled until 2030. Tickets will most likely go on sale around mid-2028. While this does feel like it is quite a ways in the future, it is never too early to begin considering whether or not this is an event you would like to attend! Below, I have included all kinds of information from our recent experience. This can help give you insights into what it is like to experience this momentous event.

The Passionsspiele is performed completely in German. That said, there are translation books available for purchase in many languages: English, French, Spanish, German, etc.

This is a very long and beautifully enacted play. With a running time of five hours, it is not a surprise that attendees are given a 3 hour intermission. During this time rest and absorb and that happened in the first act. Additionally, it’s the perfect time to eat before continuing to the second act. For us, this was more than enough time for us to catch the 5 minute train-ride to the neighboring village of Unterammergau, have dinner at our AirBnb, and return with plenty of time to browse through the shops in Oberammergau.

Please note that the Passionsspiele takes place in an open-air theater. Although the audience is covered by a roof, it is important to remember to dress appropriately. Even in May/early June, it can be rather cool in the evenings, so you may want to bring an extra layer just in case. In contrast, it can be quite warm in July, August and September.

For more information about tickets, package options (which include hotel reservations), and more, please visit the official Passionsspiele website.

2. Visit Linderhof Palace

Front of Linderhof Palace near Oberammergau

The stunning Linderhof Palace (also known as the summer palace of King Ludwig IV) is located a quick 15 minutes away from the village of Oberammergau. It is certainly one of the most popular sites in the area surrounding Oberammergau. It is a beautiful work of art and the surrounding gardens are inspirational in their own right.

Linderhof’s elaborate design and decoration were heavily influenced by the Sun King Louis XIV and his Palace at Versailles. In comparison to Versailles, Linderhof is quite small, and served a more private/retreat function for King Ludwig. Within its walls, you can find four “main” rooms: a miniature Hall of Mirrors (used as a drawing room), an audience chamber, a dining room, and a bedroom. This is in addition to some smaller, less functional rooms. Overall, Linderhof was King Ludwig’s favorite residence. He frequently secluded himself there, often working through the night and sleeping during the days.

How to Get to Linderhof Palace

As I mentioned previously, I definitely recommend having a car. There are two parking lots to choose from at Linderhof. Each of them will cost you a small parking fee (be sure to have some Euro coins or small bills on you). We personally parked at the Linderhof Castle Parking Lot. From there, it was a short walk to the ticket office. There were also public restrooms available in the area as well as a gift shop kiosk, a little cafe, and a hotel.

Alternatively, there is a bus option from Oberammergau to Linderhof Castle, bus 9622. To view the most up to date schedule, go to the DeutschBahn website and search for connections between “Bahnhof, Oberammergau” and “Linderhof Schloß, Ettal”.

3. Take a Ride on the Alpine Coaster

This is one of those unique experiences that can easily be enjoyed by all members of the family. Roller coasters are fun, but usually they are located in theme parks, far away from the beauty of nature.

Not the Alpine Coaster! It is made up of a track that runs down the side of a mountain. Each person gets their own individual cart (which is lifted up the mountain) to ride in. (There is the option for parents to ride with their children) What makes it even better is that you, as the rider, get to control just how fast your cart goes. For example, the carts we rode in had the option to go faster by pushing forward on the bars, or we could slow down/break by pulling them towards ourselves.

If you are interested in learning more about this unique experience in Oberammergau, please visit the official Kolbensattel website.

Please note that there is parking directly associated with the Alpine Coaster, but it will require a small fee, so be sure to have Euro coins or small bills on you!

4. Visit Historic Breweries Such as the Ettal Abbey

Just a few minutes away from Oberammergau, in Ettal, you can discover the Ettal Abbey. This is an iconic Benedictine Abbey where monks have been brewing beer of over 400 years (the most famous of which is their Weißbräu). Additionally, you can view the chapel, check out the variety of unique items sold in their monastery shop, or even visit the cheese factory/store (Schaukäserei Ammergauer Alpen) behind the monastery!

If you are arriving by car, the best place to park is at the Parkplatz Klosterhof. It costs a mere 2 Euros for 4 hours of parking. (So, be sure to have some Euro coins on you!)

More Local Breweries

The Ammergauer Maxbräu Restaurant at Hotel Maximilian is a great spot for a locally brewed beer. Additionally, they have a great menu with delicious foods (see photos above). Although it is a bit pricey, it is absolutely worth it! Please note that this restaurant is quite popular. Therefore, if you would like to dine here, be sure to contact the restaurant in advance to make a reservation.

There is also a Paulaner Brauerei close by in Oberau. We did not personally go to this brewery, but I have heard great things about it from others!

6. Hike Through the Partnachklamm (Gorge)

As I mentioned above, Oberammergau is part of the greater district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. And, that is exactly where you can explore this gorge-ous gorge. Since 1912, Partnachklamm has been considered a natural landmark in Germany. It is a beautiful place which is certain to remind you of the power of nature as you watch the water rush through the narrow gorge. Indeed, Partnachklamm is very narrow, quite deep (over 260 ft in places), and rather long (approximately 2,303 ft).

However, the gorge was not always appreciated for its natural beauty, but instead its economic value. It was once the site of a major industry: wood driving. Amazingly enough, the gorge was used from the 1800s all the way up until the 1960s by brave locals for log transport. Especially in spring, the river was utlized to transport firewood from the Reintal valley to Partenkirchen. Often, this task was done at the risk of their own lives! Whenever the tree trunks got wedged or stuck between the walls of the gorge, men had to free them using long wood bars with an iron spikes at the ends.

Planning Your Visit to Partnachklamm

Partnachklamm is located about 30 minutes away from Oberammergau by car, or about an hour away by public transportation.

If you are planning to utilize public transportation, you will want to look for buses departing from Oberammergau Bahnhof and arriving at Skistadion, Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The only route that I was able to find indicated that you will have to make two transfers. That said, it is always best to verify this on the official Deutschbahn website.

Parking

If you are planning to drive, I personally recommend the Parkplatz Kainzenbad. This is where I parked on both of my visits to the gorge. To my knowledge (and according to the reviews), it is a free parking lot, which is incredibly rare in Germany.

Details to Consider

The gorge is located in nature, and you should not expect to have WIFI access during your visit. Therefore, if you buy your tickets online, be sure to take photos of them ahead of time. You can also map out the route you plan to take ahead of time and screen shot it to your phone.

It is important to note that the ticket for Partnachklamm is a one-way ticket through the gorge. The entrance to the gorge is located here and the exit is located here.

After exiting the gorge, continue straight for a short time and you will see the route back to the starting point on the left hand side. Because the route will take you up and over the gorge, it is quite steep and I don’t recommend this route for people with mobility concerns. Additionally, it is important to note that wheelchairs and strollers are not allowed.

It is also important to consider that the route through the gorge is often narrow, dark, and can be quite wet/slick, which is important to consider before deciding if this is the best activity for your travel group.

I would anticipate getting dripped on. Depending on how much it has recently rained, or if it is raining at the time of your visit, you might want to consider having a rain jacket on you.

For more information about ticket prices, opening hours, and more, please visit the official Partnachklamm website.

Stop in at Kaiserschmarrn-Alm on the Route Back

On your way back, be sure to stop in at the Kaiserschmarrn-Alm restaurant. Not only are the views beautiful, you can enjoy a delicious hot skillet of kaiserschmarrn (pictured above). Of course, they also serve a full menu of other German foods. But, this dish is what they are most famous for.

***Be sure to have Euro cash on you! There is no/limited WIFI in the area and credit cards are not accepted.

5. Walk Around the Eibsee and Take the Gondola to the Zugspitze

The Zugspitze, also known as the highest point in Germany, is located just south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is about 30 minutes away from Oberammergau and would make a great activity to pair with your hike through Partnachklamm.

At the top of the Zugspitze, you will find a beautiful, golden summit cross, which was erected by a priest. Additionally, there is a meteorological observatory, restaurants, opportunities for mountain climbing in the summer, and skiing in the winter. Additionally, because it is located directly on the boarder of Austria, you can easily cross over into the neighboring country. In fact, when relatives of mine were visiting, we actually ate lunch on the Austrian side.

To learn more about prices for the gondola in addition to opening hours and more, be sure to visit the official Zugspitze website.

Getting to the Eibsee/Zugspitze

If you are planning to utilize the public transportation, you will want to look at route that depart from Oberammergau Bahnhof and arrive at Eibsee Zugspitzbahn, Grainau. The route that I was able to find indicated that it will take about 2 hours to get there and you will have to make one transfer.

If you are driving from the parking at Partnachklamm, it will take you about 20 minutes to get to the parking for the Eibsee/Zugspitze gondola. You can preview the route on Google Maps by clicking here.

Parking at Eibsee/Zugspitze

The Wanderparkplatz offers free parking, but it is a small lot. So, if there are no spots available between the parking signs, you can continue on to the other parking options. (Be sure to have some Euro coins on you to pay for the parking!) Please heed the warning from someone’s review that if you park outside of the two blue P parking signs, you will get fined.

6. Explore Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles

Only about 30 minutes away from Oberammergau, you will find two of the most beautiful castles in Germany. The first one, Neuschwanstein, just might be one of the most famous castles in the world. This is due to the fact that it inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle. The other, Hohenschwangau, is filled with stunning fairy tales murals. It is also where crazy King Ludwig II grew up.

My recommendation to you is to spend an entire day in the area, exploring the castles and hiking in the woods around them. You can also visit nearby Füssen, a sweet little village, where you will find many great options for lunch and/or dinner.

The best way to get the most for your money is to buy the castle combination ticket known as the Königsticket (King’s Ticket). This includes timed entries for each of the two castles.

To learn more about each of these castles, where to park, and more, be sure to check out numbers 1 & 4 in my post: Don’t Miss These 8 Stunning Castles in Germany!!

Swan Fountain at Hohenschwangau Castle in Germany

In Conclusion

I hope that this post has inspired you to consider Oberammergau as a premier destination for you in Germany. In addition to the beauty of the Alps, there is such a rich history to discover here, and I hope you enjoy your trip!

Happy Travels,
<3 Christine