From Ulm to Ellwangen. Albtrauf and Bavarian Swabia

Last Updated on 12/03/2023

Let’s see what is interesting in the Swabian hinterland. Swabians live both in Bavaria (Bavarian Swabia region) and in most of Baden-Württemberg. On this map, it will be an extension of the Swabian Alb – an upland that abruptly breaks off towards Stuttgart – and its spur Albtrauf, passing into the Danube valley.

Maps nearby:
southwest – Swabian Alb,
southeast – What to do in Allgäu map
east – Attractions around Munich
north – Romantic Franconia, Odenwald
Trains in Germany

Everything important that you can see in the region – with notes and links.

  • 1 – top
  • 2 – very good, although not so well known
  • 3 – good for a short vacation or a layover. Several medium-level interesting places
  • 4 – local or specific, not for everyone

Marks without brackets – I was there (there are links to the posts). With brackets – I wasn’t there. Of course, the notes are subjective

Bavarian Swabia, Swabian Alb, Albtrauf
enlarge Map data ©OpenStreetMap

Swabian Alb

2-3
1. Blaubeuren, Ulm

Read more on a separate page – Ulm and Blaubeuren.

Ulm – Gothic cathedral of the 14th century with the highest tower, the remains of the old center.

Wiblingen – a monastery with a baroque church and a rococo library.

Blaubeuren – blue lakes, monastery.

How to get: train

Bavarian Swabia

2. Günzburg

Old town, Frauenkirche.

Amusement park Legoland. Link

How to get there: to Günzburg by train, then by shuttle. The bus schedule is available on the park’s website under Besuch planen / Anreise.

(4)
3. Lauingen

Old town

How to get: train

(3)
4. Dillingen

Old town, churches

How to get: train

(4)
5. Dischingen

Burg Katzenstein castle (Link)

the historic railway Härtsfeld Museumbahn to the city of Neresheim (runs once a month during the warm season). In Neresheim – a monastery with a baroque church by the architect Balthasar Neumann (Link)

How to get: train to Heidenheim, then bus.

(3-4)
6. Giengen

How to get: train

Steiff Toy Museum (plush toys, bears) with outlet (Link)

Charlottenhöhle cave (Link).

Albtrauf

(4)
7. Heidenheim

How to get: train
To Wental – bus to Steinheim

Castle Hellenstein (Link), archaeological park Vogelherd (Link),

Small zoo Wildpark Eichert, thermal pool.

Wental – rocky valley (Felsenmeer)

(4)
8. Amstetten

How to get: train

There is a small museum of agricultural machinery here.
In addition, old trains depart from here: option 1, option 2

(4)
9. Lauterstein

How to get: bus

This small town can be interesting for Weißenstein Castle, which houses a microphotography museum. (http://www.kage-mikrofotografie.de/).

(4)
10. Göppingen

How to get: train

Мini-railway museum Marklin Erlebniswelt (https://www.maerklineum.de)

thermal pool (http://barbarossa-thermen.de/),
zoo (http://www.tierpark-goeppingen.de/).

3
11. Schorndorf, Welzheim

How to get: train

Steam locomotive railway from Schorndorf to Weizheim, passing through a picturesque area. There are also hiking trails along the railway.
It differs from many locomotive routes in that trains run regularly, and not a couple of times a year. However, be sure to check the timetable and current booking policies. Link

Welzheim
archaeological park Ostkastell (restored piece of the ancient Roman wall Limes, separating the Roman part from the non-Roman, with a gate) Link
Park Eins & Alles Link I still don’t know if the site is worth a visit or not.

Amusement park Schwaben Park Link
The age ranges from approximately 3 to 12 years, and for those who are older, less than for the little ones. Overall, it needs updating.

(3-4)
12. Lorch

How to get: train

Old town
former monastery on the mountain (birds of prey center, museum). Link, Link

(2-3)
13. Schwäbisch Gmünd

How to get: train

Old town. A part of the wall with towers of the 14-15th century has been preserved. Johanniskirche (late Romanesque basilica), gothic cathedral.
Museum of Factory of silver products (Silberwarenmuseum) Link
cultural and historical museum im Prediger in the building of a former Dominican monastery Link

Family park Himmelsgarten: adventure golf (Link), rope park, archery, playgrounds, dinosaur garden, small animal paddock, view tower

Weleda Erlebniszentrum Link

Zeiselberg – mountain with an observation deck and slides for children.

(3)
14. Aalen

How to get: train

Old town
Roman museum (Limesmuseum), Roman themed events. Link
Archaeological Museum (Urweltmuseum)
small science museum Exporhino. Link

Thermal pool

Schaubergwerk Tiefer Stollen mine. Link

(3)
15. Ellwangen

How to get: train

Historic center, Romanesque basilica of St. Vitus 12th c. (within baroque)
Ellwangen palace (Schloss ob Ellwangen) – princely apartments, religious art, decorative arts and other exhibits illustrating the culture and history of the region.

Thermal pool

Near the city is the pilgrimage basilica Schönenberg of the 17th century.

(4)
16. Bopfingen

How to get: train

Small old town
Baldern castle – castle 13th century in the baroque edition of the 18th century, one of the biggest collection of weapons. Link

3
17. Nördlingen

How to get: train

The old city, surrounded by a completely preserved and uninterrupted fortification wall of the 14th century, which can be walked along.
Bavarian Railway Museum with steam locomotives. Link

Nördlingen belongs to the Romantic Road route

Brot- und Tanzhaus 15th century

(4)
Oettingen

How to get: train

Old city with city walls.
Baroque residence – excursions, also for children, concerts. Link Court Garden.
Storks – a route along buildings with nests.

Other topics related to #Bavaria
#Baden-Württemberg

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