Ammergau Alps vacation when it rains? 7 tips for excursion destinations in bad weather.
It's starting soon - finally free, finally enjoying your vacation to the fullest! But unfortunately the weather is anything but promising. You're on vacation in the mountains, but it's raining heavily. Don't let it spoil your holiday mood: Here are the best excursion destinations when it rains and our team's favorite tips!
What to do if it rains while on holiday in the Ammergau Alps?
The plan was to go on extensive hikes with a stop at a hut, take scenic bike rides and enjoy the days off with an ice cream. But things turn out completely differently. - The sky is gray and the sun probably won't appear in the next few days. So what to do when the weather is bad in the Ammergau Alps?
With our highlights, your vacation will be a success even when it rains. We asked our editorial team and put together the best ideas for you. The result is: Really good excursion destinations for rainy days in the Ammergau Alps! And not just for solo travelers, but also for families with children. So if you're spending your family vacation in the region, you definitely shouldn't miss tip 7.
Tip 1: Excursion destination - Living Workshop Pilatushaus
Alpine folk art is created in the Pilatushaus living workshop in Oberammergau. Typical carvings, pottery, jumping jacks and colorful reverse glass pictures that made the so-called Kraxntragers famous on their travels throughout Europe centuries ago. In the Ammergau Alps Nature Park you can experience Oberammergau craftsmanship up close - and look over the artists' shoulders, completely free of charge. Something unique that only exists here - that makes you curious.
More information can be found here
Tip 2: Excursion destination - mSE art gallery with sculpture park
To the Ammertal in spring? Then the Ammergau Alps often have April weather - it can sometimes rain heavily. Quickly get dry - and into the museum. And not to just any museum, but to the mSE Kunsthalle with a sculpture park. Rural, modern and yet typical of the Ammertal. The building with its wide canopies and rustic wooden facade looks like part of the landscape. Since 2014, art projects have started here in Unterammergau - and travel from the Ammergau Alps all over the world, from Hamburg to Singapore.
The sculpture garden is populated by contemporary artists such as Anvidalfarei, Tadeusz and Spagnulo. So much art enjoyment with sculptures, paintings and photography makes you hungry: the Hieronymus restaurant next door serves sophisticated dishes made from regional ingredients. If the beautiful sun terrace is wet, you can sit comfortably at the open grill with a view of the Ammergau Alps and other works from Christian Zott's art collection in the restaurant. The initiator makes two millennia of European art history a playful and fresh experience!
More information can be found here
Tip 3: What a theater! Passion play in Oberammergau.
There is a special passion in the Ammergau Alps: an entire village has been burning for the Oberammergau Passion Play for over three centuries. In 3, in gratitude for freedom from the plague, the community leaders promised to reenact Christ's suffering every 1633 years. It stayed that way. Decade after decade, the world's largest passion play takes place in the Ammergau Alps, the next and 10rd time in 43.
Can't you wait that long? No problem, because in the foyer of the Passion Theater you will learn amazing things about the history of the Passion Play and can take a look behind the scenes of the Passion of 2022. What began on a wooden scaffolding in the cemetery near the parish church now thrills thousands - with a fireworks display of music, text, stage design and costumes. But guest performances such as Der Brandner Kaspar, Shakespeare and concerts such as the Heimatsound Festival are also on the program.
More information can be found here
Tip 4: Have you ever seen a monastery from the inside? Excursion destination Ettal Monastery.
A whole lot! Excursion destinations when it rains, such as the Ettal Monastery, offer a cornucopia of activities and attractions. No matter whether you visit the Ettal Monastery with its basilica, brewery and liqueur factory alone or with the whole family - there is so much to see that you will definitely come back. However, an important monastic rule is "Nihil Operi Dei praeponatur!", which means that worship takes precedence. When the monks come together to pray, the door to the basilica closes. Prayers take place at 6:00 a.m. and 18:00 p.m. (mornings only on Sundays and public holidays). However, you are allowed to attend public Eucharist celebrations and evening prayers.
Or you can marvel at the famous Ettal image in the Benedictine Abbey, the heart of the village and monastery. According to legend, “Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian” appeared. an angel who asked the emperor around 1330 to found the Ettal monastery - and presented him with the miraculous image made of white marble. Wrapped in precious robes, it shows the baby Jesus on the lap of the Mother of God. But reading the Holy Scripture is also one of the cornerstones of Benedictine life.
The monastery library is worth a visit - please register in advance at the monastery gate. You shouldn't miss the distillery tour through the liqueur factory - liqueur tasting included. Afterwards you can purchase the specialties in the monastery shop - and enjoy delicacies in the Bräustüberl or in the popular restaurant of the Klosterhotel Ettal - it is best to reserve a table in advance.
More information can be found here
Tip 5: What is educational, tasty and sustainable? Excursion destination Ettal cheese dairy.
Cheese! In rainy weather it is worth visiting a cheese dairy. The Ettal cooperative conjures up many delicious cheese specialties from delicious Alpine milk. Back in the 1980s, Klement Fend, the mayor of Oberammergau at the time, had the idea of building a show dairy in front of the picturesque Laber rock head. Finally, the state-funded regional marketing project in the Ammergau Alps worked: the Ettal Monastery made the property available. The communities of the Ammertal also stood and still support the show dairy. They supported the realization as much as they could.
But how do 3.000 liters of milk become golden cheese every day? Here you can experience it for yourself. For kids in particular, this is not only a real gain in knowledge, but also extremely exciting. You'll also learn why nature conservation, agriculture and food production are so closely linked. As part of the “Germany - Land of Ideas” competition, the show dairy was named “Selected Location 2006”. Following the lecture there will be a tasting; the tasting of the Ettaler Kas is included in the price.
Real cheese lovers can stay even longer - with a cheese snack in the Stüberl. Not to be forgotten are the delicious homemade cakes, which sweeten a rainy day and round off the trip perfectly.
More information can be found here
Tip 6: Where is Germany's highest park and garden?
Spoiled for choice: The Ammergau Alps offer countless excursion destinations in bad weather. At the top of the favorites list “Ammergau Alps in the rain” are the Bavarian castles and the magnificent Linderhof Castle in the historicist style. Linderhof is the highest park in Germany. A formal garden was created around the castle, combining borrowings from Baroque and Rococo gardens. Inside there are motifs in the Rococo and Neurococo styles.
Cleverly planned sight lines leave no view to chance. However, it is too wet today for water features and park fountains, as the main things take place indoors. If there are no more tickets available online, tickets are still available at the castle box office. Guided tours of the residence of Bavarian King Ludwig II are available every five to ten minutes - also in English. However, for groups of 15 people or more, such as school classes or holiday camps, advance registration is recommended. An interesting half hour where you are guaranteed not to get bored.
You have just marveled at the Moroccan House and the Moorish Kiosk, and the Hunding Hut and the Gurnemanz Hermitage are already inviting you. But what if the younger generation responds to your suggestion with “I think it’s stupid to visit a castle”? Click through Linderhof’s children’s and youth pages together with the kids beforehand. For the Bavarian summer holidays, they also have a special “Discover Families” holiday program Linderhof".
Isn't all this enough for you and your family? Then come back in autumn for one of the longer themed tours to find out more – about the history of its origins, the garden figures or the flora and fauna. The Bavarian Palace Administration recommends good footwear and weatherproof clothing.
More information can be found here
Tip 7: Excursion destination - Reptile House Oberammergau.
We agree about the Oberammergau Reptile House: It is a popular destination in rainy weather for kindergartens, holiday camps and the whole family. Since 1990, fascinating exotic animals that look like mini dinosaurs have lived, lived and loved in the reptile zoo. Unfortunately, the big ones died out 68 million years ago.
Even today, many animal species are becoming extinct. Because the fight for survival in the wilderness is tough and deforestation and pollution destroy habitats. Here you can find out how we can save animal and plant species today - or what a water dragon is. Watch the spider, lizard, coral tree frog and turtle live. Poisonous snakes also roam the Oberammergau Reptile House.
The reptile house reduces fear of contact and inspires respect for endangered species. The “Blue Night” is something very special, when the house is bathed in deep blue light and you can learn everything you need to know about the reptiles’ nightlife.
More information can be found here
“Our conclusion: In the Ammergau Alps Nature Park there are enough excursion destinations when it rains that are worth a visit not only in bad weather, but also in good weather!”
You can find an overview of our bad weather offers here!