In this guide we include tips on what to do, accommodation, tourist attractions, restaurants and other information for your best visit to Steingaden in Bavaria, state of Germany. Including its most visited tourist spot, the Wieskirche, the Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Saviour.
A travel itinerary to Steingaden can be part of the planning to discover the entire Romantic Road in Germany, the best known tourist route in the country, or even a weekend or holiday day trip.
We wrote about 8 of the best attractions on the Romantic Road in Germany with up-to-date tips, be sure to check it out.
Where is the city of Steingaden in Germany
Steingaden is a municipality in Germany, located in the district of Weilheim-Schongau in the state of Bavaria.
Steingaden is 98 km from Munich (approx. 1h 25min journey). I haven’t taken the train to the city yet, but you can search for an option on the Deutsch Bahn. Taking the capital of the country as a reference, it is 651 Km from Berlin and even though it is far away, it is possible to go by car (approx. 6h 45min), in relation to other cities, it is 230 Km from Stuttgart (approx. 2h 30min) and 434 km from Frankfurt (approx. 4h30min).
As you can see, we are getting closer to the city of Munich, which becomes the best option in terms of origin and stay for your visit.
How to go to Steingaden in Germany
The best way to travel in Germany is very much up to you. We alternated a lot between using the country’s excellent railway network and also taking advantage of the no less excellent German roads and highways (who has never heard of the Autobahns with no speed limit, right?).
If you want to go by train from Munich, the journey takes approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.
Read our Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
Romantic Road in Germany (Romantische Straße)
The German Romantic Route is the name given to a travel itinerary in southern Germany that crosses the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It passes through 460 kilometers and 29 cities, starting in Würzburg to Füssen (where the famous Neuschwanstein Castle) linking various historic attractions and picturesque castles.
Steingaden is part of the suggested itinerary and we have a complete and well-detailed travel guide with tips on how to get to know Germany’s Romantic Road, be sure to check it out.
Suggestions for activities and tours in the city of Steingaden and other destinations on the German Romantic Road:
Travel all Germany with the €49 transport pass
Be sure to read our complete guide on how to buy and use the 49 Euro transport ticket in Germany:
We answer questions like:
- Where and how to buy the €49 Ticket in Germany?
- How long is the €49 ticket valid for?
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- How can I see which trips I can take with my “Deutschland Ticket”?
We show you a step-by-step example on how to buy a ticket from Frankfurt to Munich.
Where to stay in Steingaden in Germany – Hotel, hostel and Bed & Breakfast
Although it is not very common to choose the city of Steingaden as a base for staying at Rota Romântica (it is much more common, for example, to stay at Munich and take a day trip), there is an option to stay.
The hotel close to the center of Steingaden and that is worth knowing to analyze your accommodation is:
- Gasthof Graf
- Schongauerstraße 15, 86989 Steingaden, Germany
- 8.5 – Very good out of 361 ratings
- Guest Comments: Very friendly and welcoming staff. Good food and great location. The outdoor brewery is also very nice. Prices are good.
There are also some other options for accommodation in hotels, hostels and inns, be sure to check it out at Booking.com page.
What to do in Steingaden in Germany
Until the secularization of Bavaria in 1803, Steingaden belonged to Steingaden Abbey, founded in 1147 by Welf VI, Margrave of Tuscany and Duke of Spoleto, and third son of Henry IX, Duke of Bavaria.
In the Bavarian administrative reform of 1818, Steingaden became an independent municipality, merging with neighboring communities on May 1, 1978 to form the city as we know it today.
It lies at the foot of the Alps, on the border between Upper Bavaria and the Allgäu. And its neighborhoods are Fronreit, Ilgen, Lauterbach, Riesen, Urspring and Wies.
Wallfahrtskirche zum Gegeißelten Heiland auf der Wies (Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Savior in Wies)
The church of Wies or Wieskirche is a pilgrimage church located in the district of Wies in the municipality of Steingaden. Completed in 1754 on the basis of a pilgrimage, which had existed since 1739, because of a statue of the scourged Savior, which was made in 1730 by Father Magnus Straub and Brother Lukas Schweiger in the Steingaden monastery in Upper Bavaria.
It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, mainly for its Bavarian Rococo architecture made by the artist brothers Zimmermann.
Its exterior is simple, but its interior is splendid with paintings that cover the ceiling and the details of the organ, the pulpit and the altars.
Today it is the main attraction for travelers visiting the city of Steingaden and the region. As it is close to Neuschwanstein Castle, it can also be included as a day trip stop.
The church is 5 km from the center of Steingaden.
Top tourist attractions
In addition to Wieskirche, other tourist attractions can be included in your travel itinerary in Steingaden:
- Klosterkirche St. Johannes Baptist (Church of the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist)
- The church was built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style, which can be seen from the outside. The basilica, called Welfenmünster, had its interior decorated with Baroque and Bavarian Rococo details.
- Klostermuseum im Pfarrhof (Museum of the Monastery in the Vicariate)
- The main attraction of the museum is its exhibition of more than 650 years of history of the monastery and city of Steingaden, such as the history of the Welf family, the crusades, the history of the construction of the monastery, the effects of secularization in Bavaria about the monastery and town of Steingaden, as well as paintings and sculptures from the former monastery property.
- Other churches in Steingaden
- Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche (Church of the Holy Cross) or Kreuzbergkirche stands on a hill with beautiful views of the Trauchberge and Lechtal Alps.
- Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Heimsuchung (Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary) has a hall in the Baroque style and its main image is a late Gothic wooden sculpture of the Mother of God with her Son.
In addition to the points listed, be sure to explore the small center of Steingaden and admire the city’s alleys and buildings, especially its main shopping square, the Marktplatz.
1 day itinerary tip in Steingaden in Germany
Our suggestion in Steingaden is to divide your itinerary in two parts:
- Dedicate your main time to visiting the Wieskirche and the Monastery Museum, including the Welfenmünster, which is right next to it.
Take a break for lunch at one of the restaurants suggested in our publication.
- You can stroll along Marktplatz, visiting the old city center, and its other churches.
After that you continue your journey to the next city on the Romantic Route of Germany.
Where to eat in Steingaden in Germany – Tips for bars and restaurants
If you’re traveling in Germany, I believe you should look for restaurants specializing in the country’s traditional cuisine or even a Biergarten for a German beer.
In Steingaden we saw some option:
- Cafe Restaurant Gasthof Schweiger
- Wies 9, 86989 Steingaden, Bavaria Germany
- 4.5 out of 93 reviews
- Customer Comments: We made a short stop here on our bike tour. We went straight away and very friendly took us to a place. The food was very tasty. In the beer garden you can sit comfortably and have a great view of the church. The staff is very friendly and really goes the extra mile. And also the bathrooms are very new and very clean.
- Drei Mohren
- Kirchenstr. 14, 86989 Steingaden, Bavaria Germany
- 4.5 out of 47 reviews
- Customer comment: Very good Bavarian cuisine, very friendly service. Good price ratio. Big portions. A hot tipp to eat in Bavaria.
- Gasthof Moser in Der Wies
- Wies 1, 86989 Steingaden, Bavaria Germany
- 4.0 out of 35 reviews
- Guest Comments: Beautiful restaurant in photo backdrop. Traditional menu with seasonal highlights. The quality of the ingredients is excellent. The meat comes from their farm. The food was incredible. Very attentive and professional service. Very good cakes.
It’s worth seeing at TripAdvisor website some options for restaurants, bars, Biergarten and cafes nearby in other nearby towns.
Watch a video with images of Steingaden in Germany
Video description: The Wieskirche Pilgrimage Church, the main attraction for visitors to the city of Steingaden, is a magnificent example of Bavarian church building. A Rococo masterpiece, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Are you traveling to Germany?
Specifically about international travel by plane to Frankfurt Airport, we have the best post:
Where to stay near Frankfurt Airport Germany – FRA, Frankfurt/Main
Search for the best place to stay near Frankfurt Airport, including hotel and hostel at different prices.
For planning a trip to Germany, we have some publications that can help a lot:
- Berlin, Germany – Top 20 sights and things to do and visit
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- The best region and the best hotel to stay in Cologne in Germany
- Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
*Photos from TripAdvisor, official website of Steingaden and Wikipedia.