BOUTIQUE HOTEL · ALLGÄU
This is what you call a perfect location: Hopfen am See lies directly on the beautiful Hopfensee lake in the Allgäu region and is just a stone’s throw away – about four kilometers south of the historic and next largest town of Füssen, to whose surrounding area Hopfen am See also belongs. The proximity to Füssen in the Allgäu and the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau makes the holiday resort of Hopfen am See, in addition to all its other possibilities and activities, a culturally interesting destination. And the beautiful mountain scenery of the Alps is also within easy reach – it is this concentrated diversity that makes Hopfen am See one of the most attractive holiday destinations in the Allgäu.
Hopfen am See is also known as the “Riviera of the Allgäu.” And you’ll feel it as you stroll along the lively lakeside promenade, experiencing the southern European atmosphere that surrounds you with all the cafes, restaurants, and shops. Always present: the breathtaking view of the idyllic Hopfensee lake and the impressive Allgäu mountain peaks of the Alpine foothills.
Hopfen am See was first documented in 1172. Until 1936, the small village with only a few inhabitants was called Hophen. In 1978, it was incorporated into the Bavarian town of Füssen in the Ostallgäu district. Today, Hopfen am See – situated on the northern shore of Lake Hopfen – is a popular holiday destination with a wide range of hotels and other accommodations. As a health resort and Kneipp spa, it also attracts health-conscious tourists. Hopfen am See is also extremely popular due to its extensive wellness facilities.
Hopfen am See is easily accessible – especially by car: From the motorway (A7), take the Füssen exit and drive towards Rieden am Forggensee. There, turn right towards Hopfen am See and then follow the signs.
You can also arrive by train and bus. First, take the train and get off in Füssen. Then take bus line 56 directly to Hopfen am See, getting off at the Uferstraße/Höhenstraße stop.
High above the Allgäu Riviera lies the Hopfen Castle ruins. The castle’s remains are a popular destination for day trips, and Hopfen am See is the ideal starting point for a short hike to visit the oldest stone castle in the Allgäu region. Once you reach the top, a reward awaits: a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alpine foothills (Ammergau Alps and the Tannheim Alps), Lake Hopfensee in the valley below, and the town of Füssen. On a clear day, you can even see Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle in the distance.
You can choose between two different ascents to the castle, each taking about 30 minutes: One path is somewhat steeper and starts directly at the tourist information office in Hopfen am See. The other ascent is gentler and begins at the western entrance to the village. The information panels around the Hopfen castle ruins provide interesting facts about the ruins and the surrounding area.
Famous for its picturesque location directly on Lake Hopfen, Hopfen am See offers fantastic views from the lakeshore of crystal-clear water and the majestic Alpine peaks and green meadows opposite. But which mountains can you see from Hopfen am See? Below, we present the most beautiful mountains that you can discover and experience up close during your holiday in Hopfen am See.
The impressive Säuling mountain, rising 2047 meters above sea level, lies on the Austrian border near Füssen in the Alps. With its distinctive, pyramid-shaped peak, it towers over the Allgäu region and is considered Füssen’s local mountain.
Insider tip: While many visitors throng at the foot of the Säuling mountain, you can enjoy absolute peace and quiet and a fantastic view of the Füssen lakes and royal castles at the summit. A beautiful mountain hike, for example, leads you from Neuschwanstein Castle up to the Säuling near Füssen – the hike is suitable for experienced hikers in good physical condition.
The versatile Tegelberg mountain in the Allgäu region rises to 1,881 meters and is located near Schwangau. A popular destination for families, couples, or solo travelers, the Tegelberg, near Hopfen am See, is also accessible by a cable car that takes you from the valley station to the summit at 1,720 meters. At the top, you can stop at the panoramic restaurant and enjoy a refreshing Spritz or hearty Allgäu-style Käsespätzle while taking in the unique views of the surrounding picturesque mountains and Neuschwanstein Castle.
Insider tip: Adventurous vacationers can try a tandem paragliding flight from the top and create unforgettable moments. In winter, the area around the mountain is also ideal for skiing, with its many slopes and cross-country trails.
The Falkenstein ridge, approximately seven kilometers long, is located on the northeastern edge of the Allgäu Alps – more precisely between Füssen and Pfronten. The Falkenstein ridge is the smallest subgroup of the Allgäu Alps. The Salober (1293 meters high), also called Zwölferkopf or Zirmgrat, is the highest peak of the ridge. A particularly popular destination for tourists in the Allgäu is the Salober-Alm mountain hut, which offers fantastic views across the Allgäu Alps and the Tannheim Mountains.
Tip: Be sure to visit the Falkenstein Castle Ruins, as it is one of the highlights of the Allgäu – if only because of the castle’s exceptional elevation, which offers visitors wonderful views over the Allgäu.
The 1,575-meter-high Alpspitz lies about 20 kilometers northwest of Lake Hopfensee on the edge of the Allgäu Alps. A trip to the Alpspitz is very popular with vacationers in the region, as there are many pleasant hiking and cycling trails leading to the summit and the viewing platform. Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded: the charm of a mountain hut on an alpine meadow and pure relaxation combined with invigorating mountain air and fantastic panoramic views of the Allgäu mountains. In such an atmosphere, the Allgäu delicacies taste especially good.
Insider tip for adventurous holidaymakers: Looking for a real thrill? Then take the cable car (“AlpspitzKICK”) – the fastest zipline in Germany – on your way back down to the valley. Reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h, you’ll zip back down to the valley with magnificent views of the Alpine foothills.
Hopfen am See is a popular holiday destination for couples, singles, families, and groups of friends at any time of year. Not only the beautiful natural surroundings with picturesque landscapes, impressive mountain scenery, and crystal-clear mountain lakes, but also the almost unlimited opportunities for leisure activities such as hiking and cycling, water sports and winter sports, or wellness offerings for relaxation in the mountains make Hopfen am See a perfect destination in the Allgäu region.
Do you want to recharge your batteries and take a break from everyday stress and worries? Whether as a couple seeking pure romance, with friends for extra fun, or even alone for some soothing relaxation – Hopfen am See is a popular destination for romantic or restorative wellness weekends for two. Here you can enjoy a wonderful sauna experience, pamper your body, skin, and mind, and let your soul unwind. After a short trip to the wellness paradise of the Allgäu region, you’ll feel reborn.
A spa and wellness holiday in the Allgäu region is therefore always a good idea if the hustle and bustle at home is getting to be too much and you want to recharge your batteries, or if you simply fancy a short break with your best friends. During the day you can relax in the sauna and in the evening you can enjoy a cocktail or two.
Insider tip: When it comes to romance and love – Hopfen am See is a dream location in the Allgäu region – nestled in a picturesque setting with views of the lake and mountains – perfect for a marriage proposal, a wedding or for the honeymoon.
Insider tip: When it comes to romance and love – Hopfen am See is a dream location in the Allgäu region – nestled in a picturesque setting with views of the lake and mountains – perfect for a marriage proposal, a wedding or for the honeymoon.
We owe the famous Kneipp water treading to Father Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897), who created this holistic, traditional healing method. Not only Hopfen am See, but also nearby Füssen is now a recognized Kneipp spa town. Kneipp’s teachings are also evident in Hopfen am See through the interesting “thought benches” with Kneipp quotes, located along the shore, or in the form of a walk-through herb spiral. This is an artfully designed garden bed made of natural stones and various herbs. “Nature is and remains the best pharmacy,” as Sebastian Kneipp aptly put it. A Kneipp cure brings body, mind, and soul into harmony.
Insider tip: In the area around Hopfen am See and Füssen, you can experience the healing methods of Kneipp, as there are public Kneipp therapy areas everywhere that you can explore free of charge. The 26-kilometer Kneipp Cycle Route is highly recommended, allowing you to discover all the Kneipp stations.
Hopfen am See, with its fantastic location directly on the lake and in close proximity to the mountains, is the perfect place for an active holiday. Here you can wonderfully combine relaxation with sporting activities such as hiking, cycling, water sports, and winter sports. The possibilities seem endless. We’ll give you an overview of all the options.
Hiking around Hopfen am See leaves nothing to be desired. The approximately seven-kilometer-long circular trail around the picturesque Hopfensee lake is perfect for a short hike at any time. In summer, you can take a refreshing dip in the lake’s waters, but the lakeside path is also ideal for endurance sports such as Nordic walking, jogging, or cycling. Afterward, you can enjoy a well-deserved break at one of the cafés or restaurants along the lakeside promenade and savor the mountain panorama while enjoying a refreshing drink or a delicious snack.
You can find more detailed information about the hiking routes in our article about the beautiful Hopfensee.
Whether with a mountain bike, racing bike or e-bike – the region around Hopfen am See offers numerous cycling routes through fairytale landscapes, alpine meadows, forests and dreamlike mountains or to picturesque lakes – there is something for every taste and every fitness level in the Allgäu.
Lake Hopfensee is the warmest lake in the Alpine foothills and is perfect for water sports. Whatever your heart desires, Lake Hopfensee fulfills every wish of water sports enthusiasts. In summer, the lake not only invites you to swim, but also offers the following water sports: sailing, rowing, kayaking and pedal boating, water skiing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and windsurfing. There is a boat rental service at the marina where you can rent the appropriate equipment.
Hopfen am See is worth a visit not only in summer, but also in winter. During the colder months, when the Allgäu region transforms into a tranquil, fairytale winter wonderland of snow and ice, ice skaters glide across the frozen lake, and locals pursue their favorite sport – curling – which has a long tradition at Lake Hopfen. Ice walking and sledding also provide great fun for the whole family.
Ski resorts are just a stone’s throw from Hopfen am See. Spend your days carving down one of the diverse ski slopes and cross-country trails on skis or snowboards, then enjoy pure relaxation in the sauna in the evening, or have fun with friends at après-ski in a mountain hut? Sounds like the perfect getaway!
Insider tip: In winter, horse-drawn carriages await couples for romantic excursions through white landscapes, offering wintery natural scenery and views of snow-covered mountains and royal castles. Snuggled under warm blankets, you can experience the magic of winter up close.
Speaking of being pampered in Hopfen am See: Culinary delights are also plentiful at Lake Hopfen. Cheese spaetzle, cabbage dumplings, bacon dumplings and “Brennter” (a traditional winter dish), steamed dumplings, sausage salad and pancake soup, not to mention the delicious Allgäu cheese specialties, are just some of the fine culinary delicacies from the region around Hopfen am See. And you can enjoy this regional cuisine in the restaurants in the village and along the lakeside promenade with its view of the lake.
Mediterranean flair is also present on the Allgäu Riviera. On a sunny summer afternoon – after a stroll around Lake Hopfen – you can end the day in one of the promenade cafés with Italian coffee specialties, Prosecco, and homemade cakes – all while enjoying breathtaking views, delicious food, and drinks. In Hopfen am See, truly no wish goes unfulfilled.
