5 Days in Nesselwang: A Family-Friendly Winter Itinerary in the Bavarian Alps
Nesselwang sits at the foothills of the Bavarian Alps in the Allgäu, a region shaped by dairy farms, forested slopes, and centuries-old trading routes between Germany and Tyrol. The town is compact and friendly, with a cable car up the Alpspitze and a valley dotted with small lakes—perfect for family walks, photos, and easy adventures with kids.
In winter, Nesselwang’s Alpspitzbahn becomes a local favorite for beginner-friendly skiing and sledding, plus a year-round alpine coaster that kids love. When you need to warm up, the ABC-Bad (Alpspitz-Bade-Center) offers family pools, a long tube slide, and a sauna area for grown-ups. Nearby Füssen and Schwangau add storybook flair with Neuschwanstein Castle and lakeside promenades.
Practical notes: Expect freezing nights and icy mornings—pack proper winter gear and use German-approved winter tires if driving. Most restaurants welcome kids and offer smaller portions. Card acceptance is common but carry some cash. Around New Year’s Eve, fireworks may be restricted in certain zones—always check local guidelines.
Nesselwang
Cradled between grassy pastures and spruce woods, Nesselwang is small enough to explore on foot yet big on family activities. The Alpspitzbahn whisks you to panoramic viewpoints, where on clear days you can see toward the Tannheim Valley. Down in town, you’ll find a traditional brewery inn, easy winter walking trails, and a relaxed village rhythm that pairs well with school holidays.
Top family-friendly highlights include the Skigebiet Nesselwang (Alpspitzbahn) for gentle ski slopes and sledding, the AlpspitzCOASTER alpine coaster (usually operating in winter), the ABC-Bad pools and sauna world, and the scenic Attlesee–Kögelweiher loop for a flat winter walk with lakeside photos. Day trips to Neuschwanstein and the old town of Füssen round things out.
- Where to stay (you already have a hotel—save these for friends or extra nights): Browse family-friendly homes on VRBO Nesselwang or check kid-approved hotels and apartments on Hotels.com Nesselwang.
- How to get there: Fly into Munich (MUC) or Memmingen (FMM), then continue by regional train or car. Compare flights and onward rail options via Omio (flights to/from Europe) and Omio (trains in Europe). By train, Munich–Nesselwang typically takes ~2–2.5 hours with a change (from ~€22–€38 p.p. advance fares). Driving from Munich is ~1.5 hours, from Memmingen ~45–60 minutes, weather permitting.
Day 1 (Dec 30): Arrival, Village Stroll, and Brewery Comforts
Morning: Travel day. If you’re arriving by train, pick up valley essentials (snacks, water) near the station. If you’re driving, ensure winter tires and consider chains if a storm is forecast.
Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs on a gentle loop through the village center—peek into the parish church and note the Alpspitzbahn valley station for tomorrow. If conditions allow, let your 6-year-old try the AlpspitzCOASTER for an instant thrill (children ride accompanied; rides from ~€6 each; family tickets available).
Evening: Settle in with a hearty Bavarian dinner at the Brauerei-Gasthof Hotel Post in the center. Order roast pork with dark beer gravy or käsespätzle; kids can go for schnitzel or potato soup. Parents can sample the local Post-Brauerei beers; grab an apple strudel for dessert. Early night—tomorrow you’ll be on the snow.
Day 2 (Dec 31): Ski & Sled at Alpspitzbahn, Alpine Coaster, Family New Year’s Eve
Morning: Head to the Alpspitzbahn valley station for rentals and a family lift pass (adult day ~€45–50; child ~€23–28; family deals often available). Book a 2–3 hour kids’ group lesson with the local ski school, while a parent sneaks in a few runs. The beginner areas and gentle blues are ideal for first turns.
Afternoon: Warm up at Sportheim Böck near the slopes—order goulash soup, Kaiserschmarrn, and hot chocolate. Swap skis for sledding on the designated slope by the valley station (sled rental ~€8–12). If snow is thin, take extra rides on the AlpspitzCOASTER or enjoy a short winter walk at the base.
Evening (New Year’s Eve): Go early-bird and family-friendly: dine back in town—try seasonal specials at the Brauerei-Gasthof or a simple pasta/pizza night in neighboring Füssen if you prefer. Many families mark “midnight” a bit earlier with sparklers. If fireworks are permitted, view from a safe open area away from farms and woods; always follow local advisories. Check the weekly schedule for occasional night skiing at Nesselwang during peak season.
Day 3 (Jan 1): Slow Morning, ABC-Bad Spa Time, Optional Ice Skating
Morning: Sleep in. Ease into the day with a relaxed walk through snowy lanes or a short forest path near the valley. Bring a thermos of tea and let your child stomp fresh tracks.
Afternoon: Unwind at ABC-Bad Nesselwang (Alpspitz-Bade-Center). Kids love the warm family pools and long tube slide; parents can rotate into the sauna area (typically 16+; separate ticketing) with alpine-themed saunas and outdoor hot pools. Expect ~€12–€22 per adult depending on time; kids lower; family tickets available. Refuel at the onsite bistro with soup, salads, and kid-friendly plates.
Evening: Head to nearby Füssen for coffee-and-cake at Café Höfler (cream cakes and hot chocolate hit the spot) and a casual Italian dinner at Il Pescatore (reliably good pizza, lasagne, and a warm atmosphere that welcomes kids). If energy permits, check public session times at the Füssen ice rink for an hour of skating (rental skates available; ~€4–€8 p.p.).
Day 4 (Jan 2): Neuschwanstein & Füssen Old Town
Morning: Drive ~35 minutes to Hohenschwangau (or plan ~45–60 minutes by regional train/bus; compare on Omio trains). Pre-book a timed tour for Neuschwanstein Castle (tours sell out). In winter, the shuttle to Marienbrücke may pause if icy; walking times lengthen, so bring sturdy boots and allow buffer time.
Afternoon: After your castle visit, have lunch at Schlossbrauhaus Schwangau, a modern in-house brewery serving roast chicken, spätzle, and seasonal brews; kids get generous portions. Then wander Füssen’s cobbled lanes and the Lech riverside. Photographers: look for pastel facades along Reichenstraße and reflections near the Stadtpark bridge.
Evening: Dine in Füssen at Madame Plüsch (old-world décor, Bavarian classics, and an easygoing vibe) or circle back to Nesselwang for a light supper. If it’s clear, catch blue-hour photos over Hopfensee—a flat lakeside walk with mountain silhouettes is magic around sunset for family portraits.
Day 5 (Jan 3): One More Ski-Run or Lakeside Ride, Cheese Stop, Departure
Morning: Choose your finale: a half-day back on the Alpspitzbahn for a few family runs or sledding, OR, if paths are clear and snowless in the valley, a gentle bike/scooter loop around Hopfensee (~7 km, paved, mostly flat; strollers and kids’ bikes do fine—rentals available in the area if needed). Photographers: early light glows on the Allgäu ridgelines from lakeside viewpoints.
Afternoon: Stop by the Sennerei Lehern (near Hopferau) to pick up Allgäu mountain cheese and yogurt for the road; the on-site café is great for a quick lunch or cake. If you prefer indoor time before departure, swing past the Allgäu Outlet in Nesselwang for winter gear deals. Aim to leave by early afternoon for trains or your drive out—check routes on Omio (trains).
Evening: Travel onward. If you’re flying, compare airport connections on Omio (flights) and plan extra time for winter weather.
- Kid-tested extras (swap in anywhere): Short hike to the Kappeler Alp for hot chocolate and wide views (check opening hours in winter); the Attlesee–Kögelweiher lakes loop (5–6 km) for an easy, scenic walk; another hour at the ABC-Bad if the weather turns.
- Gear & lessons: Rent skis, boots, helmets, or sleds at the Alpspitzbahn valley station. Local ski schools offer half-day kids’ lessons—reserve in advance over holiday weeks.
- Budget tips (your budget = 50/100): Use family lift tickets and half-day passes; pack mountain picnics; choose one “big” meal per day and one lighter café stop; consider 2–3-hour spa tickets instead of full-day.
From cozy slopes and sled runs to castle silhouettes and steamy spa pools, Nesselwang delivers a relaxed, kid-approved Allgäu winter. With short travel times and flexible options if snow is light, your New Year’s break stays easy, warm, and memorable.
