Oberstdorf
Oberstdorf has the most of our Allgäu homes. The Nebelhorn cable car climbs from the edge of town, and the Fellhorn and Kanzelwand ski area links over the border into Austria's Kleinwalsertal. The big ski-jumping hill hosts the first event of the Four Hills Tournament each winter. The Breitachklamm gorge is a short walk or bus ride away, and several side valleys are closed to cars. Memmingen airport is around an hour and a quarter away.
Best for: Big mountain walks, the Allgäu's best skiing and a train to the door
Not for you if: You want somewhere undiscovered: Oberstdorf is one of Germany's busiest mountain resorts in summer.
Fischen, Ofterschwang, Sonthofen and Rettenberg (Oberallgäu)
Fischen is about ten minutes north of Oberstdorf on the same railway, with Ofterschwang on the hillside above it. The Ofterschwanger Horn ski area has hosted women's World Cup races and suits intermediates. Sonthofen is the local market town, with supermarkets and a station. Rettenberg sits below the Grünten, a lone mountain with a transmitter on top and two village breweries. Memmingen airport is around an hour away.
Best for: Families who want small ski hills and Oberstdorf within easy reach
Not for you if: You want lots of restaurants on the doorstep: these are small villages that go to bed early.
Füssen, Lechbruck am See and Halblech (Ostallgäu)
Lechbruck has the second-largest group of our homes here, on the Lechsee, a reservoir on the Lech with swimming spots and a lakeside path. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are around 25 minutes away, and the Wieskirche, a rococo pilgrimage church, about 15. Füssen has a walled old town, the Forggensee for summer boat trips and the Tegelberg cable car close by. Halblech is a quiet village in between. Memmingen and Munich airports are each around an hour and a half away.
Best for: Neuschwanstein, lakes and cycling on the flat
Not for you if: You want to avoid coach crowds: Neuschwanstein and Füssen old town are packed in summer.
Pfronten, Nesselwang, Wertach and Oy-Mittelberg
Pfronten is a string of villages under the Breitenberg cable car, with the Falkenstein castle ruin on a rock above, where Ludwig II planned another castle. Nesselwang has the Alpspitze, a family ski hill with summer walks. Wertach sits beside the Grüntensee, a reservoir used for swimming and paddling, and Oy-Mittelberg is a spa village a few minutes away. Füssen is around 20 minutes from Pfronten. Memmingen airport is about an hour away.
Best for: Walkers and families who want small ski areas and lakes
Not for you if: You want snow-sure skiing: these hills are low, and lower slopes can be green in a mild winter.
Oberstaufen, Kempten and the West Allgäu (Missen-Wilhams, Buchenberg, Maierhöfen, Weiler)
Oberstaufen is a spa town known for the Schroth cure, with the Hochgrat cable car and the small Imberg and Hündle ski areas nearby. Missen-Wilhams, Maierhöfen and Weiler are farming villages among hills, woods and dairy pastures. Buchenberg is just west of Kempten, the Allgäu's main town, with Roman remains and a prince-abbot's palace. Lindau, on Lake Constance, is around 40 minutes from Oberstaufen. Memmingen and Friedrichshafen airports are each about an hour away.
Best for: Rolling hills, cheese dairies and easy trips to Lake Constance
Not for you if: You want high Alpine peaks outside the window: this is softer, lower country.
