DEHUROENTR

Plizio Visual Lab

Ettal Abbey

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
church
—°10
Ettal Abbey (Germany)

Weather…

Ettal Abbey in Upper Bavaria is a significant Benedictine monastery and a masterpiece of Bavarian Baroque architecture. The monastery was founded in 1330 by Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian to fulfill a vow after his return from Italy. The present magnificent basilica with its massive dome was built following a devastating fire in 1744 under the direction of Enrico Zuccalli and Joseph Schmuzer. Particularly worth seeing is the monumental dome fresco by Johann Jakob Zeiller, depicting the heavens over Ettal. Besides its spiritual importance, Ettal is known for its monastic economy, which includes a brewery, a distillery for the famous Ettaler monastic liqueur, and a cheese factory. The complex is idyllidally situated in a high valley of the Ammergau Alps and serves as an important pilgrimage site and cultural center for the region. The harmonious connection of art, faith, and artisanal tradition attracts numerous visitors from around the world each year.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-4-316101415151172-3
Rain mm83658184149175172185119917074

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
Ettal Abbey is an active Benedictine monastery, and its church can be visited during service times. The magnificent Baroque domed church is open to visitors, but the monastic enclosure is not.
🕒
Typical hours
The church is typically open daily from around 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, with interruptions for the midday break. Exact hours vary by season and service schedule.
📷
Photography
Photography is allowed inside the church without flash to protect the frescoes. Outside, photos are possible at any time - the monastery grounds offer beautiful subjects.
⏱️
Time needed
Allow about 30 to 45 minutes for visiting the church and courtyard. Those wishing to climb the dome or visit the monastery shop should plan for one hour.
➕
Combine with
Combine Ettal with the nearby Linderhof Palace and its monastery - both just a few kilometers away. The scenic villages of the Ammergau Alps also invite walking.
🧭
Getting there
Ettal is located on the B23 federal road between Oberammergau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Parking is available directly at the monastery; by bus, stop at 'Ettal Kloster'.
💡
Insider tip
Visit the abbey church during a mass to experience the acoustics and organ - the atmosphere is then especially impressive. Try the homemade monastery liqueur in the shop.

Geography

Coordinates
47.57100, 11.09200

Facts

  • Founded in 1330 by Ludwig the Bavarian
  • Basilica dome built after fire in 1744
  • Famous for Ettaler monastic liqueur
  • Has own brewery since the Middle Ages
  • Includes a humanistic secondary school
  • Pilgrimage site for the 'Madonna of Ettal'

Explore nearby

Notable places around

OberammergauOberammergau4 km · NWExplore →
Garmisch-PartenkirchenGarmisch-Partenkirchen9 km · SExplore →
Linderhof PalaceLinderhof Palace10 km · WExplore →
German AlpsGerman Alps11 km · SExplore →
Partnach GorgePartnach Gorge12 km · SExplore →
Murnau am StaffelseeMurnau am Staffelsee15 km · NEExplore →
KrünKrün16 km · SEExplore →
ZugspitzeZugspitze18 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Ettal Abbey (10)

Mariä Himmelfahrt

The Church of the Assumption is the church of Ettal Abbey.

♿

Schaffelberg

Schaffelberg is a mountain in Germany.

Ochsensitz

Ochsensitz is a mountain in Germany.

Laber

Laber is a mountain in Germany.

Ettaler Weidmoos

Ettaler Weidmoos is a nature reserve in Bavaria, Germany.

Döttenbichl

Döttenbichl is a sacrificial site from the late La Tène and early Roman imperial period.

Eisenhower Museum🏛 museum

A museum in Ettal commemorating Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Schöne Aussicht

A viewpoint offering a view of the area around Ettal.

Hänsel-und-Gretel-Heim

A building in Ettal, named after the fairy tale.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Is there a famous monastery at Achensee?
The Notburga Church in Eben am Achensee is the most important religious center, dedicated to the local saint.
Can you visit the church?
Yes, the pilgrimage church is open to visitors and worshippers free of charge during the day.
How do you reach the complex?
Eben is located directly on the Achenseestraße; the village is also accessible via the historic Achensee steam cog railway from Jenbach.
When is the best time to visit?
From spring to autumn, when lake cruises and mountain cable cars are also in operation nearby.
Is there parking available on-site?
Yes, there are public parking spaces in Eben near the church and the railway station.
Ettal Abbey: where is it located?
Ettal Abbey is located in Bavaria, Germany.
Ettal Abbey: what is there to see?
Highlights include Mariä Himmelfahrt, Schaukäserei Ettal, Schaffelberg.
Ettal Abbey: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Ettal Abbey: why is it worth visiting?
Ettal Abbey in Upper Bavaria is a significant Benedictine monastery and a masterpiece of Bavarian Baroque architecture.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → Most beautiful beaches → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →

Nearby cities

München — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
München
Munich, the state capital of Bavaria, combines Bavarian tradition with modern technology and cosmopolitanism.
Augsburg — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Augsburg
Augsburg is one of Germany's oldest cities, founded by the Romans, and is located in southwestern Bavaria.
Ingolstadt — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a large city in Upper Bavaria, known as the home of car manufacturer Audi and as an important university city.
Berg am Laim — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Berg am Laim
A historic district in eastern Munich, famous for its Baroque splendor and modern residential areas.
Landshut — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Landshut
Landshut is located in Bavaria on the Isar river.
Kempten — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Kempten
Kempten is considered one of the oldest cities in Germany and is the economic and cultural center of the Allgäu region.
Rosenheim — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Rosenheim
Rosenheim is the economic center of southeastern Upper Bavaria.
Neu-Ulm — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Neu-Ulm
Neu-Ulm is a vibrant Bavarian university city on the Danube, located directly across the river from its older sister city, Ulm.
Memmingen — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Memmingen
The city of civil liberties in the Allgäu, known for its magnificent old town and as a major transport hub in southern Germany.
Freising — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Freising
Freising is a historic university town on the Isar river, famous as the oldest episcopal see in Bavaria.
Neustift (Freising) — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Neustift (Freising)
Neustift is a historic district of Freising, famous for its magnificent former Premonstratensian abbey and its Baroque architecture.
Kaufbeuren — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Kaufbeuren
A former free imperial city in the Allgäu, famous for its medieval townscape and the historic Tänzelfest festival.
Germering — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Germering
Growing city west of Munich, known as a modern residential area with significant archaeological finds.
Fürstenfeldbruck — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Fürstenfeldbruck
A Bavarian city west of Munich, famous for the magnificent Fürstenfeld Abbey and its scenic location on the river Amper.
Erding — Ettal Abbey (Germany)
Erding
Erding is a historic Bavarian town famous for its traditional wheat beer and the world's largest thermal bath complex.