Tänzelfest
Bavaria's oldest historical children's festival, held each July, where around 1,800 children in historical costumes re-enact the town's history, with a parade, camp life and a medieval market.
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Kaufbeuren
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ℹ️Practical info — Kaufbeuren
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Climb the Fünfknopfturm (Five-Button Tower) for the best panoramic view over the medieval old town.
- Visit the peaceful garden of the Crescentia Monastery for a moment of quiet in the city center.
- Explore the Neugablonz district to learn about the world-famous tradition of glass and jewelry making.
- Time your visit for July to experience the Tänzelfest, Bavaria's oldest historical children's festival.
- Visit the weekly market on Kaiser-Max-Straße on Thursday mornings for regional Allgäu specialties.
🍽 Food
🍽
Tänzelfest Supp'n
A hearty vegetable soup that is a local tradition, especially popular during the festival season in old town inns.
🍽
Allgäuer Kässpätzle
The regional staple: soft egg noodles with plenty of mountain cheese and fried onions, found in almost every Bavarian tavern.
🍽
Aktienbrauerei Beer
Try the local brews directly at the brewery's own restaurant near Jordanpark.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Gablonz Glass Jewelry
Visit the factory outlets in the Neugablonz district for high-quality costume jewelry and artistic glass beads.
🛍
Kaiser-Max-Straße Weekly Market
A great spot for Allgäu cheese, ham, and handmade goods directly from local producers.
🧘
Crescentia Pilgrimage Path
A walking trail that gives tranquility and wonderful views of the Alpine range.
🧘
Jordanpark
The city's green lung with old trees and small waterways, good for a relaxing stroll.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Kaufbeuren is located on the northeastern edge of the Allgäu region in Bavaria, beautifully situated along the river Wertach. As a former Free Imperial City, it possesses a rich heritage visible in its well-preserved medieval core and the imposing city walls. The Fünfknopfturm (Five-Button Tower) stands as the town's most recognizable landmark. Kaufbeuren is famous for the annual Tänzelfest, Bavaria's oldest historical children's festival, where the town's history is reenacted by thousands of children in period costumes. The Franciscan convent, where Saint Crescentia lived, remains a major spiritual center and pilgrimage site. Economically, the district of Neugablonz is particularly notable; founded by post-WWII refugees from the Sudetenland, it became an international hub for the manufacture of fashion jewelry. With the Alps nearby, the city provides a high recreational value, blending industrial innovation with traditional Bavarian culture and dramatic natural surroundings.
- Location: Bavaria, Germany
- Top sights: Fünfknopfturm · Kaufbeuren Town Hall · Crescentia Monastery
- Nearby: Marktoberdorf (13 km)
- Population: ~46.386
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 75 | 59 | 68 | 69 | 124 | 131 | 132 | 138 | 91 | 75 | 63 | 71 |
Geography
Facts
- Imperial City until 1802
- Elevation: 678 m
- Area: 40.02 sq km
- Center of Neugablonz jewelry
- Tänzelfest since the 15th century
- Postal code 87600
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Kaufbeuren (12)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tänzelfest?
It is Bavaria's oldest children's festival, where the town's history is re-enacted by children in historic costumes.
Who was Saint Crescentia?
A famous nun from Kaufbeuren; her convent and memorial site are important pilgrimage destinations.
Which tower is the town's landmark?
The Fünfknopfturm is the town's prominent landmark and part of the old city fortifications.
What does the Isergebirgs Museum offer?
It documents the history and culture of the Sudeten Germans from the Jizera Mountains who settled in Neugablonz.
Is Kaufbeuren a good starting point for the Alps?
Yes, as the 'Gateway to the Allgäu', the Ammergau and Allgäu Alps are reachable in a short time by car or train.
Kaufbeuren: where is it located?
Kaufbeuren is located in Bavaria, Germany.
Kaufbeuren: what is there to see?
Highlights include Fünfknopfturm, Kaufbeuren Town Hall, Crescentia Monastery.
Kaufbeuren: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Kaufbeuren: why is it worth visiting?
Kaufbeuren is located on the northeastern edge of the Allgäu region in Bavaria, beautifully situated along the river Wertach.
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