Ettal Abbey

Ettal Abbey is one of the great monasteries of the Bavarian Alps and an easy stop between Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberammergau and Linderhof Palace. The monastery was founded in 1330, and the basilica at its heart still shelters the Ettal Gnadenbild, a revered figure of the Virgin Mary that has drawn pilgrims for nearly seven hundred years. The church you see today is mostly Baroque: after a fire in the eighteenth century the interior was rebuilt in a richly decorated style, and the great dome is covered in painted scenes. Entry to the basilica is free during opening hours, usually from morning until early evening, though visits are not possible during services. Beyond the church, the abbey is a working community with a brewery that has brewed since 1609, a liqueur distillery whose recipes are said to be unchanged for about four hundred years, a shop selling monastery products and a restaurant and beer hall at the hotel across the courtyard. The surrounding Ammergau Alps make it a quiet corner with a strong sense of place.

What to do here depends on how long you have. A quick stop takes thirty to forty-five minutes: step into the basilica, look up at the dome, walk the courtyard and gardens, and browse the shop. A slower visit adds a guided tour. The abbey runs separate guided tours of the basilica, the brewery and the liqueur distillery on set weekdays in the afternoon, with the brewery and distillery tours ending in a tasting.

Tours do not run on holidays, during monastery events or during services, and they need to be booked online up to a day ahead or bought at the shop until capacity is reached, so check the current schedule on the abbey site before you plan around one. The brewery and distillery tours involve stairs.

Getting there is simple by car, because the abbey sits on the road between Oberau, Oberammergau and Linderhof. Parking on the grounds is paid, and the abbey recommends specific car parks depending on whether you are visiting the basilica or walking. Without a car, take the train to Oberau and then the regional bus that runs between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Füssen to the Klostergasthof stop. Because the abbey is on the bus line between the two areas, it is also a natural stop for travellers moving between Garmisch and the castles.

Fit it into a larger day. A good circuit is Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the morning, Ettal at midday, Linderhof in the afternoon and Oberammergau for a walk and dinner. The shop and restaurant make lunch easy, and the Café 1330 on the grounds suits a coffee break. Be respectful in the church: it is a place of worship for the monks, who pray there daily, so dress modestly, keep your voice low and avoid photography during services.

If you enjoy beer or herbal liqueurs, plan your visit for a day with a tasting tour; if you prefer architecture, arrive when the light comes through the dome. In winter the valley is quiet and snowy and the whole complex feels especially calm.