Burgkirchen an der Alz

Day Trips

Begin your day with a stroll through the cobblestone streets of Burgkirchen’s old town, admiring centuries-old architecture. Pause at a local café for a freshly baked pretzel and strong Bavarian coffee. Learn about the town’s medieval origins from informational plaques and friendly locals.

Enjoy a guided walking tour that highlights Baroque facades and hidden courtyards. Stop by a family-run bakery to sample traditional pastries and chat with the baker. Capture photos of the painted frescoes on the town hall and nearby churches.

Dine in a cozy tavern serving hearty sausages with homemade sauerkraut. Listen to live folk music in the beer garden as lanterns glow under ancient linden trees. Wind down with a nightcap of herbal schnapps, breathing in the cool evening air.

Meet your guide at sunrise on the banks of the Alz River for a safety briefing. Glide downstream on a two-person kayak, spotting kingfishers darting along the reeds. Breathe in the misty river air as rays of light break through the mist.

Pull ashore at a riverside meadow for a picnic of hearty rye bread, local cheese, and cured meats. Swim in the clear waters to cool off, then continue paddling past willow groves. Learn about the river’s ecosystem and its importance to Burgkirchen’s heritage.

Return to the town pier and enjoy a riverside barbecue with grilled trout caught that afternoon. Share stories around a bonfire as dusk blankets the landscape. End the day tasting a crisp regional lager under starry skies.

Arrive at the medieval Burgkirchen Castle, perched above the Alz valley, for a guided tour. Explore its stone towers, hidden passages, and centuries-old chapel frescoes. Learn about the noble families who once ruled the region.

Wander through the castle’s newly restored courtyard gardens, inhaling the scent of lavender and roses. Attend a falconry demonstration and watch raptors soar above the ramparts. Enjoy a light lunch in the castle’s courtyard café with sweeping views below.

Experience a medieval banquet in the grand great hall, complete with jester performances. Sample roasted meats, thick soups, and local mead as torchlight flickers against the walls. Listen to lute music echoing through the ancient chambers before retiring to a guest room on site.

Set out on rented bicycles along the Alz cycle path, passing rolling fields and thatched-roof barns. Stop at a farmers’ market for fresh fruit, warm pretzels, and homemade jams. Breathe in the scent of wildflowers lining the trail.

Continue through idyllic villages where time seems to stand still. Pause at a family orchard to taste juicy apples and pears picked fresh from the trees. Capture panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps in the distance.

Return to Burgkirchen for a vegetarian feast at an eco-friendly restaurant. Sip on freshly pressed fruit juices or local craft beers while recounting your favorite bike route highlights. Unwind with a soothing herbal tea at your guesthouse.

Visit the historic Bürgerbräu brewery for a behind-the-scenes look at their brewing process. Smell the malted barley and hops as you tour gleaming copper kettles. Ask the brew master about secret recipes passed down through generations.

Sample a flight of beers ranging from crisp Pilsners to robust Dunkels in the riverside tasting hall. Pair each foray with Bavarian pretzels, smoked sausages, and soft camembert. Learn the nuances of aroma, color, and mouthfeel from a professional sommelier.

Join a communal dinner in the brewery’s beer garden under chestnut trees. Enjoy live accordion music while sampling seasonal brews and local sausage platters. Cap the night with a smooth wheat beer and friendly conversations with fellow travelers.

Drive or cycle to Hanslkai Nature Park at first light and begin a guided hike. Traverse moss-covered forest floors and cross wooden footbridges over babbling streams. Spot indigenous wildlife like deer and woodpeckers along the way.

Reach a meadow overlooking rolling hills and unpack a basket of artisan bread, cheeses, and cured ham. Relax in hammocks strung between ancient pines as you listen to birdsong. Continue exploring hidden waterfalls and fern-lined glades.

Return to Burgkirchen and freshen up at your guesthouse. Savor a light dinner of seasonal vegetable risotto at a farm-to-table restaurant. End the day stargazing in the garden with a warm herbal brew.

Embark on a short train ride to nearby Marktl, the birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI. Explore the ornate parish church and small pilgrimage chapels scattered around town. Experience the peaceful ambiance of this spiritual destination.

Lunch at a traditional inn serving homemade spaetzle and roast pork with gravy. Visit the modest Pope Benedict museum and learn about his early life and local traditions. Stroll through the riverside park along the Inn River, breathing in fresh air.

Return to Burgkirchen for an elegant dinner at a riverside restaurant. Try pan-fried Alz trout served with herbed potatoes while the sun sets over the water. Conclude your day with a reflective walk along the bank under lantern-lit trees.

Head to the nearby Alz lakes for a morning swim in crystal-clear water. Lounge on grassy shores with a good book and a wicker picnic basket. Feel the tension melt away as gentle waves lap the beach.

Rent a paddleboat or SUP board to explore hidden coves and water lilies. Snack on fresh grapes, cured sausages, and leftover cheese from the lakeside café. Capture mirror-like reflections of the surrounding forest.

Enjoy a lakeside barbecue at a designated picnic area with fellow travelers. Roast sausages over an open flame and share regional wines. Watch the golden sunset paint the water pink before returning to town.

Join local craftsmen in a hands-on workshop for traditional woodcarving or pottery. Learn time-honored techniques passed down through generations. Leave with a handmade souvenir and fond memories.

Wander through festival grounds filled with artisan stalls, folk dancers, and brass bands. Sample gingerbread hearts, candied almonds, and freshly squeezed lemonades. Cheer on locals competing in log-splitting and barrel-rolling contests.

Dress in traditional Tracht and join the communal dance under festive bunting. Savor roast chicken, pretzels, and potato salad at long wooden tables. End the night with fireworks and live oom-pah music echoing through the village.

Relax with a leisurely breakfast before boarding a small boat for a scenic river journey. Watch the town slip away as you glide past verdant fields and shaded oaks. Learn about local vineyards and soil types from a knowledgeable guide.

Disembark at a family-run winery for a vineyard tour among golden grapevines. Taste crisp whites and full-bodied reds paired with local chorizo and aged cheese. Take photos of the sunlit vines against a backdrop of rolling hills.

Return by boat as the sky transforms into a fiery canvas of orange and purple. Sip a glass of Pinot Noir on deck while a string quartet serenades guests. Conclude your day docking at the town quay under soft lantern light.