In the heart of Bavaria lies the picturesque town of Bad Tölz, which offers just about everything you could wish for for a relaxing yet diverse short break. The small Bavarian town on the banks of the turquoise-blue Isar River welcomed us at the beginning of September not only with perfect weather, but also with a charming old town, historic buildings and pretty alleyways, lush green meadows, a hilly Alpine foothills, plenty of wellness options, and, of course, culinary delights. If you’re longing for a break, we highly recommend a short break in Bad Tölz. In the following article, we’ll take you to Bavaria and show you the highlights Bad Tölz has to offer. Enjoy browsing!
- Interesting facts about Bad Tölz
- Day 1 – Arrival and getting to know Bad Tölz
- Day 2 – Wild herb hike, evening stroll & romantic dinner
- Day 3 – Mountain adventure and wellness
- Short break in Bad Tölz – Our conclusion
Interesting facts about Bad Tölz
Bad Tölz is just 50 km south of Munich and about 20 km from the Austrian border. Here in the picturesque Tölzer Land, the town lies on the banks of the crystal-clear Isar River and is surrounded by rolling hills, babbling brooks, and blooming meadows. The popular Upper Bavarian lakes, such as Lake Ammersee, Lake Starnberg, Lake Kochel, and Lake Walchensee, are just a stone’s throw away from Bad Tölz and offer refreshing refreshment, especially in the summer months.
In Bad Tölz, health also has a long tradition. Since the end of the 19th century, the town has been known as a “Bad” (Bad) and, since 1969, has been designated a “health resort.” This is due, among other things, to the three valuable, naturally derived healing agents: air, iodine, and mud. Iodine springs were discovered at the foot of the Blomberg in 1845 and are still an important part of the Tölz cure today. Added to this are the oxygen-rich, clean air and the health-promoting natural mud, which not only stimulates circulation but also relieves acute pain. The tradition of spa treatments continues to this day.
And while we’re on the subject of tradition, the region places great value on living customs. Traditional Bavarian festivals and events, such as the annual Leonhardifahrt, are highlights in the event calendar and provide an insight into the local culture. Locals proudly display their traditional costumes, folk music, and their clubs and guilds. ☞ Click here for the event calendar
The Bull of Tölz
Perhaps you also know Bad Tölz from TV? The town became famous thanks to the popular German television series “Der Bulle von Tölz,” which was filmed in the region. This series boosted the town’s popularity and attracted fans from all over the world. Today, you’ll even find the “Bulle von Tölz Museum” in the old town, where you can learn all about the cult series. We have to admit that we’ve never watched an episode of this series.
Day 1 – Arrive and get to know Bad Tölz
Check-in at the Hotel Bergeblick
We started our trip at the newly opened Hotel Bergeblick, which is located in a quiet and idyllic location on the Wackersberger Höhe. Here, we were able to move into a beautiful double room with a mountain view and were impressed by the hotel’s sustainable concept and design. With large panoramic windows, plenty of wood, and minimalist lines, nature is brought directly into the hotel. In some places, walls, doors, and visual boundaries were deliberately omitted to enhance the feeling of freedom and sufficient space.
Modern, high-quality & sustainable
Our room was very modern and high-quality. We enjoyed a large and very comfortable bed, a balcony with mountain views, and an open-plan bathroom with a shower and toiletries. Towels and a hairdryer were also provided. In general, we really liked the style of the room and the entire hotel. The hotel has a small but fine wellness area with various saunas, a natural pool, relaxation areas, a fitness room, and other amenities. On the upper floor, there is also a cool bar with a terrace.
In the morning, a verydelicious breakfast buffet is prepared at the Hotel Bergeblick. Quality over quantity is clearly the priority here. The focus is on fresh, top-quality ingredients, preferably sourced from local partners. And we can tell you: You can taste it! We particularly enjoyed the freshly baked bread, the delicious juices, and the tasty pancakes. In the evening, you can make yourself comfortable at the bar and order a tarte flambée or a snack. ☞ Book a room at the Hotel Bergeblick here
Short walk through Bad Tölz
After checking in at the Hotel Bergeblick, we strolled into the historic old town of Bad Tölz, which stretches along the banks of the Isar River. After strolling over the Isar Bridge in beautiful weather, we reached Marktstraße, one of the most beautiful promenades in Bavaria. Here, we were greeted by numerous historic houses, decorated with ornate facades and Alpine gables by the famous city architect Gabriel von Seidl. He created a unique ensemble here, which is why Marktstrasse is often referred to as the most beautiful ballroom in the Oberland.
Right at the beginning of our tour, we noticed the many Lüftl paintings (Upper Bavarian and Tyrolean versions of illusion and facade painting) on the house facades and the historic guild signs. A feeling of “vacation” immediately spread through us as we leisurely strolled through the old town. The many shops, cafés, and restaurants give Marktstraße a very charming and inviting character.
In addition to the main promenade, we particularly liked the former artisans’ quarter “Gries”, which stretches around Jungmayrplatz and Fritzplatz. Here, small, colorful houses are close together and, together with the winding alleys, form a truly pretty district. The best thing to do is just go with the flow and enjoy the flair of this town with its approximately 18,000 inhabitants. You can easily explore the sights of Bad Tölz on foot.
A detour to the planetarium
Are you interested in stars, planets, galaxies, and our universe? Then we recommend a detour to the planetarium, which is located next to the Old Town Hall. Here, you can marvel at a lifelike night sky using a starry sky simulator. And while you sit in a comfortable cinema seat and are guided through the infinite expanse of space, you will also be given exciting background information. Various shows take place in the planetarium. ☞ See the Planetarium program
Break on the banks of the Isar River
On the way back to the hotel, we made a detour to the banks of the Isar River. To be honest, we hadn’t expected to find such a turquoise, crystal-clear river. You can enjoy a beautiful view from the Isar Bridge, as you can also spot the Calvary Church, which towers imposingly above the town.
The Isar was already in active use many centuries ago and for a long time served as a main traffic artery (e.g., for rafting) and transport route. Today, it is a local recreation area and invites you to linger, swim, and sunbathe. We couldn’t resist the opportunity and immediately had to take a foot bath on the banks of the Isar. Numerous residents and vacationers strolled leisurely along the shore, rode their bikes, or relaxed with an exciting book on the adjacent green spaces and benches.
Day 2 – Wild Herb Hike, Evening Stroll & Romantic Dinner
Wild Herb Hike & Cooking Class
The second day began with a very special tour. Have you ever experienced a wild herb hike? We actually had our first experience with such a tour here in Bad Tölz and were pleasantly surprised. Together with our herbal guide, Alexandra, we hiked for about 2 hours through the nature around Bad Tölz and gained a wonderful insight into the amazing diversity of plants that grow in this area.
We weren’t aware that many of the wild herbs along the trail are edible and have healing properties. However, our herbal guide, Alexandra, had extensive knowledge of the different plant species, their uses, and their healing powers. She also showed us how to safely identify and collect specific wild herbs.
After the relaxing tour, we went to the Bad Tölz VitalZentrum and cooked delicious and, above all, healthy dishes with the herbs we had collected. Alexandra showed us how easy it is to incorporate wild herbs into your diet. We highly recommend a hike like this; it was a truly fantastic experience for us. ☞ To the herbal tour & Wild Herb Cooking Course
City Tour at Dusk
In the early evening, we took a city tour at dusk. During this 1.5-hour tour, we learned more about the history and sights of the city. Together with our tour guide, we strolled through the alleys of the old town in the evening light before enjoying the sunset on Calvary Hill.
Although it was very cloudy that evening, the view over the town, the foothills of the Alps, and the Karwendel Mountains was still magnificent. Completely unexpectedly, the tour guide handed us a bottle of sparkling wine with two glasses and a few chocolates. So, for us, this tour ended very romantically on Calvary Hill with arguably the most beautiful view over Bad Tölz. ☞ To the city tours in Bad Tölz
Romantic Dinner
And as if the day hadn’t been varied enough, a romantic dinner awaited us. In the restaurant “Das Dietmann’s” , we were able to round off the evening with delicious dishes and a glass or two of wine. Our table was beautifully set and decorated with candles, beautiful dishes, and cutlery.
We ordered a starter, main course, and dessert from the current menu. First, there was a delicious pumpkin soup, followed by a great Thai curry, and to top it all off, a sweet chocolate soufflé with a liquid center. The restaurant is part of the modern and stylish hotel and is certainly a top address even outside of such a dinner. ☞ To the current menu
Day 3 – Mountain adventure and wellness
Hiking on the Blomberg
On the third day of our trip, we went to the over 1,200 m high Blomberg, located amidst the beautiful Tölz Alpine foothills. Bad Tölz’s local mountain offers numerous mountain adventures, both summer and winter. Awaiting you here are a nearly 1,300-meter-long summer toboggan run, a climbing forest with nine adventure courses, the year-round “Blombergblitz” (also a toboggan run), an art trail, and the Blomberghaus mountain inn.
We took the Blombergbahn cable car from the valley station up to the mountain station, from where we hiked to the Heigelkopf (1,218 m). First, we walked past the Wackersberger Alm and numerous cows before reaching the Blomberg summit cross. Here, we sat on the bench and enjoyed the beautiful view. Again and again, the rising fog from the valley passed us by, but still left enough room for sun and blue skies.
After the cows gradually gathered around us, we hiked for about 10 minutes to the Heigelkopf summit cross at an altitude of 1,218 m. Of course, a few souvenir photos were a must here, too, before we hiked through the beautiful forest down to the WaldherrAlm. Once there, we were treated to a large portion of Kaiserschmarrn (sweet pancakes) and delicious spinach dumplings. From the inn, you can now leisurely hike back to the valley station of the cable car in around 1.5 to 2 hours.
All information about the hike
- Route: Blombergbahn mountain station to the WaldherrAlm
- Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours without long breaks
- Length: 3.8 km to the refreshment stop
- Refreshment stop: WaldherrAlm
- More information here: other hiking routes
Wellness at the Hotel Bergeblick
After our hike, we spent the rest of the day at the hotel and once again enjoyed all the amenities of the small but fine wellness area. First, we enjoyed the soothing heat in the Finnish sauna with a view of the forest. Afterwards, we made ourselves comfortable on the comfortably padded loungers. Despite the rain, we didn’t miss the opportunity to jump into the outdoor pool and swim a few laps.
The hotel also features an infrared cabin, an outdoor barefoot path, a fitness room, a plunge pool, colored light showers, relaxation rooms, a meditation house, outdoor showers, a Bavarian pool, and much more. Here, you can unwind and do something good for your body. We didn’t book a spa treatment, so we can’t share any experience with that. In the evening, we ordered a tasty snack and a few delicious drinks at the bar.
Short Break in Bad Tölz – Our Conclusion
While many people immediately associate the town of Bad Tölz with the TV show “Der Bulle von Tölz,” for us Bad Tölz means one thing above all: ARRIVING TO UNWIND! The rural charm and proximity to the mountains make Bad Tölz a wonderful starting point for all kinds of nature experiences.
But the town has so much more to offer besides its stunningly beautiful surroundings. Whether it’s a city trip, a wellness weekend, or a mountain adventure – we consider Bad Tölz to be a complete package and highly recommend a break in this region!
Are you also interested? You can book a similar trip on the Bad Tölz website, which includes a city tour at dusk, a romantic dinner, and a mountain adventure. ☞ For a romantic getaway in Bad Tölz