The picturesque town of Bad Tölz is situated in the Alpine foothills, not far from Munich. This historic spa town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and lies directly on the banks of the River Isar.
- The history of Bad Tölz
- A spa resort surrounded by nature
- A stroll through Bad Tölz
- Things to do in and around Bad Tölz
- Bad Tölz: Getting there from Munich
The history of Bad Tölz dates back to the year 1000. The original mill settlement of Reginried was ideally situated on the River Isar and on the Salt Road, which ran through the village from Bad Reichenhall and Berchtesgaden. The River Isar was vital for the transport of goods in Bavaria. Timber and other goods from the Oberland were transported down the river on timber rafts to the transhipment point in Munich. ‘Tölz’ was first mentioned in a document in 1180. As early as 1331, the town was granted market rights, and Marktstraße – still one of the most beautiful historic shopping streets on the outskirts of Munich – became the centre of trade.
In the 19th century, this town of craftsmen developed into a popular spa resort. Following the chance discovery of an iodine spring, several spas and health resorts gradually sprang up. The town experienced a further boom in 1874 when it was connected to the railway network. ‘Tölz’ became Bad Tölz, and the market town was granted town status in 1906. Famous guests such as Thomas Mann and Mark Twain came here for spa treatments. The town has been a state-recognised spa since 1969, and in 2005 Bad Tölz was also awarded the title of ‘moor spa’.
Bad Tölz is also home to the Tölzer Knabenchor, founded in 1956. Today it is one of the most renowned choirs in the world and has been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2024. Concerts featuring the Tölzer Knabenchor are also regularly held in Munich in collaboration with the Bavarian State Opera.
Bad Tölz is a popular destination for anyone looking to do something good for their health. The Tölzer Land Health Climate Park features a network of trails with a variety of hiking routes. There’s a route to suit everyone here. Well-known moorland areas in the vicinity include the Elbacher Moor, the Gaißacher Filze, the Kirchseemoor and the Königsdorfer Moor. You could, for example, go for a walk through the Elbacher Moor. If you wish, you can also try Kneipp therapy in the spa gardens. Right in front of the picturesque Kurhaus there is a Kneipp educational trail covering the five pillars of Sebastian Kneipp’s health philosophy.
The Kurhaus is just one of Bad Tölz’s many attractions. The late medieval and Baroque Marktstraße runs through the historic centre. The gabled houses are adorned with picturesque Lüftlmalereien (wall paintings) and characterise the entire townscape. The pedestrian zone, paved with natural stone, invites you to linger and stroll. In the upper part of Marktstraße stands the Winzerer Monument, dedicated to the knight and ducal steward Kaspar Winzerer III of Bratenberg and Retenfelden. The town parish church and the Mühlfeldkirche, both located near Marktstraße, are also well worth a visit.
For a chance to let your gaze wander a little, a walk up to Kalvarienberg with its Baroque Kalvarienberg Church is just the thing. Kalvarienberg can be reached in around 15 minutes from Marktstraße. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a wonderful panoramic view over Bad Tölz, the Isar Valley and as far as the Alps.
The Bad Tölz Town Museum is situated right on Marktstraße and is considered the most beautiful building on the square. The building used to serve as the town hall. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was renovated by the architect Gabriel Seidl, along with the other buildings along Marktstraße, and still shines in all its splendour today, featuring Lüftlmalereien (traditional decorative murals) and a double-gabled façade. Here you can learn interesting facts about Tölz and the timber-floating trade all the way to the Black Sea.
Whether summer or winter, day or night, the Blomberg offers year-round fun for young and old alike. The Blomberg is best known for its toboggan runs. There is the 1.3 km-long Blomberg Classic summer toboggan run, popular with families, as well as the Blitz all-weather toboggan run, which even invites you to toboggan at night. But in winter too, you can hire sledge and whizz down one of three toboggan runs to choose from. Afterwards, you can enjoy a meal and a refreshing drink at the Blomberghaus mountain inn.
Train from Munich: Approx. 1 hour. For more information, visit bahn.de
Car: Approx. 1 hour via the A8 and B13, or alternatively via the A95 and B11
