Alpen(Germany) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Alpen, the top family-friendly hotel is Hotel Alpenhof, located at the foot of the mountains with spacious family rooms and a dedicated children’s play area. The hotel is steps away from the Alpen Nature Park and offers easy access to ski lifts and forest trails. Rooms feature cozy fireplaces and panoramic windows overlooking snow-capped peaks. On-site amenities include a thermal spa and a restaurant serving authentic Black Forest sausages and handmade cheeses.

For a more luxurious option, consider Alpenblick Hotel & Spa, renowned for its elegant Alpine architecture and modern comforts. It’s ideal for families seeking a peaceful retreat with wellness services and scenic views. Guests can enjoy guided nature walks and kid-friendly activities like wood carving workshops and local honey tasting.

The downtown area of Alpen is the prime choice for lodging, offering easy access to key attractions such as St. Mary’s Church and the Alpen Market Square. This zone hosts several mid-to-high-end hotels, including Hotel Alpenhof and Gasthof Adler, both providing traditional German breakfasts and complimentary bike rentals. Evening strolls around the Town Hall Fountain offer a serene atmosphere. For those seeking tranquility and mountain views, the northern hillside offers secluded lodges like Alpenblick Lodge, perfect for winter skiers or summer hikers, though slightly farther from town centers.

Visitors to Alpen should attend the annual Alpen Folk Festival, held each spring, where locals don traditional Bavarian costumes and perform folk dances with wooden flutes and handcraft displays. Guests can try their hand at Alpen wood carving or learn how to brew Black Forest honey wine. Don’t miss the Alpen Historical Museum, which showcases the town’s transformation from a 19th-century coal mining village into a tourism hub. Exhibits include antique mining tools, hand-drawn maps, and vintage photographs revealing deep industrial roots.

Alpen is one of North Rhine-Westphalia’s premier ski destinations, featuring three intermediate runs and one beginner slope—perfect for families and beginners. The Alpen Ski Center provides full-day cable car service and professional ski lessons, with snowmaking systems ensuring consistent snow quality. After skiing, head to Hotel Alpenhof’s heated lounge bar for mulled wine and German gingerbread. Some hotels also offer ski rental services and nighttime illuminated skiing, enhancing the winter adventure.

For couples, Alpenblick Hotel & Spa stands out with private suites featuring balconies and hot tubs overlooking snow-covered valleys. The hotel arranges personalized candlelit dinners and guided tours to the hidden Rose Valley, a wildflower-filled glen nestled in the forest. Gasthof Adler’s rooftop garden restaurant offers intimate dining with views of the sun setting behind St. Mary’s Church. Early morning yoga sessions in the mountain air provide a peaceful start to the day. These experiences make it an ideal getaway for lovebirds.

Alpen is famous for its Black Forest cuisine: must-try dishes include Alpen smoked pork stew and forest mushroom cream pasta. Local eateries like Gasthof Adler use organic ingredients sourced daily from nearby farms. Don’t miss Alpen apple wine (Apfelwein), a lightly sweet fermented cider made from local green apples, often served with roasted pork chops. Every Saturday, the Market Square hosts a bustling farmers’ market offering artisan bread, cheese, and honey—perfect for sampling regional flavors.

Yes, Alpen is a paradise for summer hikers. The Alpen Nature Park features over 50 km of well-marked trails ranging from forest paths and riverside walks to alpine meadows. Recommended routes include the Rose Valley Trail and the Eagle’s Peak Loop, where you’ll encounter wild rhododendrons, grazing goats, and cascading waterfalls. Many hotels, such as Hotel Alpenhof, offer guided hikes and equipment rental. Interpretive signs along the way provide insights into geology and local ecology. End your day with a campfire BBQ at a hillside campground under a starlit sky.

Though small, Alpen has a reliable public transit system. The Alpen Train Station connects to Münster and Cologne, with regional trains running every 30 minutes. Two bus lines cover main hotels and attractions, accepting Germany Rail Passes. Additionally, the Alpen Shuttle operates three times daily, linking ski areas, museums, and markets. For drivers, free parking is available near the town center, and many hotels offer complimentary parking. All services operate year-round.

Alpen offers stunning photography opportunities: dawn shots of St. Mary’s Church silhouetted against misty mountains are iconic. The Rose Valley Trail entrance features a centuries-old oak tree framing vibrant wildflowers. Sunset views at Alpen Lake reflect snow peaks and golden skies—ideal for long-exposure shots. The Market Square’s colorful timber houses and cobblestone streets are perfect for street photography. For aerial views, visit Eagle’s View Point, where drones capture sweeping panoramas of the town and surrounding Alps. Bring a wide-angle lens and tripod for optimal results.

Alpen has a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons. Summer (June–August) averages 18–24°C—ideal for hiking and outdoor adventures. Winter (December–February) sees frequent snowfall, with temperatures between -2°C and 3°C, making it perfect for skiing. Spring and autumn are rainy, so pack waterproof gear and grippy shoes. Due to elevation, daytime warmth doesn’t last into evening—bring layers. Visit during the Alpen Folk Festival in spring, but expect crowds. Book accommodations and ski passes early during peak winter months to avoid shortages.