Swabia, Administrative division in southern Germany
Swabia is a regional district in Bavaria that covers large parts of the western state and extends more than six hundred miles from north to south. This administrative unit runs from the Nördlinger Ries through Allgäu down to the foothills of the Alps near the Austrian border.
The territory originates from the medieval Duchy of Swabia, which fragmented in the thirteenth century and later split into different territories. The current district formed after the Napoleonic wars as a Bavarian administrative unit.
The name comes from the Suebi, a Germanic tribe that settled here in the third century. Local people still speak Swabian, an Alemannic dialect you can recognize by its soft pronunciation and distinct expressions.
Larger towns like Augsburg and Kempten sit along main transport routes and are reachable by regional train or bus. In the countryside, gentle hills and river valleys alternate, which are best explored by bicycle.
In several towns during the Middle Ages, Swabian Leagues formed as alliances of citizens and knights to protect common interests. Their statutes and seals can still be seen today in city archives.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Neuschwanstein Castle
106.6 km
Zugspitze
125.4 km
Ulm Minster
39.1 km
Kleinwalsertal
131.2 km
Blautopf
53.7 km
Nördlinger Ries
41.3 km
Fuggerei
33.2 km
Linderhof Palace
108.9 km
Schloss Elmau
126.4 km
Forggensee
100.1 km
Landsberg Prison
56.6 km
Hohenschwangau Castle
106.6 km
Wieskirche
95.7 km
Kuhsee
37.1 km
St. Johannes der Täufer
57.6 km
Andechs Abbey
77.3 km
Legoland Deutschland
17 km
Partnach Gorge
123.7 km
Highline179
116.5 km
Ordensburg Sonthofen
111.8 km
Alatsee
105.1 km
Heini Klopfer Ski Jump
126.4 km
Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps
86.4 km
Ettal Abbey
112.6 km
Grünten
106.1 km
Falkenstein Castle
103.8 km
Breitachklamm
125.5 km
Steinbruch an der Schanz
107.6 km
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes