Westendorf’s cultural profile includes the Catholic Parish Church of St. Michael, the preservation of traditional costumes and dances, and music and theater in community life. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing clearly between these local topics and the attractions of the broader Ostallgäu destination.
Westendorf: Church, Community Groups and Music
The Catholic Parish Church of St. Michael was extended and renovated in 1966/67, mainly through donations from the local community and voluntary work. A thorough exterior renovation followed in 1979/80. The first phase therefore involved both an extension and a renovation; the later work focused on the exterior of the church.
Since its founding in 1921, the “Gennachtaler” Westendorf traditional costume and heritage association has been dedicated to preserving traditional costumes, folk dances and Schuhplattler dancing. This focus gives local community life a clear connection to traditional clothing, dance and customs.
The Dösingen community music association is active in community life with New Year’s morning serenading, annual and children’s concerts, the “Blätzagraba” and a wine festival. Festive processions for First Communion and Corpus Christi are also among its activities. The community’s two brass bands regularly give concerts. If you would like to include a performance or concert in your travel plans, check the specific dates in advance.
The Dösingen Theaterstube’s repertoire includes classic plays with depth and humor. These include the dialect play “Das schwäbische Paradies” (“The Swabian Paradise”), inspired by Franz von Kobell’s original version of Brandner Kaspar, and Ephraim Kishon’s “Vaterschaftsprozess des Zimmermanns Joseph” (“The Paternity Trial of Joseph the Carpenter”). These titles offer a distinctive insight into the community’s theater scene, but do not imply that there is a current performance date.
In the broader Ostallgäu destination
The regional landscape differs from Westendorf’s local cultural profile. In the Ostallgäu district, the mountains in the southwest are part of the Vilser Gebirge and those in the southeast belong to the Ammergebirge. At 2,082 meters, Hochplatte is the highest mountain in the Ostallgäu. Forggensee also stands out: At more than 15 km², it is Bavaria’s fifth-largest lake and Germany’s largest reservoir.
Cultural attractions in the Ostallgäu include Neuschwanstein Castle, which, together with Linderhof Palace, the King’s House on Schachen and Herrenchiemsee Palace, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 12, 2025. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau royal castles can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Another regional collection, the South Seas Collection, is displayed alongside the Obergünzburg Local History Museum; it now comprises more than 1,500 everyday and cultural objects.
There are 32 local hiking routes in the Ostallgäu, showcasing special natural and local treasures. The regional routes of the RadReiseRegion span the entire Ostallgäu; each is 25 to 76 kilometers long, fully signposted and has its own theme. The Forggensee cycle path runs around the lake. This makes it easy to distinguish between hiking and cycling options based on their respective route types and the stated cycling distances.
Winter sports are another regional option: the Alpspitzbahn Nesselwang provides access to the downhill run around the 1,575-meter-high Alpspitz. The ski area includes family-friendly slopes and a children’s ski area; operating conditions may vary by season, so it is advisable to check before planning. In the summer season, Forggensee boat trips run regularly. Check the timetable before setting off.
This gives you two distinct perspectives to consider when planning your trip: Westendorf’s parish church and community life on the one hand, and the regional landscape, culture and activities of the Ostallgäu on the other. You can plan ahead by checking concert and performance dates as well as seasonal offerings.
Discover more destinations: Osterzell, Nesselwang, Seeg, Roßhaupten, Buchloe, Oberostendorf, Kaufbeuren, Schwangau.
Go to the main travel overview: Ostallgäu.
