Experience Grafenau - What to see and do

Unknown to many but forgotten by few — Grafenau is one of those off-the-beaten-track holiday destinations that you stumble upon by chance and can’t help returning to. As the oldest town in the Bavarian Forest and conveniently located next to it, Grafenau makes an excellent base to explore the wonders of the Bavarian Forest National Park.

Grafenau is a quaint town located in Lower Bavaria, Germany, 32 km north of Passau and relatively near Germany’s borders with Czech Republic and Austria. Those who visit this town are generally in search of a healthy holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Top three things to do in Grafenau

Meander through Germany’s first national park

The region’s most beloved attraction, the Bavarian Forest National Park, is easily accessible from Grafenau. Visitors come here to immerse in nature and disconnect from the modern world. Hike, cycle, or simply go for a stroll on the trails — there are plenty of recreation options for all types of nature lovers. If you’d like the chance to spot some local wildlife such as bison, deers, bears, hawk owls, wolves, otters, and many other creatures, head on over to the animal enclosures at the Lusen National Park Center.

See the Bavarian Forest from a different perspective

Get a different vantage point of the Bavarian Forest from the treetops. The Baumwipfelpfad Bavarian Forest is a wooden canopy walkway rising 8 to 25 metres above the forest floor. Measuring 1,300 metres long, this family-friendly attraction has several learning stations for you to interact with and offers incredible views from its observation tower.

Visit a one-of-a-kind museum

Grafenau has several museums for visitors to learn and engage with its history. While there are many to choose from, there’s one museum in particular that stands out for its uniqueness: the Schnupftabakmuseum. This museum is completely themed around snuff, a tobacco product that is sniffed instead of smoked or chewed. The Schnupftabakmuseum is apparently the only one of its kind in the entire world, so it may be worth a visit if you’re curious to learn more about this topic.