Munich is distinguished by its exceptional quality of life, which locals greatly appreciate. The combination of infrastructure, cultural offerings, and green spaces makes the city on the Isar attractive to many. But of course , there are other cities in Bavaria that are considered particularly livable, one of which has even received an official award: In the past, Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm was the only German city to win the international LivCom Award in the category for cities with up to 75,000 residents. Read on to find out exactly what makes the city so livable.
In the heart of the Hallertau
Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm is a tranquil small town with 27,000 residents, situated in the Hallertau region within the triangle formed by Munich, Augsburg, and Ingolstadt. Thanks to its immediate proximity to nature, it is particularly well-suited as a starting point for excursions into the countryside and long, leisurely hikes. In the town itself, parks invite you to take a deep breath and go for a stroll, such as the Bürgerpark on the Ilm. Here you’ll discover the Hopfenturm, from which you can look out over the town, and the imposing millwheel of the Arlmühle. You can stop for a break and recharge your batteries at the nearby beer garden.
From here, it’s not far to the main square, which forms the center of Pfaffenhofen. Surrounding it is a cluster of historic buildings, including the New Town Hall from the late 19th century with its striking pointed tower. On the main square, you can not only admire the pretty colorful houses but also shop at the market or watch the water features.
Pfaffenhofen also features remnants of the old city wall and the Pfänderturm, one of what were once 17 towers along the wall. In contrast to these medieval ruins, Pfaffenhofen stands as an industrial hub, home to the baby food brand Hipp.
A Great Place to Live: Pfaffenhofen
In 2011, Pfaffenhofen received the LivCom award as the most livable small town in the world. Even though that was a while ago, nothing has changed about the quality of life in the town. The town itself promotes itself as combining “the best of city and country.” Here you can enjoy nature, admire picturesque architecture, and experience culture. Every fall, Pfaffenhofen hosts a folk festival where you can have a blast with rides and beer tents. In December, the main square transforms into a romantic Christmas market.
In the spring, you can set out on an asparagus tour from Pfaffenhofen. The small town on the Ilm is surrounded not only by hops but also by numerous asparagus fields. In addition, the town’s taverns and restaurants host the Hop and Asparagus Weeks starting in mid-March, followed by the regular Asparagus Weeks beginning in late April. So if you want to fully enjoy the season, head to Pfaffenhofen. The fastest way to reach the town from Munich is by taking the RE1, which gets you there in just over 25 minutes.
