Sonthofen is the southernmost town of Germany, located in the Oberallgäu region of the Bavarian Alps.

Neighbouring Oberstdorf is situated 14 km farther south but is classified as a market town.

In 1804 Sonthof Castle becomes the seat of a Bavarian Landgericht (regional court) responsible for justice and administration.

From 1946 to 1948 it was home to the United States Constabulary school, from May 1951 through February 1952, was used by the United States Air Force in Europe as a basic training center,[3] and from 1956-2009 the German Bundeswehr located its Military Police (Feldjäger) and Staff Service School there.

The German Army's NBC Defence School (ABC-Abwehr- und Selbstschutzschule) is located in another barracks in Sonthofen.