With over a hundred lakes within the region of Bavaria, Germany’s largest state by area, travellers are spoilt for choice when they’re craving a little commune with nature. Munich, the state’s capital city, is a fantastic base to explore some of Bavaria’s most stunning lakes. These seven are worth the trip out of the city for an unforgettable alpine experience.
1. Königssee
Best for: Boat rides through the fjord-like alpine lake, waterfalls and nature hikes
Nestled between mountains in the Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany’s only alpine national park, Königssee is the gold standard for stunning lakes. It sits at an elevation of 600m and plunges nearly 188m deep, and for that, bags the award for being the highest as well as the deepest lake in all of Germany.
The lake is a scenic three-hour drive from Munich’s main train station, München Hauptbahnhof and gliding through the fjord-like lake on a boat is the best way to experience its sheer beauty. The boat stops at two locations, St Bartholomä and Salet, and they’re both worth a visit.
Grab a quick bite at St Bartholomä and snap some shots of the iconic 12th-century Baroque-style church before making your way to Salet, where you’ll want to take a short 20-minute trek (no prior hiking expertise required) to another beautiful lake, Obersee. Think sparkling, clear waters that mirror the sky, dramatic, towering cliffs that seemingly rise from the lake and crisp mountain air that carries the scent of pine from the bordering forests.
At Obersee, there are plenty of hiking trails to choose from but if you only have time for one, make it the trail to Röthbachfall, the highest waterfall in Germany with a vertical drop of 470m. After your hike, take a refreshing dip in the waters (pro tip: both lakes allow swimmers) before catching the boat back to your car. The boat ride will take approximately an hour one-way and do factor in potential queueing time.
Where to eat: Fischerei St Bartholomä is an institution known for its fresh fish sustainably caught from Königssee and smoked in-house. Other items worth a taste: fresh pretzels, brown bread and its excellent range of regional wine.
2. Alpsee
Best for: An idyllic backdrop with fairytale castles in the background
Picture this: clear, emerald green waters, staggering mountain ridges and fairytale castles. This is the draw of Alpsee. The mountain lake is located close to the equally picturesque town of Füssen and is most prized for its royal access to not one, but two iconic German castles: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.
The best part? You can easily hike your way up to both castles from the lake if you wish. The trails are well-marked but can be challenging at certain steep sections. Strollers are not recommended. If you’re not up for a trek, the idyllic Alpsee Circular Trail around the lake is mostly flat and can be easily completed within two hours. Visit during the summer months if you’d like to swim in the lake; you can even rent row and paddle boats to drift along the water.
Don’t underestimate the winter months though. With snow-capped mountain peaks and powder-dusted pine trees, Alpsee transforms into a magical winter wonderland come December.
Where to eat: Make a reservation at Schloss Bräustüberl Hohenschwangau, a German tavern that serves rustic Bavarian grub. Munch on crispy oven-roasted pork and sausages from the Baur country butcher that processes only animals from the region, and savour freshly tapped beer from the König Ludwig Schlossbrauerei brewery.
3. Starnberger See
Best for: An easy day trip from the city to Bavaria’s second biggest lake
A mere 30-minute train ride from München Hauptbahnhof whisks city dwellers out to an oasis Munich residents have frequented for centuries. Whether you fancy a swim, bike ride, a hike or even a spot of sailing, you’ll be right at home at Starnberger See. And if you want to, you may do absolutely nothing but marvel at the view of the lake framed by the Wetterstein Mountains, home to Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak.
Bathers will be happy to know that there are plenty of swimming spots to choose from – Percha Beach is popular for its unparalleled views of the lake while Ambach recreation area further south comes conveniently equipped with a large carpark. Naturally, these spots can get very packed during the summer so we recommend planning your swims around off-peak times.
Seemingly floating in the middle of Starnberger See is Roseninsel (Rose Island), a wondrous little island that was adored by King Ludwig II, the same king that is credited for the construction of the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. The king loved the small island so much he received some of his dignitaries there, including Empress Elisabeth of Austria and renowned German composer Richard Wagner.
Where to eat: There are plenty of dining options all around Starnberger See. There’s Wirtshaus im Tutzinger Hof, a traditional tavern with a beer garden dishing up classic Bavarian fare, and Gasthaus “Zum Fischmeister” Karl Schauer which serves seafood-focused modern plates.
4. Rachelsee
Best for: Seclusion in the middle of the lush Bavarian Forest
While tourists flock to Baden-Württemberg’s Black Forest, the Bavarian Forest offers visitors a rustic off-the-beaten-track alternative. The National Park’s hands-off management philosophy is to “let nature be nature”, and it shows. The landscape here is wild, unmoored and deliciously raw. While the hiking trails are plentiful and well-marked, there are none of the manicured hedges and paved paths you’ll see at the high traffic locales. From München Hauptbahnhof, you can take a 3-hour train ride to Zwiesel or Bodenmais followed by a bus to the park, or rent a car for the 2-hour drive.
Rachelsee is a unique lake formed from a glacier during the last ice age and can only be reached on foot, lending further mystery to its existing shroud. Start your hike from the parking lot at Racheldiensthütte and take the trail marked Buntspecht (woodpecker in English) circular route. It should take approximately 2.5 hours to arrive at the lake. Once there, have a picnic lunch on one of the many benches before embarking on your next hike.
Where to eat: Thanks to its seclusion, there aren’t many food options surrounding the lake but if the hunger pangs hit, there’s Hotel Restaurant Zum Freidl, a guesthouse in the Bavarian Forest National Park that’s a 20-minute drive away. Their specialities include wildererpfanne, a game stew typically prepared with venison, wild boar and rabbit served alongside knödel (potato dumplings), and kaiserschmarrn, a sweet dessert of fluffy egg pancakes roughly torn up and topped with cream, raisins and plums.
5. Tegernsee
Best for: A relaxing day trip from Munich to a charming lakeside village
Just an hour-long journey via car or train from München Hauptbahnhof, Tegernsee is a popular day trip spot for Munich residents to swap skyscrapers out for a charming lakeside village. The lake is safe for bathers so there’s plenty of water sports to choose from during the summer months – sail, swim or paddle on a board, you got it – and a cable car takes the thrill-seekers up to Wallberg for panoramic views or for a spot of paragliding and hang-gliding.
Meanwhile, families can opt for a boat ride to explore the lake or embark on a guided tour at Naturkäserei Tegernseer Land to witness how natural cheeses are produced from hay milk before indulging in a tasting. Our top pick has to be swinging by a nearby farm for a play date with fluffy alpacas at Alpakahof. Children under two get to meet the lovable creatures free-of-charge. Book your experiences early to beat the crowds.
Where to eat: Aran is a popular café with waterfront views and serves up delicious brunch fare with natural cheeses, sourdough bread and housemade dips. Reservations are available for groups of more than 10. But if you’re craving something a little more local, there’s the Herzoglich Bayerisches Brauhaus, a Bavarian brewery located in the north wing of a former Tagernsee monastery.
6. Chiemsee
Best for: A royal mix of history and culture at the biggest lake in Bavaria
Beautiful nature and water sports aside, Bavaria’s largest lake is also home to two special cultural offerings. Herrenchiemsee Palace, affectionately known as “little Versailles”, is located on Herreninsel, which is one of two islands on the lake. The palace offers guided tours and can be accessed from the mainland via ship or boat. Fraueninsel, which is the smaller of the two, is home to a Benedictine abbey that was founded in 772, making it the oldest existing nunnery in Germany.
In good weather, the best way to travel to Chiemsee from Munich is by train. Take the regional train from München Hauptbahnhof to Prien am Chiemsee (approximately 1 hour) followed by a steam train that puffs and whistles its way from Prien to the harbour. The Chiemsee Bahn railway is registered as a historic monument of Bavaria and its launch dates as far back as 1887. The locomotive operates only from mid-May to mid-September so plan your visit to Chiemsee accordingly.
Where to eat: Fish is the name of the game at Chiemsee and there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Restaurant Fisherei Minholz is a cosy restaurant that dishes up the freshest catch of the day directly from the lake itself. Don’t forget to pop by their shop to grab some house-smoked and pickled fish to take home. For something a little more casual, there’s Chiemseefischerei Stephan, which is a family-run fish shop that’s been in the business of farming and catching fish for the past 400 years.
7. Eibsee
Best for: Postcard-perfect views of turquoise green waters and the Bavarian alps
If you have the time to visit only one Bavarian lake, make it Eibsee. It is without a doubt the most visually stunning lake on this list. The best thing is: it is incredibly accessible via car or public transport. The scenic train ride to Eibsee is worth the trip itself – the 1.5hr train ride from München Hauptbahnhof to Garmisch-Partenkirchen takes travellers through rolling hills, charming Bavarian villages and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Once you arrive at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, there’s the option to take a 20-minute bus that runs regularly throughout the day or the Zugspitzbahn, a cogwheel train that promises even more epic views before dropping you off at Eibsee.
Many prefer to combine Eibsee with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle as they’re a mere hour-long drive apart but if you have time to spare, we suggest that you make the day of enjoying the mesmerising lake. The Eibsee Rundweg is an easy 7.5km circular hike around the lake and promises endless returns on photo ops. If you’re visiting in the summer, the water is glorious for a quick swim after your hike to reenergise your body and awaken your senses.
Where to eat: Dining options are limited here so we highly recommend packing a picnic lunch for your visit but if you’re keen on a hot meal, Eibsee Hotel’s restaurant dishes out classic German food as well as some crowd favourites like burgers, chips and pizzas.
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