Welcome to Bavaria! Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions in southern Germany. We spent several weeks there in the summer to thoroughly explore and take our time discovering this magnificent area. From the sublime Black Forest to the Austrian border, today we invite you to discover our top 5 most beautiful lakes in Bavaria for swimming or hiking!
Lake Königssee
Certainly the most beautiful of all, if you had to choose just one, it would undoubtedly be this one.
Lake Königssee is located in the village of Schönau am Königssee, just a few kilometers from the Austrian border and Salzburg. Nestled between mountains and forest, the lake is situated at the very end of Schönau am Königssee. When you reach its shores, you can’t help but be dazzled: you discover a vast expanse of emerald green water, with mountains reflecting on the surface.
In summer and in good weather, the site can be crowded with tourists from all over the world. But once settled in one of those electric boats, it’s absolute tranquility. The boat takes about an hour to cross the lake, giving you time to admire the landscape, the forest, the waterfalls, and the color of the water. A timeless moment.
We strongly recommend buying your tickets online as the waiting time can be several hours on busy days. Feel free to read our full article on this lake.
Lake Obersee
Lake Obersee is undoubtedly the most depicted in postcards and photos…
Located at the far end of Lake Königssee, it is only accessible by completely crossing Königssee. To do this, you will need to purchase the most expensive ticket at the Königssee pier, the one that goes to Salet.
Lake Obersee is an invitation to contemplation. Completely nestled between the mountains, it seems very well-preserved despite the tourists. You can take a beautiful hike that will lead you to the refuge on the other side, although the hike can be a bit challenging for young children. There are also two restaurants where you can eat on-site.
Lake Eibsee
Smaller and less known than its neighbors, but certainly not less beautiful! Another wonderful gem not to be missed. Lake Eibsee is a perfect spot if you love hiking. Just a few minutes’ walk will take you away from the parking areas and allow you to easily find solitude and enjoy the tranquility of the place. However, if you are in a camper van, be cautious as the area is unfortunately difficult to access. You will need to park quite far away to reach it.
Lake Alpsee
Lake Alpsee is located at the foot of the famous Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.
After visiting the castles and enduring the extreme crowds, you will appreciate the calm of the lake. Just move away from the first beaches and their restaurants to find yourself alone.
If you wish to swim, we recommend following the path that circles the lake to find small coves where you can be alone. The hike around the lake is quite long but not very difficult, even with children.
Lake Chiemsee
Lake Chiemsee is a leisure lake where Germans love to spend the weekend away from big cities like Munich.
It’s also where you can visit one of King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s castles, Herrenchiemsee Palace. After visiting the castle, you can rent a pedal boat or a small boat without a license to enjoy the lake. Some shores are also set up for swimming.
In Prien am Chiemsee, you will find numerous restaurants and cafés, but the town itself is not particularly interesting.
There are many other lakes in this part of Germany, making it an ideal region for nature lovers!
