5 Most Beautiful Lakes Near Munich

Munich is located in the Bavaria region, an area known for its castles, alpine landscapes, and impressive mountains. It truly feels like a fairy tale around here. Whether you’re visiting Munich or living in the city, don’t miss the chance to explore these incredible lakes scattered throughout the region.

Some of them are very close and easy to reach by public transportation, while one of them — which also happens to be my favorite — takes about 3 hours to get to. Even so, don’t let that discourage you, because it’s 100% worth the effort. Below, I’m sharing the 5 most beautiful lakes near Munich, with practical information and personal tips.

1. Eibsee Lake

Eibsee Lake is located in the town of Grainau, at the foot of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, in the Bavarian Alps. For this reason, it is one of the most famous — and most visited — lakes in the country.

Where it is

Grainau, Zugspitze region, Bavarian Alps. (However, the main base city for reaching the lake by public transportation is usually Garmisch-Partenkirchen.)

How to get there from Munich

From München Hauptbahnhof, take the RE 61 or RB6 train toward Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Once you arrive in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you have two options to get to Eibsee Lake:

• Option 1: Train — Transfer to the regional train RB 64 (Zugspitzbahn) and get off at Eibsee station. This part of the trip takes about 35 minutes.
• Option 2: Bus — From the station, take bus 323 and get off at Eibsee Bushalt Grainau. The ride takes around 40 minutes.

What to do there

• Walk the circular trail around the lake (about 7 km), with stunning views the entire way.
• Swim in the summer, when the water is crystal clear — and yes, very cold.
• Rent a pedal boat or stand-up paddleboard to see the lake from a different perspective.
• Photograph Zugspitze and the surrounding mountains reflected in the water — one of the most beautiful scenes in Bavaria.

This is the official Eibsee Lake website. There you’ll find very useful information to help plan your visit, such as water temperature, weather conditions, updated opening hours, regional maps, things to do, and even live webcams to check the lake in real time.

What we love about it

We absolutely love doing the trail around the lake. We’ve been there both in summer and winter. Even though it’s beautiful in every season, I personally prefer summer because I love swimming. About 20 minutes into the hike, you’ll find a smaller lake called Frillensee, which is incredibly beautiful and much more peaceful.

2. Chiemsee Lake

Chiemsee is known as the “Bavarian Sea” because of its enormous size. Located between Munich and Salzburg, the lake is home to several islands. One of them houses the famous Herrenchiemsee Palace, a replica inspired by the Palace of Versailles. I honestly only believed it after seeing it in person — and I left completely enchanted.

Where it is

Prien am Chiemsee, Upper Bavaria.

How to get there from Munich

From München Hauptbahnhof, take the RE 5 train toward Salzburg or Traunstein and get off at Prien am Chiemsee. The journey takes about 1 hour and is very straightforward.

Once you arrive in Prien am Chiemsee, it’s just a 10-minute walk to the pier, where the boats to the islands depart.

What to do there

• Visit Herreninsel and Herrenchiemsee Palace — This is the lake’s most famous attraction. The palace was built by King Ludwig II and is inspired by the Palace of Versailles. The interior is incredibly detailed and truly impressive. Tickets cost around €11, and I recommend buying them in advance to guarantee entry: official palace website .
• Explore Fraueninsel — A smaller, extremely charming island with a totally different vibe from Herreninsel. It feels like a tiny village, with colorful houses, small shops, restaurants, and a Benedictine convent. Perfect for a relaxed walk and lunch by the lake.
• Take a boat tour on the lake — This is essential to truly understand the size and beauty of Chiemsee. This is the official website (I’ll be honest — I find it a bit confusing): Chiemsee Schifffahrt . The route we took was the Inseltour West, which costs around €13.40. We bought the tickets on the spot with no issues. Basically, you just tell them you want to visit Herreninsel and Fraueninsel and then return.
• Walk along the lakeshore — If you have extra time, it’s definitely worth strolling through the green areas around the lake, sitting on the grass, and simply enjoying the scenery.

What we love about it

This is a lake where the boat tour is absolutely essential. Staying only by the shore doesn’t give you a real sense of how massive and beautiful the place is. Visiting the islands completely transforms the experience. I recommend buying the boat tickets on the day, which is usually easy, but I would purchase the Herrenchiemsee Palace ticket in advance, especially during high season, to avoid it selling out.

Good to know: you might have the same question I did, so here’s the answer: only the interior of the palace requires a ticket. The gardens, which are huge and absolutely beautiful, are free to visit.

3. Tegernsee Lake

Tegernsee is one of the easiest lakes to reach from Munich and is located in a very charming part of Bavaria. Beyond the beautiful scenery, the surrounding towns are lovely, full of cafés, restaurants, and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.

Where it is

Tegernsee town, Upper Bavaria.

How to get there from Munich

From München Hauptbahnhof, take the RB 57 train directly to Tegernsee station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and requires no transfers.

What to do there

• Walk along the lakeshore — The paths around Tegernsee are very pleasant and offer beautiful views of the mountains and the water. There are easy trails and flat walking paths, perfect for a relaxed stroll (very few elevation changes!).
• Enjoy cafés and restaurants with a view — Along the lake you’ll find many cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating, ideal for coffee, a Bavarian beer, or lunch with a view. We highly recommend Bräustüberl Tegernsee.
• Rent a pedal boat — In summer, it’s a fun way to enjoy the lake from the water. Pedal boats and stand up paddle are available in several spots. We rented a pedal boat and fair warning: the water can get quite choppy!
• Winter sports — In winter, the region turns into a snowy paradise. You can enjoy ice skating, winter hikes, and nearby ski areas with typical seasonal activities.
• Local events and markets — Throughout the year, Tegernsee hosts events, fairs, and seasonal markets (especially in summer and winter), well worth checking in advance.

Here’s the official website with complete information, maps, events, and things to do year-round.

What we love about it

Besides walking along the lake, we really enjoy a spot called Strandbad Point, where the view of the church in the background makes everything look like a movie scene. We’ve also rented a pedal boat, but keep in mind it rocks quite a bit, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re afraid of water. Another amazing place is the Italian restaurant Mamma Clara, with excellent pizza and carbonara (you’ll thank me later!).

4. Walchensee Lake

Walchensee is one of Bavaria’s most impressive lakes thanks to the color of its water, which ranges from deep blue to turquoise. Surrounded by mountains, it feels more wild and less touristy than many other lakes.

Where it is

Kochel am See region, Bavarian Alps.

How to get there from Munich

From München Hauptbahnhof, take the RB 66 train to Kochel am See. The journey takes about 1h10. From Kochel am See, take the local bus 328, which loops around the lake. Important stops include: Walchensee Ort, Urfeld, Seehäuser, and Herzogstandbahn. Each stop offers different activities, so choose based on what you want to do.

What to do there

• Swimming and sunbathing: Head to Walchensee Ort, the main stop, with grassy areas, a pebble beach, and easy access to the crystal-clear water.
• Hiking: Get off at Herzogstandbahn to access the Herzogstand mountain, challenging hikes, and panoramic views of the lake and the Bavarian Alps.
• Water sports: In Urfeld, you can rent stand up paddle boards, try windsurfing, or paddle across the lake.
• Relax and enjoy the scenery: Seehäuser is ideal for photos, quiet moments, and enjoying nature with fewer crowds.
• Boat rides: Small boats offer short trips on the lake, perfect for admiring the clear water and surrounding mountains.
• Photography: Every stop has stunning views, especially Herzogstandbahn and Walchensee Ort at sunset.
• Local food: Lakeside cafés and restaurants serve traditional Bavarian dishes — perfect after a day of hiking, swimming, or water sports.

What we love about it

The color of the water on sunny days is absolutely unreal. Walchensee is perfect if you love nature, peaceful surroundings (depending on the day and area), and more untouched landscapes.

5. Königssee Lake

I may have saved the most beautiful — and also the farthest — for last. Königssee is located inside the Berchtesgaden National Park and is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Germany. Despite the distance, it is absolutely worth the effort.

Where it is

Berchtesgaden National Park, southeastern Bavaria.

How to get there from Munich

Leaving from Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof), the main train is the RE 5. Important: this train has two different final destinations, depending on the schedule. Here are the options:

• Option 1 – via Salzburg (Austria):
  Take the RE 5 towards Salzburg and get off at Salzburg Hbf (around 1h50). From there, take bus 840 towards Königssee, which takes approximately 1 hour.
• Option 2 – via Freilassing (within Germany):
  Take the RE 5 towards Freilassing (around 1h40). In Freilassing, change to the S4 towards Berchtesgaden (approx. 50 minutes). Finally, take bus 843 towards Königssee, a short ride of about 11 minutes.

I chose option 2. Even though it involves more connections, it worked perfectly for me because I have the Deutschlandticket, which allows unlimited regional transport within Germany.

Overall, the journey takes between 2h45 and 3 hours, depending on connections and waiting times.

What to do there

• Take the boat ride on the lake – this is the main experience at Königssee and almost mandatory. The boats are electric (to preserve the National Park), and the ride goes through absolutely surreal landscapes, with steep mountain walls on both sides and incredibly clear water.
  
  During the trip, the boatman stops to demonstrate the famous natural echo of the lake — one of the coolest moments of the experience.
  
  TICKETS: Prices start at around €23. You can check updated prices on the official website , but tickets are purchased directly on-site, on the day of your visit.
  
  If you prefer an option with guide and transportation from Munich, here is an alternative: view full tour . Just make sure to read the description carefully to confirm what is included and whether it’s the right tour for you.
• Visit St. Bartholomä Church – one of the most iconic images in Germany, with its red onion domes right on the lakeshore. Access is only possible by boat. There is also a traditional Bavarian restaurant and easy walking trails nearby.
• Walk the trails around the lake – there are well-marked trails with different difficulty levels, ideal for nature lovers who want to escape the busiest areas. That said, the elevation gain is significant, and personally, I didn’t find the views as impressive as the boat ride.
• Photograph the mountain reflections – on sunny, windless days, the water becomes so still that it looks like a mirror. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in Bavaria.

What we loved about it

The boat ride is absolutely essential. Königssee is literally squeezed between towering mountains and has very few accessible shores, so the boat is what takes you to the most beautiful spots on the lake.

It passes through dramatic landscapes with sheer rock walls, crystal-clear water and total silence, until reaching incredible places like St. Bartholomä Church, where you’ll also find a restaurant, easy trails and areas to explore at a relaxed pace.

Our main tip is to arrive early, especially during high season. This helps you avoid long lines, catch the first boats, enjoy the area around the church with fewer people, and get the best light for photos.

Exploring Bavaria’s lakes is one of the best experiences for anyone visiting Munich or living in the region. Each lake has a completely different vibe, and all of them offer stunning landscapes that show just how special this part of Germany is.