Bavaria's Top 10
Summer Hits
Most travel guides just show you pretty pictures. We're here to tell you how to actually visit them without losing your mind.
Summer in Bavaria is amazing, but it's also crowded, hot, and full of logistical traps. From the "Grainau Gap" ticket mess at Eibsee to the strict bus rules at the Eagle's Nest, here is the honest truth about the top 10 spots and exactly how to do them right.
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10Season
June - September
Main Risk
Heat & Parking
Strategy
Start Early
Ranked by Value
The Top 10
Eibsee→
It's number one for a reason. Eibsee genuinely looks like the Caribbean dropped into the Alps. The turquoise color comes from the limestone bottom scattering the sunlight, and the view of the Zugspitze reflecting in the water is world-class.
The Real Deal
The "Grainau Gap": Be careful with your train ticket. The standard "Deutschland Ticket" often stops being valid at Grainau station. If you stay on the train to the lake without paying the extra fee, you're technically fare dodging.
Phantom Jams: The parking barriers are slow. On sunny weekends, the traffic backs up for kilometers not because the road is blocked, but because the machine can't print tickets fast enough. Arriving after 10:00 AM is usually a mistake.
Königssee & Obersee→
It's a fjord in the middle of Germany. The electric boat ride is silent, clean, and unique. In summer, the boats go all the way to "Salet," which opens up the hike to the Obersee—a smaller, even wilder lake behind the main one.
The Real Deal
Do it backwards: Most tourists get off at the first stop (St. Bartholomä church). Don't. Stay on the boat to the end (Salet), hike to the Obersee while it's empty, and see the church on your way back.
Don't miss the boat: Seriously. If you miss the last boat back from Salet, you are stranded in an alpine wilderness with no cell service and a dangerous hike out. Check the timetable.
Walchensee→
Another contender for the "Caribbean" title, Walchensee is famous for its windsurfing and turquoise water. It's one of the few large lakes where much of the shoreline is open to the public, not fenced off by rich villas.
The Real Deal
The Cable Car Trap: Everyone wants to take the Herzogstandbahn for the view. The parking lot fills up by 9:30 AM on weekends. If you're late, park at the train station in nearby Kochel and take the bus up. It saves you the parking fine.
It's cold: Even in August, the water is crisp (18-20°C). It's an alpine reservoir, not a bathtub. Also, the "Viking Village" film set you see on Instagram? It's gone. Dismantled.
Partnach Gorge→
When it's 30°C in Munich, it's a cool 15°C inside this gorge. It's a massive crack in the mountain with a river roaring through it. Safe, spectacular, and nature's best air conditioning.
The Real Deal
The Turnstile Lockout: The gates are automated. They often lock 30 minutes before the official closing time to ensure everyone gets out. If you arrive "just in time," you won't get in.
Skip the Horse: You'll see horse carriages offering rides to the entrance. It's a classic tourist trap—slow and expensive. The walk from the stadium is easy and warms you up for the gorge.
Berchtesgaden & Eagle's Nest→
History and hiking in one spot. The Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) offers an insane view, but the engineering of the road and the brass elevator is the real highlight.
The Real Deal
The Vertical Mile: The train station is in the valley. The town is on a cliff above it. Do not try to walk to your hotel with luggage unless you want a workout. Take the bus.
Stamp Your Ticket: When you take the bus up to the Eagle's Nest, you MUST book your return bus time immediately at the top. If you forget, you might be stuck waiting 2-3 hours for an empty seat back down.
Breitachklamm→
It's the deepest rock gorge in Central Europe. The wooden walkways are anchored right into the vertical cliffs. It's spectacular in rain or shine, making it a great "bad weather" backup plan.
The Real Deal
Cash is King: The parking machines at P1 and P2 are notoriously unreliable with credit cards. If you don't have coins, you're stuck. Bring physical cash.
One Way in Summer: In high season, the flow can be one-way to manage crowds. Check the current rules before you commit to the loop, or you might end up hiking a long detour back to your car.
Chiemsee→
The "Bavarian Sea." It's huge, has a palace on an island (Herrenchiemsee) that rivals Versailles, and a second island (Fraueninsel) full of beer gardens and nuns. It's a full-day commitment.
The Real Deal
The 1.8km Gap: If you take the train to "Prien am Chiemsee," you are NOT at the lake. The harbor is nearly 2km away. You have to walk or pay for the "Chiemsee-Bahn" steam tram. Factor this transfer time in.
Palace Tours: You can only see the inside of the palace with a guided tour. Slots sell out. Book online or go immediately to the ticket center on the island upon arrival.
Bamberg→
A UNESCO World Heritage site built on seven hills. It's famous for its "Smoked Beer" (Rauchbier) and the Old Town Hall sitting in the middle of the river. It's arguably the best urban summer vibe in Bavaria.
The Real Deal
Zero Parking: Do not try to drive into the Old Town. It is a medieval maze with zero free parking. Use the "Park & Ride" lots on the outskirts or take the train.
Kellerwald: In summer, don't drink in the city center pubs. Go to the "Kellerwald" on the hill—a forest full of beer gardens (cellars). It's where the locals actually go.
Starnberger See→
The "Munich Hamptons." It's where the rich live. The lake is huge, clean, and full of sailboats. It's less dramatic than the alpine lakes but very classy and easy to reach by S-Bahn from Munich.
The Real Deal
The Fence Problem: Much of the shoreline is private property (villas). You can't just walk anywhere. Go to "Paradies" (Possenhofen) for the best public lawn and docks.
The Rail Barrier: At Starnberg station, the train tracks physically cut the town off from the lake. You have to use the underpass. It's a bottleneck on busy days.
Füssen & Neuschwanstein→
The fairytale castle. It's iconic, but in summer, it's an endurance test. The walk up is steep, hot, and packed with people. Füssen town itself is beautiful and often overlooked.
The Real Deal
Ticket Closure: If you don't have a reserved ticket, arriving after lunch is useless. The ticket center often closes early when capacity is reached.
The Bridge View: The Marienbrücke is where everyone takes *that* photo. It gets so crowded they have to close it for safety. Go early or late. Better yet, hike 15 minutes past the bridge for a better, empty view.