Berchtesgaden Travel Guide 2024 – how to get there, where to stay, what to see firstly

Table of Contents:

When to travel to Berchtesgaden

How to get to Berchtesgaden

How to get to Berchtesgaden from Salzburg

How to get to Berchtesgaden from Munich

Where to stay in Berchtesgaden

What to see & do in Berchtesgaden

Mountains and slopes for skiing

Eagle’s Nest and salt mines

Konigssee, Obersee & Hintersee Lakes

I have travelled around Southern Germany a lot and I was impressed with a countryside and a great number of natural attractions. The local towns like Berchtesgaden can boast magnificent surroundings full of various sites such as forests, mountains, lakes, etc. Being impressed with the towns of Southern Germany, I have decided to put together information I have previously collected and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Berchtesgaden. Based on my research, I found out how to get to the town, where to stay & what to see. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip.

When to travel to Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is a South Bavarian resort in the foothills of the Alps, considered to be one of the untouched corners of Germany. Berchtesgaden is a small cozy town with old narrow streets and colorful houses, but what exactly will amaze you is a magnificent countryside with mountains, lakes, salt mines, valleys and forests.

In winter, tourists come to Berchtesgaden to master the ski slopes; in summer to see the beauty of the Alps with snow-capped mountains, crystal lakes and meadows. You can also find the place of “Eagle’s Nest” near here, as well as the balneological resort of Bad Reichenhall. Holidays in Berchtesgaden are suitable for those who want to see an idyllic picture of foothill countryside. Please note that winters here are snowy and suits for skiing, whereas summers are warm, but not hot and suits for long-distance hiking.

How to get to Berchtesgaden

How to get to Berchtesgaden from Salzburg

I examined a map and found out that Salzburg is located 30 km from Berchtesgaden. They are connected with the roads #B305 and B150. The duration of the trip is approximately 30 minutes.

By bus: You can get from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden by bus # 840. It takes you about 50 minutes. Buses depart 2 times every hour from the Salzburg Main Train Station and arrive to the Berchtesgaden Bus Station. Passport or ID card is needed as buses cross the border on the route (from Austria to Germany). You can view the current timetable at the Deutsche Bahn online service.

By renting a car: You can rent a car in Salzburg right after arrival at the airport or at the rental offices in the city. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. I often use these services for comparing prices and available options and I can recommend both of them. The rules for renting a car are relatively simple: almost anyone with an international driver’s license can rent a car.

◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Austria and Germany have an excellent quality, so you can move along quickly and comfortably. The distance from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden is 30 km. They are connected with roads # B305 and B150. It takes about 30 minutes to reach your travel destination (see on the map).

How to get to Berchtesgaden from Munich

Based on my research, Munich and Berchtesgaden are connected with highway # A8. The distance is 155 km. The duration of the car trip is about 1 hour 45 minutes.

By train: There are no direct trains between Munich and Berchtesgaden, but you can choose a route with a change. One option is to use the train with a change in the town of Freilassing. In that case the travel time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. I love this service as it has a nice search and a very convenient list of available options, which I can sort as I need.

⇒The second option is to take the train from Munich to Salzburg and then from Salzburg take the bus directly to Berchtesgaden. Travel time is also about 2 hours 40 minutes. In addition, you can stay in Salzburg longer, because the city is famous for its attractions and Salzburg is also a motherland to Mozart, an outstanding composer of all times.

By renting a car: Another option is to rent a car in Munich. It is not difficult to find a rental office in Munich; almost all well-known companies are represented here, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise. Many of them have offices right at the airport. You can book a car in advance using services that compare rental conditions and car rental prices for different suppliers, for instance, on Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Munich and Berchtesgaden are connected with #A8 motorway. The travel time is about 2 hours. The distance is 155 km (see on the map). I have travelled a lot along the German highways and I can confirm they are pretty much convenient and fast.

Where to stay in Berchtesgaden

All hotels in Berchtesgaden are family-type and have a small number of places to stay. Most often, these are cozy wooden houses on one or two floors, equipped with everything you need. There are no usual chain hotels in the town. I found out that, as a rule, breakfasts and parking are already included in the price of accommodation in Berchtesgaden hotels (check when booking), which is definitely good.

Alpenhotel Kronprinz 4* – The hotel is located in a quiet area overlooking the Bavarian Alps. The center of Berchtesgaden and the train station are within the walking distance. It also offers a sauna, a restaurant and a terrace. Private paid parking is available on site. Guests can choose rooms of different categories. All rooms are equipped with a safe, hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, refrigerator, free Wi-Fi though. Buffet breakfasts are included in the rate. I read reviews and found out that the hotel gets the highest ratings for the cleanliness of the rooms, the location of the hotel and professionalism of the staff. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 11.00.

Alpinhotel Berchtesgaden 3* – This new Alpine-style hotel is located right next to the ski lifts. There is a bus stop nearby, providing easy access to the center of Berchtesgaden. Guests of the hotel can always relax on the terrace with mountain views and park their car at the free parking lot. The hotel offers its guests classic and superior rooms. All of them are equipped with satellite TV, hairdryer, radio, free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have a balcony. Buffet breakfasts are included in the rate. The hotel gets the best reviews for the cleanliness, comfort of the rooms, as well as for professionalism of the staff and the quality of the Wi-Fi provided. An ATM, tour desk and luggage storage are also available on site. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.00.

Alpenhotel Bergzauber 3* – The hotel is located close to the ski slopes, as well as to the starting point of mountain hiking trails. The hotel has a terrace and a wine cellar. Parking lot is free of charge (parking area is located on site). The hotel has single, double and triple rooms. The rooms are equipped with telephone, satellite TV, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have a balcony overlooking the Alps. Buffet breakfasts are included on the price. I examined reviews and I can conclude that the hotel gets the best ratings for the cleanliness of the rooms and professionalism of the staff. The hotel provides luggage storage and a tour desk service. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 10.00.

Luxus-Appartements in Berchtesgaden – these appartments are located within the walking distance of the town center and a 5-minute drive from the ski lifts. The apartments have a furnished terrace with mountain views. Free parking is provided and free Wi-Fi is available. Vacationers can choose between apartments with a separate bedroom or studio apartments. Inside you can find a TV, safe, washing machine, hair dryer. The dining area is equipped with a kettle, dishwasher, oven, stove, toaster, coffee machine, kitchen utensils. The apartments get the best ratings for cleanliness, amenities and comfort of the rooms. The quality of the Wi-Fi provided was also highly appreciated. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 10.00.

Hotel AlpinaRos Demming – this country-style hotel is located in the center of Berchtesgaden, within the walking distance of the train station. The hotel has a bar. All rooms have a balcony with views on the Alps. The hotel provides free private parking on site. The hotel has single, double and family rooms, which are equipped with satellite TV, hairdryer, kettle, free Wi-Fi. Buffet breakfasts are served in the dining room and are included in the rate. The hotel gets high ratings for the cleanliness of the rooms, professionalism of the staff and the location. The hotel provides luggage storage and a tour desk service. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 10.30.

What to see & do in Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden, being a cozy resort town with narrow streets, medieval squares and “gingerbread” half-timbered houses, attracts travellers like a magnet. However, all the main attractions are located at the countryside of Berchtesgaden. The town is situated in the pre-Alpine valley, and this location has determined Berchtesgaden to become a popular resort.

The surroundings of Berchtesgaden are a mix of mountains, lakes, valleys and hills. In winter, tourists come to Berchtesgaden to ski, snowboard, skate, sledge and even to try some extreme kinds of sport. In summer, it is good to combine hiking and sightseeing.

The main attractions of the Berchtesgaden countryside are mountains and ski slopes; a place called “Eagle’s Nest”; salt mines and, of course, numerous alpine lakes, such as the famous ones of Konigssee, Obersee and Hintersee (called Royal Lake, Upper and Lower Lakes in English).

Mountains and slopes for skiing

Berchtesgaden is literally surrounded by mountains all around – these are the so-called Bavarian Alps. Here, during the winter time, ski slopes of different levels are equipped. The Jenner Mountain is considered to be a mountain for mass skiing, where ski slopes are equipped for different levels of difficulty; there also can be found a ski school where beginners can learn the basics of skiing. For beginners, the Grunstein track is also suitable.

There are also more exotic slopes for skiing. For example, on the slope of the Gotchen Mountain you can come skiing even at night as special lighting are installed here. There are lifts to all slopes. In the summer, you can also use them for nature sightseeing and reaching hiking trails.

Eagle’s Nest and salt mines

There is a mountain peak of Obersalzberg which is situated not far from Berchtesgaden. You can find a historical monument here called the Eagle’s Nest house. There also can be found the famous salt mines. The Eagle’s Nest building houses a panoramic restaurant, where you can observe the East side of the Alps.

Visiting the Salt Mines museum is also interesting, because visitors can go down to a depth of 600 meters in the adits, where salt was once mined. Inside the adit there is an underground Salt Lake where you can ride a boat under the effects of a light show. I collected detailed information for visiting the museum:

• The cost of a ticket to enter the mines is 22,50 euros for one adult; 11,50 euros for a child; 20 euros for students. Family ticket is also available for the cost of 50,50 euro (2 adults + 1 child).
• You can buy tickets at the entrance or online on the official website of the Salt Mines Museum (called Salzbergwerk in German).
• The mines are open to the public daily from 09.00 to 17.00 in summer and from 11.00 to 15.00 in winter.
• At the entrance, you must wear special clothes to protect you from salt.

Konigssee, Obersee & Hintersee Lakes

The lakes near Berchtesgaden have an undeniable advantage: being mountainous alpine formations, they are the most crystal lakes in Germany. To preserve the water clean, only non-motorized boats go through the lakes. One of the most visited lakes by travellers here is the Konigssee (called “Royal Lake” in English) and the adjacent Obersee.

You can go around the picturesque lake with a special boat tour. A guide will tell you not only interesting information about the lake, but even play a musical instrument, so you can hear how the sound is reflected from the mountains and the water surface. On the opposite shore of the lake there is an alpine valley with peacefully grazing cows, as well as a small church of St. Bartholomew. There are also some hiking trails, leading to the more remote, but fantastically crystal Obersee Lake (called “Upper Lake” in English). There is some useful information for visiting that I have recently discovered:

• The cost of a boat trip along the route of Konigssee – St. Bartholomew’s Church (round trip) is 22 euros;
• The cost of a boat trip along the route Konigssee – Salet (where the hiking trail around Obersee begins) is 27,50 euros;
• There are also one-way tickets (11 and 13,80 euro respectively).

The Hintersee Lake is located near the village of Ramsau and is also one of the picturesque places in the countryside of Berchtesgaden. The lake is surrounded with pine forests and rocky shores. In some places there are real age-old boulders. On the lake you can go hiking, cycling, rent a boat and ride on the lake. Entrance to the lake is free.

All of these attractions are part of the Berchtesgaden National Park, named after the resort town. Along with the “Bavarian Forest” and the Black Forest Park, Berchtesgaden National Park is a gem among the natural attractions of Southern Germany. In my point of view, the impressions of Bavaria will be incomplete without visiting the countryside.

Photo above the article: Bernd Thaller