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Table of Contents:
When to travel to Chiemsee Lake
How to get to Chiemsee Lake from Munich
Where to stay on Chiemsee Lake
What to see & do on Chiemsee Lake
I have travelled extensively around Southern Germany and I can say that the area is full of attractions, be it inspiring countryside, magnificent tiny towns scattered around, thermal springs or even crystal-clear lakes like Chiemsee. Plus, getting around is pretty much easy here, because of developed transport infrastructure. You can use trains, buses or cars to get around. I tried all of these means of transport and I can confirm that they are pretty much convenient and fast.
Being charmed with Southern regions, I have decided to put together information I have previously discovered and create a series of guides on how to organize a holiday in Bavaria. Based on my research, I found out how to get to there, where to stay & what to see. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Chiemsee.
When to travel to Chiemsee Lake
Chiemsee Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes, located close to the foothills of the Alps in the region of Bavaria, Germany. No wonder it is called the “Bavarian Sea”. Located just 90 km from Munich, the lake is loved by many Bavarians as the best place to relax in the summer, but tourists also fell in love with the Chiemsee Lake for its relaxation opportunities. In addition to sandy beaches and warm water (in summer the lake warms up to +25 degrees), Chiemsee also has a number of architectural attractions around and suits for sightseeing.
So, there is an island of Herrenchiemsee on the lake, where you can admire the magnificent palace. It is sometimes called the “Bavarian Versailles” for its luxury baroque features. On another island, called Frauenchiemsee, you can see an old Benedictine abbey, which has been preserved in an almost unchanged form. In the town of Prien am Chiemsee, which is located directly on the lake shore, the Prienavera Amusement Park is open, which is a lovely place for kids. In neighboring Bad Endorf, the Chiemgau Thermen complex with a full range of relaxation procedures can be found and it one more reason to visit Chiemsee.
The best time of the year to come to Chiemsee Lake is the period of June to September, when the Lake warms up for swimming. The weather is quite mild and nice during the summer time. It suits both for leisure time activities and for sightseeing.
How to get to Chiemsee Lake
Where do you fly into to get to Chiemsee Lake? Chiemsee is one of the most convenient holiday destinations in Bavaria. You can get here from Munich directly by regional train to the town of Prien am Chiemsee. In addition, you can drive to any town on the lake by car. Munich has an international airport, which receives flights from all over the world. Check the current flight timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I usually use this service when preparing my upcoming trips as it helps me to search among the great number of available flights. Based on my experience, I can definitely recommend Aviasales.
How to get to Chiemsee Lake from Munich
By train: If you have chosen the train as a mean of transport, then you can get on it both to Prien am See and to Bernau am See (both towns are considered to be the lake resorts). In the first case, the travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes, in the second one is 1,5 hours. Trains run throughout the day; you can check their schedule on the Raileurope booking service. Raileurope is one more online service that I often use when planning my trips. It has a convenient search and lets me sort the results by a variety of options, for example, departure/arrival time, duration of a trip, price, type of a train, type of route, etc.
By renting a car: You can rent a car in Munich, both at the airport and at numerous rental offices in the city. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. The process of renting a car is quite fast. For registration, you only need an ID (or passport), a driver’s license and a bank card for payment.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Bavaria have an exceptional quality, so you can move along quickly and comfortably. You can get from Munich to Chiemsee Lake by car along the following routes:
- By highway No. A8 to the west coast (resorts of Prien am Chiemsee and Bernau); the distance is 87 km; the travel time is about 1 hour (see on the map);
- By highway No. A94 or B304 to the eastern coast (Chieming resort); the distance is 93 km; the travel time is 1,5 hours (see on the map).
Where to stay on Chiemsee Lake
Around the lake there are several resort towns, both on the western shore and on the eastern one. If you prefer to stay longer, there are small hotels and guest houses made in the traditional Bavarian style with half-timbered architecture. Such accommodations have a full range of amenities and are a comfortable option for a stopover on the lake. There are no chain hotels on the lake. Please note that there are only 5-6 hotels in each town, so in the summer they can be over-crowded; I would recommend booking an accommodation in advance.
Most often, tourists choose such resort towns as Prien am Chiemsee, Bernau am Chiemsee and Bad Endorf as a travel destination. Getting to these towns is the most convenient way to reach the lake islands with their attractions, as well as to visit the Prinavera Water Park and different thermal complexes on the shores. However, you can also stay in other towns on the lake, since they are all located near the lake and are suitable for a beach holiday. These, in particular, include Himing, Rimsting, Frasdorf, Ubersee and others.
Yachthotel Chiemsee 4*, Prien am Chiemsee – The hotel is located on the shores of the Chiemsee Lake, in a picturesque location, within the walking distance from the beach. The hotel has a spa area consisting of a hydromassage, an indoor pool, a sauna and a fitness room, as well as beauty treatments. The hotel also has a country-style restaurant with a terrace, a bar and a lounge area with a fireplace. It offers a private beach area and free parking. The accommodation is available in double rooms. If desired, you can order a room with a view of the lake. Inside the rooms are equipped with everything you need, including hair dryer, telephone, satellite TV, mini-bar, wireless internet. Buffet breakfasts are available at an additional cost. The hotel gets the best reviews for its location, the quality of breakfasts and the work of the staff. The hotel has a luggage storage, a tour desk, and a currency exchange office. The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 11.00.
Garden-Hotel Reinhart 4*, Prien am Chiemsee – The hotel is located 100 meters from the lake. There is a spa area with an indoor pool, a sauna and the possibility to order relaxation treatments. The hotel is surrounded with a garden; a terrace for relaxing and a Bavarian restaurant are also available for the guests. Free private parking is possible on site. There are golf courses, the Prinavera Water Park and the pier, from where boat excursions depart to the islands. The hotel offers rooms of various categories. Based on my research, I discovered that the rooms are equipped with a hairdryer, telephone, safe, satellite TV, Wi-Fi. The hotel gets the best ratings for its location, the work of the staff and the cleanliness of the rooms. The hotel provides luggage storage, bicycle and water sports equipment rental. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.00.
Hotel Bonnschloessl 3*, Bernau am Chiemsee – Housed in a historic building, this family-run hotel is a short drive from the Chiemsee Lake. Nearby are restaurants and cafes. The hotel has a terrace, a spa area with a sauna, a steam room and a relaxation room. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi. Private parking is available on site at an additional cost. The hotel offers to stay in single or double rooms, which are equipped with a safe, hairdryer, telephone, TV, wireless internet. Breakfasts are available at an additional cost. After some research, I found out that the hotel gets the best ratings for the work of the staff, the cleanliness of the rooms and the quality of the Wi-Fi provided. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 10.30.
Hotel Jägerhof 3*, Bernau am Chiemsee – This standard 3-star hotel is located 5 minutes from the Chiemsee Lake. Free private parking and free Wi-Fi are provided. There is a small wellness center. Guests can stay in classic rooms or studios. Inside the rooms you can find everything you need, including a hair dryer, telephone, TV, wireless internet. Breakfasts are included in the price. The hotel gets the best reviews for the work of the staff, the cleanliness of the rooms and the quality of the breakfasts. The hotel also has a sun terrace and luggage storage. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.30.
Hotel Seeblick 3*, Bad Endorf – This is a rural, family-run hotel with the lake and mountain views. The hotel has a terrace, a spa area and free parking. The hotel is located on the first beach line. The spa area is equipped with a sauna, a steam room and a fitness room. The hotel has rooms of various categories. All rooms are equipped with telephone, TV, hairdryer. Some rooms have a balcony overlooking the lake. Breakfasts are included in the room rate. The hotel gets the best reviews for the cleanliness of the rooms, the work of the staff and the location. The hotel offers bicycle rental and a children’s playroom. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 10.30.
What to see & do on Chiemsee Lake
Chiemsee in Bavaria is not only a beach holiday, but also an excellent sightseeing destination. The program of travel along the Chiemsee, as a rule, includes a visit to the lake islands, where the Herrenchiemsee Palace and a Medieval monastery are located. You can go on a trip to the Chiemsee Lake with children, because there is the Prienavera Water Park in the town of Prien am Chiemsee, a great option to make your trip unforgettable. In winter, the place is no less picturesque; although the lake completely freezes, tourists continue to visit the Chiemsee to try the healing thermal springs and visit one of the spa centers. Thermal complex on the Chiemsee is located in the town of Bad Endorf.
The main place of attraction for tourists on the lake is the town of Prien am Chiemsee, from which you can go on a boat excursion to the islands of Herrenchiemsee and Frauenchiemsee. There is a beautiful baroque palace with amazing facades and interiors, surrounded by flowering landscaped gardens on the Herrenchiemsee island. There is a Benedictine abbey, which is a great historical monument and a “pearl” of the lake, on the Frauenchiemsee island.
You can get to the islands in less than half an hour by special excursion boats. Excursions to the islands are carried out by a local company; the schedule can be found on the official website. By the way, you can get to the islands not only from the town of Prien am Chiemsee; boats also depart from the towns of Bernau, Ubersee, Himing and Seebrück, so you can get to the islands from almost any side of the lake. The cost of tickets varies depending on the town of departure. I found out detailed information on costs:
- The price range is from 7.70 euros to 17.10 euros (round trip);
- Entrance to the palace and galleries costs 10 euros for adult;
- Entrance to the area of the monastery is free. It is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm (May-October period).
Another favorite place for vacationers is Prienavera Park. It is most convenient to visit it from the town of Prien am Chiemsee. There are outdoor and indoor pools, saunas, slides and other entertainment. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:
- The Water Park is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm;
- Outdoor areas are open from May to September; the indoor areas are open all-year-round;
- Entrance fee costs 9.90 euros for 2 hours or 12.50 euros for 4 hours (for adults); 5.20 euros for 2 hours and 7.30 euros for 4 hours (for kids). The day ticket costs 14.70 euros for adults and 8.40 euros for kids.
In Bad Endorf, you can visit the local baths, which have a full range of spa treatments. The thermal complex of Chiemgau Thermen has indoor and outdoor thermal pools, solariums, six types of saunas, salt rooms, and a wellness area. There is some useful information for visiting that I discovered:
- The thermal complex is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm.
- The cost of visiting the pools is from 24 euros/4 hours or 28 euros/day card;
- Access to swimming pools and saunas costs 32 euros/4 hours or 36 euros/day card;
- Visiting the salt room costs 12 euros/45 minutes.
If you travel by car, then a lot of other attractions will be available for you, which are difficult to reach by public transport and therefore are rarely seen by tourists. So, 6 km from Bernau you can find the town of Aschau, which is located in a valley surrounded by foothills. There is a majestic castle of Hohenashau. It looks quite similar to the well-known Neuschwanstein castle, and its sizes are very impressive. After some research, I discovered the following practical information:
- The castle is open to the public from 08.00 to 18.00 on weekdays in summer;
- The castle is open to the public from 09.00 to 12.00 on Saturday in summer;
- The castle is open to the public from 08.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00 on weekdays in winter.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out a travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerged medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase an insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Pixelteufel
The author is Julia Mam
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…
