Munich to the Bavarian Lakes
Escape Munich for lakes, swimming, boat trips, cycling, royal palaces and Alpine scenery, from nearby Starnberg to Chiemsee and Walchensee.
Quick Facts
Route
Starting Point
Munich, Germany
End Point
Chosen lake; return to Munich
Getting Around
Regional trains and buses; seasonal lake boats
Planning
Suggested Duration
1 full day per lake area
Best Time of Year
Late spring–early fall; summer for swimming
Known For
Bavarian lakes, villages and mountain scenery
Highlights
Places Along the Route
- Starnberger See, Germany
- Ammersee, Germany
- Tegernsee & Schliersee, Germany
- Chiemsee, Germany
- Kochelsee & Walchensee, Germany
Don't Miss
A lake cruise or lakeside walk; choose one area
OVERVIEW
Why Make this Journey
Munich's closeness to lakes and mountains is one of the things I enjoy most about Bavaria. I have been visiting these lakes since childhood—for family outings, swimming, boat trips and museums—and later began exploring many of them by bicycle. They are not interchangeable. Starnberger See is an easy active escape from Munich, Ammersee feels more relaxed, Tegernsee has a polished Alpine character, and Chiemsee combines a large lake with islands and royal history. Farther into the mountains, Schliersee, Kochelsee and Walchensee put the landscape itself at the center of the experience.
I would choose one lake area according to what you actually want to do rather than trying to see several in one day. A good lake trip should leave time for the water, a meal and an unexpected stop—not simply transportation between sights.
Illustrated map showing the train routes from Munich to nearby Bavarian lakes.
EXPLORE
Places & Experiences
Starnberger See
Starnberger See is the easiest major lake escape from Munich and one of my favorite places for an active day. I have cycled around it several times. Depending on the route, a full circuit is roughly 50–58 kilometers, but you certainly don't need a bicycle to enjoy it. Trains connect several towns around the lake, boats cross the water, and there are plenty of places for walking, swimming or simply having lunch with a view.
The lake also has interesting cultural stops. Kloster Bernried sits near the water, while the Buchheim Museum combines art with a beautiful lakeside setting. King Ludwig II's final days add another layer of Bavarian history.
Choose Starnberger See for: easy access from Munich, cycling, swimming and a flexible day beside the water.
Ammersee & Andechs
Ammersee feels more intimate and relaxed than Starnberger See. Herrsching is easy to reach by S-Bahn, while Dießen and Utting provide attractive stops around the lake. One of my final outings with my grandparents was a long boat trip here followed by a meal, cake and ice cream, so I still associate Ammersee with an unhurried day on the water.
You can also combine Herrsching with a walk or other onward connection to Kloster Andechs, where the monastery, food and elevated setting create a completely different experience from the lakeshore.
Choose Ammersee for: boating, villages, a relaxed pace and combining the lake with Andechs.
Tegernsee
Tegernsee is the most polished and resort-oriented of these lakes, but the surrounding mountains keep it firmly connected to the Alpine landscape. I have visited repeatedly and once stayed here for eight nights, so it is a place I know beyond a quick day trip.
Explore the towns of Tegernsee and Gmund, cross the lake by boat or continue toward Rottach-Egern. The Olaf Gulbransson Museum provides an interesting cultural stop, while the Wallbergbahn takes you high above the lake for panoramic views. The Bräustüberl in Tegernsee is another classic part of the experience.
Choose Tegernsee for: mountain scenery, attractive towns, good food and a more polished lakeside experience.
Schliersee
Schliersee is smaller than Tegernsee and feels more contained by the surrounding mountains. The lake is easy to understand on arrival: water, village and Alpine slopes all sit close together, making it a good choice when you want scenery without planning an elaborate day.
Walk along the lakeshore, take a boat when services are running, swim in warm weather or simply combine the lake with a meal and time in the village. The nearby mountains provide options for extending the day if you want something more active.
Choose Schliersee for: an easy Alpine lake experience, walking, swimming and mountain scenery without the scale of Chiemsee.
Chiemsee & Herrenchiemsee
Chiemsee is much larger and deserves more planning than the lakes closer to Munich. The boat journey is part of the experience, particularly when visiting Herreninsel and King Ludwig II’s Herrenchiemsee Palace. From Prien station, allow time to reach the harbor at Prien/Stock on foot, by local transport or by the seasonal Chiemsee-Bahn; the boats do not depart beside the main railway station. The palace was inspired by Versailles, but I would not treat it as the only reason to come: the island setting, water and Alpine backdrop make the entire journey worthwhile.
Fraueninsel provides a very different experience, with a smaller village-like atmosphere and monastery history. Because trains, boats and island visits all need to connect, I would give Chiemsee a full day rather than trying to combine it with another destination.
Choose Chiemsee for: boats, islands, Herrenchiemsee Palace and a full-day journey combining scenery with history.
Kochelsee & Walchensee
Kochelsee and Walchensee take you deeper into the mountains and feel more dramatic than the lakes immediately around Munich. Kochelsee combines water and mountain scenery with the Franz Marc Museum, while nearby Walchensee is known for its remarkably clear blue-green water and more rugged Alpine setting.
One of the great viewpoints in this area is from the Herzogstand above Walchensee. Reaching the higher viewpoints transforms the experience because you begin to understand how the lakes sit within the surrounding mountain landscape. Transportation takes more planning here, so I would keep the day flexible and check connections carefully.
Choose Kochelsee & Walchensee for: dramatic scenery, hiking, mountain viewpoints, art and a more adventurous day away from Munich.
Fountain and formal gardens at Herrenchiemsee Palace on Herreninsel, Chiemsee
Planning Your Lake Trip
Choose one lake area for the day. Trying to combine several usually means spending too much time in transit.
You generally don't need a car. All six areas can be reached from Munich using trains and, where necessary, onward buses.
Check the entire return journey before leaving. This is especially important when boats, buses or cable cars are involved.
Start early for Chiemsee and the Alpine lakes. They require more travel time than Starnberg or Ammersee.
Check seasonal schedules. Boat services, cable cars and some attractions do not operate identically throughout the year.
Expect busy sunny weekends. Trains, lakeside paths and popular swimming areas can become crowded.
Cyclists should check bicycle rules separately. A bike ticket may be required and capacity on regional trains can be limited.
Bring layers, water and sun protection. Weather beside the lakes—and especially in the mountains—can change quickly.
Keep one part of the day optional. Weather, visibility or transportation may make a boat ride, mountain excursion or swim more appealing than your original plan.
Which lake should I choose?
Easiest from Munich: Starnberger See
Most relaxed: Ammersee
Polished Alpine atmosphere: Tegernsee
Compact mountain setting: Schliersee
Best for islands and a palace: Chiemsee
Most dramatic mountain scenery: Kochelsee & Walchensee
Start with the arrival point as well as the lake: Starnberg and Herrsching suit simpler rail-based days; Prien requires a separate harbor transfer for Chiemsee. For Kochelsee and Walchensee, plan the onward bus and return together before adding a mountain outing.
Herzogstand cable car above Walchensee with panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps