Bavaria is one of the most popular federal states when it comes to travel destinations and vacation spots in Germany! Countless lakes, untouched nature and always with a view of the breathtaking Alps – that’s how one can enjoy the vacation! Here you can experience numerous outdoor activities, reenergize and let your spirits flow.
In this post, you will find the most beautiful vacation spots in Bavaria, including tips for activities!
Bavarian Forest
Located at the border of Bavaria and the Czech Republic, the Bavarian Forest extends to about 100km. In 1970, Germany’s first national park, the Bavarian Forest National Park, was created in the eastern part of the mountains.
Activities
The Bavarian Forest has a lot to offer, from mountain bike tours to canoeing and beautiful hikes! For families, there are great offers such as a farm holiday, treasure hunting with a canoe, or the wilderness camp!
Recreation
Recreation seekers also get their money’s worth in the Bavarian Forest. The combination of fresh forest air, wellness and unique tranquility helps you to leave everyday life behind.
Treetop path
With a total length of 1,300 meters and a height of 8 to 25 meters, the treetop path offers gigantic views over the Bavarian Forest. It is located in the middle of the Bavarian mixed forest at the Lusen National Park Center near Neuschoenau. The path is also accessible with a wheelchair and baby buggy.
Lake Constance
Three countries border on Lake Constance: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Most visitors are attracted of the mix of culture and nature.
Castles and palaces
A remarkable number of castles and breathtaking palaces have lined the shores of Lake Constance for centuries. The most popular include Meersburg Castle, Basilica Birnau, New Meersburg Castle, Salem Monastery and Sigmaringen Castle.
Vineyards
Even true connoisseurs will get their money’s worth at Lake Constance! Countless wineries and a wide range of varietals make the area a true wine paradise. A wine tasting here and there and a holiday feeling spreads among the adults.
Cycling
Over 220,000 cyclists drive around Lake Constance every year. And for a good reason! The 260km can either be done sportily in 2 days or comfortably in a week. So, of course, there is more time to explore the area. The route has only a few meters of altitude and therefore, can be mastered by everyone without great effort.
Water sports and boat trips
The range of boat trips on Lake Constance is great! The main attraction is the 3-country panorama trip. But boat tours at sunset or even on a sailboat have their charm as well. There are numerous water sports on offer for active vacationers! From windsurfing to wakeboarding to stand up paddling, everything is possible!
Chiemgau & Lake Chiemsee
Lake Chiemsee is the largest lake in Bavaria and the third-largest in Germany. That’s why it is often called the Bavarian Sea. Located in the Alpine upland, the Chiemsee, in combination with the Alps, offers an extraordinary beautiful scenery.
Sailing
With its large area of more than 80 km², Lake Chiemsee not only offers enough space for numerous sailing boats but also perfect wind conditions.
Island feeling on the Herreninsel and Fraueninsel
The Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee on the Herreninsel is the last and most magnificent palace of King Ludwig II. On the other hand, the significantly smaller and densely populated Fraueninsel offers a romantic idyll.
The Chiemsee bike path
Around 1400km of signposted cycle paths await you in the Chiemgau region. The heart of these cycle paths is the Chiemsee cycle path. On 60km you can circle around the Chiemsee and enjoy unique views of the lake and the Alps.
The Chiemsee cycle path should not be confused with the trekking route. While the cycle path is intended purely for cyclists and is well asphalted, the trekking route is shared by both pedestrians and cyclists. This means that the circular route is somewhat slower than the cycle path.
Lake Walchensee
Lake Walchensee is with its 16 km² surface and over 190 m depth the largest mountain lake in Germany. The rather high proportion of calcium carbonate (carbonated lime) is responsible for the unique turquoise color of the lake. Because of the color, Lake Walchensee is also called the Bavarian Caribbean.
Hiking
Almost everyone has heard of the Herzogstand (1731m)! But not many people pay attention to the mountain right next to it: the Heimgarten (1790m). There are beautiful hiking trails to both peaks. Exhausted hikers can take a rest in an inn at the Heimgarten as well as at the Herzogstand while enjoying an amazing view. Anyone who would like to be on the move a little longer can walk over the ridge and thus go on a round trip (in total 4: 30h to 5: 30h). With the help of the Herzogstandbahn, you can enjoy the view without hiking.
Diving
Anyone who has ever dived in the sea will appreciate the particularly clear view of up to 40 meters! You don’t get to see corals, but car, boat and even plane wrecks! Lake Walchensee has a maximum depth of 190m and there are some steep walls that are particularly popular among experienced divers.
Windsurfing and kite surfing
The best conditions at Lake Walchensee are usually around noon in summer. Then there are so-called thermal winds that blow in a northeast direction.
Lake Kochelsee
About 70km south of Munich is the Lake Kochelsee at the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Due to the increasing siltation in recent decades of the lake, a high moor has formed at the northern end of the lake. The environment at the southern end looks very different: rugged mountainsides line the shore.
Climbing & bouldering
Kochel is very suitable for both climbing and bouldering! Especially experienced climbers can have a lot of fun here. Many routes have a difficulty level of at least nine and are therefore more for advanced climbers. But there is also something for the intermediate level. Meanwhile, some walls also offer routes in the 6th – 78th degrees.
Bicycle tours
Kochel is the perfect starting point for numerous bicycle tours! Whether through the Loisach-Kochelseemoor, around the Kochelsee itself, or a longer tour via Lenggries to Bad Tölz – everyone will find something suitable here!
Berchtesgadener Land
The Berchtesgaden National Park is right on the border with Austria. Crystal clear mountain rivers, high mountains and picturesque valleys characterize this particularly beautiful landscape. The nature reserve covers almost 21,000 hectares of untouched nature. The lack of human intervention in nature has made possible a great diversity of species in animals and plants.
Hiking
With over 250km of hiking trails and via ferratas, the Berchtesgaden National Park is a real highlight for hikers. If you are in good condition, you can take the boat to the stop Kessel and from there go first to the Königsbachalm (1200m) and further to the Gotzenalm (1685m). From the viewpoint of the Feuerpalfen you have the most beautiful view: of the shimmering Königssee and the reddish towers of St. Bartholomä.
Another highlight is the Wimmbachtal hike. If you want, you can even stay one night at the Wimbachgries hut and enjoy the beautiful surroundings for a little longer.
Watzmann
At 2713 meters high, the Watzmann is the landmark of the Berchtesgadener Land. As the longest climbing wall in the Eastern Alps, the Watzmann east wall is perfect for climbers who are looking for a challenge. The highest mountain in the Berchtesgadener Land is of course equally suitable for long hikes. Thorough tour planning is very important here, as mountaineers repeatedly underestimate the mountain.
Mountainbiking
In the area between Königssee, Berchtesgaden, Bad Reichenhall and Rupertiwinkel, 25 tours await you, with over 700 km route length and over 22,700 meters altitude differnce! The Berchtesgadener Land is a true mountain bike paradise!
Lake Königssee and less visited lakes
The Königssee is, without a doubt, one of the most famous lakes in Bavaria! Nestled between steep rock faces, the Königssee stretches for about 8km. The lake is particularly beautiful to explore by boat. Electric boats drive to the various stops at the lakeshore several times a day. Click here for the timetable.
The Funtensee is located at 1,633 meters above sea level in the Steinernes Meer (rocky sea), the high plateau between Königssee and the Höchkönig massif. In winter it is the coldest point in Germany. In summer you can even swim in the lake and enjoy the clear water.
At Christmas in 2001, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Germany was measured at Funtensee: minus 45.9 ° Celsius!
One can find pure alpine romance at Hintersee. The picturesque scenery is one of the reasons why a trip to the Hintersee is worthwhile! The Hintersee is also the perfect starting point for longer hikes and mountain tours to the Hochkalter, Reiteralp and the Klausbach Valley.
Allgäu
The Allgäu is primarily known for its breathtaking nature. Beautiful mountain meadows and numerous cycling and hiking trails attract millions of tourists every year.
Cycling
The long-distance cycle path leads 475 kilometers through the most popular cycling region in Germany (ADFC 2020). Depending on whether you are looking for a sporting challenge or want to enjoy the beautiful landscape and sights, the route can be adjusted. There are 8 different stages, which, of course, can also be done individually.
Allgäu moor
The Tuffenmoos moor adventure trail is particularly suitable for children, where everything revolves around one of the most important animal species in the moor: the moorland clouded yellow butterfly. In the so-called Moosaikreich, you can learn all sorts of interesting things about the moor and its flora and fauna.
Vacation at the herb farm
The Allgäu is also known for vast meadows with magnificent flowers and herbs. This is how the association “Kräuterland” developed, to which several farms have joined. You can learn a lot about medicinal plants and local herbs at the herb farms. It’s not only great fun for children, but adults can certainly learn something useful here too.
Hiking
The most beautiful hiking trails lead through the Allgäu. According to your own taste either through meadows and forests, along rivers and up to the mountains!
Lake Schrecksee
As the most beautiful mountain lake in the Allgäu Alps, the Lake Schrecksee attracts many hikers every year. The lake lies at 1,824 meters in a boiler-like high valley. When the weather is nice and it is warm enough, you can take a short dip in the cool water and even swim to the small island. Sometimes you can even spot marmots!
