Starnberger SeeIf you live in Munich, you don’t necessarily have to leave the city to see fields and forests or to go on a day out to a bathing area. Water, forest and public parks make up about 20 percent of the municipal area, offering many possibilities for recuperation, relaxation, games and sports. The huge (3.7 sq km) English Gardens, the Olympic Park, the Hellabrunn zoo, the Nymphenburger Schlosspark (Nymphenburg Palace Park), many swimming lakes, as well as the relaxation areas and many kilometers of cycling and strolling paths along the Isar make Munich a true leisure paradise. And if the possibilities within the city aren’t enough, one fabulous destination for day trippers after the other lines up in every direction beyond the city limits. The lakes Starnberger See, Ammersee and Chiemsee, the mountains Brauneck and Zugspitze, romantic castles such as the Märchenschloss (fairy-tale castle) Neuschwanstein, constructed by the storied King Ludwig II, as well as waterfalls, ravines and forests are more or less at Munich’s doorstep.
The best addresses at a glance
Bathing areas Munich
Eisbach
A canal in the heart of the English Gardens where people sunbathe, surf and flirt and then go directly to the beer garden.
›› U3, U6 Universität, Chinesischer Turm
Fasaneriesee, Lerchenauer See
Fasaneriesee is the bigger of the two lakes with tall trees and barbecue areas. Lerchenauer See, directly opposite, is a typical city lake with a beer garden on the western side.
›› München Nord, S1 to Fasanerie
Feldmochinger See
The nicest lake within the city limits and a summer favorite, popular barbecue area, wheelchair ramp.
›› Feldmoching, Karlsfelder Straße
Feringasee
Feringasee covers 31.9 hectares and is the largest lake in the north of Munich.
It has a nudist area and beer garden.
›› Unterföhring, S8 Unterföhring
Flaucher
Small island in Munich south, surrounded by the Isar banks and meadows. Has a nudist bathing area, nice beer garden and children’s playground.
›› Sendling, U3 Thalkirchen, carpark at the zoo
Karlsfelder See
Covers an area of 24 hectares, beach volleyball, table tennis, miniature golf, 2 restaurants.
›› Karlsfeld at Dachau, S2 Karlsfeld, follow signs
Langwieder See, Lußsee, Birkensee
These three lakes are very close to each other and have meadows, diving areas and a big beer garden.
›› A8 direction Augsburg, exit Langwieder See, S8 Lochhausen
Riemer See
This bathing area located in idyllic Riemer Park is a true paradise for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. It was designed in 2005 especially for visitors to the Federal Garden Show and was later renamed Riemer See (lake).
›› Messestadt Riem, im Riemer Park, Stockholmstr. 15
Unterföhringer See
Very small lake in an ideal location in a beautiful part of the Isar valley, family-friendly.
›› S8 Unterföhring
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Bathing areas Munich region
Allinger Weiher
Beautiful small lake between Alling and Germannsberg, near Fürstenfeldbruck.
›› A96 direction Lindau, exit Gilching, via Gilching to Alling
Herrsching am Ammersee
Bathing and fun for all the family.
›› A96, exit Inning a. Ammersee or S5 to Herrsching
Stegen am Ammersee
Idyllic bathing area, great view of the lake from the Inning beer garden.
›› A96, exit Inning a. Ammersee
Buchsee
Small, natural moorland lake, only 3 m deep so the water gets warm early in the year.
›› A95, A952 to Starnberg, exit Percha, via Berg to Höhenrain (to Wolfratshausen), see signs
Deininger Weiher
Insider’s tip for nature lovers: attractive small lake in the Geißental conservation area, with beer garden directly on the banks.
›› Strasslach-Grossdingharting, 20 km south of Munich
Eisolzrieder See
Small lake with tall trees and green shimmering water.
›› A8 to Augsburg, exit Dachau, near Eisolzried/Gemeinde Bergkirchen
Kastensee
Part nature reserve. Bathing only allowed on the eastern shore, waterskiing facility.
›› A8 to Salzburg, exit Hofoldinger Forst, via Aying, Egmating to Kastenseeon (direction Glonn)
Maisinger See
Idyllic nature reserve, birdlife paradise, shallow dammed lake with fish farming, small beer garden.
›› A95, A952 to Starnberg, B2 to Weilheim, just behind Starnberg to Maising
Naturbad Egenhofen
Romantic bathing area surrounded by reeds. Entrance only with chipcard.
›› A8 to Augsburg, exit Odelzhausen
Olchinger See
Created when gravel was quarried for the railways, converted to a bathing lake in 1969, small beer garden.
›› A8 to Augsburg, exit Dachau/Fürstenf. or S8 to Olching
Pilsensee
This jewel of the 5-Lakes District in Seefeld is small, pleasant and has a campsite on the eastern shore.
›› A96, exit Oberpfaffenhofen, via Weßling to Seefeld
Ammerland am Starnberger See
Small but beautiful waterfront, with beer garden.
›› A95, A952 to Starnberg, exit Percha, via Berg, Münsing to Ammerland
Percha am Starnberger See
Cult bathing spot: 1.2 km of grassy waterfront areas, idyllic Alpine views, beach volleyball, beer garden.
›› A95, A952 to Starnberg, exit Percha or S6 to Starnberg
Possenhofen am Starnberger See
Recreational area covering 150 hectares, ideal for bathing and walks.
›› A95, A952 to Starnberg, exit Percha, via Starnberg to Possenhofen (direction Tutzing) or S6 to Possenhofen
Steinsee
Covers 21 hectares, with nice family swimming area, crowded at weekends.
›› Naturbad Steinsee: 85665 Moosach, Niederseeon 17, Tel. 0 80 93/788, exit: Putzbrunner Str. direction Putzbrunn, via Oberpframmern to the place Moosach
Unterschleißheimer See
Shallow water and many trees.
›› A92, exit Lohhof or S1 Unterschleißheim, path to the lake
Weßlinger See
Small lake with fountain, no dogs allowed.
›› A96, exit Oberpfaffenhofen
Wörthsee
One of the warmest lakes, many bathing areas with beer gardens around here.
›› A96, exit Wörthsee, www.woerthsee-online.de
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Parks & Gärten
Botanischer Garten
The New Botanic Gardens cover an area of 22 hectares on the edge of the Schlosspark Nymphenburg (Nymphenburg Palace Park). On the extensive grounds, you can find about 14,000 types of plants in a wide variety of vegetation zones. Whether a rhododendron grove and an outdoor spring garden or cactus, water plant, and tropics greenhouses – here you can obtain a multifaceted and colorful insight into national and international horticulture.
›› Nymphenburg, Menzinger Str. 65, Tel. 17 86 13 10, www.botmuc.de
Englischer Garten
The 373 hectare park is one of the world’s largest public parks and it offers lots of possibilities for leisure activities, especially in summer. There are various walking and cycling paths, volleyball courts, soccer fields, and boat rental on the Kleinhesseloher lake. However, the English Gardens are especially well-known for beer gardens. Tourist attractions include the beer garden at the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) and the Seehaus. It is quieter in the northern part, at the Aumeister and Hirschau beer gardens. These are not so centrally located, but they can be easily reached by bike through the park. Additional places of interest are the Monopteros monument, built in Greek style and the Japanese Tea House.
›› Between Prinzregentenstraße & Freimann, metro to Universität, www.schloesser.bayern.de
Hofgarten
Surrounded by the impressive architecture of Munich, attractions such as the Theatinerkirche church, the Residenz (royal palace) or the Bayerische Staatskanzlei (Bavarian state chancellery), this Baroque park is in the heart of the city. In the center is the Dianatempel (Diana Temple), from whose archways the paths run through the park. Between colorful flower beds and shade-providing trees, you can relax on one of the many benches, refresh yourself in a beer garden or challenge old Munich hands at a game of boules.
›› Odeonsplatz, metro to Odeonsplatz, www.schloesser.bayern.de
Isarauen & Flaucherinsel
One of the Munich residents’ favorite places for nature is the banks of the Isar river, especially since the completion of a project to return the stretch between the Deutsches Museum and Großhesseloher Brücke to its natural state, creating bathing areas where there were once steep, in accessible banks, as well as to making the side streams shallow and wadeable. The green river bank meadows with their kilometers of paths reaching to the city border and beyond are popular for walking and cycle tours. A particular favorite is the Flaucher, an island in the Isar with a nice beer garden and many romantic locations on the water.
›› Starting at the Reichenbachbrücke bridge southwards along the Isar to the city limits, metro to Thalkirchen
Maximiliansanlagen
30 hectare idyllic park to the right of the Isar, with its steep banks between Gasteig and the St. George church. A walk through the park, with its many shrubs and trees, leads you past the Maximilianeum, the location of the Bayerische Landtag (Bavarian state chancellery) and the Friedensengel (Angel of Peace), a Munich landmark, and will reveal views out of the park to the silhouette of the city time and time again.
›› Eastern Isar bank, between Ludwigsbrücke & Max-Joseph-Brücke, metro to Max-Weber-Platz, www.schloesser.bayern.de
Westpark
72 hectare park divided into western and eastern halves by the Mittlerer Ring (Central Ring). Created for the International Garden Exhibition in 1983, numerous elements from the various exhibiting countries remain to this day, including the Japanese and Chinese Gardens, a rose garden and a Nepalese pagoda. In addition, there are two large lakes, beautiful grassy valleys, playgrounds, playing fields, barbecue facilities, two beer gardens, cafés and many beautiful strolling and cycling paths. However, the western park is most well-known and loved due to its great cultural offerings such as the open-air movie event Kino, Mond & Sterne (Cinema, Moon & Stars) on the Seebühne (lake stage).
›› Westend/Untersendling, U-Bahn Westpark
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Palaces, castles & monasteries
Kloster Andechs
For most day trippers, a visit to the attractive Rococo monastery on a hill known as the “holy mountain’’ high above the eastern shore of Ammersee lake is only an excuse for the real reason – a visit to the monastery pub-restaurant where famous Andechs beer is served. Despite the crowds, it’s always worth going out of your way to visit.
›› 82346 Andechs, Bergstr. 2, Tel. 0 81 52/376-0, www.andechs.de
Kloster Ettal
Baroque monastery dating from 1330, 10 km north of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Besides an academic high school with a boarding school, here you can find a library, guest houses, a brewery and even a distillery that makes quality Ettal monastery liqueurs.
›› 82488 Ettal, Kaiser-Ludwig-Platz 1, Tel. 0 88 22/740, www.kloster-ettal.de
Kloster Schäftlarn
The Benedictine abbey, founded 762 with a Rococo monastery church worth seeing. Nowadays it’s an academic high (grammar) school with day care facilities, as well as a distillery for e.g. Kloster Schäftlarn apple brandy. Another destination popular among day trippers is the Biergarten am Klosterbräustüberl beer garden on the other side.
›› 82067 Kloster Schäftlarn, Tel. 0 81 78/790, www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de
Residenz München
The Residenz in Munich is one of Europe’s biggest palaces. It developed from a moated castle built in 1385 and was the home and governing seat of Bavaria’s rulers, the Wittelsbach royal family until 1918. The palace is built around 10 courtyards. Highlights include the aquarium, the largest non-religious Renaissance hall north of the Alps, the early 17th century rooms (including the Reiche Kapelle, Stone and Trier rooms), magnificent rococo creations (including the ancestral portrait gallery, the room of riches and the Cuvilliés-Theater) designed by François Cuvilliés, as well as the silver and porcelain collections. The treasury chamber contains all the valuable objects that the Wittelsbachs collected over their centuries of rule, including precious jewelry, quartz vessels, masterpieces made of gold and Bavaria’s crown jewels.
›› Maxvorstadt, Odeonsplatz, metro to Odeonsplatz, www.residenz-muenchen.de
Schloss Neuschwanstein
King Ludwig II’s world famous fairy-tale castle, completed in 1892. It’s only about 100 km from Munich. Great location, 1.3 million visitors a year.
›› Schlossverwaltung: 87645 Schwangau, Neuschwansteinstr. 20, Tel. 0 83 62/93 08 30
›› Getting there: A95 to Füssen, then B23 and B17 to Hohenschwangau
›› www.neuschwanstein.de
Schloss Nymphenburg
The Schloss Nymphenburg palace was commissioned in 1664 and served for a long time as a summer residence for the Wittelsbachers. In 1675, it was transformed into the style of an Italian country house and was expanded again and again thereafter. The extensive grounds are home to the King Ludwig I beauty gallery, the room where King Ludwig II was born and the enormous Steinerner Saal (stone hall) with its impressive rococo decor and beautiful ceiling frescos by Johann Baptist Zimmermann. At the time of its construction in 1730, the round tower was an architectural sensation. The extensive palace park, with its lake and the small park citadels, is a popular destination for day-trippers. The entire grounds unite various building styles, such as baroque and rococo, and it’s one of Germany’s most popular palace grounds.
›› Schloss Nymphenburg, Tel. 17 90 80, www.schloesser.bayern.de
Schlossanlage Schleißheim
Schleißheim castle and its grounds are among the largest and most impressive of the Wittelsbach royal family’s palaces in Bavaria. The Old Castle dates back to the 17th century when it was a duke’s seat. The late-Baroque castle of the Prince Elector Max Emanuel, the monumental New Castle and the Lustheim hunting lodge surround one of Europe’s most important Baroque gardens. The interiors of the festival rooms and magnificent apartments as well as the New Castle’s Baroque paintings and the collection of early Messen porcelain in Lustheim all have a high cultural value.
›› 85764 Oberschleißheim, Max-Emanuel-Platz 1, Tel. 3 15 87 20, www.schloesser-schleissheim.de
Wieskirche
Resplendent pilgrimage church with a wonderful cupola fresco; built 1745-54 and declared to be a World Heritage Site in 1983.
›› 86989 Steingaden, Wies 12, Tel. 0 88 62/93 29 30, www.wieskirche.de
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Nature
Ammersee
With an area of 46.6 sq km, this is the smaller but more idyllic neighbor of the Starnberg Lake. Ammersee is 35 km southwest of Munich, with pretty bathing areas. Especially popular on Sundays is the shore promenade in Herrsching and the beer garden with a fabulous view over the lake to Stegen. Also worth a visit is the Gasteiger artist house, with its expansive park, in Utting.
›› Stegen, Herrsching, Utting, Dießen am Ammersee
Berchtesgadener Land
Nestled in the Berchtesgaden Alps, this region provides a variety of leisure possibilities as well as Germany’s sole national park in the Alps, with wonderful mountain paths. Throning above everything is the region’s landmark, the 2,713 m high Watzmann mountain.
›› Getting there: A8 towards Salzburg (A1, A10 in Austria) to the Salzburg-Süd exit, continue via Berchtesgaden to Schönau, www.berchtesgadener-land.com
Almbachklamm
2.5 km long wild, romantic gorge.
›› Wanderparkplatz Almbachklamm between Marktschellenberg & Berchtesgaden, www.berchtesgadener-land.com
Kehlsteinhaus
Mountain inn and tourist attraction at 1,834 m, known in Nazi times as the Eagle’s Nest. Stupendous panorama view. Can be reached by foot or with the bus.
›› 83471 Berchtesgaden, Salzbergstr. 45, www.kehlsteinhaus.de
Königssee
In the Berchtesgaden national park, surrounded by high mountains (e.g. Watzmann, 2,713 m), lies the romantic emerald-green Königsee lake. A multitude of electric boats bring droves of tourists across the lake to the St. Bartholomew peninsula and back every day. One of the highlights of the trip is the impressive multiple echo that is demonstrated to the boat passengers using a flugelhorn.
›› Schönau, www.schloesser.bayern.de
St. Bartholomä
Famous pilgrimage church, built in 1134, in front of the imposing Watzmann mountain. Earlier, this was a popular place to go for Bavarian kings and a popular subject for landscape painters – now it is a tourist magnet for visitors to the Königssee lake and a place for romantic weddings.
›› Ferry from Schönau
Wimbachklamm
If you hike through Wimbachtal valley, you shouldn’t miss the 200 m long, scenic Wimbachklamm gorge.
›› 83486 Ramsau, Wimbachbrücke, www.ramsau.de
Brauneck
Mountain popular with Munich residents. Ideal for climbing, kite flying and paragliding. Walks and mountain cable car, many mountain inns open to the public, with great views.
›› Lenggries, www.brauneck-bergbahn.de
Chiemsee
Chiemsee, a sprawling lake, is known as the Bavarian Ocean because of its huge size of nearly 80 sq km. The lake is large enough to accommodate three islands: the Herreninsel (gentlemen’s island), the Fraueninsel (ladies’ island) and the Krautinsel (cabbage island – uninhabited).
›› Prien, Seebühne im Chiemsee/Prien: Musical Shows im July/August, www.chiemsee.bayern-online.de
Frauenchiemsee
Small, romantic island on the Chiemsee, with a monastery. Tip: charming Christmas market in winter.
›› Getting there: Ferry from Prien, www.chiemsee-inseln.de
Schloss Herrenchiemsee
King Ludwig II’s palace on the Herreninsel is world famous. The grounds have gardens, wells, fountains and the König-Ludwig-II-Museum.
›› Getting there: Ferry from Prien, www.schloesser.bayern.de
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Famous winter sports resort, only 100 km from Munich, also worth a visit in summer, with casino.
›› Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Info: 0 88 21/1 80 700, www.gapa.de
AlpspiX
The AlpspiX viewing platform has two walking platforms that hover 8 m above ground in the shape of an X. The unusual design offers unique views of the Zugpitze mountain, Höllental valley 1,000 m below, as well as rugged mountain views. It’s a high-level spectacle.
›› 50 m above the Alpspitzbahn mountain railway station, (Am Kreuzeckbahnhof 12), www.zugspitze.de
Genuss-Erlebnisweg
Young and old mountain lovers have been able to enjoy Garmisch’s Alpine landscape with all their senses since summer 2011 along a specially built adventure walking trail from the Alpspitzbahn train station to the Kreuzeckbahn station. There are 18 detailed stopping points along 3 km that bring to life through taste, smell, touch and seeing the rich giant rocky scenery around the Alpspitze summit. Along the way you can take a break at sunny spots, on benches for relaxing and or on swings.
›› Start: Alpspitzbahn mountain station, www.zugspitze.de
Partnachklamm
Breath-taking approximately 800-m long gorge with waterfalls.
›› Getting there: Wildenauer Straße, path from skiing stadium par-king lot, www.partnachklamm.eu, Tel. 0 88 21/31 67
Höllentalklamm
Narrow gorge near Grainau with thundering waterfall, open from June to mid-October.
›› Getting there: Footpath from Obergrainauer Dorfplatz or Hammersbach (Grainau), 6 km southwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, walking time 1.5 h, Tel. 08 821/98 18 50, www.grainau.de
Herzogstand & Walchensee
The nature park around the Walchensee lake is worth a visit at any time of year for hiking, mountain climbing or surfing. A special highlight is a visit to the 1,731 m Herzogstand peak – with the chair lift or by foot. It’s even nicer if you continue your hike along the ridge between the Herzogstand and Heimgarten.
›› Walchensee, www.walchensee.kochel.de
Kochel am See
Beautiful lake with an attractive promenade and picturesque mountain backdrop, outdoor swimming pool by the lake, famous museum with Franz Marc paintings.
›› Kochel, www.kochel.de
Franz Marc Museum
Admire works by one of Bavaria’s most significant artists in an exhibition covering 700 sq m.
›› 82431 Kochel am See, Franz-Marc-Park 8-10, Tel. 0 88 51/92 48 80, www.franz-marc-museum.de
Murnau am Staffelsee
World-famous artists such as Kandinsky lived for a time in the picturesque village in full view of romantic Alpine scenery, 70 km south of Munich. Among the sights are the St. Nikolaus Catholic parish church and the nearby Glentleiten open-air museum.
›› 82418 Murnau, www.murnau.de
Pupplinger Au
Conservation area and nature reserve north of Wolfratshausen. Especially popular among cyclists and inline skaters is the more than 7-km long paved path through a wonderful wooded landscape. At each end, a nice beer garden tempts you to rest.
›› Bei Egling, getting there: A95 direction Garmisch-Partenkirchen, exit Wolftratshausen, continue to Puppling (direction Egling)
›› Aujäger: 82544 Puppling, Austr. 4
›› Aumühle: 82544 Egling, Aumühle 10
Schliersee & Spitzingsee
Together with the Spitzingsee lake, 5 km away, the Schlier-see lake is deservedly one of Germany’s most popular vacation regions. Glorious nature and imposing views, such as from the Brecher peak or the Jägerkamp. The 2.9 km circumference of the Spitzingsee, which is only 28.3 hectares, is ideal for a Sunday stroll.
›› Schliersee, www.schliersee.de
Starnberger See
This glacial lake 25 km south of Munich is the most famous body of water in the five-lakes region, with a surface area of 56.36 sq km. On offer: cruises, bathing and lots of great views.
›› www.starnberger-fuenf-seen-land.de
Roseninsel
A popular destination for a day trip is the only island in the Starnberger See lake. In the small island villa, the Casino – which you can visit – King Ludwig II entertained famous personalities such as Richard Wagner and Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
›› Feldafing, Getting there: Ferry from Glockensteg pier in Feldafing, voyage takes approx. five minutes, www.schloesser.bayern.de
Ilkahöhe
The 711-m high Ilkahöhe (Ilka hill), west of the lake near Tutzing, offers a great scenic view.
›› Forsthaus Ilkahöhe: 82327 Tutzing, Tel. 0 81 58/82 42, www.ilkahoehe.de
Niederpöcking
Bathing paradise called Paradies.
›› Getting there: 3 km south of Starnberg on the western shore
Tegernseer Tal
Picturesque valley in the middle of the Bavarian Alps, only 50 km from Munich. One of the cleanest lakes in Bavaria, it’s a popular destination for vacationers and water sports enthusiasts. Popular in winter due to its great network of cross-country skiing trails.
›› Tegernsee, www.tegernsee.de
Tegernsee Stadt
Tegernsee town on the eastern shore of Tegernsee lake is especially popular around the former Tegernsee monastery. After a lake-side walk, everybody crowds into the famous brewery pub on weekends.
›› www.tegernsee.de
Bad Wiessee
Health resort and vacation location on the western shore of the Tegernsee lake, with a 5-km lake promenade, hiking and mountain paths as well as a casino.
›› www.bad-wiessee.de
Wallberg
1,722 m mountain at the south end of the Tegernsee lake, especially popular among paragliders. You can head upwards with the Wallbergbahn cable car or a drive along the toll road until you reach the halfway point and continue on foot. Fantastic panoramic view.
›› 83700 Rottach-Egern, Wallbergstr. 26, Tel. 08 022/70 53 70, www.wallbergbahn.de
Zugspitze
Germany’s highest mountain (2,962m), because of the historical rack-railway (built in 1930) and the cable car you can enjoy the view without having to exert yourself.
›› Eibsee-Seilbahn: 82491 Grainau, Am Eibsee 6
›› Zahnradbahn Eibsee: 82491 Grainau, Bahnhof Eibsee, Seefeldweg 1
›› www.zugspitze.de
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