In a nutshell
- The largest lake in Bavaria and the third-largest in Germany, Lake Chiemsee is affectionately known as the “Bavarian Sea” — and once you see it, you’ll understand why.
- Cycling, hiking, swimming, climbing, or simply relaxing — there are so many things to do in Chiemsee that you’ll never run out of ideas.
Want to know exactly where to go and what not to miss?
In this article from our Heimatliebe series, our insider Jessica answers 22 questions and shares where to find the best food, the most stunning photo spots, and the top insider tips for sights, hikes, and bike tours around Lake Chiemsee.
Tips and Info for a Vacation at Lake Chiemsee
Before we get to our interview, here’s the most important information you need before heading to Lake Chiemsee.
Location
Lake Chiemsee sits in the southeast of Bavaria, just north of the Bavarian Alps.
Munich is about 80 kilometers to the northwest, while Salzburg lies roughly 50 kilometers to the east.
Nearby is the Berchtesgadener Land, another beloved vacation region in Bavaria that’s well worth adding to your itinerary.
Our Hotel Picks
There’s no shortage of places to stay at Lake Chiemsee — from cozy vacation apartments to full-service wellness hotels.
For the spots Jessica recommends in the interview below, here are our top picks:
Travel Guides
Want to dig even deeper into what Lake Chiemsee has to offer? These travel guides are worth checking out:
111 Places in Chiemgau That You Must Not Miss: Books from this series give a wonderful overview of both well-known and lesser-known spots in a region.
Lucky Places at Lake Chiemsee — Go There and Be Happy: 80 tips for day trips around Lake Chiemsee for true lucky souls.
Chiemsee and Chiemgau — Take It Easy: Hiking, cycling, discovering, and experiencing — perfect for everyone who loves staying active outdoors.
Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for a Vacation at Lake Chiemsee
Our Expert
My name is Jessica and I’ve been living in the beautiful Chiemgau region for many years.
Since I’m really passionate about landscape photography and love spending time in nature — whether hiking or cycling — I’ve been able to discover more and more of the area around Lake Chiemsee over the years, and of course I’ve completely fallen in love with it.
On my website, I no longer just share landscape photography tips, but also write about the travels I’ve experienced together with my husband on my blog.
Lake Chiemsee in Three Words
Bavarian Sea, nature paradise, soul place.
Why Go There?
Even after many years, I’m still blown away by the breathtakingly beautiful landscape and nature around Lake Chiemsee. Locals feel exactly the same way — we all love this little corner of the world.
The combination of proximity to well-known cities like Salzburg in Austria or the Bavarian state capital Munich, together with the idyllic Alpine foothills, makes this region seriously worth seeing and experiencing.
The outdoor activities at Lake Chiemsee in both summer and winter are excellent, and the connection between mountains and lakes is just fantastic.
Honestly, what more could you ask for?
What Makes Lake Chiemsee Unique
Truly one of a kind are the three Chiemsee islands, which together form the smallest municipality in Bavaria.
The large Herreninsel with Herrenchiemsee Palace — the royal palace of King Ludwig II — is the top tourist attraction in the region. Everyone should visit at least once.
The smaller, inhabited Fraueninsel is also well worth a visit. It’s defined by the Frauenwörth convent, and most of Lake Chiemsee’s fishermen are based here too. Inns and artisan crafts make the island really special for visitors. It has a charm all its own — definitely worth a leisurely stroll.
Both islands can be reached by the Chiemsee ferry service. The uninhabited Krautinsel, however, can only be reached by private boat.
Things to Do in Chiemsee: Top Sights and Activities
Must-Sees
The lake itself is of course a highlight in its own right — there are an incredible number of spots around it just waiting to be discovered. A great way to get a first overview is a bike ride around Lake Chiemsee.
As already mentioned, the top attraction in the region is Herrenchiemsee Palace — and if I were to list all the other possibilities surrounding it, we’d be here all day.
On Rainy Days
One great option is to head to the nearby town of Rosenheim — perfect for a stroll and stopping in at one of the many restaurants or cafés.
One of the rotating exhibitions at the Lokschuppen is also ideal for rainy weather. It’s a fantastic activity for anyone visiting Lake Chiemsee with kids.
Or just head to one of the nearby thermal baths when the weather turns. Fun in the water is guaranteed.
With Kids
There are countless things to do with kids at Lake Chiemsee. In summer, swimming is of course at the top of the list. Plus, almost every main town has a mini-golf course.
Paddleboats and electric boats are always a blast, and they can be rented in almost every town around the lake.
There are also donkey and alpaca walks offered in the surrounding area — something truly special. A vacation at Lake Chiemsee is definitely not boring for the little ones.
Lake Chiemsee in Winter
Lake Chiemsee is a wonderful destination in winter too. The many Christmas markets around the lake are absolutely beautiful.
A special highlight are the Perchten, who cause a ruckus at some of the markets. These eerie figures are meant to drive away the evil spirits of winter with lots of noise and commotion — and the occasional swat of a switch.
I especially love the Christmas market on Fraueninsel. It’s a wonderful experience every time — taking the ferry to the island, discovering the many stalls scattered all over it, filled with artisan crafts and regional products, and of course enjoying a mulled wine or two.
The proximity to the Alps is of course perfect for skiing. But there are also plenty of other options right nearby: cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, and winter hiking.
For Relaxation
Quiet spots can be hard to come by at Lake Chiemsee. In summer, there’s barely a patch of ground that isn’t buzzing with people.
That changes come fall, and things get more laid-back around the lake again. In winter, there are surprisingly many places where you can truly unwind.
Personally, I recharge best during my morning photography sessions. Watching the sunrise and seeing the day come alive is the most beautiful thing for me. And here’s the best part — even in summer, you can have Lake Chiemsee almost entirely to yourself, at least for a few hours.
Best Viewpoint
At Lake Chiemsee, pretty much every spot is a great vantage point — because the lake is simply stunning no matter where you look.
I especially love the north side, where you always get a view with the Chiemgau Alps in the background. The nearby Seiseralm near Bernau am Chiemsee is a great option for looking out over the lake.
It’s easy to reach by car and offers a wonderful panorama. You can also stop in for coffee and cake or set off on a short hike.
For a truly sweeping vista, you’ll need to head up to one of the many Chiemgau mountain summits — reachable either on foot or by cable car.
Best Photo Spot
In general, the west and north sides of the lake are great for photographing the sunrise. There are countless piers and bays here that make for wonderful subjects. I love spending time in the little village of Gstadt. The pier at the Malerwinkel restaurant near Seebruck is also a beautiful photo spot — even if it’s no longer an under-the-radar pick.
Anyone who prefers capturing sunsets should head to the east side of the lake. The Übersee beach is a great spot for that. It can get pretty crowded in summer, but in return you get a little slice of Caribbean feeling with a great beach bar.
Craziest Activity
Great question. Honestly, I’m a bit of a scaredy-cat and crazy activities aren’t exactly at the top of my to-do list.
One thing I’d never tried before was something called Bauerngolf (farmer’s golf). In Samerberg — about 15 kilometers from Prien toward the mountains — it’s essentially golf played on a cow pasture. We had an absolute blast and laughed ourselves silly.
A great starting point for special outdoor activities at Lake Chiemsee is Parker Outdoor at the beach in Übersee am Chiemsee. Here you can book everything from canyoning to kayak tours, stand-up paddleboarding, high ropes courses, dragon boat racing, and archery.
Best Event of the Year
The event of the year was without a doubt the Chiemsee Summer — a multi-day music festival that drew up to 35,000 people to Lake Chiemsee every August. However, the event hasn’t taken place since 2018, and there’s been no revival or replacement event of that scale since.
In Rosenheim, the Rosenheimer Herbstfest takes place every year. The Wiesn is the biggest folk festival in the region and draws up to 1 million visitors.
Food and Drink at Lake Chiemsee
Culinary Specialty
Bavaria is fundamentally beer country, and at Lake Chiemsee they love their beer too. Not far from the lake, there’s a craft beer brewery with fantastic varieties — definitely something for every taste.
Classic Bavarian dishes like pork knuckle with dumplings or roast pork are available almost everywhere and are pretty much always delicious.
Something really special is the Chiemsee Renke — a fish similar to trout that is still caught by traditional Chiemsee fishermen. Smoked or as a Steckerlfisch (a whole fish skewered on a stick and grilled over charcoal), it’s a genuine delicacy.
I — with my North German roots — also love the Chiemsee Renke prepared in the style of Matjes herring, served in a fish roll. Absolutely divine!
Favorite Restaurants
1. No visit to Lake Chiemsee is complete without a stop on Fraueninsel at Fischerei Lex. They serve the best fish rolls around!
2. A little way from Lake Chiemsee (about 12 kilometers from Prien) in Eggstätt, you’ll find a taste of Spain. The best tapas and the world’s greatest aioli await you at Jakobo’s Tapas Bar.
3. Also a bit away from Lake Chiemsee (about 10 kilometers from Prien, reachable by train) is the Steakhouse B306 in Jessica’s hometown of Bad Endorf. The appetizer platter is outstanding, and you really can’t go wrong with the flank steak either.
Best Ice Cream
We can recommend the Ice Cream Boutiques run by the Dotta family. There are several locations in the Chiemsee region, including in Prien, Seebruck, and Bernau. Jessica’s favorite flavors are Bacio, pistachio, and hazelnut — her husband swears by the spaghetti ice cream.
Best Swimming Spots with Kids
The lake is largely open to the public and you can jump in the refreshing water almost anywhere. There are also more than ten lido-style beaches distributed around Lake Chiemsee. One of Jessica’s favorite swimming spots is in Prien — the Schöllkopf bathing area is somewhat hidden and left in its natural state.
For families with children, the larger beach facilities around the lake are a better fit. These have showers, restrooms, play areas, and a snack bar. Her top pick is the Strandbad Chiemseepark Felden in Bernau-Felden — it offers the most for kids.
Most Beautiful Hike
Jessica’s absolute favorite hike at Lake Chiemsee leads to the Hefteralm.
The hike is varied, not too long, and manageable for pretty much everyone. There are great places to stop and eat along the way and a fantastic view at the top. Whenever she has visitors, she drags everyone who can’t say no along on this one. It’s totally worth it.
Of course, there are ultimately countless wonderful hikes in the Chiemgau Alps.
Most Beautiful Cycling Route
There are quite a few great tours to choose from.
Picking a single best cycling route is tricky. As already mentioned, the Chiemsee circuit trail is definitely worth doing for a first overview. The 60-kilometer route is very manageable and makes for a great day trip with plenty of swimming and dining options along the way.
If you don’t want to ride the full loop, you can take the bus (the Chiemsee ring line) or the ferry back to your starting point. On her blog, Jessica has documented several cycling tours in detail.
Where to Go for a Stroll?
The largest town is Prien am Chiemsee.
That said, you can walk through it pretty quickly. It’s still worth a leisurely stroll. For a bit more to see and do, your best bet is to head to Rosenheim or Traunstein.
Both cities are about 20–30 kilometers away and are easily accessible by train. In Rosenheim, for example, you can follow in the footsteps of the Rosenheim Cops — a popular prime-time crime series that is still filmed there today.
Also check out our tips on legendary places in Germany!
Where to Stay at Lake Chiemsee
A Special Hotel
Honestly, this is the toughest question for me. Since I live here, I’ve obviously never stayed in a hotel. So unfortunately — as much as I hate to say it — I can’t really make a solid recommendation.
I’ve worked with the Yachthotel Chiemsee in Prien, but I’ve never stayed there myself. As far as I know, the hotel — which is getting a bit dated — is being renovated. It’s certainly not the most budget-friendly option. For families, farm stays with vacation apartments are probably a much better fit.
Best Base
The small towns scattered around Lake Chiemsee all make great starting points for your visit.
To the north, you’ll find places like Breitbrunn, Gstadt, and Seeon-Seebruck; to the east, Chieming is worth considering. To the south, Übersee and Bernau are solid options, and to the west, Prien and Rimsting.
Some towns have more to offer tourists than others, but there’s really something for every type of traveler.
