A house stands in the countryside in front of the Watzmann massif in Berchtesgadener Land

Berchtesgaden in Bavaria

King Watzmann's realm

The mighty Watzmann in the background, a town centre with medieval buildings: Berchtesgaden in Bavaria is a worthwhile destination for a day trip from Munich - in every respect. The most famous sights include the Berchtesgaden salt mine and the Royal Palace. Not far from Berchtesgaden, visitors will find the Obersalzberg Documentation Centre, the Eagle's Nest and Lake Königssee.

Berchtesgaden in Bavaria: Our tips for a great excursion

Sights in Berchtesgaden: Royal Castle
- Obersalzberg and Eagle's Nest: Berchtesgaden's dark past
- Excursions from Berchtesgaden - from Königssee to the salt mine
- Berchtesgaden: How to get there from Munich
- Frequently asked questions about Berchtesgaden

 

Sights in Berchtesgaden: Royal Castle

The town is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Bavaria, where visitors can stroll around the historical market surrounded by beautiful townhouses, buy mementoes in tiny stores, and relax in the cosy cafés or distinctively Bavarian taverns. One of Berchtesgaden’s most famous sights is the Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. John the Baptist at the Augustinian monastery, which has a three-aisled Gothic nave at its heart, a twin-towered façade which dates from the Romanesque era, and an early Gothic choir, built between 1283 and 1303, which is a particular attraction.

Berchtesgaden Royal Castle was also built by the Augustinians in the Middle Ages. Its late Romanesque cloister reflects the era in which it was built – though after secularisation took hold in the region, the ruling Wittelsbach family used it as a hunting lodge. The castle, with its many works of art including two altarpieces by Tilman Riemenscheider (dating from around 1500), can only be visited as part of a guided tour.

Obersalzberg and Eagle's Nest: Berchtesgaden's dark past

The Dokumentation Obersalzberg (documentation centre) is also well worth a visit. This historical centre hosts an exhibition detailing the story of Obersalzberg and the National Socialist dictatorship – Hitler bought his Berghof mountain residence in the area, and spent much of his time there during the war. In fact, after 1933, Obersalzberg was a second centre of power during the Third Reich. From the Obersalzberg documentation centre, you can take the bus along the Eagle's Nest Road up to the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest), which offers a unique view over the Berchtesgaden and Salzburg regions.

The Kehlsteinhaus, or ‘Eagles Nest’, situated at an altitude of 1834 metres, was little used by Hitler and was spared from the bombing at the end of the war, along with parts of its dreary 1930s interior. Its location with a view of the Watzmann and Königssee was intended to impress foreign guests of state. Today, most people combine a visit to the documentation centre with an ascent to the Eagle's Nest. However, this is only possible from the beginning of May to the end of October.

Video: Lakes & Mountains

Excursions from Berchtesgaden - from Königssee to the salt mine

You can also combine a visit to Berchtesgaden with a ‘SalzZeitReise’ (SaltTimeTravel) underground in the Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden (salt mine). Of course, it is also possible to make a detour to Königssee and take an electric boat to St. Bartholomä or even further to Salet at the end of the approximately eight-kilometre-long lake. If you want to find out more about the Berchtesgaden National Park around Königssee and Watzmann with its flora and fauna, the Haus der Berge is the right place for you. The information and education centre is located at the entrance to Berchtesgaden with an unobstructed view of the Watzmann.

The city of Munich offers guided tours with a professional tour guide: The day trip from Munich takes visitors along the German Alpine Road to the marvellous Berchtesgadener Land. In addition to spectacular views, the tour also explores the dark history of this region. The excursions currently take place twice a week and can be booked here.

 

Berchtesgaden: How to get there from Munich

Train connection: about 2 hours. More information under bahn.de

Car: about 2 hours via the A8 motorway

www.berchtesgaden.de

 

Frequently asked questions about Berchtesgaden

 

FAQ Berchtesgaden

 

 

Photos: erlebe.bayern / Thomas Linkel; Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden; Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG; Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH'Credit' / Thomas Linkel / CC BY-SA 4.0; Berchtesgadener Land Tourismus
Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

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Bathe, banter, bike

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Kehlsteinhaus Berchtesgaden including a panoramic view of the valley in the surroundings of Munich.

Kehlsteinhaus

Eagle's nest

The Kehlsteinhaus has been preserved as a historical monument from the Third Reich and is one of the most famous excursion destinations in the country.

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Nymphenburg Palace in Munich at sunset.

Royal Munich

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Ski touring

Under your own steam

From Munich, you can experience the combination of climbing under your own steam and descending through untouched snow within a weekend.

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Into the snow!

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Lakes & Mountains
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A boat ride to a natural paradise

Königssee

Emerald-green water at the foot of the legendary Watzmann.

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Lake Chiemsee with the Bavarian Alps in the background.

The Bavarian Sea

Chiemsee

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The highest mountain in Germany

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Watzmann in the Berchtesgadener Land in the surrounding of Munich.

The mountain of destiny

Watzmann

The Watzmann has long fascinated mountain climbers from all over the world.

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Recharge your batteries

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Anyone who fancies a swim, bike ride, leisurely stroll or boat trip won’t be disappointed on a trip to Starnberger See.

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A sailing boat on the Tegernsee near Munich

Like God in Bavaria

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Lake Tegernsee lies nestled between hillsides of dark-green forestation, is a wonder of nature whose origins date back to the last ice age.

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The Bavarian Caribbean

Walchensee

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From Utting to Herrsching

Ammersee

It is not only one of the largest lakes in Bavaria, but also a popular destination for those seeking peace and tranquillity.

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Salzburg and the Lake District

Visit the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

Book now from 69 €

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