Boats in Starnberger See in the Five Lake Region nearby Munich with the Alps in the background.

Starnberger See

Excursion tips around Bavaria's second largest lake

Around just 20 kilometres to the south-west of the city, you will find “Munich’s summer swimming pool”. Anyone who fancies a swim, bike ride, leisurely stroll or boat trip won’t be disappointed on a trip to Starnberger See (Lake Starnberg).    

Lake Starnberg: Our tips for a great excursion

- Things to do in Lake Starnberg
- From boat to SUP - this is how to get around Lake Starnberg
- How to get to Lake Starnberg from Munich
- Restaurants, beer gardens and cafes with a view of Lake Starnberg
- Swimming in Lake Starnberg
- Empress Sisi, King Ludwig II and the Rose Island

Things to do in Lake Starnberg

Bavaria's second largest lake is one of Munich's favourite destinations. Cyclists and hikers get their money's worth on the 46-kilometre-long circular route off the main roads or the numerous hiking trails. If you are on a bike, you can not only cycle around the lake on a tour, but also easily discover the other beauties in the Fünf-Seen-Land. Our author cycled from Wörthsee to Weßlinger See and discovered plenty of places to stop for refreshments - like the Bräustüberl in Schloss Seefeld (castle).

For those who prefer to walk and enjoy hiking, the Maisinger Schlucht and the Ilkahöhe in Tutzing are highly recommended! Walkers also like the many paths along the shore. The villages around the lake are among the most exclusive residential areas in the Munich area, which means there is a lot to discover here. Expensive villas and lavishly renovated castles stand on lakeside properties with old trees.

From boat to SUP - this is how to get around Lake Starnberg

Between spring and autumn, visitors can also explore the lake by boat: Bayerische Seenschiffahrt takes visitors on its fleet of boats through the areas of Starnberg, Possenhofen, Tutzing, Bernried, Seeshaupt, Ambach, Ammerland, Leoni and Berg. Its packages include various round trips and themed tours, such as a tour of the area’s stately homes, culinary explorations and romantic moonlit tours. Our author spent a day on the lake with his wife and daughter. Read what they experienced here.

If you prefer to explore Lake Starnberg on your own, you can also hire a boat. Most boat rentals are located directly in Starnberg, which is especially exciting for visitors who come by S-Bahn. If you are travelling by car, you will find a boat rental in every direction on the shore of the lake. Of course, each provider has a different offer: from electric boats for the leisurely to stand-up paddles for the sporty, everything is available.

How to get to Lake Starnberg from Munich

The quickest way to reach the lake is on the A95 road or S-Bahn train line 6 via Starnberg to Tutzing. Beaches on the lake are within easy reach of the train stations and car parks in Tutzing, Possenhofen and Feldafing.

Restaurants, beer gardens and cafes with a view of Lake Starnberg

With the impressive panorama of the Alps as a backdrop, the restaurants, beer gardens and cafés along the lakeside promenades are a wonderful place to relax. The Fischmeister in Ambach, the Wirtshaus im Tutzinger Hof and the kiosk-beer garden Steg 1 in Possenhofen are certainly among the best known. But many recreational athletes also use Lake Starnberg for swimming, sailing or rowing - and stay overnight at one of the beautiful campsites or in a hotel with a lake view.

Swimming in Lake Starnberg

Lake Starnberg is 20 km long and offers many bathing places and beaches. Very famous is Percha Beach, from which you have a view over the whole lake. Further south is the Ambach recreation area with a large car park. On the south shore is Seeshaupt with a beautiful beach at the Lido Seerestaurant. In Tutzing there is the Südbad with two panorama jetties and a kiosk that provides Ibiza flair with its inviting terrace. The Tutzing North Baths at the north end of Tutzing also include the Tutzing Surf and Sailing Centre with a restaurant. One of the best-known bathing areas is the Feldafing, Possenhofen and Paradies recreation area. Other opportunities to cool off in summer are in Bernried or at the Starnberg lido.

Empress Sisi, King Ludwig II and the Rose Island

Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) spent a large part of her childhood at Possenhofen Castle. Lake Starnberg has also become famous beyond Bavaria for the tragic death of King Ludwig II, who drowned under mysterious circumstances near the village of Berg in 1886. Today, a votive chapel and a wooden cross in the lake near the site of the accident commemorate the event.

King Ludwig II was also very fond of the romantically situated Rose Island in the middle of Lake Starnberg: the fairytale king received famous guests here, including Empress Elisabeth and Richard Wagner. The island is about 2.5 hectares in size and boasts beautiful parks and gardens. If you want to visit the Rose Island, you have to take a boat. Here you will also meet wedding couples again and again who get married on the island at the Feldafing registry office.

 

www.starnbergammersee.de

 

 

Photo: GWT Starnberg GmbH / Thomas Marufke, Dominik Morbitzer
Tegernsee lake in wintertime

Eight great winter excursions

From snow-covered Neuschwanstein Castle to the icy Partnachklamm gorge: eight excursion ideas that are particularly beautiful in winter.

From snow-covered Neuschwanstein Castle to the icy Partnachklamm gorge: eight excursion ideas that are particularly beautiful in winter.

Two skiers skiing down in deep snow in front of a mountain panorama.

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.

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

View from above of a snow-covered winter landscape with a monastery in the outskirts of Munich.

Into the snow!

Whether in the city centre, along the banks of the Isar river or up a mountain in advance of tobogganing back down into the valley, Munich offers a wide selection of winter hikes to enjoy.

Whether in the city centre, along the banks of the Isar river or up a mountain in advance of tobogganing back down into the valley, Munich offers a wide selection of winter hikes to enjoy.

Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Royal wanderlust

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Landscape near Kochel am See

The home of ”Der Blaue Reiter“

Our author goes on a hike in search of the places where Franz Marc found his inspiration.

Our author goes on a hike in search of the places where Franz Marc found his inspiration – and finds a magical place.

Two hiker are on a mountain ridge near Munich.

After-work hiking

Getting out into nature quickly: no problem in Munich, even in the afternoon. Five hiking tours for late risers and after-work athletes.

Getting out into nature quickly: no problem in Munich, even in the afternoon. Five hiking tours for late risers and after-work athletes.

View of an alpine hut in front of a mountain panorama in Munich.

Hiking in wonderland

Barren rocks, wild mountain forests – and a fairy-tale castle.     

Barren rocks, wild mountain forests and a fairy-tale castle: The perfect tour for a lonely weekend in Munich’s landmark mountains.

A woman with the Tegernseer chalet in the background at the Bavarian foothills of the Alps in the surrounding region of Munich.

10 mins from the main station

In Munich you can reach mountain tops, Alpine views and creature comforts in no time. Here are a few suggestions.

In Munich you can reach mountain tops, Alpine views and creature comforts in no time. Here are a few suggestions.

Two women with a bicycle on a pier by a lake in Bavaria.

Bathe, banter, bike

Whether „Hopfen and Bier-Schleife“, „Salz-Schleife“ or „Kunst- and Kulturschleife“, Munich is the hub for all routes of the water cycle paths.

Whether „Hopfen and Bier-Schleife“, „Salz-Schleife“ or „Kunst- and Kulturschleife“, Munich is the hub for all routes of the water cycle paths.

Entrance of the Hündeleskopfhütte, the first vegetarian hut in the Alps near Munich.

Alpine huts around Munich

 With this selection of alpine hut restaurants, everyone will find their ideal destination.

Families, mountaineers, connoisseurs: With this selection of alpine hut restaurants, everyone will find their ideal destination.

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

Hitler’s tea room

A historical lookout high above Berchtesgaden, offering a stunning panoramic view.

The Kehlsteinhaus has been retained in its original form as a historical monument from the Third Reich, and is among the most popular destinations for trips in Germany.

Nymphenburg Palace in Munich at sunset.

Castles and palaces in and around Munich

The magnificent castles and palaces in and around Munich are world famous. An overview.

Residenz, Nymphenburg, Herrenchiemsee, Neuschwanstein: The castles and palaces in and around Munich are world famous. An overview. 

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

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Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

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Lakes & Mountains
Boat trip at the Königssee with panoramic view of the Alps in the surroundings of Munich.

Königssee

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

Emerald-green water at the foot of the Watzmann – taking a trip to Königssee lake is to enjoy a singular natural experience.

Lake Chiemsee with the Bavarian Alps in the background.

Chiemsee

At Bavaria's largest lake, you can not only do water sports or go on a bike tour, you can also experience many cultural attractions.

At Bavaria’s largest lake, you can not only do water sports or a bike tour, you can also experience a lot of culture at the Herrenchiemsee Palace.

A man is standing on rocks at the shore of Eibsee nearby Garmisch in the surrounding region of Munich.

Zugspitze

The Zugspitze is only 90 kilometres away from the Bavarian state capital.

While Zugspitze in the Wetterstein Mountains may not be one of Munich’s local mountains, it is a mere 90 kilometres away from the Bavarian state capital.

Watzmann in the Berchtesgadener Land in the surrounding of Munich.

Watzmann

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

A truly extraordinary shape and the legendary east face: The Watzmann has long fascinated mountain climbers from all over the world.

Evening atmosphere with sunset at Ammersee near Munich

Ammersee

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

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

Boats in Starnberger See in the Five Lake Region nearby Munich with the Alps in the background.

Starnberger See

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

Around just 20 kilometres to the south-west of the city, you will find “Munich’s summer swimming pool”. Anyone who fancies a swim, bike ride, leisurely stroll or boat trip won’t be disappointed on a trip to Starnberger See.

The Tegernsee in the evening light with cloud reflection on the lake surface near Munich.

Tegernsee

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

Lake Tegernsee lies nestled between hillsides of dark-green forestation. Its banks are lined with reeds and old oak trees. Beyond, the masts of sailing boats sway in the wind.

Windsurfer on the Walchensee in the hinterland of Munich.

Walchensee

Walchensee is not only the perfect destination for swimming, but also for windsurfing and hiking. Tips and information for a day trip from Munich.

Walchensee is not only the perfect destination for swimming, but also for windsurfing and hiking. Tips and information for a day trip from Munich.

View of the Salzach river and the castle in Salzburg.

Salzburg and the Lake District

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

Book now from 64 €!

Visit the birthplace of composer extraordinaire Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, stroll through the Baroque old town and then relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.