Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus)

The basics

Many visitors consider the Eagle’s Nest and the Documentation Center as one site, even though they operate as separate entities. It’s easy to visit both in one day, as the official transport stop for Eagle’s Nest is right by the Documentation Centre. Serving as a World War II history museum, the Documentation Centre commands a small entrance fee for its permanent exhibitions, which also includes a multilingual audio guide.

The Eagles Nest restaurant and beer garden have no fees, but you must pay for official transport—a bus and a brass elevator—to scale the steep mountain pass and rock face safely. Guided tours and day trips from Salzburg and Munich typically include transport, a guide, and often extra visits to nearby salt mines, Lake Königssee, or the village of Hallstatt.

Things to know before you go

• Wear sun protection and dress in layers, as the weather changes quickly at the high altitude of the Eagle’s Nest.

• For a Documentation Centre visit, plan to stay for two hours to include the permanent exhibition and a bunker tour.

• For an Eagle’s Nest visit, plan to stay for at least two hours to enjoy both the food and views.

• Tickets for the Documentation Centre and Eagle’s Nest transport can be bought in advance online. However, it’s best to buy the Eagle’s Nest transport tickets on-site, so you can skip it if it’s a cloudy, view-obscured day.

• Children can enter the Documentation Center, although some exhibits are aimed at an audience over 14 years, covering themes of persecution and war crimes.

• There is limited parking for visitors with reduced mobility in the P2 parking lot at the Documentation Centre.

• All indoor areas at the Documentation Centre are wheelchair accessible with several ramps and elevators. Note that some bunker passageways are narrow, and wider electric wheelchairs might not fit.

How to get there

Skip the Documentation Centre’s paid car parks, which are either busy or icy depending on the weather, and take the public bus instead. The 838 between Berchtesgaden main station and the Documentation Obersalzberg stop takes less than 15 minutes. To continue up to the Eagle’s Nest mountain top restaurant, buy a ticket at the car park kiosk to cover your onward journey by shuttle bus (aka the Kehlsteinlinie or 849) and mountain elevator.

When to get there

The Eagle’s Nest mountain top restaurant is closed in winter. While exact opening dates are weather-dependent, the restaurant is usually open for lunch, drinks, and snacks from the middle of May through early October. The Documentation Centre stays open year-round, albeit with reduced opening hours between November and March.

How to hike up to Eagle’s Nest

If the weather’s fair and you’re feeling active, you can skip the busy bus-elevator combo to the Eagle’s Nest, and hike instead. A signed pathway meanders up through the mountain forest, leading from the Documentation Centre car parks. The leisurely round-trip walk with time for lunch will take up a good chunk of your day— the one-way track covers just less than 3 miles (5 kilometers)— but you’ll be rewarded with nature, exercise, and history in one swoop.

When can the Eagle’s Nest be visited?

The Eagle’s Nest is only open in the warmer months—usually from mid-May through October—as it sits high up a rocky mountain pass and the road must be free of snow and loose stones to safely pass. Note: The site today is a restaurant, and no reservation is needed.

Is there parking at the Eagle's Nest?

The Eagle’s Nest mountain restaurant has no parking, as it’s only reachable via the elevator and special bus that can take on the road’s 27 percent incline. The nearest parking option is the Hintereck parking area at Obersalzberg (fee required) with an Eagle’s Nest bus stop. You can also do a 2- to 3-hour hike from the lot.

Do you need to book Eagle's Nest tours in advance?

You can visit the site without a tour and Eagle’s Nest tickets are available at the entrance, but the restaurant and Documentation Center feature high on many visitors’ lists of German historical landmarks, so tours tend to sell out quickly. If you want to take a tour in the summer, book in advance to secure your preferred date.

What do you see on an Eagle's Nest tour?

Most tours cover the shuttle bus from Obersalzberg, the mountain elevator, and free time at the Eagle’s Nest—which today is a panoramic mountain restaurant that offers views of the Bavarian Alps. History-focused tours might include visits to the Documentation Center Obersalzberg where exhibits about the Eagle’s Nest during World War II and underground bunkers can be seen.

How long does it take to tour the Eagle's Nest?

To visit both the Documentation Center Obersalzberg and Eagle's Nest mountain restaurant, set aside a full day. This allows you to browse historical exhibits, travel up the mountain, and enjoy lunch with panoramic views. Many organized tours cover both in half a day, with time to visit Lake Königssee afterward.

Can I eat or drink something at the Eagle’s Nest?

Yes. The mountaintop chalet operates as a restaurant, with little in the way of World War II artifacts. Visit it for lunch—the kitchen is open from morning until late afternoon—or a drink while soaking up the views. Menus are available to see online on the Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) official website.

Ways to explore

The Eagle’s Nest and the Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg are often considered as one site, even though they operate as separate entities and are some distance apart; many tours combine the two. There is no fee to enter the Eagle’s Nest restaurant and beer garden, but you must pay for transportation—a bus and a brass elevator—unless you want to hike up the strenuous footpaths.

Guided trips from Salzburg and Munich that stop at the Eagle's Nest often also visit the nearby salt mines, King's Lake (Konigssee), Hallstatt village, or other WWII-themed sights, such as Hohenwerfen Fortress (Erlebnisburg Hohenwerfen).

Accessibility

Buses to the Eagle’s Nest feature ramps, and the main dining hall is wheelchair accessible; however, some rooms can be accessed only via stairs.

Age limits

The exhibits at Eagle’s Nest are not too confronting, but some exhibits at the Dokumentationzentrum may be too much for young children.

What to pack

Consider bringing a power bank if you’re touring Alpine villages and taking lots of photos.

What to wear

Wear sun protection and dress in layers, as the weather changes quickly at the Eagle’s Nest’s high altitude.

Not allowed

You cannot visit the Eagle’s Nest outside of its designated opening periods, as the road is closed to all traffic except the official bus.

Amenities

Restrooms, bar, restaurant

Address

The Eagle’s Nest perches above Berchtesgaden, about an 18-mile (29-kilometer) drive south of Salzburg or a 100-mile (160-kilometer) drive southeast of Munich. The road between Berchtesgaden and the Eagle’s Nest is closed to public traffic, with buses running only while the Eagle’s Nest is open.

Driving

The Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg has parking, but it’s often very busy. The shuttle to the Eagle’s Nest—aka the Kehlsteinlinie or 849—leaves from right by the Dokumentationszentrum in Berchtesgaden.

Public transportation

From Salzburg, take bus 840 to Berchtesgaden main station, then bus 838 to the shuttle bus stop. Bus tickets include the elevator to the Eagle’s Nest.

Best times to visit

The restaurant is usually open for lunch, drinks, and snacks from mid-May through October and sometimes into November. The first bus to the Eagle’s Nest usually leaves around 8:30am, with the last at around 5pm. It’s a good idea to book ahead if you want to eat lunch at the standard time.

Best days to visit

If visiting during the summer peak, plan your visit for midweek.

Best months to visit

The Eagle’s Nest restaurant is closed in winter. While exact opening dates are weather-dependent, it’s usually open from mid-May through October and sometimes into November.