Lake Eibsee

The basics

Lake Eibsee is widely known as one of the most—if not the most—beautiful lakes in all of Germany. Only an hour from Munich, it’s a popular stop for every type of outdoor lover, from hikers and boaters to photographers and even beer-drinkers (yep, there’s a biergarten here).

Tours tend to revolve around the Zugspitze and its cable car, which means you’ll see Lake Eibsee from above (helicopter tours are also available). The area often comes partnered with a trip to Neuschwanstein, the famous Cinderella castle, which is just an hour away.

Things to know before you go

• Pedal boats, row boats, and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent at the lake.

• Public parking is available for a fee from 5am to 10pm. RV parking is not available.

• The lakeside path around the Eibsee is suitable for those who use wheelchairs and for strollers.

How to get there

The EIBSEE bus, which stops just steps from the lake, commutes between Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau, and Eibsee; the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn BZB cogwheel train commutes between Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau, Eibsee, and Zugspitze, and stops 1,000 feet (300 meters) from the lake. If you’re coming from Munich, it’s a 1-hour drive via the A95 motorway.

When to get there

Summer (June to August) is the lake’s high season, and that’s when the crowds gather for swimming, picnicking, hiking, boating, and more typically from late morning to early evening. Spring and fall can be lovely, with fewer crowds and mild temps, though some services will be closed. In winter, the lake freezes—which can be magical—and the trail around the lake is maintained.

A blooming destination

The lake has changed quite a bit in the past decade: In 2017, the cable car was constructed, and now there’s an on-site restaurant with a large lake terrace, a mountainside inn, a biergarten, and an ice cream vendor for those hot summer days. If you love life on Lake Eibsee, you can certainly stay for a while.