Starnberger See was the very first lake I ever visited in Germany. It’s a popular weekend getaway for Munich residents looking to relax and engage in outdoor activities. The area is also renowned for its high-end real estate market, and it’s easy to see why: the lake offers a tranquil setting just a half-hour drive from Munich’s city center.
Best time to visit: Any time of the year.
My first encounter with Starnberger See was during a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle with my friend Rachel. As we were planning the trip, we thought, “Why not make a stop?” I vividly remember how we felt that frosty morning. The sunrise painted the sky in shades of blue and pink, casting a dreamlike glow over the snow-covered landscape. It was a moment of pure magic. We also learned about the area’s history by visiting the Museum Starnberger See.
I returned in the summer of 2022 for a hiking trip (though by German standards it was more of a walk!)
: I started at Possenhofen Bahnhof, the local train station, and walked to Schloss Possenhofen, the childhood home of Princess Sissi who later became the Empress of Austria. The whole town is clearly proud of their famous former resident – you can find images of her everywhere!
The castle is privately owned now so I couldn’t get too close, but a cleverly positioned “observation deck” (really just a gap in the garden’s foliage) offered me a glimpse of the estate.
Starnberger See is the perfect place for either an active outdoor adventure or a relaxing escape. You can go for a run or bike ride along the shore with the refreshing breeze and stunning views, or simply sit back and watch the boats drift across the shimmering water with the Alps in the background. On my first visit, Rachel and I even saw a brave woman take a dip in the icy water!
Before getting lost in the lake’s beauty, I headed back to Starnberg to catch either a bus or a ferry to Berg, my next stop. I had multiple reasons for choosing Berg: 1) It’s home to Schloss Berg, the final residence of King Ludwig II and still belongs to the Wittelsbach family; 2) The king’s mysterious death occurred near this estate; 3) There are nice hiking trails along the river.
My path was to walk from the port to the cross where people raised for the death of the king and then walk back to the Berg town to catch the bus to get back to Starnberg. This small town is full of cute houses and at the edge of the trail or forest, there are some hidden in the woods. I really like those houses: imagine living in such houses away from people and the first thing one wakes up to see is the lake surrounded by trees is so satisfying. At some point, there are some small paths leading to the river bank where people relax. It is a bit different from the other side where it has more fields and grass, this side is more hidden with the woods, and with only a meter or two of the bank.
I walked from the ferry port to the See-Kreuz (memorial cross) and the memorial church raised after Ludwig’s death, then looped back into town to catch the bus back to Starnberg. Berg is filled with cute houses, some hidden in the woods at the edge of town. I loved imagining living in one of those storybook homes nestled against the lake and trees – what a peaceful way to wake up each morning! The riverbank has some small paths leading to secluded relaxation spots. Compared to the open fields on the other side, this bank was more densely wooded with just a meter or two of shore access.
The See-Kreuz memorial itself is not reachable, but visible from a viewpoint just meters away. Right there is also a small church, Votivkapelle Gedächtniskapelle St. Ludwig, built in the king’s honor. For more on Ludwig’s later life and this fateful location, click here.
Why Starnberger See?
For Munich residents, Starnberger See offers a quick escape from the city to beautiful nature.
The lake is expansive enough for various activities, from hiking and biking to swimming. Personally, I have a deep affection for European forests. Doing sports surrounded by beautiful woods and stumbling upon historical places makes for a relaxing escape from busy city life. For those interested in detailed trail information, Komoot (Hiking, Biking) and AllTrails are excellent resources!
If you’re not a sporty person, there’s no better way to spend a weekend at Starnberger See enjoying a picnic with beer! Renting a boat to spend time on the water or taking a ferry between towns can also be fun. Check the Bayerische Seenschifffahrt timetable for ferry schedules. I bought my ticket at the box office at the Starnberger See port, but it seems you can now get them on board too. It never hurts to confirm ahead of time!
Starnberger See: Munich's Weekend Oasis for Nature and History
Starnberger See was the very first lake I ever visited in Germany. It’s a popular weekend getaway for Munich residents looking to relax and engage in outdoor activities. The area is also renowned for its high-end real estate market, and it’s easy to see why: the lake offers a tranquil setting just a half-hour drive from Munich’s city center.
Best time to visit: Any time of the year.
My first encounter with Starnberger See was during a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle with my friend Rachel. As we were planning the trip, we thought, “Why not make a stop?” I vividly remember how we felt that frosty morning. The sunrise painted the sky in shades of blue and pink, casting a dreamlike glow over the snow-covered landscape. It was a moment of pure magic. We also learned about the area’s history by visiting the Museum Starnberger See.
I returned in the summer of 2022 for a hiking trip (though by German standards it was more of a walk!):
I started at Possenhofen Bahnhof, the local train station, and walked to Schloss Possenhofen, the childhood home of Princess Sissi who later became the Empress of Austria. The whole town is clearly proud of their famous former resident – you can find images of her everywhere!
The castle is privately owned now so I couldn’t get too close, but a cleverly positioned “observation deck” (really just a gap in the garden’s foliage) offered me a glimpse of the estate.
Starnberger See is the perfect place for either an active outdoor adventure or a relaxing escape. You can go for a run or bike ride along the shore with the refreshing breeze and stunning views, or simply sit back and watch the boats drift across the shimmering water with the Alps in the background. On my first visit, Rachel and I even saw a brave woman take a dip in the icy water!
Before getting lost in the lake’s beauty, I headed back to Starnberg to catch either a bus or a ferry to Berg, my next stop. I had multiple reasons for choosing Berg: 1) It’s home to Schloss Berg, the final residence of King Ludwig II and still belongs to the Wittelsbach family; 2) The king’s mysterious death occurred near this estate; 3) There are nice hiking trails along the river.
My path was to walk from the port to the cross where people raised for the death of the king and then walk back to the Berg town to catch the bus to get back to Starnberg. This small town is full of cute houses and at the edge of the trail or forest, there are some hidden in the woods. I really like those houses: imagine living in such houses away from people and the first thing one wakes up to see is the lake surrounded by trees is so satisfying. At some point, there are some small paths leading to the river bank where people relax. It is a bit different from the other side where it has more fields and grass, this side is more hidden with the woods, and with only a meter or two of the bank.
I walked from the ferry port to the See-Kreuz (memorial cross) and the memorial church raised after Ludwig’s death, then looped back into town to catch the bus back to Starnberg. Berg is filled with cute houses, some hidden in the woods at the edge of town. I loved imagining living in one of those storybook homes nestled against the lake and trees – what a peaceful way to wake up each morning! The riverbank has some small paths leading to secluded relaxation spots. Compared to the open fields on the other side, this bank was more densely wooded with just a meter or two of shore access.
The See-Kreuz memorial itself is not reachable, but visible from a viewpoint just meters away. Right there is also a small church, Votivkapelle Gedächtniskapelle St. Ludwig, built in the king’s honor. For more on Ludwig’s later life and this fateful location, click here.
Why Starnberger See?
For Munich residents, Starnberger See offers a quick escape from the city to beautiful nature.
The lake is expansive enough for various activities, from hiking and biking to swimming. Personally, I have a deep affection for European forests. Doing sports surrounded by beautiful woods and stumbling upon historical places makes for a relaxing escape from busy city life. For those interested in detailed trail information, Komoot (Hiking, Biking) and AllTrails are excellent resources!
If you’re not a sporty person, there’s no better way to spend a weekend at Starnberger See enjoying a picnic with beer! Renting a boat to spend time on the water or taking a ferry between towns can also be fun. Check the Bayerische Seenschifffahrt timetable for ferry schedules. I bought my ticket at the box office at the Starnberger See port, but it seems you can now get them on board too. It never hurts to confirm ahead of time!