Swimming with a mountain panorama is really not uncommon in Bavaria. Basically, it doesn’t matter which lake you go to—you’ll always be able to enjoy a beautiful view. But being able to gaze at royal castles while you swim is something truly special. The Alpsee in Hohenschwangau offers you exactly that, as it lies at the foot of the two stately castles, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. So if you want to make your next swimming trip especially magical, choose the Alpsee as your destination.
Swim like a king
When you visit Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles, you’ll have a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape, which includes not only Schwansee but also Alpsee . Especially in the summer, it’s a good idea to switch things up and instead enjoy the view of the castles from the lake. King Ludwig II is said to have enjoyed swimming in the Alpsee and is even said to have swum its entire length. Today, you can do the same.
The Alpsee covers an area of 88 hectares and has a maximum depth of 62 meters. Its crystal-clear water is of excellent quality, and it’s considered one of the cleanest lakes in all of Germany. It’s also one of the cooler bodies of water in the Schwangau region, making it the perfect way to beat the heat. If cold water isn’t your thing, you can still explore the lake by pedal boat or rowboat and plan your swimming trip to the warmer Steinsee instead.
A Swimming Paradise on the Alpsee
If you decide to go swimming in the Alpsee, the Alpseebad should be your first stop. Here you’ll find spacious sunbathing lawns where you can make yourself comfortable in one of the lounge chairs available for rent. In the water, there’s a non-swimmer area and a children’s area, so everyone can enjoy swimming safely. There’s also a small island you can swim out to and relax on. The kiosk offers ice cream, other snacks, and drinks.
If you’d like to enjoy the full panorama and actually see both castles against the backdrop of the Alpsee, you can walk all the way around it. The loop trail is just under 5 kilometers long, making it perfect for a short hike. On the lake’s northwestern shore, you’ll also find the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, which focuses primarily on the castle lords Maximilian II and his son Ludwig II. Here you can learn the history of the two kings and their castles in detail. It’s also not far to Füssen, which is always worth a visit. And if you decide to visit Alpsee in winter, with a little luck you might even be able to go ice skating on the lake.
