There are numerous beautiful towns and villages in the Munich area that you can visit on a day trip to add some variety to your daily routine and gather new impressions. However , if a single day isn’t enough and you ’re longing for a short getaway, you should consider Berchtesgaden in the Berchtesgadener Land. This small town near Königssee offers the ideal combination of sightseeing, nature, and adventure.
In the heart of the Alps
Mountains rise up all around Berchtesgaden, shaping the town’s panorama. The most imposing of them is the Watzmann, Germany’s third-highest mountain. The Jenner is also nearby, which you can conquer via the mountain railway. You can also head up to the Kehlsteinhaus, located on the Obersalzberg. You can reach it either via a scenic hike or by taking the special Kehlstein bus. In good weather, you can see up to 193 meters away and take in the breathtaking panorama. You enter the building through a tunnel that leads to an elevator, which takes you inside.
It’s also not far from Berchtesgaden to Königssee. From Schönau, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to Malerwinkel, where the view opens up across the lake all the way to St. Bartholomä. You can reach the church on the peninsula and the Schrainbach waterfalls by boat from Schönau. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Echo Wall and be treated to a musical interlude. From late April through October, the boats also travel as far as Salet, from where you can visit the Röthbachfall, Germany’s highest waterfall.
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Tranquil Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden captivates not only with its legendary landscape, but the town itself is also well worth a visit. The architecture of the town center is characterized by historic townhouses, on some of whose facades you can discover Lüftlmalerei (traditional decorative painting) similar to that found in Oberammergau and Mittenwald. In charming cafés, you can recharge with coffee and cake before shopping for Alpine souvenirs at the Grassl Distillery store. Visit the historic castle and admire the flowers in the spa gardens.
If the mountains still beckon, you should tackle the short hike up the Lockstein, from where you can overlook the town and its panorama with the Watzmann in the background. On rainy days, relax at the Watzmann-Therme and swim a few laps there. For more action, visit the salt mine, which is still active today and is especially suitable for families with children. Get ready for an underground adventure where you’ll explore the tunnels and take a ride across the salt lake.
When you stay overnight in Berchtesgaden, you’ll receive a guest card with your visitor’s tax, which grants you discounted admission to various attractions. You can also use it to ride the bus for free. This does not apply to trips to Salzburg, which is just a stone’s throw away from Berchtesgaden and which you should also visit if you get the chance. You can easily reach Berchtesgaden itself from Munich by train. In Freilassing, transfer to the S4, which will take you directly to your destination.
