Had enough of the hustle and bustle of Munich? If you want to escape the city for a day, there are plenty of opportunities for relaxation in the surrounding area. One of the most beautiful day trips is to Herrsching am Ammersee. It is the ideal destination for a classic Bavarian day by the water. As the terminus of the S8 train line , the town is perfectly connected and welcomes visitors with a relaxed atmosphere that is less about seeing and being seen than at neighboring Lake Starnberg. Here you can really unwind.
How the population increases in summer
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Herrsching am Ammersee looks back on a long history that goes far beyond its current image as a mere excursion destination. With around 13,000 inhabitants, the community has developed from a small fishing village into one of the most desirable places to live in the Munich area. In winter, however, only about 8,000 people live here – Herrsching is and remains a summer village.
The heart of the village is the lakeside promenade, which, at around ten kilometers long, is considered the longest in Germany. It’s a wonderful place to take a stroll and admire not only the lake but also Herrsching’s small sights. As Herrsching is located on the eastern shore of Lake Ammersee, visitors are rewarded with spectacular sunsets in the evening, which bathe the entire lake in a golden light.
A highlight in the town itself is the brick-red Kurparkschlösschen (spa park castle). It was not built for a prince, but for an artist. The Munich landscape and genre painter Ludwig Scheuermann had it built between 1888 and 1889. High-caliber classical concerts, readings, and art exhibitions are held here regularly. And if you want even more romance, the municipality’s official registry office is located here— get married with a view of the lake.
A village that lives off the lake
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For many, however, Herrsching is primarily the starting point for a special kind of “pilgrimage”: the route to Andechs Monastery. From the village, a moderate hike of about an hour leads through the shady and idyllic Kiental valley up to the “Holy Mountain.” Once at the top, the effort is more than rewarded with a view of the Alpine foothills.
Those who prefer to experience the lake directly are spoiled for choice. Here you will find numerous natural bathing spots or you can take a trip on the Bavarian Lake Shipping Company. The lakes in Upper Bavaria are among the most beautiful in the country! Whether stand-up paddling, in an electric boat, or simply enjoying an ice cream on the quay wall, Herrsching combines nature, sporting activities, and Bavarian tradition.