The largest lake in Bavaria, Chiemsee is an 82-square-kilometre glacial-formed lake in the south-east of Germany. Its crystal-clear waters are home to three islands, where a range of water sports and recreational pursuits can be found.

Stroll along the shores of Chiemsee Lake while enjoying the views of the undulating surrounding hills or try your luck fishing for trout and carp. Charter a sailboat to explore at your leisure or jump aboard a ferry to visit Chiemsee’s islands, including the largest island of Herreninsel “Men’s Island” and the smaller Fraueninsel “Women’s Island”.

Join a guided tour of the Herrenchiemsee Palace and King Ludwig II Museum, with the castle modelled after the Palace of Versailles and surrounded by gardens dotted with ornate fountains. Visit the island’s former Benedictine monastery, then travel to Fraueninsel’s active nunnery to sample the Kloster liqueur and marzipan produced by the resident nuns.

Getting there

Chiemsee is easily accessed from the town of Prien am Chiemsee, which is a 20-minute walk from the lake’s ferry port. Regular trains make the one-hour journey from Prien to Munich and continue to Munich International Airport.