Lake Chiemsee: a natural paradise in Bavaria

Lake Chiemsee is known as the "Bavarian Sea". It is the largest lake in Bavaria and the third largest in Germany after Lake Constance and the Müritz. It lies in south-eastern Bavaria at the foot of the Alps, between Rosenheim and Salzburg.

People come here for mountain views, islands with a palace and an ancient abbey, steamer trips and lakeside holidays. Below we explain what to see at Chiemsee and how to get there.

Lake Chiemsee at a glance

What	Fact
Location	Bavaria, between Rosenheim and Salzburg
Distance from Munich	about 90 km, 1 hour by train
Main islands	Herreninsel, Fraueninsel, Krautinsel
Best-known sight	Herrenchiemsee Palace of King Ludwig II
Main town	Prien am Chiemsee

Nature and holidays at Lake Chiemsee

Chiemsee is beautiful in any season, but especially in autumn, when the woods turn red and yellow and the snowy Alpine peaks rise above the water. The shore has bird reserves, making it a good place for birdwatching.

Footpaths and a cycle route of about 60 km run around the lake. In summer you can swim at the beaches and go boating, sailing or paddleboarding.

Chiemsee islands: Herreninsel and Fraueninsel

There are three islands on the lake. On the largest, Herreninsel, King Ludwig II built Herrenchiemsee Palace modelled on Versailles, with a hall of mirrors and fountains in the park. Fraueninsel is home to the Benedictine Frauenchiemsee Abbey, founded in the 8th century and still active today. Steamers run between the islands and the shore, and the smallest island, Krautinsel, is uninhabited.

What else to do at Chiemsee

Take a steamer between Prien, the islands and other piers.
Try Bavarian food and smoked fish from the lake in local restaurants.
Ride the cable car up Kampenwand mountain for a view of the lake.
Take a day trip to Salzburg, about an hour away.

How to get to Lake Chiemsee

By car from Munich, take the A8 motorway towards Salzburg. Prien am Chiemsee is about 90 km away, roughly an hour's drive.

By train, regional services from Munich Central Station (München Hbf) towards Salzburg reach Prien am Chiemsee in about an hour. In summer the historic Chiemsee-Bahn steam tram runs from the station to Prien-Stock pier, where steamers leave for the islands.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Lake Chiemsee?

In Bavaria, south-eastern Germany, about 90 km from Munich and 70 km from Salzburg.

What is there to see at Lake Chiemsee?

Herrenchiemsee Palace on Herreninsel, the abbey on Fraueninsel, the town of Prien am Chiemsee and Alpine views from the shore or from Kampenwand mountain.