Looking for the best lakes to visit in Germany but don’t know where to go? Check out this post for the 7 best lakes in Germany for sightseeing.
When it comes to lakes in Germany, one can find more than 12,000 of them in the country. Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s a lot for such a small country. Nevertheless, Germans do take pride in visiting all of them. In fact, in Germany, lakes are seen as a popular haven for relaxation where people can hike, do a bike tour and swim.
So, if you’re looking to visit the best lakes in Germany and you don’t know where to go, you’ve come to the right place. This post alone highlights 7 of the best lakes in Germany for sightseeing and what you can do while you’re there.
Germany Travel Series
P.S. This is a post in my Germany Travel series. Here is the complete series:
Cologne Restaurants: Where To Find the Best Restaurants in Cologne Germany
Prettiest Cities: The Top 8 Prettiest Cities in Germany You Need To Visit
Uber: Is There Uber in Germany?
Beer Festivals: 10 Top German Beer Festivals in Germany Other Than Oktoberfest
Bodensee (best lakes in germany)
The Bodensee is a great lake to visit in Germany for sightseeing! In English, the lake is known as Lake Constance and it’s the third largest stagnant body of water in Europe. In fact, the lake is so big that it even borders three different countries at once: Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Many Germans also come to the lake to do a various selection of outdoor activities that include but are not limited to water sports, hiking, and cycling. The area surrounding the lake even has trails that connect it to various lakeside towns, vineyards, orchards and beaches you can visit.
So, if you’re planning to visit a great lake in Germany for sightseeing, I highly recommend visiting the Bodensee. The lake can actually be circled on the 260 km Bodensee-Radweg cycle path so that you can visit three different countries at once.
Königsee (best lakes in germany)
The Königsee is another great lake to visit in Germany for sightseeing! Known as one of the most visited destinations in Germany, the Königsee is Germany’s most beautiful Alpine lake. The lake itself belongs to the Berchtesgaden National Park and it’s also Germany’s deepest See. In fact, if you love landscape photography, the Königsee won’t disappoint. There are so many breathtaking views you can see from there that include but are not limited to the surrounding fjord-like mountain landscape and the emerald-green water.
So, if you’re planning to visit a great lake in Germany for sightseeing, I highly recommend visiting the Königsee. Many Germans spend roughly about 4 hours there and you can even visit it in the winter.
Eibsee (best lakes in germany)
The Eibsee is another great lake to visit in Germany for sightseeing! Known as a dream destination in the Bavarian Alps, the Eibsee is a great place to go for walking, swimming, stand-up paddling, and photography. In fact, stand-up and pedal boards can easily be rented by the lake at your convenience. The beauty in the Eibsee also comes from its position at the foot of the Zugspitze. The Zugspitze is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains and the highest mountain in Germany so viewing it from the lake will be quite the experience.
So, if you’re planning to visit a great lake in Germany for sightseeing, I highly recommend visiting the Eibsee. The water there is clean and emerald-green and it shimmers as the sun shines on it.
Titisee (best lakes in germany)
The Titisee is another great lake to visit in Germany for sightseeing! Formed from a glacier, the Titisee attracts numerous visitors to its shores in the winter and summer. In fact, it’s the ideal base for sunbathing, swimming or ice skating. The name Titisee also originates from the famous Roman Emperior Titus, who was blown away by the lake’s beauty that he decided to name it after himself.
So, if you’re planning to visit a great lake in Germany for sightseeing, I highly recommend visiting the Titisee. The lake is located in the Black Forest National Park in Germany’s Baden-Württemberg region and it’s 19 miles from Freiburg.
Starnberger See (best lakes in germany)
The Starnberger See is another great lake to visit in Germany for sightseeing! Known as Bavaria’s second-largest lake, the Starnberger See has the richest water in all of Germany. In fact, for a lot of Munich residents and tourists, the lake itself is the ideal place for swimming, sports, and recreation since it’s accessible by public transport.
So, if you’re planning to visit a great lake in Germany for sightseeing, I highly recommend visiting the Starnberger See. It’s a great day trip if you live in Munich and there’s a direct S-Bahn line that goes there.
Mummelsee (best lakes in germany)
The Mummelsee is another great lake to visit in Germany for sightseeing! Many Germans come here for a stroll or a paddle boat trip while others come to take in the views from the lake’s boardwalk. In fact, when it comes to the history behind this lake, a German poet actually wrote a poem about it called Die Geister am Mummelsee. It was inspired by the various legends surrounding the lake that state:
A long time ago, a nix lived at the lake. Bestowing people with her guidance, she sang and danced with people at the lake all night, making the area lively and mystical.
So, if you’re planning to visit a great lake in Germany for sightseeing, I highly recommend visiting the Mummelsee. It’s a great day trip from Baden-Baden and many tours of the Black Forest stop here.
Walchensee (best lakes in germany)
The Walchensee is another great lake to visit in Germany for sightseeing! Known as the “Bavarian Caribbean”, the Walchensee is a popular mountain lake that Germans go to for windsurfing and hiking due to the local thermals. In fact, the lake and the surrounding area offers a hike to Herzogstand Peak which has been named one of the best hiking viewpoints in all of Bavaria.
In addition, as an alternative to hiking Herzogstand Peak, you can always take the cable car to the top but you must bring cash as payment. From the top, you’ll be able to see the amazing emerald-green Walchensee as well as the surrounding towns, villages, and mountains. Furthermore, there’s even a restaurant at the top of the peak called Berggasthaus Herzogstand that you can go to for ordering traditional German food. But, if you can, try to order it in German! From previous guests, I’ve read that the staff speak little English there so it’s better to try in German than not at all.
So, if you’re planning to visit a great lake in Germany for sightseeing, I highly recommend visiting the Walchensee. There’s also an area by the lake that’s been turned into a beach, making it a great place for picnicking, swimming, and sailing.
Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this post on the 7 best lakes in Germany for sightseeing! Please let me know in the comments down below which lake in Germany intrigued you the most! I would love to hear from you. 🙂
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