A guide to Berchtesgaden and the surrounding area – everything you need to know for planning your trip.
BERCHTESGADEN GERMANY
As part of our recent Germany/Austria road trip we spent 3 days in the Berchtesgaden National Park in the south of Germany. This was a well chosen destination as part of our 2 week adventure and we’re here to tell you all about its highlights.
We took day trips to Salzburg, The Eagles Nest and Konigsee lake, plus a few little detours to Sound Of Music film locations and some other beautiful spots too. So if you’re wondering if Berchtesgaden is worth visiting, wonder no more – you’re in for a treat!
In this article we’ll cover;
- A bit about the area (National Park Berchtesgaden)
- A couple of hotel recommendations and location tips
- Visiting The Eagles Nest – Berchtesgaden’s main tourist attraction
- Tips for a day trip to Salzburg
- How to get the best out of a visit to Konigsee lake
- Some more highlights in the Berchtesgaden area
A BIT ABOUT BERCHTESGADEN
Tucked away in the far southeastern corner of Germany, Berchtesgaden could be considered the heart of the Bavarian Alps. Just a stone’s throw from the Austrian border and surrounded by towering mountain peaks and crystal-clear alpine lakes, the region offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Europe. And yet, despite its remote feel, Berchtesgaden is surprisingly easy to reach – just about two hours by car or roughly 2.5 hours by train from Munich.
The town of Berchtesgaden is small but full of charm, a picture-perfect alpine village with colorful facades, traditional Bavarian architecture, and a laid-back friendly vibe. Historically, Berchtesgaden was a favored retreat for Bavarian royalty; the salt-mines had drummed up a wealthy area, plus arguably the best views in all of Bavaria. Then it later gained global attention due to its association with World War II — most notably as the location of The Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain retreat and the Gestapo’s head-quarters.
We noticed this wasn’t a welcomed topic of conversation with locals but no doubt they appreciate people’s interest in this historical spot and the tourism it brings to their beautiful town.
Today, Berchtesgaden is a peaceful idyllic destination with some rich local culture and thriving alpine traditions. Hearty regional cuisine is offered up in every restaurant, brass bands play in the square and locals proudly wear traditional dress. Whether you’re here to explore the mountains, delve into the area’s complex past, or simply enjoy the fresh air, Berchtesgaden is a wonderful place to visit. We recommend at least 3 days to see the area well.
Berchtesgaden Hotels
When we were planning our road-trip and looking for where to stay in Berchtesgaden, one thing we wondered was whether it was better to stay in town or not? It’s closer to restaurants, evenings could be fun, and there are plenty of shops for convenience. However, after we’d checked out the area during our Berchtesgaden visit, we are glad we booked the outskirts of town. Views are better, parking is simple, Berchtesgaden restaurants aren’t amazing, and the traffic around town can be a bit of a problem.
So where is the best place to stay in Berchtesgaden?
The Kempinski Hotel, Obersalzberg
In a valley surrounded by mountains, as you would expect Berchtesgaden can get a lot of rain. But, elevated above much of the valley, on the driest side of Mount Watzmann Massif, and also facing south east for ultimate sun exposure, The Kempinski Hotel wins in the geographical stakes!
Sadly we never got to stay at this beautiful hotel since they were fully booked by the time we had planned our trip. However, it was our first choice and we have it marked for a future trip.
It’s stylish and luxurious which you may think comes as standard for a five star hotel, but this is Germany and often the 5 stars means 5 different shades of pine! But the feature that drew us in the most wasn’t the Michelin restaurant or the spa, it was the access to the hills. The exact same hills that Julie Andrews spun contentedly on in The Sounds of Music. This really is such a pretty area for hiking, AND you’re in the prefect spot for all the trips you want to take whilst you’re visiting Berchtesgaden.
For the best deals at this Berchtesgaden hotel, The Kempinski, click here.
Wassererlehen – the place we ended up booking, and very pleased with it we were too. It also cost us a fraction of the cost of Kempinski Hotel and there were definite advantages to staying in the cute little village of Bischofswiesen – not least the close proximity to the amazing bakery Böcklmühle on the main road.
Our apartment balcony at Wassererlehn was perfectly positioned for sunrise and we regularly watched the early mist evaporate from the valley floor with our morning cappuccino. The bedrooms are very newly renovated with lovely bathrooms, and the living-quarters/communal area on the ground floor are cosy and warm and there for everyone to enjoy. The family who own the house have their own smallholding and guests can take advantage of fresh eggs and honey along with some other local produce for sale. And, if you want breakfast you can request it the night before. We never ate there as we prepared our own meals in the well-equipped kitchen but Alena’s mum makes a mean cappuccino and that we did take advantage of!
We loved our stay at Wassererlehen, especially the warm hospitality from the family who own it, and we really appreciated the modern apartment in such a dated area of hotels and guesthouses. And as for the location, it was a 5 minute drive into Berchtesgaden and less than 20 minutes to all of the local tourist spots that we wanted to visit. On top of that, we left our car at home the day we went to Salzberg and took the train from the station in Bischofswiesen which took away the stress of driving in a city and paying extortionate parking prices.
For the best deals at Wassererlehen, click here.
THINGS TO DO IN BERCHTESGADEN & BEYOND
There are loads of things to do in Berchtesgaden National Park and nearby. You could easily spend a week exploring the area but alas, 3 days in Bavaria was all we had. Nevertheless, we still accomplished a lot and here are our highlights…
Visiting The Eagle’s Nest (or Kehlsteinhaus to locals)
For us, our trip to Berchtesgaden was chosen because of this one tourist attraction – it was only with a bit of research that we discovered the area had so much more to offer that we stretched out our stay. That said, The Eagles Nest was definitely one of the highlights of our 3 days in Bavaria and we really recommend you put it on your Berchtesgaden itinerary.
As I’ve already mentioned, there’s a distinct love-hate relationship with the place when you speak to locals and most wouldn’t even refer to it as The Eagles Nest, choosing to call it Kehlsteinhaus instead. Kehlsteinhaus is merely the name of the restaurant on top of the mountain which used to be Hitlers summer retreat, almost as if locals are hoping you’re only going up there for a cup of tea and to admire the views! But this is an important piece of history regardless of how triggering it is to talk about.
Our fascination with Eagles Nest began with the TV drama, Band Of Brothers, and the Anna Friel movie, ‘Margery Booth’, about the English Opera singer who Hitler had an obsession with. Both adaptions show provoking scenes within Eagles Nest which lead you to think about Hitler in a curious light. This was his summer retreat, and also somewhere his girlfriend, Eva Braun, loved to stay and you can’t help but wonder about the stuff we didn’t know about Hitler. Anyway, it turns out he didn’t frequent this place all that often because of his fear of heights apparently, but it’s still a fascinating hangout to visit regardless.
What we would say though is that it is actually just a restaurant now. Don’t be expecting a museum dedicated to the private life of Hitler! But if you go knowing a few things first, it’s still a worthwhile trip.
Things To Know Before You Visit Eagles Nest Germany;
- It’s a restaurant on top of a hill and bears no resemblance to what it would have in Hitler’s day, however there are plaques in all of the rooms which show you photographs of what it did look like.
- Use these plaques to your advantage, blink and you’d miss them but they are there, and they are informative.
- Be open minded – you can still appreciate its history even if you can’t blatantly see it.
- The Sun Terrace has the most amount of plaques, a mini-museum if you like.
- Do some research first – we found out where some bullet holes still were and also how the marble fireplace (a gift from Mussolini) has large chunks taken out of it where soldiers took souvenirs.
- The tunnel to the lift and the gold lift itself are impressive enough before you even consider the WWII connections.
- It’s not very often you get 360 views this high up and to have a cup of tea or lunch in this setting is incredible on its own.
- There is actually an excellent museum near the car park, where you catch your bus up the mountain, which really does give you information about the area and its connections to Hitler and the Gestapo headquarters for those who want that itch scratched. And it’s free with your Eagles Nest ticket (it’s called Dokumentation Obersalzberg).
- It’s worth choosing an early morning slot as it gets much busier up there later. You only need to schedule half a day at most – we were up and down within 2 hours but then spent another hour at the Dokumentation Obersalzberg museum.
NOTE: Eagles Nest isn’t open the whole of the year – it’s dependent on the weather in Berchtesgaden. Usually it opens mid-May and closes at the end of October but do check.
One Day Sightseeing In Salzburg
Salzburg is a great city and we’re so pleased we made time to visit during our Berchtesgaden holiday. You could easily spend a full day there, depending on how many of the museums or tourist attractions you wanted to visit. Equally, it’s so beautiful to just wander and soak it all up, and for that you would need to allow at least a couple of hours.
Our day trip to Salzburg involved coffee, art, music and Julie Andrews and I think this perfectly encapsulated the city’s personality. If I were to say Salzburg is a bit of an Austrian cliche I mean it in the nicest possible way. You’re aware of the Mozart and Sound Of Music movie connections before you arrive but nothing prepares you for how strong their presence is once you’re walking the streets!
The University of Mozart in Salzburg, a very prestigious musical academy, seems to facilitate the soundtrack of classical music wherever you walk as you hear students practicing their tunes through open windows. We thought it was Mozart’s music being piped through the city for the benefit of tourists at first, until you catch a bum note or a frustrated pupil!
Add to that the strong coffee scene (Salzburg opened the very first coffee-house in Austria) and the reminiscent land-marks from The Sound Of Music and it really is a sweet combination of elements. Then on top of all of this there’s the Austrian fairy-tale aesthetic – a protective castle that shadows the inner city, a UNESCO old town of cobbles, Baroque and plätze’s. It’s pretty and poetic but young and sprightly too.
THINGS TO DO IN SALZBURG
- Have a coffee in Austria’s oldest coffee house – Cafe Tomaselli. If the weather’s inclement it’s beautifully traditional inside, but if the sun is shining try and blag yourself a spot on the first floor balcony terrace for a glimpse at passing city life.
- Wander Getreidegasse for a spot of shopping. Salzburg’s main shopping street flanked by tall tightly packed townhouses and ornate wrought iron shop signs. Look out for the elegant arcades that connect parallel streets and also the passageways and courtyards which lead to cafes and more boutiques.If the sun is shining head to Arkadengarten Sternbrau for the prettiest beer garden under dappled trees.
- Pick up a classic Austrian souvenir at Sporer Likör & Punschmanufaktur on Geetreidegasse – a family-run schnapps and liqueur shop since 1903.
- For classical music lovers and history buffs perhaps the most famous address on Getreidegasse is No. 9 — the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born there in 1756. Today, the Mozart Geburtshaus is a museum dedicated to his early life, with original instruments, family letters, and period furniture.
- Have an alfresco drink somewhere on Mozartplatz – probably our favourite square in Salzburg, and slightly quieter than some other larger squares. Street performers accompany your beverage to a backdrop of Baroque houses and one side of the Salzburg Cathedral.
- Check out some film locations from ‘The Sound Of Music’; Maria twirls around the fountain in Residenzplatz during ‘I have confidence’. The stone horse fountain in Karajanplatz was used in ‘Do-Re-Mi’. Nonnberg Abbey was where Maria started out at the beginning of the film, with the nuns singing to her. Mozartsteg – the beautiful art nouveau footbridge over the Salzach river which the children skip across in Do-Re-Mi.
- Take the funicular from Kapitelplatz up to Castle Hohensalzburg, one of Europe’s largest and best preserved Medieval castles built in 1077! Apart from the panoramic views of the Old Town and the mountains you can also visit the Prince’s Chambers, The Fortress Museum and a Marionette Museum.
- Salzburg has some pretty impressive churches and also a Cathedral, all of which are free to visit. Mozart was baptised at Salzburg Cathedral, check out the stunning Rococo-style St Peter’s Abbey and its peaceful cloisters, and the dramatic vaulted interior of Franziskankirche.
- Cross one of Salzburg’s bridges that straddle the Salzach for a skyline-photo of this iconic city. And if you want to linger in your vision for a bit longer, order a drink from the rooftop terrace of Steinerrasse above Hotel Stein.
- Mirabellgarten is a spot most tourists visit when sightseeing in Salzburg and would be the perfect place for a picnic. The grounds for the Mirabell Palace are now famous because of the Von Trapps – the ‘Do-Re-Mi’ scenes capture a lot of the gardens including the Pegasus Fountain and the flower-lined paths with Hohensalzburg Castle in the background. Originally though this place was quite the scandal when Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau built it for his mistress and their children!
- Have dinner in one of Salzburg’s traditional Bavarian style Wirtshaus’s on Judengasse street. Hearty dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, andKasnocken are always on the menu and we can definitely recommend the ambient cellar vaults of Goldene Kugel.
- Finally, if you have enough time, the area known as New Town, directly across the river and on the same side as Mirabell Palace and Gardens, is also worth a little gander. Slightly more bohemian with trendy cafes, bakeries and book shops, it’s a pleasant little place to peruse.
A day trip to Salzburg is one for the photo-album and not just a treadmill kind of tourist city – we think you’ll love it here!
Visit Konigssee Lake
Often touted as Germany’s most beautiful lake, Königssee is a ‘must visit’ whilst you’re staying in the Berchtesgaden National Park. It appears so beautiful, and almost fjord-like, because the impressive Watzmann massif and Hagengebirge mountains rise straight from the water with sheer faces of nearly 2000 meters! On top of that the emerald green water, the otherworldly stillness, and the thick alpine forests simply complete the picture.
However, unlike many alpine lakes, Lake Königssee can’t be circled on foot — the sheer cliffs and dense tree cover mean there’s no panoramic hiking trail around the shoreline. (There are trails, they’re just not panoramic, and they’re VERY steep) Which is why the only way to really take in Konigssee is by boat. Here are your options…
Königssee to St. Bartholomä (round trip)
~€22.80 adults / ~€11.40 children – 35 minutes one way. Runs every 30 minutes in the high season.
Hop off at St. Bartholomä to see the iconic red-domed pilgrimage chapel, eat some local smoked trout in a cute little beer garden on the waters edge, and take advantage of some short walking trails.
Königssee to Salet (full route, round trip)
~€29.00 adults / ~€14.50 children – about an hour from Konigssee. (All boats stop at St Bartholoma so you can do both with this ticket)
Salet is the gateway to the peaceful Obersee Lake and an easy hike to Röthbachfall, Germany’s tallest waterfall. Obersee is a smaller, crystal clear lake with picture-perfect reflections and takes about 15 minutes on a flat hiking trail. From Obersee it’s another 40 minute scenic walk to Rothbachfall.
Things To Know About Visiting Konigssee
- Family & group discounts are available
- Tickets are not timed, but it’s best to arrive early in high season to avoid long queues
- Tickets can be purchased at the lakeside terminal or online on the official Bayerische Seenschifffahrt website (highly recommended in peak season)
- It is possible to stay in a hotel on Lake Konigsee, and some come with parking too
- Boats are electric-powered which keeps the lake pristine and silent
- A stop is made mid-journey for the famous trumpet echo demonstration — one of the few places in the world where an echo can be heard multiple times
- Swimming is allowed but the water is very cold year-round – only for the brave!
- Parking is available near the dock (€6–€8/day). It fills up quickly, so arrive early in peak season
- There’s a small visitor centre, shops, and restrooms at the boat terminal area
- Sunlight hits the lake best in the morning, especially before midday
- Reflections are clearest when the wind is low — which is usually early in the day
- If you’re keen to photograph Obersee, aim for the earliest boat and head straight to Salet to beat the crowds
Other Places To Visit In Berchtesgaden National Park (Berchtesgaden Land)
The Town Of Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden town is far more than a gateway to lakes and mountains — there’s plenty to enjoy in town itself if you feel like slowing down. Wander through the historic Markt & Schlossplatz, where beautifully painted facades, the old market square fountain (dating back to 1558), and traditional shops offer glimpses into local life. The Collegiate Church (Stiftkirche) near the Royal Palace is worth visiting for its Romanesque and early Gothic architecture.
For food, Gasthaus zum Bier‑Adam is great for traditional Bavarian fare — goulashes, roast pork, hearty local dishes served in a no‑frills, warm timber setting. Meanwhile, Hofbräuhaus Berchtesgaden is perfect when you fancy beer, wurst and a convivial atmosphere; the building and beer garden feel like a classic Bavarian tavern.
Once you’ve eaten, lace up your walking shoes and head out of town to the Kirchleitnkapelle / Kapelle der Seligpreisungen: a peaceful chapel reached via a path starting in Nonntal. From there you get elevated views across Berchtesgaden, with the forests and mountains creating a quiet backdrop.
Visit Berchtesgaden Salt Mine (Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden)
On the outskirts of Berchtesgaden, you’ll find one of the region’s most unique attractions – the Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden, Germany’s oldest active salt mine, in operation since 1517. Your underground adventure begins with a ride on a miner’s train deep into the mountain, followed by a guided tour that includes sliding down traditional wooden miners’ slides, gliding silently across an illuminated underground salt lake, and learning about the 500-year history of salt mining through immersive multimedia displays.
It’s surprisingly fun, a bit surreal, and very family-friendly – with overalls provided and a steady underground temperature of around 12°C. The full tour lasts about 90 minutes, with tickets costing around €25.50 for adults and €13 for children (ages 4–16).
Where The Hills Are Alive
On a quest to find the exact spot Julie Andrews spun in The Sound Of Music with the mountains in the background, we stumbled across a curious geographical anomaly. So not only did we manage to recreate our own version of The Hills Are Alive but we also stood one foot in Austria, one foot in Germany. There can’t be many places you can do that!
LOCATION; Just beyond the little hamlet of Neusieden near the town of Marktschellenberg. Look on Satellite View on Google Maps and you’ll see the area we mean.
Visit Wimbachklamm Gorge
On the edge of Ramsau, just a short drive from Berchtesgaden, lies the dramatic Wimbachklamm Gorge – a short but spectacular walk through a narrow ravine. The trail leads you along wooden walkways and bridges bolted into the gorge walls which allows for close-up views of waterfalls. Though the gorge walk itself is less than 200 metres long, it packs in plenty of drama and is a great stop even if you’re short on time.
Entry is just a few euros and you’ll find the ticket machine at the entrance – so bring coins! And if you fancy it you can extend your walk into the peaceful Wimbach Valley – a perfect add-on for a more relaxed day in the Berchtesgaden National Park.
The St Sebastian Church Photograph
One of the most iconic photo spots in the Berchtesgaden region is the postcard-perfect St. Sebastian Church in the village of Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden. Situated by the Ramsauer Ache River beneath the Reiteralpe mountains, this little 16th-century church is best framed by the wooden footbridge in the foreground.
It’s an easy stop if you’re driving through Ramsau – parking is available nearby, and the spot is just a minute’s walk from the road. It’s peaceful, timeless, and unmistakably Bavarian.
Walk To The Kastensteinerwan d Alm For Lunch
If you are staying at our recommended hotel, Wassererlehen in Bischofswiesen, make sure you make time for a hike to Kastensteinerwand Alm – a beautiful and relatively quiet alpine hut tucked beneath the rocky face of the Kastensteinerwand.
The trail starts right from the village and winds gently uphill through forest and open meadows, with views opening out towards the Watzmann massif as you gain height. The Alm itself is a classic little mountain hut with wooden benches, home-cooked Bavarian food, and schnapps served with a sweeping view of the surrounding peaks. It’s the perfect spot for a slow lunch or early evening beer, especially if you’re after a peaceful local hike without needing to drive or plan a full mountain day.
Take A Day Trip To Hallstatt
Whilst we would definitely recommend spending the night in Hallstatt to experience it without the hoard’s of tourists, a well-timed day trip can still be incredibly rewarding. 1.5 hours from Berchtesgaden, Hallstatt has to be Austria’s most incredible beauty-spot.
You’d need to arrive early to ensure a car-parking place but you could spend a breath-taking morning on the shores of Hallststatt See, maybe incorporate it with a trip to the local salt mine, or take a swim in the beautiful lake Wolfgangsee and have dinner at Seegasthof Gamsjaga on your return trip.
As you can see there is so much to see and do in the Berchtesgaden National Park – we really wish we could have stayed longer! This area of Bavaria is an absolute dream and you feel like you’re getting 2 for 1 with such close proximity to Austria.
If you’d like to read more about our Germany-Austria Road Trip, here are a few more articles we’ve written…
The Nightmares AND The Fairtales of Hallstatt – The Travel Guide You Need To Read First
Four Days In The Tyrolean Alps – Innsbruck, Wipttal & Beyond
Why Garmisch Partenkirchen Should Be Your Next Alpine Escape
The Cheapest & Quickest Way To See Lake Eibsee, Bavaria
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