The Lake Eibsee is already a true highlight - the highlight of Bavaria. So it's no wonder that this place is the perfect vacation destination for many. Vacationing at Lake Eibsee is definitely a dream destination for nature lovers. Today I share with you my ultimate Lake Eibsee Travel Guide for your perfect visit, what activities you can plan for your Lake Eibsee trip, where the best hotels are and what the surrounding area has to offer. It is also one of the largest lakes in Germany and also called "Germany's Caribbean" by many because of its wonderfully turquoise water.
Lake Eibsee Travel Guide
Arriving and Parking at Lake Eibsee
By car:
Lake Eibsee is located about 13 km southwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, directly below the Zugspitze in the Wetterstein Mountains in Bavaria. It can be reached by car in about one and a half hours drive from Munich. Munich is actually the perfect starting point for amazing day trips around Bavaria.
You can type "Eibsee" directly into Google Maps, and it will take you right past Grainau, the small town near the lake, and right up to Lake Eibsee.
The official parking lot of the Seehotel costs 7€ for 4 hours, every extra hour costs additional 1€. Moreover, be sure to take cash, otherwise you can not pay at the parking ticket machine.
By public transport: The Eibsee-bus
Of course, you can comfortably travel to the Eibsee by public transport. All year round, the white-blue Eibsee bus takes you every hour from Garmisch via Grainau to Lake Eibsee. The trip from Garmisch takes only 40 minutes and the bus stop is only a few steps away from the lake.
Lake Eibsee - the Perfect Visit
THE CIRCULAR TRAIL
A perfect day at the Eibsee includes the circular hiking trail! You can start hiking trail from the left or from the right. The left start is at the boat rental down on the left, the right start is at the top parking lot on the right side (seen from above).
You need 2-3 hours with breaks and taking photos. If you follow the route you always have a great view of the Eibsee, you pass many beach sections, pretty bays with turquoise water and benches to take a rest. By the way, you can also borrow (e-)bikes to ride around the lake. Additionally, swimming is also allowed in the Eibsee and in summer the water temperature can even reach 22°C.
I highly recommend to visit Lake Eibsee for sunrise! In my opinion it's the most beautiful time of the day to visit. Go there early in the morning to find the perfect spot while waiting for the sun to kiss the tip of the Zugspitze. Plus in the morning the water is silent. The smooth water surface works like a mirror, the mountain and trees standing on the bank are reflected in the water.
THE ZUGSPITZE
If you're already at Lake Eibsee, it makes sense to take a trip up Germany's highest mountain Zugspitze and enjoy the view. It definitely is a bucket list experience and worth a visit!
Unfortunately, the ride up in the modern cable car and down from the Zugspitz station at Lake Eibsee is very expensive. It costs 61€. However, as a budget traveler, I didn't do it because of the price. As a tip for you, if you would like to take the trip up to the Zugspitze, there is another cable car on the Austrian side - the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn in Ehrwald - where the return ticket costs 49,50€.
Conclusion
A trip to Lake Eibsee is best combined with a visit to other places and cities in this area. Lake Eibsee is especially popular to visit during a holiday in Bavaria as it is a great addition to other day trips from Munich!
If you have even more time to explore this area you have to take some more day trips to the beautiful cities of Rothenburg ob der Tauber or Nuremberg! From pretty little streets to beautiful half-timbered houses, there are so many beautiful spots to discover.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write them in the comment section below. ⇣
xx
Nina
