On our first trip to Salzburg in 2010 we took a day trip to Berchtesgaden to visit Eagle’s Nest. Sadly the day we visited was surprisingly rainy for a May day, and our trip to the top didn’t offer the views of the Alps we had hoped for. On this trip we wanted to see the Alps from a lake vantage point instead of a mountain top, and we considered a day trip to the very popular Hallstatt, Austria. After reading reviews of overcrowding and because the day trip wasn’t as easy with public transportation we decided to visit Lake Königssee and return to Berchtesgaden, Germany instead.

Lake Königssee

Salzburg to Königssee

The bus transportation was a bit difficult to navigate from the central station in Salzburg, but once we found the right stop we were able to purchase a ticket from the driver and find seats for the 45-munite ride to Königssee. The bus became more crowded as we approached Berchtesgaden and many hikers in the national park hopped on and off.

We arrived in Königssee with the outline of a plan. The few tickets for boat rides that were offered online were sold out, so everyone without tickets queued for the next available time. This was a bit of a timing game, as we could not select your time once we arrived at the window. After waiting ½ hour in line we were given a boat arrival time for 45 minutes later, giving us a little gap to explore the town, but not enough time for a full sit-down meal.

The Boat Tour

Our electric boat ride was narrated entirely in German. The highlight was a long traditioned stop for the crew to play a flugelhorn (trumpet) to demonstrate the echo that reverberates from the Alps across the lake. Visitors to Lake Königssee have two options for boat stops. The furthest of Salet was the destination for visitors with more time to explore the trails to Röthbachfal, the tallest waterfall in Germany.

St. Bartholomä

With just a ½ day trip, we opted for the 45-minute ride to St. Bartholomä, although in hindsight we wish we had a full-day there. The destination would also be perfect with families with young children, with easy wading in the lake and hands-on educational exhibits in the museums. Even the playgrounds were interactive educational opportunities to learn about the geology and ecology of this region of the alps.

After a traditional beer garden lunch at Gaststätte St. Bartholomä we stopped in the St. Bartholemew church. This baroque-style church, built in 1697, is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage destination.

Berchtestgaden, Germany

Berchtestgaden

Berchtestgaden Hbf served both the trains and buses in the region and was a good jumping off point for gave exploring the town. On our first trip we stayed closer to the river, but on this trip we chose to walk to the main center in village. This involved a steep uphill climb, but the views of the Alps and Kehlstein beyond the river valley made the trek worth it.

Had we wanted to lengthen our day trip to reach the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) as we had in 2010 we would have transferred to another bus, then purchased a combined bus/lift ticket.

Berchtesgaden, Kehlstein, Germany, 2010

Berchtesgaden, Kehlstein, Germany, 2010

Berchtesgaden, Kehlstein, Germany, 2010

Berchtesgaden, Germany, 2010

We were surprised that the bust route between Berchtesgaden and Salzburg was only running through the early evening during the busy tourist season. Even with just under two hours to spend on the stop it was worth the stop to experience a small Bavarian town. While walking by cute small inns and hotels we did regret not spending a night in the town, thought the logistics of hauling our luggage along on s congested bus would have been challenging.

Our 8-day Itinerary for Salzburg & Innsbruck, Austria & Bavaria, Germany

Day 2- Full Day in Munich, Germany

Marienplatz

Munich Residence

English Garden
Day 2- Full Day in Munich, Germany

Deutsches Museum

Nymphenburg Palace

Botanical Garden Munich-Nymphenburg
Day 3- Munich to Salzburg, Austria

Friedhof St. Peter, Salzburg

Fortress Hohensalzburg

Stiegl, Old Town, Salzburg
Day 4- Salzburg, Austria

Residenz, Salzburg

Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn

Hellbrunn Palace
Day 5-Day trip to Königssee and Berchtesgaden, Germany from Salzburg

Lake Königssee, Germany

Berchtesgaden, Germany

Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg, Austria
Day 6-Salzburg to Innsbruck, Austria

Hause Dur Natur, Salzburg

Tyrolean evening with the Gundolf family, Innsbruck

Train Station, Innsbruck
Day 7- Innsbruck & Wattens, Austria

Nordkette, Top of Innsbruck

Alpenzoo, Innsbruck

Swarovski Kristallwelten, Wattens
Day 8- Innsbruck & return to Munich

The City Tower,

Old Town

The Court Church