For your next holiday, make it a point to visit Berchtesgaden, Germany. Here is our hand-picked list of the top activities and attractions in Berchtesgaden, Germany, so you can make the most of your time there. Scroll down for the best things to do in Berchtesgaden, Germany, and the best places to visit in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Wondrous Drifter, a Web 3.0 travel startup, hopes to have a significant impact on the world.
Table Of Content
- Hitler’s Eagles Nest
- King’s Lake Ferry Boat
- Salzbergwerk
- Berchtesgaden’s Festivals
- Old town
- Hofbräuhaus
- Jenner Mountain
- Summer Luge Slide (Sommerrdelbahn)
- Watzmann Mountain
- Wimbachklamm Waterfalls
- Haus der Berge
- Watzmann Thermal Spa
- St. Sebastian Church, Ramsau
- Hintersee
- The Zauberwald
- Salzburg
- Berchtesgaden National Park
- The German Alpine Road (Deutsche Alpenstrasse)
- Dokumentation Obersalzberg
- Herbstfest and Almabtrieb
- Explore Europe
Hitler’s Eagles Nest
The Eagles Nest is the city’s most popular tourist attraction in Berchtesgaden.
You can view up to 120 miles in the distance from this vantage point.
It reaches roughly 3,000 feet over valley level.
There were plans to give Hitler a gift for his 50th birthday in 1939 for the whole Eagles Nest project, from the mountain road to the Alpine lodge on top.
It was an enormous undertaking, requiring 3000 men to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in hazardous conditions.
After 13 months of building a 4-mile stretch of highway in a mountainous area, a chalet perched above was built in 1938.
The chalet’s interior was beautifully furnished with a fireplace by Italian dictator Mussolini.
Despite how impressive the Eagles Nest appeared, Hitler only came up to it 14 times in his first year.
How unusual, considering that the Obersalzberg Complex is just a few miles away, and he spent over a third of his tenure as king there.
King’s Lake Ferry Boat
Visitors to the Königssee in the Austrian Alps are never disappointed by its emerald fjord and majestic Alpine mountains.
Situated between Jenner, Hagen, and Watzmann Mountains, Königssee is Bavaria’s deepest lake.
The crystal blue waters of the 5-mile-long Lake are home to various rare fish species, and the eateries in the area give them up right away.
From 1909, the Lake has been free of gas engines that have kept the water pure.
Vintage-looking electric passenger boats are used for lake tours, passing through sluggish boathouses, rumbling waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks.
The scenery is breathtaking at every turn, and the ride itself is a joy to behold.
You’ll pass by the picturesque white Church of St. Bartholomä, home to the Lake’s most photographed landmark, the red onion domes.
As you travel farther across the lake toward Obersee, the sound of your boat’s siren will reverberate off the surrounding mountains.
It’s a stunning lake area, complete with unspoiled shorelines, a lush meadow, and a towering waterfall.
Salzbergwerk
Since the world’s oldest salt mine recently opened its tunnels to the public, it appears like no (salt) stone was left unturned!
The highlight of the guided trip is sliding down the historic wooden miner slides that are around 120 feet in length.
You will also learn a great deal of salt mining throughout the journey, which takes you to an underground river.
Moreover, this occurs while the participant is dressed in a miners’ jumpsuit.
It also involves a journey on a salt train to assist them to get into the spirit of the experience.
The fact that the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine is the only large salt mine in the country that is available for visits throughout the entire year is among the many reasons that make it one of the nicest things about the mine.
Berchtesgaden’s Festivals
Many German and small Austrian towns are recognized for their annual celebrations of joy and pride.
When making travel preparations for Germany, make sure to take into account not only the weather forecast for the time of year in which you want to be there but also the schedules of any special events or festivals that’ll be taking place during that time.
Men with devil masks and costumes are known as Buttmandls, and they go door-to-door on the night of the Winter Solstice to usher in the new season.
Visitors are taken aback when they see Santa Claus leading the Buttmandls, whose festival is on December 6th.
Additionally, Berchtesgaden celebrates New Year’s Eve with black powder gun shooters throughout the winter season. Old Town is transformed into Advent Town for the Holiday Market, the most well-known event.
Most memorable is their Trachtenfest, when a local blacksmith sticks a hot iron into your beer and dare you to a drinking contest.
Additionally, once the 12-ounce bottle has been consumed, you’ll get a beautiful puff of steam.
Make a point to visit during a festival!
Old town
Before the concept of a holiday had even been conceived of, the town of Berchtesgaden was already playing host to notable visitors.
The Bavarian monarchs, artists, and noblemen all favored this place over others.
The good news is that you do not need to be an aristocracy in order to appreciate the location!
Market square can’t be named Market square without a market
You are encouraged to explore the town and its many fascinating attractions, such as the old Rococo town center, which is comprised of townhomes, a monastery church, and the royal palace.
Take your time to explore the area, stop in at one of the quaint cafes, and put some time aside to look around the unique stores.
Those who visit Berchtesgaden with the intention of reliving “great events” from the city’s past have the chance to go on a tour with the evening watchman that takes them around the historically significant areas of the center of town.
Around the year 1610, Bavaria was home to the creation of the Lüftlmalere mural, which is now considered to be among the earliest in the whole area.
This particular kind of mural does not feature any religious scenes; instead, it shows scenes from ordinary life.
Hofbräuhaus
The neighborhood beer halls are the best places to eat and drink in both Germany and Austria.
Traditional meals and the building’s rich history are favorites of both regulars and newcomers to the neighborhood.
Because Berchtesgaden did not have its own brewery for a significant amount of time, the majority of the town’s beer originated from Kaltenhausen brewer.
This is a location where you can get a one-liter beer, chow down on authentic Mexican food, and sing along to lively music in an original setting.
Taking photographs of the historic hunting lodge-style Bräustüberl adds a whole new level of immersion to the dining experience.
You may still feel like a native in the communal-style beer hall’s seating, whether you bring your lederhosen.
It’s impossible to go to Bavaria without stopping at a Hofbräuhaus.
Stop by the Pfistermühle, a historic Baker’s Mill where the river still grinds the millstones into powder if you’re in the neighborhood.
Jenner Mountain
From the summit of Jennerbahn Mountain, the nicest views of Königssee may be found.
As you soar over the Lake, you’ll watch hang-gliders sail by, and you’ll be able to take in the distances of Alpine grandeur on either side.
It’s a great place to go hiking or skiing during summertime and a great place to go snowboarding in the winter.
On this great journey, you will have the opportunity to take in breathtaking vistas of the high peaks found inside Berchtesgaden Nature Reserve.
It is just a 400-yard walk to get there. The spring-fed Lake on the Mount, which doesn’t freeze in the winter, is another favorite picture location on the mountain.
Multiple hiking paths run to the neighboring Hohes Brett and Schneibstein summits and the southern Berchtesgaden National Park region.
In addition to hosting an Alpine ski resort, the mountain is a popular location for ski-mountaineers!
Summer Luge Slide (Sommerrdelbahn)
Prepare to have the time of your life as you go over Europe’s twisting, leaping, and spinning Sommerrodelbahns!
These toboggan runs, and mountain coasters blend adventure with nature, creating a summer of excitement and adventure!
At Sommerrdelbann, there’s a 2,000-foot-long metal Luge that hurls tourists down the hillside!
You’ll encounter several turns, bends, leaps, and bumps as you race down the mountain. Have you ever wondered what happens to ski slopes after the snow melts?
In the summer, they transform them into Sommerrodelbahns, or toboggan runs.
The thrill of a toboggan run or alpine coaster may be enjoyed in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.
The course automatically returns you to the peak after you’ve whizzed down the mountain for extra enjoyment.
At least two or three trips down the Luge may be necessary since the experience is so exhilarating.
Moreover, they also manage a magnificent hotel and lovely beer garden in Berchtesgaden.
Watzmann Mountain
With breathtaking views of Berchtesgaden from nearly every direction, Watzmann Mountain is a must-see.
In fact, an old legend about King Watzmann and his family were accused of brutally torturing the populace; they were turned into stones.
He is at the highest peak in the mountain range, his wife is at the second-highest peak, and their seven children are at the lesser peaks in between.
It also provides excellent hiking opportunities in the surrounding area.
The mountain’s massive twin summits rise like horns from a central indentation, almost as if someone had taken a gigantic bite out of the summit’s crest.
As the third tallest mountain in Germany (after Hochwanner and Zugspitze), Watzmann is also the tallest mountain globally, at 8,900 feet above sea level.
However, whereas the other two are on Austrian territory, Watzmann is the tallest mountain entirely on German territory.
As the geographic core of the Berchtesgaden National Park, Watzmann offers excellent rock climbing opportunities and unrivaled Alpine hiking opportunities. Because of the spectacular scenery, you’ll think that you’re hiking through Switzerland.
To hike the Watzmann, you must be in excellent physical condition, and you should expect to spend the entire day there if you intend to do so.
Wimbachklamm Waterfalls
Hiking through the gorges and ravines of Berchtesgadener Land is a magnificent experience that will stay with you for a long time to come.
One of the most popular places to visit in the community is the Wimbachklamm canyon.
The majority of the area is made up of limestone, and it is home to a number of breathtaking waterfalls. The region can be reached by means of piers that were constructed in the 19th century; these piers enable visitors to undertake a short journey throughout the platform in order to take in the breathtaking scenery.
You may still enjoy peace on this famous hiking trail during the off-peak hours.
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Haus der Berge
A wide range of options is available to visitors of all ages, including families, organizations, school classes, and anybody with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for learning.
Located near the town’s entrance, Haus der Berge serves as Berchtesgaden National Park’s educational and informational center, overlooking Mount Watzmann.
The primary installation, titled Vertical Wilderness, features interactive exhibits along a panoramic interior route to demonstrate the National Park’s ecosystems, from the base of Konigssee to the highest points of the Alps.`
Temporary exhibitions and a wildlife film theater are also available.
The Haus der Berge has a historic mountain chalet created in 1848 and moved to the outside of the building one by one.
The “House of Mountains” has many things to do before or after Germany’s only Alpine National Park trip.
These include the award-winning “Vertical Wilderness” exhibition, engaging details about the protected area, a cinema in the lobby with nature films, changing exhibits on two floors, and a themed library are all waiting for you to discover!
Watzmann Thermal Spa
If you’re in the mood for pampering and relaxation, Berchtesgaden’s Watzmann Therme bathhouse has you covered.
The Watzmann Therme not only is a destination for families, but it also provides great chances for families to enjoy quality time together, decrease stress, and disconnect from the demands of daily life. Feel a state of complete relaxation and enjoy yourself to the fullest. There are times when the most beneficial things are the smallest breaks.
This is the place that visitors and residents of Berchtesgaden should go to if they want the best experience possible.
Everybody can enjoy their money’s worth in this place. Families with younger children can find their own aquatic world in the vibrant parent-child section. At the same time, older youngsters may have delight in the adventure swimming pool.
A day, or simply a few hours, spent at Watzmann Berchtesgaden, known as “the family-friendly thermal spa,” is an adventure that the entire family will enjoy.
St. Sebastian Church, Ramsau
Every tourism brochure in Germany features this photo as the defining image of Germany. With a charming tiny chapel in the front and a bubbling mountain stream in the backdrop, you have a fantastic view of the Swiss Alps to your left.
The Bavarian Alps host the German municipality of Ramsau. It is situated in Berchtesgaden in Bavaria, near the Austrian border, around 35 kilometers south of Salzburg and 150 kilometers south-east of Munich. Northern Berchtesgaden National Park borders it on three sides.
This church’s lovely location is a major selling point for many people. The Watzmann mountain is seen behind the church and a river, and a famous wooden bridge.
Landscape artists and photographers are said to be drawn to it. Numerous painters get inspiration from the “Malerwinkel” since it’s so beautiful.
Don’t miss out on taking a photo that will be worthy of a postcard no matter what time of year you come.
Hintersee
Within the Bavarians, the Hintersee Lake and Ramsau region is considered the most gorgeous.
Artists and authors found both locations in the 1800s. Subsequently, filmmakers picked this area as the subject of alpine grandeur and pastoral romance films because of its picturesque environment.
Unlike any other, the Hintersee, an alpine lake, is just a short drive from Ramsau. The Lake’s waters are crystal clear, while the surrounding mountains soar majestically into the sky.
Many landscape artists and poets have been inspired by Hintersee Lake, which is surrounded by massive peaks and located near Ramsau at the foot of the Reiter-Alm.
Whatever your preferred mode of transportation, you’ll be able to take in breathtaking 360-degree views of the natural world. In fact, the Lake is a favorite among artists of all kinds, and you’ll want to bring your camera with you when you visit!
The Zauberwald
The Enchanted Forest, also known as Zauberwald, is another must-see attraction in Ramsau that will transport you. An ancient rockfall few thousand years ago, an ancient rockfall caused the region to be full of nooks and crannies that you won’t find in any other forest. Today, there is a river that flows down the gorge, and the water is relatively pure (albeit icy). An easy trail leads from Ramsau to the adjacent Hintersee Lake, similar to Wimbachklamm Gorges. You may also see the forest’s most admirable portions.
This stunning hike to the Lake takes you from Ramsau through the Zauberwald (Enchanted Forest) and down into the mountains along a wild mountain stream.
Take a stroll around the Lake on the theme path, which provides information on the romantic-period painters of the nineteenth century. This picturesque Lake, which has served as the scene for many an Alpine film, may also be traversed by boat.
Salzburg
Salzburg, the capital of the Austrian state of Salzburg, is just around 25 miles distant from Ramsau. On a one-day vacation, it’s conceivable, but there’s a lot to see and do in Vienna, Austria’s cultural center.
Getreidegasse and Alter Markt Square are great places to shop and eat, as are Schloss Hellbrunn and Hohensalzburg Fortress. Museums and other attractions abound, though. Sample itineraries from the Salzburg Tourism Office are available for your perusal.
Salzburg is a city in Austria’s central region, near the German border (or the German province of Bavaria, to be more precise). As a result, Salzburg has a complicated relationship with Bavaria, which whom it shares a substantial portion of its history with.
Salzburg’s dialect, literature, gastronomy, and most of the city’s popular culture have more in common with Bavaria than Eastern Austria. People in Salzburg, like other Austrians, are prone to claiming that they are everything but German. In Eastern Austria, this may be a simple argument, but it is more challenging in Salzburg.
Berchtesgaden National Park
Other popular lakes in Berchtesgaden National Park may be found not far from Ramsau. If you are looking for an easy way to see the beautiful water lilies of Taubensee, then Hintersee is the place to go.
The Berchtesgadener Land, the only German Alps National Park, has a wide range of landscapes and spectacular beauty. These well-marked hiking routes allow tourists to appreciate nature and learn about environmental conservation while exploring this undeveloped area.
Ice skating and curling are both popular winter activities on Hintersee, which freezes over each year. Berchtesgaden National Park has more than 60 kilometers of ski routes, making it a popular wintertime destination for those who like skiing, hiking, and sledding.
This popular year-round activity takes advantage of the various routes in Germany’s only Alpine National Park to allow visitors to take in the stunning surroundings while hiking through the mountains, forests, or lakeshores.
The German Alpine Road (Deutsche Alpenstrasse)
The German Alpine Road, which runs from Berchtesgaden in the east to Lake Constance in the west, is one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful roads.
Other well-known Bavarian locations visited are Fussen, Oberammergau, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Take a journey on the B305 route if you possess a car to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany, if not all of Europe. Stunning is the stretch from Berchtesgaden to Weissbach.
There are 484 kilometers of the German Alpine Road between Lindau and Schönau. As one of Germany’s best-known vacation destinations, Bavaria’s most renowned landmarks are within a few hours’ drive along the historic route.
There is a 12-percent slope from Unterwössen to the Masereralm before returning to Reit im Winkl on the German Alpine Road’s most challenging segment.
It’s essential to slow down and enjoy the journey! You may sample the best of the region’s produce by visiting a rural inn, relaxing on a mountain pasture, or having a picnic by the Lake.
Dokumentation Obersalzberg
Many of Berchtesgaden’s landmarks have to do with the Second World War and its role as the main retreat for Nazi commanders during the Third Reich.
Berchtesgaden’s significance as a mountain hideaway for the SS is documented at a museum called the Dokumentation Obersalzberg.
Because many of the resort buildings were frequented by Nazi officials, they were outfitted with bunkers and other forms of defensive design in the event of an assault.
In the museum, you’ll find a fascinating bunker with secret chambers, trapdoors, and a confusing labyrinth of passageways that shows how important it was to the Nazi leadership’s survival in an attack during World War II.
The Obersalzberg Documentation is a place where visitors may learn about the region’s history and the history of National Socialism in general. Obersalzberg’s relationship with the National Socialist government is chronicled in this multimedia display.
Documentation is the starting point for Carl von Lindde-Weg. While some inclines along the Obersalzberg trail, there aren’t any on the Lindeweg. This makes it an excellent option for families with young children and strollers.
Herbstfest and Almabtrieb
Herbstfest, or the autumn festival, is a significant thing in the Bavarian Alps because it coincides with Almabtrieb, or the movement of cows from summer pastures to lower winter grazing grounds.
Despite how it sounds, this is actually a pleasant occasion, with cows decked out in cowbells and shepherds in traditional Bavarian lederhosen.
A drink in appreciation for an enjoyable journey is an appropriate way of celebrating the festival. Dates change each year, although the event is typically held in late September.
This day is observed as if it were a holiday. The big tent hosts traditional festival evenings with music, dance, and delectable regional cuisine even before the main event.
As the animals make their journey back to their herds, reindeer are paraded through the town, mountain cattle are decked with ribbons, and shepherds eagerly await the return of their flocks. It’s well-known across the country.
The Wertach Autumn Festival, which includes a market, is a regular event on the calendar of the Allgäuer Viescheide, attracting a large number of tourists each year.
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