Top 10 Viewpoints in Bavaria
Bavaria climbs from the rolling lake country of the foothills to the rocky wall of the Bavarian Alps along the Austrian border, crowned by Germany's highest peak. Between fairy-tale castles, turquoise mountain lakes and cable-car summits, the region offers some of the most accessible and photogenic alpine viewpoints in Europe. These ten capture Bavaria's mountains, lakes and storybook landscapes at their finest.
Zugspitze
Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, reaches 2,962 metres on the Austrian border. A cog railway and cable cars from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Eibsee carry visitors to the summit, where the panorama spans more than 400 peaks across four countries on a clear day. A glacier and ski area sit just below the summit, which is snow-covered most of the year.
Neuschwanstein viewpoint (Marienbrücke)
The fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein, King Ludwig II's romantic creation, is best seen from the Marienbrücke, a bridge spanning the Pollat gorge behind the castle. The view frames the white towers against the forested foothills and the Alpsee below. It is among the most photographed scenes in Germany, especially in autumn colour or winter snow.
Wendelstein
The Wendelstein at 1,838 metres is reached by Germany's oldest mountain cog railway or by cable car, and crowned by a church, an observatory and a viewing terrace. The summit panorama spans the Bavarian foothills, the lakes and the chain of the Northern Limestone Alps. It is one of the most developed and accessible high viewpoints in the region.
Eibsee
The turquoise Eibsee lies at 973 metres at the foot of the Zugspitze, its clear green water dotted with small wooded islands. The level path around the lake gives constantly changing viewpoints of the water with the Zugspitze massif rising behind. It is one of the most beautiful and easily reached lake viewpoints in the Bavarian Alps.
Herzogstand
Above the Walchensee and Kochelsee, the Herzogstand at 1,731 metres was a favourite of King Ludwig II. A cable car and a path lead to a viewing pavilion on the ridge, with a panorama over the two lakes — the Walchensee an intense turquoise — and the surrounding peaks. The ridge walk to the neighbouring Heimgarten extends the views.
Tegelberg
Near Neuschwanstein, the Tegelberg at 1,720 metres is reached by cable car from the valley. The summit gives a sweeping view over the Allgau foothills, the lakes and, below, the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. It is a popular launch site for paragliders and a fine viewpoint over the storybook landscape of south-west Bavaria.
Walchensee
The Walchensee is one of the deepest and largest alpine lakes in Germany, famous for its intense turquoise colour. Viewpoints from the surrounding roads and the slopes of the Herzogstand and Jochberg frame the lake against the peaks. The combination of vivid water and mountain backdrop makes it one of Bavaria's most photographed lakes.
Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest)
The Kehlsteinhaus, perched at 1,834 metres above Berchtesgaden, is reached by a historic mountain road and a brass-lined lift through the rock. The terrace gives a commanding view over the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Konigssee and across to Austria. The site's dark history as a Nazi-era building contrasts with its spectacular position.
Jenner and the Konigssee
Above the fjord-like Konigssee near Berchtesgaden, the Jenner at 1,874 metres is reached by cable car. The summit viewpoint looks straight down on the emerald lake, the Watzmann massif — Germany's third-highest peak — and the surrounding national park. The Konigssee, ringed by sheer cliffs, is one of the most dramatic lake settings in the Alps.
Marienplatz tower, Munich
In the heart of Munich, the tower of the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) on Marienplatz gives a view over the city's rooftops, the twin domes of the Frauenkirche and, on clear days, the distant Alps to the south. It is the classic urban viewpoint of the Bavarian capital, reached by lift.
Explore on the map
From the summit of the Zugspitze to the castle of Neuschwanstein and the turquoise Walchensee, every viewpoint above is plotted on the interactive map. Use it to see which are reached by cog railway, cable car or short walk, and plan a route across the lakes, peaks and castles of Bavaria.