Close to the vibrant city of Salzburg and nestled in the Bavarian Alps is a place called Berchtesgaden, a destination that has all the makings of a charming town. Stunning mountain views, cows grazing on green fields, and streets lined with colorful houses and bustling restaurants are just a few things to expect from this municipality. On your visit, head to Berchtesgaden National Park, a corner of the country where nature and the wildlife both thrive. This is also where you’ll be able to capture a postcard-worthy photo of Obersee Lake, the famous boathouse, and the Alps mountains that border it in just one click. Besides stunning natural sights, the town retains a historic charm while still being up to date on modern fixings like train stations and paved roads. For where to stay, you get to choose from a number of vacation rentals after exploring this wonderful part of the world. If you want to learn more about the best things to do in Berchtesgaden, Germany, keep reading.
1. Be a Von Trapp for a day and join the Sound of Music tour (from USD 71.0)
If the sight of open fields, snow-capped mountains, and edelweiss flowers remind you that “the hills are alive with the sound of music” then you need to know about this fun day tour dedicated to the 1959 musical. You’ll get to see the places in Salzburg where scenes from the film were shot, including the iconic gazebo where fans will recall Liesl Von Trapp and her billowy dress. If you know the songs by heart, you can even sing along to the soundtrack during the tour.
The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg
Duration: 4 hours
2. See some of nature's best at Berchtesgaden National Park
Berchtesgaden National Park is a well-known place of interest in Bavaria. Two beautiful lakes are situated within the park’s boundaries: Königssee and Obersee, and it’s also home to various wildlife. Park visitors come for various reasons, whether it’s to enjoy some of the hiking and biking trails or to see St. Bartholomew’s Church, which sits along the shores of Königssee Lake. There are plenty of natural highlights to capture for your social media - just take note that flying a drone isn’t permitted inside the park.
Berchtesgaden National Park
Address: Berchtesgadener Str. 91, 83486 Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Germany
Website: Berchtesgaden National Park
3. Marvel at the ice formations inside Schellenberg Ice Cave
Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the largest ice cave in the country. The guided tour lasts for about an hour and visitors will be taken in to see the stunning ice formations. Since the ice changes, even those who have visited the cave before will get a chance to see something new. Visitors are advised to bring a warm jacket and you will be given a helmet to protect your head from rocks and other debris.
Schellenberg Ice Cave
Address: 83471 Schellenberger Forst, Germany
Website: Schellenberger Eishöhle
Price: 8 EUR (8.97 USD)
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4. Get the best mountain views from Rossfeld Panoramastrasse
The smooth, winding roads of Germany’s highest mountain pass make the journey just as enjoyable as seeing the views from the mountainside. This route runs for 9.9 miles (16 kilometers) and is a popular spot for scenic winter drives. Eventually, you’ll come to a part of the road blocked by tall guardrails, which opens out to a stunning view of snow-capped mountains, valleys, and verdant trees. Be sure to take this route on a clear day to get the best sights.
Rossfeld Panoramastrasse
Address: Roßfeldstraße, 83471 Eck, Germany
Website: Rossfeld Panoramastrasse
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
5. Take a day trip to Salzburg (from USD 21.0)
Salzburg is less than an hour away from Berchtesgaden, making it a great option for a day tour. Block off a day to visit the historic center of Austria, which is also famously known as the place where Mozart was born. Some notable attractions include Fortress Hohensalzburg and Salzburg Cathedral. Plan to spend the whole day here, as the city is particularly pretty at dusk when the yellow street lamps switch on, illuminating the stunning Baroque buildings.
Salzburg Historical Walking Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
6. Go on an underground adventure at Salt Mine Berchtesgaden
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’re thinking of what to do in Berchtesgaden and adventure is what you seek, then you should definitely visit Salt Mine Berchtesgaden. For those who are not aware, the history of salt mining in Berchtesgaden goes way back to the 12th century and this particular salt mine is said to have been established in 1517.
Today, the mines are mainly just for tourist activities, drawing in almost half a million local and international visitors each year. It’s really not surprising as these mines provide a unique kind of thrill as guests get to go on an exciting expedition underground while learning about the place’s fascinating history.
Salt Mine Berchtesgaden
Address: Bergwerkstraße 83, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
Website: Salt Mine Berchtesgaden
Opening hours: 11am - 3pm (daily)
Price: 23 USD
7. Sample the best gentian beverages in the world at Enzianbrennerei Grassl / Distillery
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Distilling gentian, masterwort, and juniper is a tradition in Berchtesgaden, Germany, that’s been around since 1692 and to this day, this German town continues to be one of the top producers of various wines, liquors, and other spirits in the country.
With that said, this distillery is one of the best Berchtesgaden places to visit if you want to know more about this fascinating piece of German history and the whole process of making various products. All of these while you sample all sorts of top-quality alcoholic beverages, including schnapps, gin, wines, and a whole lot more, make for an interesting visit!
Enzianbrennerei Grassl / Distillery
Address: Salzburger Str. 105, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
Website: Enzianbrennerei Grassl / Distillery
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 12pm (closed on Sun)
8. Enjoy a traditional Bavarian meal at Bräustüberl
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Bräustüberl Berchtesgaden on Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Offering traditional Bavarian dishes, Bräustüberl is the place to be if you want to fully experience what Bavarian cuisine is all about. Some of the must-try here include schnitzels, wursts, sauerkrauts, frankfurters, and a whole lot more. You also get to taste different German beverages from beers, spritzers, wines, teas, and coffees. Another reason why you should check out Bräustüberl is its comfortable traditional Bavarian setting that lets you truly feel the region’s culture while enjoying the most relaxing views.
Bräustüberl
Address: Bräuhausstraße 13, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
Website: Bräustüberl
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)
9. Explore the town
Exploring the town should be the first one on your list of what to do in Berchtesgaden, Germany, and it’s best done on foot.
Duck under shaded and arched walkways, stroll around Old Town to admire the colorful Alpine houses, steal a seat on one of the benches to people-watch, or choose one of the lovely restaurants that spill out onto the streets to sample classic German fares. While you’re here, you might even catch sight of locals performing on the busy Market Square.
10. Plan a visit to Lake Königssee
Lake Königssee has been called Germany’s most beautiful lake for a reason. The colors are vibrant and the air fresh - nature fully alive and untouched. Visitors can rent a paddleboat to explore the waters. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can follow three trails in search of a secret spot - Königssee’s waterfall pool, a little pocket on the mountainside where you can enjoy a dip and stand on the edge to get the best view of the lake.
Lake Königssee
Address: Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria
Website: Lake Königssee
11. Tour Obersalzberg
Famous for being the address of Hitler’s mountainside retreat, Obersalzberg sits just above Berchtesgaden. You can take a 10-minute bus ride from the town to Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg, a museum that is home to documents and exhibits about fascist Germany and the Holocaust. Many of the buildings here were destroyed by Allied forces towards the tail end of the war, and more were demolished by the government to keep the place from turning into a shrine. Those interested in learning more about World War II will enjoy touring this place.
12. Head up to Eagle’s Nest
Eagle’s Nest, also known as Kehlsteinhaus, is perched about 6,017 feet (1,834 meters) above sea level. In the summer, avid hikers and adventure-seekers opt to take the forested road from Berchtesgaden up to Kehlstein, a two-hour hike. This is an option you can take if the weather is good, but if you want a quicker route you can always queue up for the shuttle. As a former Third Reich stronghold, expect to see a crowd of tourists during peak seasons.
Eagle’s Nest
Address: Kehlsteinhaus, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
Website: Eagle’s Nest
13. Check out the remains of Hitler's Berghof
Just 980 feet (300 meters) away from Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg is a parcel of land that contains the remains of Berghof, Hitler’s home in Obersalzberg, and his second seat of command. Not much is left of it now except stone walls that conceal the doors to former bunkers and trees growing in areas where the house once stood. In its current state, it’s hard to picture this as the place where Hitler plotted against other nations and met with notable characters in history like Italian dictator Mussolini. There are a few signs that guide visitors around the area since it might be confusing to navigate.
14. Take advantage of the natural beauty and go hiking
Berchtesgaden is filled with natural beauty, and both city dwellers and nature enthusiasts will enjoy the many paths that surround this gem in the Bavarian Alps. Whether this is your first time hiking or you’ve hiked trails all over the world, there are many possibilities available to you. An easy but picturesque option is Malerwinkel Loop, which runs for two miles (four kilometers) and takes less than two hours. Experts looking for a challenge can consider Watzmann Via Ferrata inside Berchtesgaden National Park. This hike has an elevation gain of 6,541.9 feet (1,994 meters) and requires an early start as it takes roughly 13 hours to complete.
15. Try the saltwater pool at Watzmann Therme
Kids and adults alike will find something to love about Watzmann Therme. There is a designated pool for those who just want to splash around and one for those who want a more invigorating swim. This establishment is also famous for the brine outdoor pool, which promotes relaxation and is said to have added health benefits. Guests can also make use of one of the many saunas or get a massage treatment.
Watzmann Therme
Address: Bergwerkstraße 54, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
Opening hours: Mon: 10am - 10pm (closed from Tue - Sun)
Website: Watzmann Therme
Price: 12.30 - 18.60 EUR (13.79 - 20.85 USD)
Add this charming Bavarian town to your travel bucket list
Ideally located close to the beautiful city of Salzburg and filled with enviable natural beauty, Berchtesgaden has so much to offer all kinds of travelers. Hikers, nature enthusiasts, and even history buffs will find plenty to love about this municipality. Don’t forget to include it when planning your next trip to Germany.
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