The Italian lakes on the south side of the Alps are world famous. But there are also several equally picturesque lakes on the north side, in Germany. The largest are the Chiemsee, Ammersee and Starnberger See. These lakes are located in the state of Bavaria, southern Germany. The closest lake to Munich is Lake Starnberger. This lake is ideal for a trip from Munich, but also for a relaxing holiday. Lake Starnberger See is located about 25 kilometers south of Munich. The lake is about 20 kilometers long and up to 5 kilometers wide. The circumference of the lake is 45 kilometers, the maximum depth is 127 meters. Due to its size, the lake warms up very slowly in the summer and cools down slowly in the winter. Because few streams and rivers flow into the lake from the Alps, the lake is only refreshed once a year. From the lake you have a beautiful view of the Alps.
Places on the lake
There are several towns and villages directly on the lake, of which Starnberg, at the northern tip of the lake, is the most important. The other places are Berg, Ammerland, Ambach, St. Heinrich, Seeshaupt, Bernried, Tutzing, Feldafing and Possenhofen. Tutzing is the most important of these other places.
Starnberg
Starnberg is the largest town on the lake, founded in 1226 and has approximately 25,000 inhabitants. Bahnhofplatz and Maximilanstrasse are the liveliest streets in the city. Here you will find restaurants, shops and cafes. Directly behind the station is Lake Starnberger See. There are a number of restaurants on the lake, often with a marina and a small beach. The ships of the Bayerische Seenschifffahrt depart from the pier directly behind the station for scheduled services and lake tours.
Tutzing
Tutzing is located on the west side of the lake and has approximately 10,000 inhabitants. Tutzing is best known for its castle on the shore of the lake. The garden is laid out in French style. In the Hauptstrasse you will find several restaurants and some shops. A sailing school, marina and restaurant are located along the lake shore.
Activities at and on the lake
Active
There is a 46 kilometer long path around the lake that is used by cyclists and walkers. However, from this path it is not possible to reach the water in most places, most of the land directly on the water is privately owned. There are many walking and cycling opportunities in the area around the lake, the rolling landscape around the lake is ideal for these activities. There are also several golf courses in the area around the lake, including in Feldafing and Tutzing.
Relaxation
There is a large recreation area between Pöcking and Possenhofen, on the west bank of the lake. There are sunbathing areas, beaches and barbecue areas available here. Part of the beach is also reserved for windsurfers. Possenhofen is also known for the castle of the same name, where Empress Sisi of Austria often stayed in the summer. In Kempfenhausen and between Ambach and St. Heinrich there are also recreational areas with beaches and facilities such as barbecue areas.
Aquatics
Swimming pools, directly on or partly in the lake, can be found in Starnberg, Feldafing, Garatshausen, Bernried and Seeshaupt (Lido). Sailing and surfing schools are also located in these places. There is a lot of sailing on Lake Starnbergersee. Theoretically, sailing without experience is possible, but most sailing schools require at least a basic diploma. You can also launch your own boat. There are public boat ramps in Ammerland and Tutzing.
Ferries
The Bayerische Seenschifffahrt offers crossings, boat trips and special boat trips. With the MS Phantasie you can sail directly from Starnberg to the Museum der Phantasie (museum of fantasy), also known as the Buchheim Museum, in Bernried.
Stay
The lake is popular with day trippers, but there are also many holiday homes and hotels in the villages and towns around the lake. There are also several campsites on the banks of the lake. There is a youth hostel in Possenhofen, on the west side of the lake.
How to get there?
Because the lake is close to Munich, it is a popular excursion for the residents of this city. From Munich you can reach Starnberg and the west bank by S-bahn. This S-bahn, line number 6, stops after Starnberg in Pöcking, Feldafing and Tutzing. The eastern bank can be reached by train, there is a station in Seeshaupt. The A95 motorway, from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, runs along the east side of Lake Starnbergersee. Just before the lake, the A952 highway splits from the A95 and takes visitors directly to Starnberg.