Herrenchiemsee Palace

Herrenchiemsee Palace on Herreninsel island in Lake Chiemsee is the largest and most expensive palace built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, a lavish tribute to Versailles in the Bavarian countryside. Reaching it by boat across the lake is part of the fun. Inside you'll find a dazzling Hall of Mirrors, opulent state rooms, and a museum about the "fairy-tale king." Since 2025 it has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ludwig II's Versailles

Ludwig II idolized France's Sun King, Louis XIV. In 1873 he bought Herreninsel, and construction began on May 21, 1878, with a garden facade closely modeled on Versailles. The project swallowed huge sums, rising to 16.6 million marks by the time of his death, making it his costliest palace.

The palace was never finished. Ludwig stayed here only once, for about ten days in September 1885, and never slept in the grand state bedroom. He died the following year, and the palace opened to visitors just weeks later.

What to see

• Hall of Mirrors: at about 75 meters (246 feet), it is slightly longer than the original in Versailles.
• State bedroom and grand staircase: even more extravagant than their French models.
• Unfinished rooms: bare brick walls behind the gilded halls show how abruptly the work stopped.
• King Ludwig II Museum: exhibits on the king's life and building projects.
• Gardens and fountains: the Latona and Fortuna fountains run from early May to early October.
• Old Palace (Augustinian Monastery): in 1948 the constitutional convention that drafted the basis of West Germany's Basic Law met here; a museum tells the story.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the Bavarian Palace Administration:

• Summer (April to October 24): daily 9 am to 6 pm, last palace tour around 5 pm.
• Winter (October 25 to March): daily 10 am to 4:45 pm, last tour around 4 pm.
• Island ticket: 14 euros, including a guided palace tour (about 40 minutes) and both museums. Visitors under 18 enter free. The boat fare is extra.
• Closed January 1, Shrove Tuesday, and December 24, 25, and 31.

The palace can only be visited on a guided tour. Buying tickets online lets you skip the line on the island.

How to get there

Herrenchiemsee is about an hour from Munich by train, making it an easy day trip from Munich or Salzburg.

• By train: Take a regional train to Prien am Chiemsee (covered by the Deutschlandticket). From the station, walk about 30 minutes to the Prien/Stock pier or ride the historic Chiemsee steam train in summer.
• By boat: Chiemsee-Schifffahrt ferries run regularly from Prien/Stock to the island. Low water can affect some piers, so check the schedule.
• By car: Take the A8 to the Bernau exit and follow signs to Prien and the "Königsschloss." There's paid parking at the harbor.

From the pier, allow about an hour to reach the palace, including the boat ride.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you're interested in Ludwig II or love grand interiors. The Hall of Mirrors alone is spectacular. Plan half a day for the boat trip, palace tour, museums, and a walk in the park. Many visitors combine it with a stop on the smaller Fraueninsel, home to a historic convent.