Lake Starnberg

Lake Starnberg (Starnberger See) is Munich's favorite lake, stretching about 12 miles (19.5 km) south from the town of Starnberg toward the Alps, only 15 miles (25 km) from the city. Germany's fifth-largest lake is lined with villas, beaches and boat landings, and it is tied to one of the great mysteries of Bavarian history: the death of King Ludwig II in 1886. A suburban train gets you there in about half an hour, making it one of the easiest day trips from Munich.

Why Lake Starnberg is special

The lake covers 21.8 square miles (56.4 km²) and reaches a depth of 419 feet (127.8 m), which makes it Germany's second-largest lake by water volume. It was called the Würmsee until 1962, and it became a weekend escape for Munich residents once the railroad arrived. The State of Bavaria owns it, and since 1976 it has been a protected Ramsar wetland.

Fans of the "fairy-tale king" come to Berg on the eastern shore, where Ludwig II and his doctor were found dead in the shallow water in June 1886. A votive chapel and a cross in the lake mark the spot. On the western shore, tiny Roseninsel (Rose Island) has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps" since 2011.

Things to do

• Take a boat tour from Starnberg, right next to the train station.
• Visit Rose Island, reached by a short ferry from Feldafing between May and mid-October; the small royal villa can only be seen on a guided tour.
• See the Buchheim Museum in Bernried, an art museum right on the shore.
• Swim or bike: Public beaches dot the shore, and a loop of about 30 miles (49 km) circles the lake.

Boat tickets and opening hours

Bavarian Lake Shipping runs four routes: the Grand Tour (about 3 hours 40 minutes, €27), the Northern Tour (about 2 hours, €20), the Southern Tour (about 90 minutes, €20) and a Short Tour (about 1 hour, €14). Buy tickets on board at the ship's cash desk. As of October 2026, boats run only until October 18, 2026, and low water means the piers at Berg, Possenhofen, Bernried and Ambach are not being served. The season usually restarts at Easter.

How to get to Lake Starnberg from Munich

• By train: Take the S6 S-Bahn toward Tutzing from any central Munich station; the ride from the main station takes about 35 minutes. Starnberg station sits on the lakefront, a few steps from the boat pier. The Deutschlandticket is valid.
• By car: Follow the A95/A952 to Starnberg. Lakeside parking fills up quickly on sunny weekends.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes. If you have only half a day, take the train to Starnberg, walk the promenade and do the one-hour Short Tour. With a full day, combine a longer cruise with Berg and the Ludwig II memorial or a visit to Rose Island. Nearby Lake Ammersee and Andechs Abbey make a good second stop.