Lake Tegernsee

Lake Tegernsee is one of the most popular Alpine lakes in Upper Bavaria, set in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps about 30 miles (50 km) south of Munich. Five villages ring its shores, including the town of Tegernsee with its former monastery and famous brewery tavern, and the lakeside church of Rottach-Egern. With hourly trains from Munich, boat cruises and mountain views from the Wallberg, it makes an easy and rewarding day trip from the Bavarian capital.

Why visit Lake Tegernsee

Tegernsee was carved by a tongue of the Inn Glacier during the last Ice Age and was first recorded in 796. Today it covers 3.4 square miles (8.9 km²), is about 3.5 miles (5.7 km) long and reaches a depth of 238 feet (72.6 m). The State of Bavaria owns the lake, and almost the entire shoreline is open to the public. A ring sewer completed in 1965 keeps the water notably clean.

The lake has long attracted Bavarian royalty: the former Benedictine abbey in Tegernsee town has belonged to the Wittelsbach family since 1817. Its brewery tavern, the Herzogliches Bräustüberl, is a classic stop for a beer and a pretzel.

Things to do

• Take a boat cruise: The Grand Tour (Line B) takes about 90 minutes, the Southern Tour (Lines C and D) about 60 minutes. You can hop off twice on the Grand Tour and once on the Southern Tour.
• Walk the shore: Lakeside paths link the villages and pair well with the boat or bus.
• See Rottach-Egern: The church of St. Laurentius, with its slender spire, sits right on the water.
• Go swimming: In summer, beaches such as Kaltenbrunn in Gmund are popular.
• Ride up the Wallberg: The cable car above Rottach-Egern gives you a view over the whole lake.

Boat tickets and schedule

The fleet is run by the Bavarian Lake Shipping company (Bayerische Seenschifffahrt). The autumn-to-spring timetable runs from October 5, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Boats sail daily until November 8, 2026, roughly hourly from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; there is no service from November 9 to December 24, 2026, and from January 11 to March 19, 2027, with a reduced schedule over the Christmas holidays. Fares are €19.50 for the Grand Tour and €14.50 for the Southern Tour (adults, as of October 2026). Tickets are sold on board and online.

How to get to Tegernsee from Munich

• By train: Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) trains leave Munich Hauptbahnhof hourly for Gmund and Tegernsee, a ride of just over an hour. The train splits at Holzkirchen, so board the right section. The Deutschlandticket is valid.
• From Munich Airport: Take the S-Bahn to the main station, then the BRB; by car it is about an hour.
• By car: Take the A8 to the Holzkirchen exit, then the B318/B307. Lakeside parking fills up fast on sunny weekends.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you want a relaxed Alpine lake experience close to Munich. Visit on a weekday or early in the day to avoid crowds. Pair the lake with nearby Schliersee and Spitzingsee for a longer trip.