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Have you ever dreamed of visiting a stunningly beautiful alpine lake by the foot of a mountain? Then look no longer! We have the answer for you. Lake Eibsee in Bavaria, Germany, could be taken straight from a fairytale. There are many beautiful lakes in Bavaria, but the Eibsee Lake is something on its own. Follow us as we discover the stunning beauty of Lake Eibsee.
There’s no place like Lake Eibsee. We’re not even kidding. Of the many lakes we have visited in Bavaria, Lake Eibsee stands out, and its only competitor might be the equally stunning Lake Königssee in Berchtesgaden. Eibsee Lake is a popular place to visit in Bavaria; we can understand why. Hopefully, after reading this post, you might agree with us. Read on to see how you can discover the beauty of Lake Eibsee, where it is, what to do there, and how to get to Eibsee Lake.
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What is Lake Eibsee?
Lake Eibsee is one of the most beautiful lakes, not only in Bavaria but in the whole of Germany. Located directly at the foot of the Zugspitze mountain (2950m), the highest mountain in Germany, this alpine lake is something to behold. The Eibsee Lake (German: Eibsee – “see” meaning lake) was formed more than 3000 years ago by a landslide and has since been at the bottom of Zugspitze.
TIP: Read our post from Bad Griesbach if you would like to spend some days hiking, playing golf, and visiting a spa
It’s an alpine lake with an altitude of 973.28 meters (3,193.2 ft) above sea level. Eibsee isn’t that big, the surface is 177.4 hectares (438 acres), making it a perfect place for a hike in Bavaria. The lake is privately owned but is open to everyone. The water is crystal clear, and part of the lake has a beautiful turquoise color that has given Eibsee the nickname the Caribbean of Germany. We are not sure if we completely agree with that statement, so we’ll leave it to you to judge yourself. But, Caribbean or not, the lake is stunningly beautiful, and the view of the mountains with the lake in front is simply magical.
The Eibsee Lake is a popular day trip from Munich, so if you are visiting Munich but feel like you would like some peace and tranquillity, this place might be the perfect choice. Is Lake Eibsee worth visiting you still might wonder? Our answer is as crystal clear as the lake: Yes! It’s most definitely worth a visit!
Where is Eibsee Lake?
Lake Eibsee is located 9 km southwest of the alpine town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and roughly 100 km southwest of Munich. Here you are in the very south og Germany, with Austria just on the other side of the mountain.
By visiting Eibsee, you are also visiting the Alps. Zugspitze is part of the Wettenstein Mountains, which again is a part of the Northern Limestone Alps within the Eastern Alps. So if the Apls were on your bucket list, here is your chance.
You can easily reach Lake Eibsee by public transportation or by car. Read on as we explain how to do that.
How to get to Lake Eibsee
Of course, there are many routes to Lake Eibsee, depending on where you are located. However, most people visit Eibsee either as a day trip from Munich or in combination with Garmisch-Partenkirchen or one of the nearby towns. Below you can read how to get to Lake Eibsee from Munich or Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Public transport to Eibsee Lake
Want our best travel advice? Take the train. Always. Or whenever it’s possible, at least. We love traveling by train, and do it wherever it’s possible.
You can easily get to Eibsee by train from Munich. You will then travel on a regional train in Germany, meaning a seat reservation is not possible, so be there early if you want to secure a seat. First, you will take a train from Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof) to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. There’s at least one train an hour from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, sometimes more often. The train from Munich takes around 1h20 minutes to Garmish.
When you arrive in Garmish, you have two options: the bus to Ebisee (Eibsee bus) or travel with an old-school cogwheel train upwards to Eibsee. The latter is our favorite. For the bus, you buy your ticket on the bus. For the cogwheel train, you buy your ticket at the station. It is within walking distance from both the bus and the cogwheel train to the lake. You can find the timetable for the cogwheel train here.
TIP: If you travel with the €58 Deutschland ticket: The bus is private and not covered by that ticket. The Deutschland ticket is valid on the cogwheel train, but only until Grainau station, meaning you will need to purchase a ticket (€4) for the last stretch from Grainau to Eibsee.
Alternatively, you can take Flixbus from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and, from there, connect to either the Eibsee bus (40 min) or take the cogwheel train to Eibsee. Flixbus can often be more affordable than the train, so if you travel in Germany on a budget, this might be a better option. Check the timetable for the Eibsee bus here.
Travel to Lake Eibsee by car
Arriving at Eibsee by car might be the easier option (although we still recommend public transportation). It takes around 1h20 min to 1h35 min from Munich to Eibsee by car. From Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the drive is around 15 minutes only. There are good parking options at Eibsee, as described below.
Parking at Lake Eibsee
There are several parking lots at Lake Eibsee: two at the lake and one for the cable car to Zugspitze (Seilbahn Zugspitze) The parking lots for the lake are called “Eibsee Parkplatz” and Parkplatz am Eibsee.” They are privately owned and come with parking fees. Currently, the cost is around € 8 for up to four hours, but if you’re an early bird, the parking fee is €2,50 between 05 am and 9.30 am. The two parking lots at the lake are large but can get full during midday in high season, so better come early or late.
The parking lots are open from 05 am to 10 pm. Parking outside the opening hours can lead to a fine. You cannot park a camper van here! You can find all parking lots mentioned here on Google Maps.
Budget tip: Shortly before you arrive at Eibsee, there’s a free parking lot called “Wanderparkplatz.” It’s very small, so come early if you want to park there. You will have to walk about 1 km to the lake from the parking lot.
Can you sleep over at Lake Eibsee?
Yes, you can spend the night at Eibsee, although there is only one option for accommodation directly at Lake Eibsee, the Eibsee Hotel. This hotel has a stunning location directly on the shore of the lake, where you also will find restaurants and bars. This hotel doesn’t come cheap, so if you don’t wanna spend all those euros on sleeping, you can check for more affordable accommodation in nearby Grainau or Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Please be aware that camping or sleeping outdoors at Lake Eibsee is prohibited. This also includes sleeping in a car or van in the parking lot. If you prefer camping, you can find two campsites in Grainau, only 4km away. Check Camping Resort Zugspitze or Camping Erlebnis Zugspitze if you want to camp while in the area.
Where to eat or drink at Lake Eibsee
After a swim or hike around the lake, you might want to have some drinks and food. Lake Eibsee offers several dining options. In addition to restaurants at the hotel, you can also find SeeRestaurant-Eibsee Pavilion, located by the boat rentals. Here, you can enjoy Bavarian traditional classing or Mediterranean food with a stunning view over the lake.
Biergarten am See is a traditional German biergarten next to the SeeRestarant. Go here if you only want a drink. They also serve traditional beer garden food.
With views of both the lake and the Zugspitze, Eibsee-Alm is another recommendation for hearty German specialties. This restaurant is located in an alpine hut next to the Zeilbahn Zugspitze station.
For ice cream head to Eisdiele am See. You’ll find it next to the souvenir shop.
Things to do at Lake Eibsee
Of course, the main reason for visiting Eibsee Lake is the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. It is a popular destination to visit, for both locals and tourists. There are many things to do at the lake, and your preferred activity might depend on the season in which you are visiting.
Swimming at Lake Eibsee?
Can I swim at Lake Ebisee? Yes, absolutely. The lake invites you to swim in the crystal-clear water in the summer. There are many places around the lake where you can access the water. Just remember that this is an alpine lake, so don’t expect Caribbean temperatures even if the lake is nicknamed so. If you hike around the lake on a warm day, you can easily find a place to cool down along the shore.
Hiking at Lake Eibsee
There are numerous hiking trails in the area to and from Eibsee. If you stay overnight in Grainau, you can hike from there to Eibsee in 1,5 hours, and if you prefer higher altitude hikes, the options are numerous. However, we only did one hike (around the lake), so we can’t say much about other routes. For this, we recommend you ask at your accommodation or the hotel.
However, most visitors choose to hike the Eibsee Circuit Path or Eibsee Rundweg. As the name suggests, this is an approximately 7,5 km route around Lake Eibsee. This hike is fairly easy and suitable for everyone. Most parts of this hike are mostly flat, although there are a few hilltops and a couple of steep hills. That said, people also do this hike with a stroller without problems, so it is a hike everyone can do. Depending on your speed, the hike will take anywhere between 1,5 and 2,5 hours around the lake, maybe longer if you have lots of photo stops or sit down for a rest.
TIP: If you would like to explore more hiking opportunities in the Bavarian countryside, we recommend a visit to the Samerberg area. This hidden hiking paradise offers easy hikes in the lowlands and more challenging ones in the mountains.
You have seen the pictures! People come to the Eibsee Lake for the amazing views of the Zugspitze and the surrounding mountains. What people want to see is the crystal clear lake with the mountains in the background, and this exact view can now be yours.
Often, one is more motivated at the beginning of a hike – at least we are – so we suggest that you start the hike where you will get the best views at the beginning of the hike. Therefore, we recommend that you do the Eibsee Circuit counterclockwise. Instead of walking to the left towards the boat rental, walk to the right from the parking lot. The trail starts in the forest behind the hotel. Look for signs with “Eibsee Rundweg”. Walking in this direction is also easier as you will have less elevation. Hike the other direction if you are looking for a more challenging hike.
This hike is very popular, and it can get crowded depending on the day and time, especially in peak season. To avoid the largest crowds, we recommend that you come early in the morning or late afternoon. In peak season, the crowds are at their lowest before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
Boat and SUP rental
You might go out on the water while visiting Lake Eibsee. In the summer months, there are good options for that. You can rent pedal boats, rowing boats, and SUP boards. Please note that from late afternoon, all pedal boats at Eibsee belong to the hotel.
In addition, you can also do a. tour of the lake on the historic excursion boat “Reserl.” In good weather this boat takes you on a trip on the lake, making it possible to see the beauty of Eibsee from the water.
Combine Lake Eibsee with Zugspitze
Can I combine Lake Eibsee with Zugspitze in one day, you might wonder. The answer is yes, you can visit both Eibsee and Zugspitze on the same day.
Of course, if you are fit, you can hike to Zugspitze. This is a challenging hike that takes 8-10 hours, so this is not something we recommend for everyone. Please research the route and weather conditions properly if you consider this hike to Zugspitze.
If you’re not up for a long, challenging hike, you can still visit the top of Germany’s tallest mountain, so don’t worry. We’ll get you to the top. There are different routes to reach the summit, but here we will let you know the easiest way to combine Zugspitze with Eibsee.
If not hiking, your alternative is to take the Cable Car Zugspitze (Seilbahn Zugspitze). It starts at Eibsee and takes you to the summit of Zugspitze in less than 10 minutes. With a capacity of over 500 people per hour, this is the most efficient way of getting to the top. The cable car to Zugspitze doesn’t come cheap. As of winter 2025, the price for a return ticket is €66 (approx $68,50) for adults. Youth and children will get reduced prices. The cable car operates year-round. Check their website for operating times and timetables.
Best time to visit Lake Eibsee
What is the best time to visit Lake Eibsee? Well, that depends on you, what you prefer, and what you seek. Eibsee can be visited year-round and is stunning at any time of the year.
Most people visit during the summer months, from June through August. The water is sparkling and crystal clear at this time of year. Due to its popularity, this is also the most crowded period to visit. For swimming, this is definitely the best time to go, and especially towards the end of summer, the lake normally has a comfortable water temperature. Even in the mountains, the summer can get hot, so it can be smart to avoid hiking around midday.
The autumn brings. fewer visitors, clear and crispy air, and don’t forget the beautiful autumn foliage, which can give you great photo options. Also, the spring sees fewer visitors, and it’s lovely being outdoors as nature starts coming alive after a long winter sleep.
Finally, the winter can also be a great time to visit Eibsee Lake. Normally, in this part of Germany, the winter is snowy. But even in snow, the lake is stunning. The circuit trail is cleared for snow during winter, making the hike possible also then. From January on, chances are that the lake will be frozen, which is also kind of magical. Please always check with locals if you would try to walk on the ice. It might not be as safe as it looks!
Best time of the day to visit Lake Eibsee
The time of the day matters more than you might think during peak season, weekends, and school holidays. The busiest time is July and August. Come before 09 am any day during this period, especially if you come by car as the parking will fill up. Alternatively, come in late afternoon. From 5 pm, it’s normally less crowded again.
Also, if you come by train on a day trip from Munich, the train gets packed, so leave as early as possible. For photography, the afternoon light might be the best for some great photos. The summer evenings are long and bright, so you don’t have to worry about it getting dark before much later.
In late autumn and especially during winter, be aware that the days are much shorter. In winter, it’s dark between 4 and 5 pm, so plan accordingly.
