Berchtesgaden is located in the beautiful Bavarian Alps in the southeast of Germany. It is a region bursting with things to do for all types of travelers as it is full of history, beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities. You’ll find plenty to do in any season that you visit, but late Summer and Fall are especially beautiful. It is just a few hours Southeast of Munich and just one hour from Salzburg, Austria. We’ve rounded up the best things to do in Berchtesgaden below:

The Eagles Nest

Set high a top a mountain peak in the Bavarian Alps this former Nazi compound was a gift to Adolf Hitler for his 50th birthday. Now it is a restaurant that offers 360 degree views of Bavaria below. On a clear day you can see up to 120 miles away! It’s real name is the Kehlsteinhaus, but it is known as the Eagle’s Nest in English speaking countries. It is still in its original state today and full of history. It is an absolute must do while in Berchtesgaden. You can hike or take a bus up to the top. Click here for more information about hours and pricing. Before heading up you can drive partially up the mountain and stop at Obersalzburg. Here you will be able to walk through underground bunkers that the Nazi’s used as well as visit the documentation center which is full of WWII history.

Salt Mines in Berchtesgaden

The Salzbergwerk salt mine is the oldest one in Germany. They are still mining today and allow you to take a tour through the mines. You’ll be required to wear a jumpsuit before entering the mines via their train. Once inside there is no other word for the mines except fascinating. It’s a true work of art which you’ll ride, slide and even take an underground boat through. After your tour you can shop in the salt shop and stock up on all things salt. It’s fun for the entire family and we can’t wait to return there with our children one day! They are the only local salt mine open year round. You can view the hours, pricing and location on their website here.

Hiking in Berchtesgaden

There is what seems like an endless amount of hiking in Berchtesgaden. The majority of hikes lie within the Berchtesgaden National Park, which offers 143 miles of hiking trails which has marked trails for all skill levels. You can read more about the National Park here. In addition to the National Park there are many pull offs on the roads for sightseeing and short trails. One of our favorite hikes was just outside of Berchtesgaden, in Hintersee. There is a stunning trail around this lake which is almost as emerald green as Lake Konigssee (see next section). One thing that really surprised me (coming from east coast of the US) is just how many people hike in Germany! You’ll see just about everyone with a walking stick and locals are very friendly and willing to help guide you if needed.

Hiking in Berchtesgaden

Lake Konigssee

Konigssee is an emerald green, natural lake that was formed by a glacier. It is absolutely stunning and resembles more of a fjord with the majestic cliffs and mountains surrounding it. It is known as the cleanest lake in Germany and for that reason they only allow electric powered boats on it. You can take a boat tour from one end to the other, which I highly recommend. You can view the operating hours and pricing for the boat tours here. Swimming is allowed in the lake, but there is also plenty of hiking and don’t miss St.Bartholomew, which is a stunning pilgramage church.

Explore the town of Berchtesgaden

Beautiful alpine style buildings in pretty pastel colors line the narrow streets of Berchtesgaden. There are plenty of little shops and biergartens to stop in at as well as a variety of bakeries and restaurants. I loved that we could fill up our water bottles at the water stations shown above. As you stroll through the streets you will be entertained by locals dressed in typical Bavarian wear and music. It’s such an enchanting town and not to be missed!

Those are some of the best things to do in Berchtesgaden, now we will answer some of the logistical questions like where to stay, do they speak english and more!

LANGUAGE- DO YOU NEED TO SPEAK GERMAN?
We found that about less than half of the locals spoke English, but despite that we were able to order from menus no problem and make our away around town with ease. The further you travel from major cities like Munich the less people will speak English. In fact, when we were in Munich I don’t think we came across a local that didn’t speak English. Before we left for our trip we studied German to brush up on our skills and were able to get by just fine! We used this German Phrase Book and found it so helpful, and since it’s tiny we were able to bring it with us for reference.

WEATHER IN BERCHTESGADEN
Berchtesgaden experiences all 4 seasons and the most pleasant times to visit are spring, summer and fall. You’ll find the best deals in spring and fall, as well as lower volumes of tourists in the area.

HOTELS IN BERCHTESGADEN
There are countless options to choose from when selecting where to stay in Berchtesgaden. Hotels, Pensions and B & B’s, from upscale to budget you’ll be able to find something that will work for you. We use Booking to find the best deals. Hotels in this area are very affordable but another great option is to book through AirBNB. You can then save even more money if you choose, by cooking your own meals and saving on eating out. The rental homes are incredibly affordable and you can save an extra $20 by booking through this link.


Booking.com

DO YOU NEED A CAR IN BERCHTESGADEN?
The short answer is, yes. You’ll get the most out of your time in the area by renting a car and driving around. Some of the most scenic roads we’ve ever seen are located in Berchtesgaden and we found ourselves spending some of our evenings just driving around taking it all in. Plus, the activities mentioned above are a little more spread out and not easily walkable. There is a bus system but I promise you won’t regret renting a car to explore!

FOOD ALLERGIES IN BERCHTESGADEN
This is a bit more tricky as not a lot of people speak English in the area, however with the use of translated allergy cards like these you should feel comfortable to eat at most restaurants. There is also a chain grocery store in town where you can stock up on your own foods and cook for yourself. You can read more about flying with food allergies here for lots of tips!

For the non-allergic travelers read more here about the food to eat in Germany.

If this is your first time visiting Germany you’ll want to be sure to read this article about 10 things NOT to do in Germany.

Keep Exploring

Visiting Salzburg is a must while you are in the area. It’s a short drive over to Austria, you can make it a day trip (that’s what we did) or spend several days there touring around. Check out this blog for a more in depth guide to the musical city of Salzburg.

There are many other day trips from Munich that are worth checking out while you are in the area.

I hope you’ve found this guide useful, please leave a comment if you have any questions and we will respond quickly. If you’re going to pick one town in southern Germany to visit this should definitely be the one! Of all the places we’ve traveled to Berchtesgaden has been one of the most beautiful and life changing. If you have more time to explore, check out these hidden gems in Germany. Happy travels!