Planning a trip to Eibsee in Germany? I’ve been there, and here you will find my best tips on things to do in Eibsee, recommended hotels as well as how to get there and other useful information.
It’s a beautiful lake in the Southern part of Germany, in the Bavaria region.
Eibsee is a true paradise for nature lovers as well as a tranquil place to relax and enjoy the fresh air.
Things to do in Eibsee
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Health & Spa
- Skiing nearby during the winter season
- Visiting the highest mountain in Germany, Zugspitze
More information about Eibsee
- Region: Bavaria
- Max. length: 3.15 km (1.96 mi)
- Max. width: 0.56 km (0.35 mi)
- Surface area: 177.4 hectares (438 acres)
- Max. depth: 35.4 meters (116 ft)
The lake was created after a mountain collapsed and formed its basin during the last ice age. It is without a doubt one of the beautiful lakes in the German Alps, and thanks to its location at the foot of Zugspitze, you can expect impressive mountain views as long the sky is clear.
Islands
| Almbichl | Schönbichl |
| Ludwigsinsel | Braxeninsel |
| Scheibeninsel | Sasseninsel |
| Maximiliansinsel | Steinbichl |
How to get there
The closest international airport is either München or Innsbruck, and from there you can get to Eibsee by car or train and bus. If you’re comfortable driving it will give you the most freedom to explore the area.
However, trains and buses are actually quite good in Grainau, and you can buy a pass for unlimited rides.
By bus from Grainau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen
There’s a frequent bus line between these destinations that runs from early morning until later in the evening. Just hop on the blue Eibsee-bus and you will be at the lake in half an hour or so from Grainau.
How to get to Eibsee by train
There are two ways, the cheaper way is to take a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then take a bus to Eibsee. However, you can also use the Zugspitzbahn and take a train directly to the lake, although it is more expensive.
Getting to Eibsee by Car
If you’re driving from Grainau or Garmisch-Partenkirchen, just follow the Eibseestraße, and you will reach the parking in about 10 minutes. Right before you arrive, you’ll see the lift that goes all the way up to Zugspitze.
The driving time from München is about 1.5 hour. The drive from Innsbruck is a little faster than the one from München.
Parking
Parking is available next to the lake and hotel. There are plenty of spaces, so it is unlikely that you won’t find an empty parking space. The price is 4 Euro for a full day.
Hike around Eibsee
The loop trail around Eibsee is beautiful with plenty of paths to go off the trail for scenic views. The whole trail is 7.1 km and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete at moderate speed.
It is accessible for everyone no matter age and the trail itself is both family-friendly and handicapped accessible. If you want to go down to the lake along the way, use caution unless there is a designated path to the lake.
At most parts of the lake, it’s also possible to hike off-the-beaten-path and walk along the lake. However, good shoes are required and hiking experience is preferred if you want to skip the regular trail.
Best time to visit Eibsee
From May to September is generally the best times to enjoy the beauty of Eibsee. However, the lake is very beautiful year round. In the winter months, the lake gets frozen at times, but the walk around is still pleasant and accessible.
For recreation, the summer months are the best, but also the most crowded. My ideal months to visit Eibsee would be either in May or September. Then you will enjoy tranquil scenery without having to share it with many other tourists.
Best time of the day to visit
I went for sunrise and sunset and stayed for a few hours extra. I would say that sunrise is the best time of the day to visit Eibsee because there will be very few people and the water will be calm. This is when you get to see the magical reflections.
The reflections can also be seen on calm days during the day. Sunset is also spectacular, especially when the warm light touches the peak of Zugspitze. It’s incredible, and I recommend going here both for sunrise and later come back for sunset.
Recommended restaurants
- Eibsee Pavillon
- Spezialitaten Taverne
- Restaurant Jagerstuberl (15 minutes drive)
Recommended hotels near Eibsee
The hotel next to the lake is a well-known wellness resort with 4-stars.
- Eibsee-Hotel (4-star wellness hotel)
- Gunglstubn (budget-medium accommodation in Grainau)
Here’s the view of our breakfast at Gunglstubn. Not bad, eh?
Have you been to Eibsee as well? Feel free to share your experience in the comment section below!