Chiemgau: Discover lakes, mountains and the Stone Age
Accommodation in Chiemgau
The Chiemgau offers a wide variety of travel experiences: Lake Chiemsee is the region’s flagship attraction; its historic islands and diverse leisure activities appeal to visitors of all ages. Other themes range from 250 million years of geological history to cycling routes, mountain destinations and regional traditions. The right accommodation depends first on which of these aspects you want to make the focus of your stay.
The lake, islands and culture on Herrenchiemsee
Chiemsee boat services connect key places along the lakeshore, including Prien, Gstadt, Seebruck and Chieming, with Herreninsel and Fraueninsel. This makes it possible to explore lakeside towns and island destinations as different focal points for an outing. Check the timetable in advance if you are planning a boat trip. Herrenchiemsee Palace is now one of the Chiemgau’s most important attractions. The Baroque monastery building on Herrenchiemsee also houses several exhibitions. The island’s highlights therefore range from a major attraction to exhibitions in a historic building.
Discover geological history and the Stone Age
The MammutMuseum Siegsdorf presents the geological history of southeastern Bavaria over a period of 250 million years. Its subjects include the fundamentals of geology, the diversity of fossils, the giants of the Ice Age and the world of the Stone Age. This broad span of time brings together different chapters of natural history in one place. The Stone Age Garden is right next to the museum. There, children can polish stones, bake bread on a stick and make crafts using natural materials. Learning and hands-on activities are thus available side by side within the same theme—a practical point of interest for families with children.
Cycling and hiking in the Chiemgau
The Chiemgau has around 1,400 kilometres of well-signposted cycling routes and 20 themed cycling tours. There is also an almost 600-kilometre mountain biking network. The options cater to different interests: you can make the cycling routes, themed tours or mountain biking trails the starting point for your plans. For hiking, there are seven premium trails, and the number is growing. If you want to include both kinds of activity, you can plan separate days for cycling and hiking.
Hochfelln, water and a variety of activities
The Hochfelln cable car reaches the summit of Hochfelln in two sections, giving visitors access to the Geology Trail and the Tabor Chapel. A ski tour also leads up Hochfelln, which is considered the Chiemgau’s viewing terrace. The cable car and ski tour offer different ways to experience this mountain. At Lake Chiemsee, kayaks and canoes are subject to a clear limit: they should not venture more than 300 metres from the shore.
Traditions and crafts
Traditional events in the Chiemgau include the Georgiritt horse procession at Easter, the raising of the maypole, the Leonhardiritt horse procession in November, and summer costume festivals and parades. These seasonal notes provide a general guide; if you are interested in a particular festival, check the exact event dates in advance. In Ruhpolding, the Glockenschmiede showcases another aspect of regional history: the blacksmithing museum has a large tail hammer, powered by an overshot water wheel. The Glockenschmiede is first mentioned in documents dating to 1646. Lakes, mountain activities, local customs and technical history are all available as different holiday themes.
Choose accommodation to suit your travel interests
When looking for accommodation in the Chiemgau, it can help to decide first what you want to focus on: the lake and islands, cycling and hiking, mountain destinations, activities for children, or culture and crafts. Consider which of these experiences you want to shape your holiday, then compare accommodation options accordingly. This way, you can tailor your search to the trip you have in mind.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Dillingen An Der Donau, Landshut, Franconian Alb, Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, MĂĽhldorf Am Inn, FĂĽrstenfeldbruck, Roth, Ingolstadt.
Back to the main travel overview: Bavaria.
