Germany’s most beautiful lake
There’s no way around it: Eibsee is absolutely stunning.
With crystal-clear waters and unparalleled views of Germany’s tallest mountain, Zugspitze (2,962 metres), Eibsee is a sight for sore eyes.
The first time we visited the German lake was in early October on a blissful evening, and we returned on a misty morning that turned sunny the following day.
Since then, we have been back twice – both in summer and spring during our stays in Garmisch-Partenkirchen – and we must say it’s one of our favourite places in the world.
In this guide, we’ll help you get the most out of your visit, including what to do at Eibsee, the best photo spots, how to get there and more. Enjoy!
Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
- Budget: Hotel Atlas Sport – One of the cheapest options for ensuite double rooms in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Free parking.
- Value for money: Biohotel Garmischer Hof – Amazing views, organic food and a spa and wellness centre. Our favourite hotel in GaPa.
- Luxury: Bader Suites – Luxurious, spacious apartments with everything you need.
Search for the best hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen here.
Table of contents
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Read moreWhere is Lake Eibsee?
Lake Eibsee is located roughly 10 kilometres southwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and 90-100 kilometres southwest of Munich, the Bavarian capital.
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What to expect at Eibsee
Located just 10 kilometres (~ 15 minutes of driving) from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Eibsee is easily reached by either your own wheels, public transport or (if you’re fit) by hiking.
The temperature drops a little bit up here as the lake is situated at an elevation of 973 metres compared to Garmisch-Partenkirchen at just over 700 metres, but it’s not too bad.
Arriving at Eibsee, the first thing you’ll notice is how incredibly beautiful this area is. We’ll let the photos do the talking.
Everything you need to know including the best experiences, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
Hiking around Lake Eibsee
The hike around Eibsee is one of the most enjoyable and accessible lake walks we’ve done in the Alps.
The trail is mostly flat, well-maintained and easy to follow, so it’s suitable for families, casual walkers, and just about anyone who enjoys being outdoors.
One of the things we love most about it is that it’s a loop trail.
There’s no need to retrace your steps, and the scenery constantly changes as you make your way around the lake.
The full Eibsee Circular Route is approximately 7.5 kilometres long and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete without many stops.
Realistically, though, you’ll probably need longer. We certainly did!
Between the crystal-clear water, tiny islands, mountain reflections, and ever-changing views of Zugspitze, we found ourselves stopping every few minutes to take photos or simply admire the scenery.
The path winds through forested sections, along wooden boardwalks, past small beaches, and beside several quiet coves where the water almost looks tropical on sunny days.
Some of our favourite viewpoints were on the northern side of the lake, where the views towards Zugspitze are particularly impressive.
You can, of course, walk only part of the trail and turn around whenever you like. However, if time allows, we’d strongly recommend completing the full circuit.
Each section of shoreline offers a slightly different perspective, and you’d miss some of the lake’s best views by only walking a short stretch.
To begin the loop from the main car park, either follow the signs towards the lakeshore or walk through the car park to the less obvious trail entrance going anti-clockwise.
Many visitors naturally head clockwise, but the route works equally well in either direction.
If you walk towards Eibsee-Brücke (Eibsee Bridge), you’ll soon reach the northern shore, where Germany’s highest mountain dominates the skyline across the water.
That’s the anti-clockwise route, and this way, you’ll get to the most iconic mountain views first.
Opening times
Entrance to the lake itself is open 24/7/365 (as far as we can tell), but parking at the parking lot is only allowed between 05:00 and 22:00 (night parking is prohibited).
You can read more about parking at Eibsee further down.
Price of visiting Lake Eibsee
Visiting Lake Eibsee is free!
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Parking at Eibsee
It’s possible to park by the Zugspitze cable car right next to Lake Eibsee.
The parking lot is open from 05:00 to 22:00.
Check out the latest prices and parking rules on the official website here.
How to get to Eibsee with public transport
Eibsee is easily reached by public transport.
You can take the blue Eibsee bus (bus 9840) from Garmisch-Partenkirchen directly to Eibsee in about 40 minutes.
The last return during summer is at about 20:00. From October to mid-June, the last bus returns to town at 19:10.
From July to September, there’s a bus called the Eibsee-Express-Bus with the trip taking just 20 minutes.
See the bus timetable and prices (in German) here.
In addition to the buses, there’s a cogwheel train called Zugspitzbahn from Garmisch-Partenkirchen that takes visitors about 300 metres from the lakeshore.
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When to visit Eibsee
The best time to visit Eibsee depends on what kind of experience you’re after, but it’s hard to go wrong any time of year.
For the most beautiful light, visit around sunrise or sunset.
The mountains surrounding the lake often glow in soft golden tones, and the water can be wonderfully calm with perfect reflections.
These quieter hours also mean fewer people on the trails and at the viewpoints.
If you’re wondering about the best time to visit Eibsee in terms of seasons, summer is ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and spending long days outdoors.
When we visited in the summer, we couldn’t resist taking a dip in the lake. Even in the warmer months, it’s refreshingly cool!
Autumn might just be our favourite season at Eibsee. We visited for the first time in October and were treated to clear skies, colourful foliage, and far fewer visitors than during the peak summer months.
The combination of turquoise water, golden leaves, and snow-dusted mountain peaks in the distance was pretty magical.
Winter transforms Eibsee into a completely different landscape. Snow-covered forests and mountains give the lake a fairytale feel, especially after fresh snowfall.
It’s even possible to swim all year round if you’re brave enough, but be prepared for a serious cold shock if you decide to jump in during winter.
Spring is often overlooked but can be a lovely time to visit, with melting snow on the surrounding peaks, emerging greenery, and generally quieter trails before the summer crowds arrive.
No matter when you visit, we’d recommend arriving as early as possible if you can.
Eibsee is one of Bavaria’s most popular natural attractions, and the lakeshore can get surprisingly busy on sunny days, especially during summer weekends and holidays.
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Best viewpoints and photo spots at Eibsee
Eibsee is one of those places where it’s hard to take a bad photo. That said, some spots are better than others.
The shore just west of the Eibsee-Brücke is one of our favourites.
Once you’ve crossed the bridge (going anti-clockwise from the main parking lot), you’ll find a stretch of shoreline with rocks jutting out into the water and an unobstructed view back towards Zugspitze.
It’s the kind of composition that looks almost too good to be real.
Just north of the bridge, in the same area, you’ll see the small lake known as Untersee. It’s quieter than the main lake and easy to miss if you’re walking quickly.
The smaller, stiller water makes for lovely reflections, and it feels a little more tucked away than the busier stretches of the circular trail.
The famous “Instagram rock” needs no introduction if you’ve spent any time looking at photos of Eibsee.
It’s a large pointed stone you can sit or stand on at the water’s edge, with a view of Braxeninsel and the Zugspitze in the frame behind you. It’s stunning.
After crossing the bridge (still going anti-clockwise), continue walking for about 10-15 minutes more and look for a small “hidden” trail that branches off into the woods and closer to the lake.
Get there early if you want it to yourself. And, as always, take care of the area. Sadly, graffiti has marred the appearance of the stone.
The northern shore is where we’d recommend spending most of your time if you’re a photographer.
The rocks extend into the lake in places, letting you wade out a little for a different perspective, and Zugspitze looms behind you to the south as you look back across the water.
The small islands, including Ludwig Island and Sasseninsel, sit beautifully in the middle distance and make for a natural focal point from almost anywhere along this stretch.
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Swimming at Eibsee
You can swim in Eibsee, unlike many other popular alpine lakes, such as Lago di Braies and Lago di Carezza, where swimming is not allowed.
The water is crystal-clear, and the setting is absurd in the best possible way.
That said, don’t expect a tropical dip. Even at the height of summer, Eibsee remains surprisingly cold due to its alpine setting, limited direct sunlight, and the meltwater flowing down from the glaciers of Zugspitze.
We’ve jumped in ourselves and can confirm it’s refreshing in the way that makes you gasp first and grin afterwards.
There are plenty of spots along the shore where you can get into the water easily enough, for example “Strandblick“, “Kleine Bucht” or the shores near Eibsee-Brücke (where we went in ourselves).
If you’re planning to swim, bring a towel and something warm to put on afterwards. And check your sunscreen beforehand: many common brands contain chemicals that are harmful to freshwater ecosystems, so it’s worth seeking out a reef-safe or mineral alternative before you go.
Paddleboarding and boat hire at Eibsee
A lovely way to experience Eibsee is from the water.
Whether you bring your own paddleboard, kayak, or inflatable boat, or hire equipment on-site, getting out on the lake offers a completely different perspective.
During the warmer months, you can rent paddleboards and a variety of boats from Bootverleih (Sportbetriebe am Eibsee), located just to the left when arriving from the car park.
Keep in mind that opening hours are weather-dependent, and the rental station may close earlier than scheduled during periods of poor weather or low visitor numbers. Reviews of the service are somewhat mixed…
For the latest prices, opening hours, and details about the different boats and paddleboards available for hire, check the rental company’s website.
Food and drink at Eibsee
There are a few restaurants and cafés in the vicinity of the lake, so you won’t go hungry if you’d rather sit down for a meal than rough it with a packed lunch.
We haven’t eaten at any of them ourselves (we tend to bring our own snacks and make a day of it), but you can check out the food and drink options at Eibsee here.
It’s also possible to eat at the top of Zugspitze, if you want to visit on the same day.
Most of the restaurants and cafés are only open during the summer months, so if you do plan to rely on the on-site options, it’s worth checking opening times before you go – particularly outside the main summer season.
Combining Eibsee with a trip to Zugspitze
One of the reasons Eibsee is such a popular destination is its location directly beneath Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain.
As the Eibsee cable car (Eibsee-Seilbahn) departs directly from Eibsee, combining the two couldn’t be more convenient.
In just a few minutes, the cable car transports you from the lakeshore to nearly 3,000 metres above sea level, where panoramic views stretch across Germany, Austria, and the surrounding Alps.
We think the two experiences complement each other perfectly.
From the summit, you’ll be able to look down on Eibsee and appreciate just how beautifully the lake sits among the mountains. Back at lake level, you’ll have an entirely new appreciation for the dramatic peak towering above it.
If you’re planning to visit both, we’d suggest starting your day at Eibsee.
Arrive early, enjoy a peaceful walk around the lake, take some photos while the water is calm, and then head up to Zugspitze later in the morning.
Alternatively, visit Zugspitze first and reward yourself with a relaxing lakeside stroll or even a swim afterwards during the warmer months.
We’ve written a full guide to visiting Zugspitze that covers tickets, getting there, what to expect at the top and more.
What to bring to Eibsee
- Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Sunscreen (adlink).
- Hiking shoes.
- Swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim.
- Water and snacks.
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Minimise your impact
To minimise your impact during your visit to Lake Eibsee, follow these guidelines:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid single-use plastics, including straws.
- Dispose of waste properly. While putting your trash in a nearby trash can is convenient, wrappers and other small items are prone to being taken by the wind and end up in the lake.
- Check your sunscreen if you intend to swim. Many brands contain oxybenzone and other chemicals that are harmful.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Let everything stay in its natural place. No stone-throwing.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
- Respect wildlife.
Thanks for reading our Eibsee guide
Thanks for reading our Lake Eibsee travel guide. We hope it has been useful!
What do you think about Eibsee? Is it the most beautiful lake in Germany?
If you’ve already visited Eibsee, it would be awesome to hear your best tips in the comments.
If you haven’t been yet, please don’t hesitate to ask us anything. We’re happy to help you with your travels.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for hotels and apartments.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- AirHelp for flight delay compensation.
- GetYourGuide for great tours everywhere.
- Airalo for reliable eSIM.
- Discover Cars for transparent car hire.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like True Traveller. Compared here.
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In general I really like your posts. They are very thorough and complete, and we are using some of your recommendations so thank you. However, your ‘minimize impact’ section ranges from silly to preachy. Don’t throw stones or wear sunscreen if you are going into water?!
Hi Tom, thanks for your kind words!
We’re sorry you find our tips on minimising impact silly or preachy.
Our aim is solely to help visitors keep the beautiful places they visit healthy and thriving, and although it can seem like small things, avoiding harmful chemicals in lakes or keeping from rearranging stones is not without impact. Both can also have negative consequences for other visitors.
Thanks again 🙂