Germany's Prettiest Lake Is Known For Its Enchanting Views

There are some gorgeous lakes in the Alps. With mountains in the background and crystal clear water, these places are like a fairytale. For example, Lago di Carezza, the mesmerizing rainbow lake in the Italian Alps that has a mermaid legend attached, or the stunning blue lake you pass in the Grand St. Bernard Pass, where they raised rescue dogs for stranded travelers. There is another lovely lake in the German Bavarian Alps that you must add to your bucket list of destinations. This place is Eibsee Lake in Germany. 

Sitting in a pine forest at a height of 3,193 feet, right at the base of Zugspitze mountain, Eibsee is in the perfect location for gentle hiking and water sports, swimming (if you're a fan of cool water), and a hotel right there with views of the stunning surroundings. If you want to breathe clear mountain air and take in the astonishing beauty of the Alps, this is the perfect spot. Let's take a look at Eibsee Lake in Germany, what you need to know before you go, and what you can do there.

Lake Eibsee is about 62 miles from Munich on the A95 to Garmisch-Partenkirchen by car. You can also take a train from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which takes about 80 minutes. The bus station sits right next door, where you'll then grab a blue and white bus to Eibsee, which is about 40 minutes, with a 10-minute walk to the lake. 

There is paid parking right at the entrance to the lake, which puts you right near the cable car and the Eibsee Hotel. Get there early, as the lot can fill up quickly. You'll also be right by the boat rental house, where you can grab an e-boat, a row boat, a pedal boat, or a stand-up paddle board, which is something you absolutely need to try at least once. You can even bring your dogs in the boat. That's all right at the beach where you can swim, though the water is chilly and there are no lifeguards. Could this be any more convenient? There is also a restaurant and a beer garden that opens when there is good weather. If you're traveling with children, there is also a playground that is a 10-minute walk from Lake Eibsee called Eibsee-Alm. 

Summer is the best time to go, with highs in the mid-to-high 60s in the summer months, though you'll see 50s in May, September, and October. Obviously, as this is the Alps, there is snow in the winter. But you can visit the Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski area on Zugspitze for some of the best skiing in the world. 

There is seemingly no angle of Lake Eibsee that isn't picturesque, with the Zugspitze mountain right there above you. You can discover this for yourself if you take the 4.4-mile hiking loop around the entire lake that starts right in the parking lot. You'll pass some little islands in the water and the Kotbach waterfall on the opposite side of the parking lot. Remember, especially if you have your kids or (leashed) dogs with you, there are a few types of venomous snakes in the area, so stay on the trail. 

The Eibsee Hotel is right on the lake, with fine dining and beautiful views. There is a mountain spa at the hotel, complete with a sauna, a gym, and ice bathing. The rooms can be a bit pricey, between $150 and $280 per person per night, but it's pretty much the perfect location. If you can feel the mountains calling your name, take the cable car. At the time of this writing, the Zugspitze cable car costs about $74 per adult in the summer and $63 in the winter. It has been in operation for almost a century. It even has heated windows, so they don't fog up and you can enjoy unobscured views of this incredible location.