Bavaria’s Lake Tahoe: Beautiful Tegernsee

A quick hour-long drive from the Munich International Airport, the Tegernsee lake and surrounding region is rich with Bavarian Land (country) traditions. There are several lovely towns sprinkled around the lake, including Gmund am Tegernsee to the north, Bad Wiessee to the west, Tegernsee to the east and Rottach-Egern to the south. A guest favorite? The Berghotel Sonnenbichl in Bad Wiessee. Its positioning up the mountain is unique. Whereas many of the hotels in the area are right on the water, Berghotel Sonnenbichl offers unique access to pristine Alpine hiking directly out its front door. The hotel also sports a huge hand-crafted wooden patio with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains (and nearby Alps). The region is also a short drive from sweet Bavarian towns like Bad Tolz and Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the world-famous “Disney castle” in Bavaria, the Castle Neuschwanstein.

There are many comparisons that could be made between Lake Tahoe and Tegernsee — including great shopping, hiking and stays. There is plenty of distinctive Bavarian flair in and around the Tegernsee region. For example, you can sample beer and food from an old monastery where monks made some of the first beer in the world and you can soak in the iodine-sulfur-rich pools at Jod-Schwefelbad in Bad Wiessee. Bavarians are a proud people, and it’s clear from even a short visit why they value their place, people and traditions so highly. Do not miss the Schweinsbraten mit Knödel!

• Berghotel Sonnenbichl in Bad Wiessee offers a unique experience of the Tegernsee region, in that it is a hotel up the side of a mountain, with direct access to Alpine hiking.

• Be sure to sample the local food and beer.

• Soak in the healing iodine-sulfur-rich pools at Jod-Schwefelbad in Bad Wiessee.

• Rent a car, so that you can drive down from the Munich International Airport and around Bavaria during your stay.

• Speak with the locals, where possible, as they are lovely, proud folk.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Bavaria. In need of further inspiration? Check out Fora‘s guide, Road-Trip to Castles in Bavaria, Germany: 5-Day Itinerary.