Germany’s natural allure has long invited travellers to venture to the many mountains and forests stretched across its 16 federal states. But it is the country’s varied expanse of lakes, reaching from alpine and urban environments out to the countryside and coast, that we’re most excited to explore right now. These 30 beautiful lakes can be enjoyed just as much from the shore as on the water itself, whether you prefer to take a hike, skim the surface on a boat or set up camp nearby for a night or two, when permitted.
Three different countries lay claim to the freshwater Lake Constance but Germany holds the lion’s share. Located at the northern foot of the Alps, the 209-square-mile (541sq km) lake is popular for sailing, but can also be admired from the shore with the Lake Constance Trail being a notable draw for visitors to the area. It can be traversed on foot or two wheels, covering historic lakeside towns like Konstanz and Lindau, the islands of Mainau and Reichenau, and Wollmatinger Ried Nature Reserve.
At 45 square miles (117sq km), Lake Müritz is the largest inland lake to fall completely within Germany. Located in a national park of the same name in Mecklenburg Lake District, Müritz is marked by glassy waters, varied topography and plenty of wildlife. Visitors walking, cycling or canoeing in the area should keep their eyes peeled for white-tailed eagles, ospreys and cranes. Boating tours and holidays are also prevalent here, with many people pausing in the spa town of Waren.
Bound by the limestone peaks of Berchtesgaden National Park, Königssee (two square miles/5.2sq km) is one of the most widely known lakes outside the country, despite being one of the least accessible on foot. The formidable mountain terrain around the emerald lake has made developing designated roads and trails extremely difficult; Malerwinkl (Painter’s Corner) is the only point on the shore that can be reached by walking. Therefore taking a boat tour to the hard-to-access St Bartholomew pilgrimage church (pictured) is a must.
Spanning 22 square miles (57sq km), Lake Starnberg is Bavaria’s second-largest lake, located around 12.5 miles (20km) southwest of Munich. It is most famous for its regal connections – Empress Elisabeth of Austria grew up near the lake at Possenhofen Castle and, in 1886, King Ludwig II mysteriously died in the lake while swimming. Today, there is a commemorative votive chapel and a wooden cross in the lake marking the tragedy. You can also take a boat to Rose Island to visit the former royal villa.
Being the largest lake in Bavaria, Chiemsee stretches over 32 square miles (82sq km) and is widely referred to as the 'Bavarian Sea'. It's a favoured spot for relaxation and recreation, with beaches, lidos, hiking, cycling and water sports opportunities, plus exciting towns such as Prien and Bernau to explore. Like Lake Starnberg, Chiemsee also has a connection to King Ludwig II, who had the opulent Herrenchiemsee palace complex (modelled on France’s Versailles) commissioned to be built on one of the lake’s islands. Today, visitors can reach it by boat.
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Müggelsee (divided into Großer Müggelsee and Kleiner Müggelsee) is the largest lake in Berlin at three square miles (7.4sq km). It is a particularly sought-after destination during summer when city-dwellers and travellers from further afield flock to its welcoming beaches and lidos, often renting motorboats or canoes from various points around the lake. Sailing and surfing is permitted in all areas, or you can simply join a boat tour. The Waterworks Museum is also worth a visit.
Maschsee is a man-made lake in the city of Hanover spanning the size of over 100 football pitches (0.3 square miles/0.8sq km). It was created from a swamp in the 1930s to become a recreational hub. Every summer, fun-loving crowds descend upon its shore for Maschseefest – an open-air party filled with live music, performance art, food and drink. If that’s your vibe, don’t pass up the opportunity to experience Germany’s first rollerblading beer garden, which lies near the lake’s beach.
With its own UNESCO Biosphere Reserve named after it, Schaalsee forms the central part of a protected area providing an important rest stop for migratory birds. The lake covers 9.3 square miles (24sq km) and the inner border between East and West Germany once ran through the middle. The lake’s surrounding moors, fields, beechwood forests and wetlands are a haven for wildlife, including cranes, eagles, otters and kingfishers. Visitors are welcome to responsibly enjoy Schaalsee on one of its several hiking trails or cycle paths.
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The northernmost lake in the Two Lakes region of the Bavarian Alps, Kochelsee is formed from glacial meltwater. It borders the small towns of Kochel am See to the east and Schlehdorf to the west, covering 2.3 square miles (6sq km). It is also easily reachable from Munich, just 43.5 miles (70km) away. Depending on the season, tourists are able to swim in the lake, cycle its circumference, rent a boat, paraglide or hike through striking alpine scenery.
Lying just south of Kochelsee is the larger Walchensee, which can be best appreciated in all its turquoise glory from the summit of Herzogstand, a mountain with bird’s-eye views that's accessible by either hiking trails or cable car. Walchensee has an area of 6.3 square miles (16.4sq km) and, like its northern sister, is popular with day-trippers from Munich as well as adventure-seeking holidaymakers. Its significant depth and summer winds sweeping down from the mountains create perfect conditions for divers, sailors and windsurfers.
Translating as 'crooked lake', Krumme Lanke (0.2 square miles/0.5sq km) forms part of the Grunewald lake chain and is so named for its curvature. Located equidistant between Berlin and Potsdam, those seeking sanctuary from the stresses of urban life can find tranquillity here through seasonal activities such as wild swimming, fishing and ice skating. You can also walk, jog and cycle through the green forest that hugs the lake’s perimeter. If going truly au naturale is your thing, then head for the nudist beach at Fischerhüttenstraße.
Nestled within the UNESCO-recognised Kellerwald-Edersee Nature and National Park (the only one in the state of Hesse), Edersee spans 4.5 square miles (11.7sq km) and is Germany’s second-largest reservoir. Surrounded by primeval forests, historic sites, half-timbered villages and spa towns, the lake offers culture, nature and adventure in abundance. Tourists can hike premium paths and circular trails, hire e-bikes or pedal boats, stargaze, windsurf and kayak. Edersee even has its own Atlantis – several villages that were flooded when the reservoir was created reappear at low levels.
Steinhuder Meer is the largest lake in Lower Saxony and Germany's northwest, covering 12.4 square miles (32sq km). It forms the heart of a nature park where visitors can explore sand dunes, moors and forests; you may even spy a water buffalo in the wetlands. There’s a designated circular path for walkers and cyclists and, for wildlife-watchers, an observation tower. Steinhuder Meer is also ideal for water sports, while culture buffs shouldn't miss a trip to Wilhelmstein Island fortress.
Situated close to the Austrian border, Alatsee is a small lake of just 0.1 square miles (0.3sq km). It stays cold year-round, making it well-suited to bracing post-hike dips. The lake’s peaceful alpine setting attracts both human and non-human visitors; a circular loop walk around Alatsee doubles as a bird-watching trail. Sometimes called 'the bleeding lake', the presence of purple sulphur bacteria leaves an ominous pink film at a depth of 49 to 59 feet (15-18m), so scuba-diving is prohibited.
Laacher See is a caldera lake which formed following the collapse of a prehistoric volcano in the Eifel low mountain range. Found in the Rhineland-Palatinate state, not far from the city of Koblenz, the Laacher volcano is believed to be active and has recorded evidence of magmatic activity in recent years, though it last erupted around 10,930 BC. The lake covers 1.3 square miles (3.3sq km), falls within its own nature reserve and is the only water-filled caldera in Central Europe.
There is much to experience on and around Tegernsee, which spans 3.5 square miles (8.9sq km) across a picturesque Bavarian valley. A sought-after holiday destination, the lake’s mountain backdrop and inviting waters draw everyone from hikers and climbers to swimmers, sailors, surfers and sun-worshippers. You can rent a boat or hop on the Seenschifffahrt ferry, relax with a local pint in a traditional beer garden, visit a monastery, bathe in a thermal spring and even dine in the restaurant of a three Michelin-starred chef.
Titisee stands at 0.5 square miles (1.3sq km) and is the largest natural lake in the Black Forest. Named after the Roman general Titus who once camped with his army in the forest, the lake’s clear waters invite visitors to bathe and take boat tours, with pedalos and paddleboarding equipment available to hire. Being tucked between two mountains also means that winter tourists can ski and ice-skate at Titisee (though it takes a long time for the lake to freeze solid due to high winds).
Mummelsee lies in Baden-Württemberg and covers just nine acres (0.037sq km). The lake earned its name from the legend of the Mümmlein; women who were said to inhabit and dance upon the waters, living in a sunken castle and visiting land during daylight hours. While we can’t promise encounters with mermaids, there’s still plenty going on: follow the Art Trail – an open-air exhibition of works inspired by nature – or embark on a multi-day bike tour, a challenging hike or a road-trip along the Black Forest High Road.
Set against the amazing landscape of the Allgäu, Hopfensee covers 0.7 square miles (1.9sq km). Its shoreline spa town, Hopfen am See, beckons anyone seeking adventure, wellness or both. Thanks to its shallow depth, the lake warms quickly in spring and is already perfect for swimming by the end of May, making it especially great for those travelling with children. There is a circular hiking route around the lake, with cycling, boat trips, camping and water sports also on offer.
The Großer Alpsee covers an area of just one square mile (2.5sq km), but this still makes it the largest natural lake in the Allgäu. There is a 6.8-mile (11km) circular trail surrounding the lake, which winds through alpine scenery and charming shoreline villages, while further adventurous activities can be enjoyed on the lake itself (swimming, surfing, sailing, winter skiing, rowing) and in the connecting Nagelfluhkette Nature Park (hiking, cycling). The town of Immenstadt provides a great base for a holiday here – its modest castle is worth a visit.
Set inland from the Baltic Sea coast, Plauer See is situated in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is said to be 'one of the most beautiful lakes in the Mecklenburg Lake District'. It covers 15 square miles (39sq km), with wide shores and secluded bays creating the ideal habitat for species such as otters, ospreys, reed warblers and white-tailed eagles to thrive. People love it here too; swimming, sailing, surfing, diving and sustainable fishing are all possible at Plauer See. There is also a nature and designated cycle path.
Covering two square miles (5.2sq km), Schluchsee is known for the beauty of its Black Forest location, which provides an enviable setting for bathing, water sports and holidaymaking at the resort of the same name, which borders the lake. The Seerundweg and Jägersteig trails allow for scenic walks and bike rides accompanied by incredible lake views, while the Schluchtensteig trail can be picked up from here for long-distance hiking. For young families, the Aqua Fun leisure centre has an outdoor pool and adventure playground.
Only remnant of the Rosenheimer See, a large former glacial lake created as a result of the last Ice Age, Simssee now spans 2.5 square miles (6.5sq km); its southern shore and surrounding moorlands being part of an important landscape conservation zone. Visitors to the lake area can hike, cycle, sail, windsurf, swim, rock-climb in the nearby Chiemgau mountains, bathe in the hot iodine springs at Bad Endorf and dine on hearty Bavarian cuisine in Stephanskirchen, which is the main holiday destination on Simssee.
Overlooked by the Zugspitze peak, Eibsee lies at the foot of the Wetterstein mountains and extends over 0.7 square miles (1.8sq km). Its existence came to be around 3,000 years ago following a landslide and, nowadays, the lake has a reputation for spectacular views and outdoor pursuits. Summer at Eibsee promises wonderful hiking, swimming, sailing, rowing and paddling prospects and, in winter, those unperturbed by the cold can still walk the circular trail and see the frozen lake in all its finery.
Spanning 18 square miles (46.7sq km), Ammersee belongs to the Five Lakes region of Bavaria. With an impressive 27 miles (43.5sq km) of shoreline to explore, visitors can walk and cycle here, with trails snaking up into the forested hills. Swimming and water sports such as sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking are also popular. You can rent a boat or cruise at your leisure on the passenger ferry, and those wishing to fish may get lucky with a catch of pike, perch, eel or Arctic char.
Nestled within the Trettachtal Valley near the Austrian border, Christlesee is a serene mountain lake with teal water so clean it’s drinkable. Even in the extreme cold, the lake is known to never freeze over, which is mystifying considering its high-altitude position. Oberstdorf is the main tourist hub linking to Christlesee, which can be hiked to on a path from the town’s Mühlenbrücke (also known as Spreuer Bridge). While it’s too chilly for swimming in, it’s worth the walk alone just to marvel at Christlesee’s natural beauty and experience its peaceful setting.
One of the most pristine urban lakes in the country, Groß Glienicker See (0.3 square miles/0.7sq km) lies in the states of Berlin and Brandenburg. Its left shore falls in its namesake landscape conservation area of Potsdam, while the right is on the outskirts of the German capital, where Berliners and tourists alike can sunbathe, swim, rent boats and play beach volleyball. The Gutspark is also an interesting stop with an old section of the Berlin Wall, ruins and a family tomb to explore.
Funtensee (3.4 acres/0.01sq km) is a karst lake in Bavaria’s Berchtesgaden National Park, meaning it was shaped by the erosion of limestone which would have collapsed into a sinkhole and filled with glacial meltwater over time. It is considered to be the coldest place in Germany, measuring temperatures as low as -45.9°C (-50.62°F) at its altitude of 5,252 feet (1,601m). Nevertheless, you can still visit this beautiful lake and maybe even brave a swim during high summer.
Wannsee is a place of historical, natural and recreational importance in Berlin; its century-old lido being the largest inland seaside resort in Europe. Not only is bathing customary at Wannsee, but visitors can also take sailing excursions for views over Berlin and Potsdam, or grab a ferry to the island of Pfaueninsel where peacocks roam free. The lake also holds much darker significance: in 1942, at the Haus der Wannseekonferenz (now a memorial and education centre), the deportation and murder of European Jews was organised.
Bavaria’s fifth-largest lake is also Germany’s largest reservoir, but Forggensee (5.9 square miles/15.2sq km) has natural origins dating back to the Ice Age despite being engineered by human hands. One of the best ways to enjoy Forggensee is by boat; the fairy-tale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are just visible among the mountains of the Allgäu. Sailings depart in the summer months from the romantic town of Füssen, from where you can also pick up the Forggensee Radweg cycle path.