The Eibsee lake is located at the foot of Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze. It is a popular destination for its crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery.
The Eibsee is often called one of Bavaria's most beautiful lakes and it's a great place to escape into nature.
The Zugspitze mountain from the Eibsee lake
The water is a stunning shade of blue, which contrasts really dramatically with the green of the forests and the mountains. You can relax on the shore, go hiking or just enjoy the views. It's a great place for all types of travellers.
It's easy to get to the Eibsee by car. From Munich, take the A95 motorway towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen, then follow the B2 and B23 roads to Grainau. From Grainau, just follow the signs to Eibsee, which is only a short drive away.
There's plenty of parking at the lake, so it's easy for visitors to leave their cars and enjoy the day. The drive itself is a real treat, with gorgeous views of the countryside and the impressive Bavarian Alps as a backdrop.
You can get to Lake Eibsee easily by train or bus. If arriving from Munich, hop on a Deutsche Bahn regional train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which takes about an hour and a half.
Once you're in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, catch the Eibsee bus (Eibsee-Bus), which leaves regularly and takes about 30 minutes to reach the lake. The bus ride offers amazing views of the mountains and forests, which makes the journey a great part of your visit.
A more expensive alternative is to take the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train, which has a unique and scenic route from Garmisch-Partenkirchen directly to the Eibsee (and eventually through tunnels in the rock to the glacier below the Zugspitze summit).
The Eibsee is a place you can enjoy all year round, with something different to experience in each season.
The summer months (June to August) are great for swimming, boating and hiking, with long daylight hours and pleasant temperatures.
Autumn (September to November) is a wonderful time to visit, with the trees putting on a spectacular display of fall foliage. It's also a great time for photography and peaceful walks around the lake.
Winter (December to February) is when the Eibsee transforms into a snowy wonderland. You can go ice skating and snowshoeing, and the Zugspitze ski area is nearby.
Spring (March to May) brings with it a burst of colour as the landscape is filled with blooming flowers and budding trees, creating a fresh and peaceful environment.
There is only really one option at the Eibsee itself and that is the four-star superior Eibsee Hotel, in a lovely position at the lake and near the railway and cable car to the Zugspitze.
Otherwise the best option would be to try the small village of Grainau, which has plenty of accommodation options, or to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and travel to the Eibsee by car or public transport.
If you know when you are planning to go but haven't decided on accommodation, then use the map below to get an idea of which properties are available and to compare prices during the period you wish to travel.
Enter your proposed dates and use the '+' to zoom in on a location and reveal more properties. Click on the price above a property to see more information.
(Please note that this selection will also include some guesthouses, pensions and self-catering apartments for those who are interested in that form of accommodation!)
Eibsee offers a variety of walks to suit all levels of fitness and experience.
The most popular route is the Eibsee Circuit, a 7.5-kilometre trail that circles the lake and offers stunning views of the water and surrounding mountains.
This well-maintained trail takes about two hours to complete and is suitable for families and casual walkers.
Those looking for a more advanced hike can find trails leading over the border into the Austrian Tirol or even the challenging route leading up to the Zugspitze summit.
Eibsee offers great swimming and sunbathing in summer. The lake is perfect for a quick dip, with safe and easy access. There are also natural beaches to relax on, with views up to the impressive Wetterstein mountains.
The Eibsee is a perfect place to spend a sunny day, but it's hardly a secret so make sure you get there in good time to nab a suitable spot.
Eibsee's calm waters are great for boating and paddling and rowboats, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards are available from the rental facility near the main parking area.
Eibsee is a photographer's dream. The lake's clear waters reflect the surrounding mountains and forests, creating some pretty stunning mirror-like images.
The best time for photography is early morning or late afternoon, when the sun casts a warm glow over the landscape.
