Chiemsee

Head 80km south-east of Munich and you’ll reach the ocean. Chiemsee, a sprawling lake, is known as the Bavarian Ocean because of its huge size. The lake is large enough to accommodate three islands: the Herreninsel (gentlemen’s island), the Fraueninsel (ladies’ island) and the Krautinsel (cabbage island – uninhabited). One of the most visited attractions is Castle Herrenchiemsee on the Herreninsel built around 1880. The castle grounds house gardens, wells, fountains and the König-Ludwig-II-Museum.

The Fraueninsel is home to around 300 residents and worth visiting is the nunnery. Despite their names, the Herren- and Fraueninsel are open to both sexes. Both islands can easily be reached by ferry from Prien on the lake’s west side.

Seebühne im Chiemsee/Prien
Musical shows from July through August: Abba, Elvis, Chic Festival.
›› http://chiemsee.bayern-online.de/die-region/staedte-und-gemeinden/prien-am-chiemsee/kultur/seebuehne/

Schloss Herrenchiemsee
King Ludwig II’s castle on the Herreninsel is world famous.
›› www.herrenchiemsee.de

Frauenchiemsee
Small, romantic island on the Chiemsee. Christmas market.

Rafting
You can go on raft trips on the rivers around the Chiemsee.
›› Tel. 08649/243

Getting there
A8 direction Salzburg, Exit Bernau.