A large boat floating on top of a large body of water
A sailboat is docked at a pier on a lake
A number of small boats in a body of water
A dock with two red and green houses on it
A group of boats that are sitting in the water

Holiday in Ammersee

Lake in Germany — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇩🇪

Country

Germany

Type

Lake

Best time to travel

May to September (18-28 °C, bathing season). Spring for the pottery market, autumn for hiking. Winter calm and mystical.

Budget/day

55-100 €

Getting there from Germany

By car from Munich 45 minutes (A96). S-Bahn S8 to Herrsching (40 min. from Marienplatz). Regional train to Dießen.

About Ammersee

The Ammersee is Upper Bavaria's underrated gem and the third-largest lake in Bavaria — located just 40 kilometers southwest of Munich, but far less crowded than the neighboring Starnberger See. The western shore with the historic artists' town of Dießen am Ammersee has attracted painters, writers, and artisans since the 19th century and has preserved its bohemian charm to this day. The Klosterkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt in Dießen — a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo with ceiling paintings by Johann Baptist Tiepolo — is one of the most beautiful sacred buildings in Upper Bavaria. The Dießen Pottery Market in May attracts over 100,000 visitors and is one of the most significant ceramics markets in Europe, featuring artisans from across the continent. The eastern shore offers Herrsching, the largest town by the lake and the starting point for the hike to Kloster Andechs — Bavaria's holy mountain with its legendary monastery brewery, whose Andechser Doppelbock has attracted pilgrims and connoisseurs alike for centuries. The combination of lake hiking and a beer garden visit is a Bavarian ritual. The steamboat trips with the historic Ammersee shipping line connect all the lakeside towns and offer spectacular views of the Alps from the water. In summer, the Ammersee is a paradise for sailors, stand-up paddlers, and bathers, while the winter months create a mystical atmosphere with fog over the lake.

Safety
95
Relaxation
80
Nature
75
Families
75
Food
70

Top 6 highlights in Ammersee

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Kloster Andechs

Bavaria's holy mountain with a legendary monastery brewery: Andechser Doppelbock and roast pork with an alpine panorama.

2

Dießen am Ammersee

Historic artists' town on the western shore: galleries, pottery workshops, and a baroque monastery church.

3

Dießener Töpfermarkt

One of the most significant ceramics markets in Europe in May: over 100,000 visitors and artisans from all over Europe.

4

Dampferschifffahrt

Historic shipping across the entire lake: panoramic view of the Alps from the water.

5

Herrsching Seepromenade

Longest lakeside promenade in Germany (approx. 2 km): cafés, beer gardens, and the start of the Andechs hiking trail.

6

Vogelschutzgebiet Ammersee-Südufer

Diverse nature reserve with rare water birds: birdwatching hotspot in the pre-Alpine landscape.

Hotels in Ammersee

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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Ammersee

Recommended travel time

May to September (18-28 °C, bathing season). Spring for the pottery market, autumn for hiking. Winter calm and mystical.

Summer

18-28 °C, warm with occasional thunderstorms, best bathing time

Winter

-3 to 5 °C, cold with fog and snow, atmospherically calm

How much does a holiday in Ammersee cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

30-50 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

55-100 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

110-250 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

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5 travel tips for Ammersee

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Kloster Andechs — the hike from Herrsching takes about 1 hour through the forest. Alternatively, bus 951. The beer garden has 1,400 seats.

Dampferschiff — round trips from Herrsching or Dießen. A day ticket is worthwhile if you want to visit several places.

Töpfermarkt — always at the beginning of May, for four days. Arrive early (Friday morning), then the best pieces are still available.

Baden — the best bathing spots are on the western shore at Riederau and on the eastern shore at the beach resort Herrsching (entrance approx. 4 €).

Radweg — the Ammersee cycling path (approx. 42 km) circles the entire lake. Bicycle rental in Herrsching and Dießen.

Food & drink in Ammersee

These specialties you must try!

Andechser Schweinebraten — crispy roast pork with potato dumplings and dark beer sauce: the Kloster Andechs ritual.
Renke vom Ammersee — smoked or fried Renke (whitefish): the finest freshwater fish in the region, straight from the fisherman.
Obatzda — spicy Camembert spread with onions and paprika: beer garden classic, perfect with pretzels.
Kaiserschmarrn — shredded pancake with powdered sugar and plum compote: Bavarian dessert served at every alpine hut.
Andechser Doppelbock — dark, malty strong beer from the monastery brewery: brewed for centuries, 7% enjoyment.
Suitable for:LakeMonasteryBeer GardenCycling PathArtBavariaMunich Surroundings

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