Just a half-hour train journey from the lively centre of Munich, you’ll find lakeside calm and a real holiday feel in the beautiful town of Starnberg.
The town sits at the southernmost tip of Starnberg Lake, the second largest lake in Germany covering an area of 58.36 km². Thanks to its proximity to the city and convenient public transport links, it’s unsurprisingly a popular weekend spot for residents of Munich and beyond.
Located right next to the train station, it’s only a minute’s walk before you’re confronted with the staggering beauty of “Munich’s summer swimming pool”. With its vast waters and scenic surrounds, the view of the lake against the backdrop of the Alps is nothing short of magical.
Starnberg is well worth the short journey out of the city and has more than enough going on to keep you entertained for the day. Here’s everything you need to know about this beautiful Bavarian town.
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Getting to Starnberg from Munich city centre
Travelling by train from Munich to Starnberg couldn’t be easier. You have a choice of several routes, including Deutsche Bahn, ICE (Intercity-Express) and IC (Intercity) trains, with a whopping 60 departures per day from Munich Hbf. There are some direct trains, with others involving just one change at the equally lovely Tutzing, a well-to-do area further down the lake. Book your tickets in advance and you can grab a real bargain, but don’t worry if you’re looking for a last-minute day trip – ticket prices reach a high of just €20.
The journey itself is a real delight, passing by picturesque scenes of Southern Germany (not to mention some truly astonishing houses). If you change at Tutzing you will pass along the water’s edge, giving you a taste of what’s to come. Once you reach Starnberg station, the trains pull in just metres from the lake, ensuring there’s no time wasted in your well-earned day trip out of the city.
For exact train times, prices and to book online, head over to Trainline .
What to Do
If you’re lucky enough to visit when the weather is good, it would be a shame not to spend at least part of your day unwinding by the water’s edge. Take a left out of the station and you’ll soon stumble across a grassy bank with plenty of room for sunbathing (with lots of shade for those who need it). The first time I visited Starnberg, Germany was in the grip of an unbearably hot summer so I even ventured into the lake for a bit of a cool down. I’m not much of one for water, but I found it blissfully refreshing, even if the silt underfoot was a little bit unsettling.
If you’d rather stay dry while exploring the lake, there are several options for enjoying the water by boat. You’ll be hard-pressed to miss the Starnberg steamer, a humungous passenger boat that offers panoramic tours of the lake. There’s a choice of a Northern tour, lasting 1 hour, or longer excursions of up to 3 hours 40 minutes offering access to other towns around the lake. For more information, take a look at the timetable (and please do check before you go, as the boats don’t go all year round). For something a little more low-key, there’s a boat rental place when you head right out of the station offering pedalos and rowing boats at pretty reasonable prices.
Once you’ve had your fill of relaxing by the lake, why not take the short walk into Starnberg itself and see what it has to offer? You’ll find plenty of opportunities for shopping as well as plenty of cafes and bars where you can enjoy a refreshing German beer.
Don’t miss a look around Tracht & Mode, where you’ll find the most spectacular (albeit, very expensive) selection of traditional German clothing. This family business has been around for more than 30 years and within its handpainted exterior it is packed wall to wall with dirndls and lederhosen.
Where to Eat
There’s a selection of lakeside restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal while looking out onto the water. Though there’s a little in the way of traditional German fare, you’ll find something to satisfy most tastebuds, with Italian, Greek, Japanese and even Indian food on offer.
Though it doesn’t have the best online reviews, I’ve enjoyed two fabulous lunches at Seebar Starnberg, a casual Italian bistro with plenty of outdoor seating. I went for pizza both times, washed down with a glass of Aperol Spritz, and personally I had no complaints.
If you’re after something a bit more Bavarian, you can’t go wrong with Wirtshaus Starnberg, less than a 10-minute walk from the train station (and right next door to Tracht & Mode). What it lacks in lakeside views it more than makes up for in ambience, with a charming wood-panelled interior and impressive outdoor terrace. The menu comprises of a range of German classics, with a large selection of vegetarian options and unexpected but welcome addition.
Extending Your Stay
If you’d like to stay for more than one day, there’s a small selection of gorgeous accommodation in Starnberg, ranging from the historic Hotel Bayerischer Hof to the upmarket Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. There’s much more choice in other areas of the lake if you’re happy to go a little further afield.
For a more budget-friendly alternative, Airbnb has a couple of rooms available for as little as € 38 a night. I would personally head to Villa Harfen where, for around the same price, you’ll get a private room in an old mansion just a stone’s throw from the water.
New to Airbnb? Click this link to get money off your first stay.
