Spent summers growing up here. The lake is absolutely gorgeous in every way. Pristine, large, very…read morecool and refreshing. The surrounding area matches in perfection... farmland, forests, picturesque alps in the distance. Yes you can visit King Ludwig's castle. But there is so much more to do. You can bike along the Uferweg which travels around the entire lake. You can eat freshly caught fish at Ihm. You can visit the Fraueninsel which has wonderful places to eat and interesting shops for pottery and art. I also recommend renting your own boat and traveling around the lake on your own rather than taking the large ships over. I've had picnics on the water, sunbathed and swam from the boat. It doesn't get more beautiful than a sunny August day on the Chiemsee.

Had a quick stop at Lake Chiemsee after our tour of Salzburg. This freshwater lake is often called…read more"the Bavarian Sea." It is a popular recreation area. Lake Chiemsee was formed at the end of the last ice age about 10,000 years ago from a hollow carved out by a glacier (a Zungenbecken). The water is so cool and clear. A nice stop on a warm summer day in Bavaria.