After a particularly hot Italian summer, we chose the Bavarian Alps for a short break in cooler air. Berchtesgaden was close enough for a few days away, yet different enough to feel like a proper change of scenery.
Our base was Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden, set high above the valley with views towards the surrounding mountains. The stay gave us time to alternate walks and sightseeing with slower hours at the hotel.
Around Berchtesgaden
The landscape is the main reason to come. Green slopes descend into the Berchtesgaden valley, and Salzburg is within reach across the Austrian border. Even a short itinerary offers several ways to experience the area, from lakeside excursions to trails in the national park.
Königssee is one of the best-known places nearby. The long, narrow lake lies within Berchtesgaden National Park and is enclosed by steep mountain walls. Electric passenger boats cross the water towards the pilgrimage church of St Bartholomä, while hiking routes explore the surrounding terrain.
Farther south, the smaller Obersee sits below the Rothbach waterfall. Because there is no continuous path along the steep shore of Königssee, the boat is the most direct way to reach St Bartholomä and continue towards this part of the park.
Staying at Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden
The hotel has a contemporary mountain design, with rooms oriented towards different sides of the property. The most memorable feature for us was the heated outdoor pool: after several hours outdoors, swimming with the mountains in view provided a natural pause in the day.
The wellness area includes saunas, a steam bath and quiet spaces designed for resting. Treatments were also available during our stay, although we spent most of our time between the pool and the landscape outside.
Breakfast is served in a bright restaurant whose large windows connect the room to the mountains. The buffet included breads, pastries, cakes, eggs, cheese, fruit and a broad selection of hot and cold drinks. It was an easy, unhurried way to begin a day of walking or exploring the lake.
We visited during the green season, when the mild temperatures made it comfortable to spend most of the day outdoors. Snow would give the same setting a completely different character, and it is a place I would gladly return to in winter.
More information is available on the Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden website.
This stay was hosted by Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden. The account and opinions remain my own.