Early spring lake-side beaching

If you happen to be Germany in early spring, and crave a bit of sun, it’s slim pickings – the shores of the North Sea don’t really provide sunny beaches until the summer. However, if you head (quite) further south, Germany offers plenty of lake-side beaches as early as April.

the area

Chiemsee Lake, also known as the Bavarian Sea is a huge lake with a varied coastline. You can stroll at the cafe-crowded promenade of Prien am Chiemsee and the pebbly beach strips and sun lawns of Übersee, or go roaming away from the crowd into the nearby thickets of tall coastal grasses, lounge at tiny hidden piers, great for spotting boisterous gulls and curious swans (just be careful that you don’t get a load dumped on your head, it’s been known to happen – unless you’re in need of a bit of good luck).

walking around the lake & picnic opportunities

There are lots of nice easy walks to be had just a short throw away from the main promenade. To reach the path that follows the lake shore, walk to the end of the promenade around the big glassy building (a swimming pool complex) past the parking lot. And in case you were wondering, yes, of course, feel free to bring your own wheelbarrow to transport your much-needed beer crates (see picture below).

Strolling to the north, you come across expansive landscapes of fields and like this one. The path is accessible on foot or by bicycle, and there are a few places to have a bite or a drink along the way.

If you go along the road to the south of Prien (Harrasserstrasse), you come across a little arc of a park with a public beach, ideal for a beer at sunset.

options around ubersee

If like me you are a variety-seeker, there are a few nice options for a stroll around Übersee, further to the south-east along the coast of Chiemsee. It can be a bit more crowded but it does provide a more maintained grassy patch/pebbly beach of sorts. You can also find refreshments, and (public) restrooms there. It is a walk to there though, so do bear it in mind.

stay warm

If you feel cold, you can recharge inside one of the warm places near the main promenade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

food

Pro tip: for really great ice-cream, take a detour from the promenade back to the main road, Seestrasse. In 15 minutes over the hill crest, you reach a place on the right-hand side called Eiscafe Riviera. They are open until late (I think 8 pm) and serve cheap (1.30 EUR per scoop) yet generous scoops of butter-smooth gelato, like it needs to be. If you’ve had the overly sweet one, or worse those that are mostly watered down crystallised milk, this place will compensate amply. Too busy appreciating it to take a picture (if you prefer good wafer cones like me, you need to be fast with demolishing the generous scoops on a warm day, or it’s a waste!).

For more Travel Diaries from Germany:

Zugspitze day trip