Hotels in Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden: Alpine Gateway on the Austrian Border

Berchtesgaden sits in the far southeast corner of Bavaria, 30 km south of Salzburg and less than 2 km from the Austrian border. The town is encircled by the Berchtesgaden Alps, a range that includes Watzmann (2,713 m), Germany's third-highest peak. The Königssee, a glacially carved lake 5 km long with near-vertical rock walls, lies 5 km south of the town centre and draws visitors year-round. The area's history carries a darker layer: the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest), a 1938 Nazi-era retreat perched at 1,834 m above sea level, now operates as a restaurant and museum from mid-May to October.

Where to Stay

Hotels concentrate along Bahnhofstrasse near the main train station and in the Strub district, which offers direct access to ski lifts in winter. Properties with south-facing terraces give unobstructed views toward Hoher Göll (2,522 m). Most hotels open year-round, serving summer hikers on the Watzmann Traverse and winter skiers at Jenner Mountain.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Regional trains run from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to Berchtesgaden in roughly 45 minutes via Freilassing.
• Eagle's Nest buses: A dedicated shuttle departs from Kehlstein car park; private vehicles are prohibited above 1,600 m.
• Season: July–August and December–February are peak months; shoulder seasons (May, October) see lower room rates.