Hi! Traveling to Germany/Austria in August - 3 days in Munich, 3 days in Salzburg/nearby areas, 1 day in Rothenburg, 2 days on the Rhine, 2 days in Gladbeck to visit friends, then to Amsterdam and home. Wondering specifically about logistics for one day in Berchtesgaden. Will be traveling with 2 teenage boys- we like history and outdoors, not into museums too much. We found a great deal on a place in Salzburg, so will be staying 3 nights in town but will have a car for day trips. We plan to do Salzburg sightseeing in one day. We are very interested in Berchtesgaden, but we might not be able to fit in all in one day. These are the things that we would like to see - Eagles Nest, Salt Mine, Koenigsee, Jennerbahn, Luge. Can we do this all in one day? We also are interested in a day trip from Salzburg to Hallein /Hohenwerfen for ice caves- should we do the luge/salt mines in that direction instead of in Berchtesgaden? We are early risers so could get an early start. Would love your input! Thanks!
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Huntsville, AL, USA
8125 posts
Drop south into the Tirolean Alps. It's a very easy drive down to Zell-am-See and even Innsbruck. The mountains there are simply breathtaking. Hallstadt is another popular town to do as a day trip from Salzburg.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Ah yes, thank you David! Great advice! I love Innsbruck! Wish we had more time!
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174 posts
I would definitely save your luge and salt mines for Hohenwerfen. They tend to be fun but shorter activities and could probably be more easily paired with the ice caves.
We were in Bertchesgaden last summer and did the Konigsee in the morning, taking care to get there early for one of the first boats. Think ours left about 830. We went just to the first stop at St Bartheloma and hiked around on the multitude of walking paths for 2ish hours before returning. (Bring bug spray. It’s gorgeous there but the biting flies weren’t kind. Don’t go on to the second stop, you’ll run out of time if you also want to do Eagle’s Nest. And don’t worry, you’ll be plenty satisfied with the one stop). We had a quick lunch back in the Konigsee dock area and drove 5 minutes back to the center of town and parked across from the TI to meet with our tour for Eagle’s Nest.
We did the Eagle’s Nest Tour that Rick recommends in the book, which starts from the TI. I am truthfully usually not one for guided tours but we found it to be well worth the money, even from a transport standpoint. No having to ride windy narrow roads up to the Documentation Center and the information provided really helped put the area in context. I’d do it again; it was that great. We lucked out because it was a perfectly clear and hot day up on top and we could see for gosh knows how many miles.
In a wonderful two week trip through Germany and Austria, it was my single favorite day. If you like history, you have it in Eagle’s Nest and the Konigsee offers some of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen, not to mention the clearest water.
I’d skip the other two things you listed and focus on these two. It would be really hard to add them into what will already be a full day. Definitely be there early to get one of the first boats so you have enough time to enjoy St Bartheloma. And really consider booking that tour. It was a delightful surprise.
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OP
5 posts
Thanks for the great tips, Laura. We will look into the Eagle’s Nest tour and will plan to do the Koenigsee first thing in the morning. And Luge/salt mines another day. Thanks!