The town lies in an area known as the Berchtesgadener Land, a little peninsula of Germany inserted into the Austrian alps near Salzburg.

This remote southeastern tip of Germany has been a separate country for most of its history, ruled by a church-provost and later a prince, and was added to the kingdom of Bavaria in the 19th century.

The town of Berchtesgaden sits in one of the most spectacular natural settings in the world. The narrow, winding streets are lined with pastel houses in the alpine style, and locals entertain the visitors with Bavarian music and dance.

If you can only visit one German alpine town, pick this one!

Att the peninsula of St. Bartholomä to visit the Baroque pilgrimage church with its characteristic of the red onion dome.

It takes half an hour to reach the peninsula of St. Bartholomä with the Baroque pilgrimage church and its characteristic red onion dome.

Behind you can see the awe-inspiring Watzmann mountain east wall. Saint Bartholomä is one of the world’s most photographed motifs.

Visiting the Eagle’s Nest Germany

Hitler’s Mountain Retreat:
the Kehlsteinhaus

Hitler’s Eagles Nest, Germany, still sits on a mountain peak high above Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps.

In one of history’s weird turns, Martin Bormann’s birthday present to Adolf Hitler is now a cosy restaurant with a spectacular 360 degree view of the Alps.

When to go to the Eagle’s Nest

The Eagle’s Nest is only accessible from mid May through October because of snow. The buses start running in May when the road is clear and stop when the road becomes unsafe.

Before the service begins each season, loose rocks from the mountainside are removed. Fortunately, this bus service has a great safety record; not one accident since opening to the public in 1952.

This is a very popular attraction, so it can be super crowded during the summer months.

How to get to Berchtesgaden

By train, stop at Berchtesgaden Station or Salzburg Station with a subsequent bus connection to Berchtegaden (“Watzmann Express”). From here, by taxi or by public transport buses, you can easily reach your accommodation and visit the territory.

With Flixbus: the nearest stop is Salzburg, from where you continue by bus or by train from the city rail.

Where to stay

There are lots of hotels, pensions and B&B’s to choose from; this has been a tourist town since the medieval pilgrims came this way.