There are thousands of lakes in Germany, varying in size and surrounding environment - from glassy alpine rock pools to reed-lined bathing spots with sandy shores. This page looks at some of the biggest and best German lakes.
Germany is home to more than 12.000 natural lakes, according to the German Environment Agency. 750 of them cover an area of more than 500.000 square metres.
Most lakes in Germany were formed during the last Ice Age and are less than 20.000 years old. While there are lakes - both natural and artificial - all over the country, they are found in the highest numbers in the North German Plain and in the southern Alpine regions.
As well as supporting diverse ecosystems of numerous species of animals and plants, lakes in Germany are popular destinations for people wanting to explore the great outdoors and undertake activities like hiking, cycling and water sports. Most lakes in Germany are also clean enough to swim in, and many have designated bathing spots with their own beaches (Strandbäder).
The answer to what is the biggest lake in Germany depends on how you are judging it. The largest lake that is located on German territory is Lake Constance (known as the Bodensee in German), which is located on the borders between Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The biggest lake located entirely within Germany is Lake Müritz in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which is located within the national park with which it shares a name.
With a shoreline that crosses the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, as well as Austria and Switzerland, Lake Constance (Bodensee) is fed by the River Rhine and has long been a top tourist destination. The lake is a hub for water sports enthusiasts, while its shores are home to beautiful, sprawling vineyards, pretty lakeside towns and sandy beaches. The entire lake is encircled by a bike path (Bodensee-Radweg). With a surface area of 536 square kilometres, it is the biggest lake in Germany.
Measuring a total of 117 square kilometres, Müritzsee is the largest lake wholly within Germany. Set within its own national park, surrounded by dense, ancient beech forests and wetlands, this area is a favourite among nature lovers and birdwatchers. The lake is famous for its beautifully clear water and varied shoreline that is brimming with wildlife.
The third-biggest lake in Germany with an area of nearly 80 square kilometres, the Chiemsee is nicknamed the “Bavarian Sea”. It offers a number of activities for pleasure-seekers, including water sports, pristine beaches, bike paths and beer gardens. It’s a popular day-trip destination for travellers from Munich. The lake also has two islands, which can be visited year-round.
Lake Schwerin, named for the city on its southwestern shore, is approximately 61 square kilometres across - making it one of the biggest lakes in Germany - and is a popular spot for sailing, boating, fishing, swimming and diving.
Back to Bavaria: Starnberger See is another popular destination among day-trippers from Munich and is affectionately known as “Munich’s summer swimming pool”. It offers all the winter sports you could wish for, plus a well-maintained bike path right around the lake, with plenty of pit stops for refreshments along the way. In the warmer months, companies offer boat trips around the lake. At 58 square kilometres across, Lake Starnberg is the fifth-biggest lake in Germany.
While they may not be some of the biggest, these are some of the best lakes in Germany in terms of raw natural beauty and activities:
Tucked into the forested Tegernsee Valley in the Bavarian Alps lies Tegernsee, a beautiful lake surrounded by lush green mountains crisscrossed with hiking and biking trails, and a mountain railway. The lake has its fair share of sandy bathing spots, traditional restaurants, and a lido.
Located in Hesse, the Edersee is the second-biggest reservoir in Germany and one of the area’s major sources of water. It also generates electricity. Sitting inside a national park and overlooked by an impressive castle, the lake itself is also a hub of recreational activities, including hiking and water sports.
One of the most photogenic spots in the whole of Germany, the Königssee is a natural lake close to the Austrian border, located within the Berchtesgaden National Park. Famous for its crystal-clear blue waters, it is said to be the cleanest lake in Germany and is regularly crossed by passenger boats that blast their horns to demonstrate the echo effect created by the sheer rock walls surrounding the lake.
The Schluchsee is the largest lake in the Black Forest region of Germany. It was formed in the 1930s following the construction of the Schluchsee Dam and nowadays is a haven for outdoor activities with its vast network of hiking trails and ample offering of water activities.
Located directly below the Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany, the Eibsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Bavaria. In winter, the lake often freezes over entirely, making it a magical spectacle for hardy hikers, and in summer the lake becomes a hive of activity, including walking, swimming and boating.
The most famous of the lakes surrounding Berlin, Wannsee is the capital city’s premier bathing and recreation spot. The lido on the lake, which opened in 1907, boasts over 1.200 metres of sandy beach and has a designated nudist spot. A short ferry ride takes you to the Pfaueninsel, a small nature reserve complete with peacocks and a castle. Also in the area is the Haus der Wannseekonferenz, where in 1942 the National Socialists decided on their so-called “Final Solution”, the mass murder of Jews in Europe.
The Titisee is another lake in the picturesque Black Forest region. As well as being a popular tourist destination in its own right - attracting more than 2 million visitors each year, who come to gorge on Black Forest ham and peruse cuckoo clocks - it is also close to other local attractions like Feldberg Mountain and the Wutach gorge. The Titisee Lake Ferry offers rides across the lake’s calm waters.
One of the deepest alpine lakes in Germany with an average depth of 81 metres, the Walchensee is known for its sumptuous emerald water. It’s particularly popular among windsurfers and sailors, thanks to its continuous thermal winds during the summer months. With clear waters and plenty of interesting wrecks to explore, it’s also a favourite among scuba divers.
Overlooked by two of the most famous castles in Germany - Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau - Alpsee is a pretty lake nestled in wooded mountain slopes. Around the lake, there are many hiking trails, including a circular path that goes around the entire perimeter.
With an area of 30 square kilometres, Steinhuder See is the biggest lake in Lower Saxony. It sits inside a nature park and offers plenty in the way of cycling, walking, water sports and other leisure activities. At the northern and southern ends of the lake there are sandy shores, perfect for sunbathing.
Here are some other German lakes that are also worth visiting: