Forggensee Bavaria 2025 – Best Things To Do & Where To Stay

We first stopped by Forggensee on our way to Neuschwanstein Castle, expecting it to be just another alpine lake — but it turned out to be a lovely surprise.

The water has this soft blue-green tint that shifts with the light, and the mountain backdrop gives it a calm, open feel that’s hard not to like.

What makes it even better is its location. You can reach Neuschwanstein, Füssen, and Hohenschwangau within minutes, yet it still feels quiet and laid-back — perfect if you want to enjoy the scenery without the rush of the main tourist spots.

We ended up spending a few days here and really liked how easy it was to combine sightseeing with lazy afternoons by the water or bike rides along the shore.

In this guide, we’ll share what to do around Forggensee, how to get there, and why it’s such a convenient base for exploring southern Bavaria.

Top Things to do around Forggensee

Map of all the attractions

1. Visit Neuschwanstein Castle

There’s a reason Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Germany — it really does look like something pulled straight from a fairytale.

Built in the late 1800s by King Ludwig II, it sits high on a forested hill above Hohenschwangau, with the Alps stretching out behind it.

The setting alone makes it worth the visit, and even though we’re not usually into castles, it wasn’t hard to be impressed by how dramatic it looks in person. The white towers rising out of the trees — it’s pure storybook Bavaria.

Inside, the rooms are just as grand as you’d expect: colorful, ornate, and slightly eccentric, reflecting Ludwig’s obsession with art and mythology. It’s one of those places that fully lives up to the hype.

Buying the tickets

While it’s possible to get the tickets on-site on the day of your visit, we ended up waiting in the queue for two hours. Additionally, tickets usually sell out by late morning. If that happens, it’s not possible to visit the castle on that day.

Therefore, we recommend buying the ticket online with a 2.5€ booking fee. Even the online tickets sell out a few days in advance! You must enter the castle at the time stated on your ticket, but you are free to stay as long as you want to.

If you’re unable to get an online ticket but really want to see the castle, we recommend joining this small group tour of Neuschwanstein Castle. It’s a great option if booking last-minute and everything else is sold out.

How to get there

Neuschwanstein is only a 10-minute drive from Forggensee, with several paid parking lots in Hohenschwangau village (around €8/day).

If you’re planning to explore the area properly, we recommend renting a car through DiscoverCars— it’s reliable, easy to use, and lets you compare offers from different companies in one place.

If you’re staying in Füssen, regular buses number 73 and 78 will get you there in under 15 minutes.

The walk up takes around 30–40 minutes, or you can take a horse-drawn carriage or shuttle bus part of the way.

2. And Hohenswchangau Castle

Just across the valley from Neuschwanstein stands Hohenschwangau Castle, the lesser-known but equally fascinating counterpart.

This was King Ludwig II’s childhood home, built by his father, King Maximilian II, and it offers a completely different atmosphere — more intimate, warm, and lived-in.

The mustard-yellow walls and romantic towers make it instantly recognizable, but what really makes it worth visiting is the history inside. You can walk through the rooms where Ludwig grew up, see family portraits, and get a glimpse of royal life before the fantasy of Neuschwanstein took shape. It feels less theatrical, but far more personal.

How to get there

Hohenschwangau Castle is located in the same village as Neuschwanstein, just a few minutes’ walk from the main ticket center.

Parking is shared between both sites (around €8/day). The path up to the castle is short and easy — about 10–15 minutes on foot from the base — making it a much simpler visit than its famous neighbor.

3. Explore Füssen Old town

After visiting the castles, make sure to spend some time in Füssen, the charming little town just a few minutes from Forggensee. It’s the southernmost town in Bavaria and the gateway to the Alps, with a compact old center full of colorful facades, cobblestone lanes, and mountain views at every corner.

We really enjoyed wandering around without much of a plan — grabbing a coffee, stopping at bakeries, and just soaking up the relaxed atmosphere. Highlights include St. Mang’s Abbey, the High Castle (Hohes Schloss) above the town, and the Lech River promenade, which offers peaceful views and an easy walk away from the crowds.

4. Photograph Lech Waterfall

Just a short walk from Füssen’s old town, the Lech Waterfall (Lechfall) is one of those small but surprisingly scenic stops that’s easy to fit into your day.

It’s not a huge waterfall, but the turquoise water of the Lech River cascading through a narrow gorge makes it incredibly photogenic.

We stopped here on our way back from Füssen and ended up staying longer than planned. There’s a pedestrian bridge right above the falls, giving you a great overhead view, and you can follow the walking path down the river for more quiet spots.

How to get there

The Lechfall is about a 10–15 minute walk from Füssen Old Town. If you’re driving, there’s a small free parking area nearby (marked “Lechfall Parkplatz”). It is often full, but people come and go quickly. We only waited a minute or two for free spot.

5. Photograph St. Coloman church

Set in a wide open meadow just outside Schwangau, St. Coloman Church is one of the most picturesque spots in the area — and one you’ve probably seen on postcards of Bavaria. The small white church with its onion dome stands against a backdrop of green fields and the Alps

We came in the morning when the sun was already high and bright. It wasn’t the best light for photographing Neuschwanstein in the background, but the view was still beautiful — the sky clear, the fields vivid green, and the church standing quietly in the middle of it all.

How to get there

St. Coloman Church is about a 5-minute drive from Hohenschwangau or 10 minutes from the lake. There’s a small parking area right next to the church, free of charge, and a few benches if you want to sit and enjoy the view.

If you’re exploring the area by car, we recommend renting through DiscoverCars — it’s the easiest way to get around and visit places like this at your own pace.

6. Join a boat tour on Forggensee

If you visit in summer, one of the nicest ways to enjoy it is from the water. The lake is surprisingly large — over 12 km long — and seeing the mountains, castles, and small villages from a boat gives you a completely different perspective.

The turquoise-blue surface looks even more striking once you’re out in the middle of it, especially on clear days when you can see the Alps reflecting in the water.

You can join one of the Forggenseeschifffahrt cruises, which run from the pier near Füssen and stop at several points around the lake. It’s calm, quiet, and a great way to take in the scenery without rushing anywhere.

You can choose between a short 1-hour round trip or a longer 2-hour route that circles most of the lake. Snacks and drinks are available onboard, and the upper deck is perfect for photos.

How to get there

Boat tours depart from the harbor near Füssen (Bootshafen). The pier has parking nearby, and it’s easy to reach by car or bike. Tickets can be purchased on-site before departure or online, and schedules are posted at each pier or online on the Forggenseeschifffahrt website.

7. Ride the Tegelberg cable car

For some of the best views in the region, head up the Tegelberg Cable Car in Schwangau. The ride itself is only about ten minutes, but the scenery is incredible the entire way — from lush green meadows at the base to panoramic views of the Alps, Forggensee, and Neuschwanstein Castle as you climb higher.

At the top, there’s a large viewing platform, a small café, and several hiking trails that lead further into the mountains. You can do short walks or more serious routes, depending on how much time you have.

On a clear day, you can see all the way into Austria, and the mix of lake and mountain views is hard to beat.

Don’t miss the Sommerrodelbahn Tegelberg, the summer toboggan run at the base station. It’s a fun (and surprisingly long) track that winds through the hillside, and it’s a great stop if you’re traveling with kids — or just want to feel like one again.

How to get there

The Tegelberg base station is just a 5-minute drive from Hohenschwangau and about 10 minutes from Forggensee. There’s a large paid parking lot right next to the station, and it’s also reachable by bus line 78 from Füssen or Schwangau.

Tickets can be bought directly at the counter or online via the Tegelbergbahn website.

8. Enjoy cycling around the lake

One of the most popular ways to explore the area is by cycling around Forggensee. A well-marked loop trail circles the entire lake, stretching roughly 32 kilometers, and it’s mostly flat with a mix of paved and gravel sections.

The route takes you through peaceful countryside, small villages, and several great viewpoints overlooking the water and mountains. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of places to stop — from lakeside cafés to small swimming spots and picnic areas.

It’s also easy to shorten the route if you don’t want to cycle the full loop; sections between Füssen, Rieden, and Waltenhofen are especially scenic.

9. Go for a swim

This might not be the warmest lake in Bavaria, but on a sunny summer day, it’s a refreshing place for a quick swim. The water has a blue tint that looks especially inviting when the sun’s out, and the scenery, with the Alps rising in the distance.

There are a few designated swimming areas around the shore, the most popular ones near Rieden am Forggensee and Dietringen, where you’ll find grassy banks, small beaches, and calm, shallow water.

Some areas even have nearby cafés and small parking lots, making it easy to spend an hour or two by the water.

10. Relax in Königliche Kristall Therme

If you’re looking for a slower-paced day or the weather turns cloudy, Königliche Kristall Therme Schwangau is the perfect place to unwind.

It’s a thermal spa complex with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and relaxation areas — all with direct views of Neuschwanstein Castle and the Alps in the background. On clear evenings, you can even watch the castle glow as the sun sets.

How to get there

Königliche Kristall Therme is about a 5-minute drive from Forggensee or 10 minutes from Füssen. There’s free parking on-site, and the local bus line 78 stops nearby. Towels and bathrobes can be rented at reception if you’re not bringing your own.

11. See a show at Festspielhaus Neuschwanstein

Right on the lakeshore, the Festspielhaus Neuschwanstein is one of the most impressive modern buildings around.

It’s a large lakeside theater and concert hall designed to frame Neuschwanstein Castle in the distance — and the setting alone makes it worth a stop, even if you don’t plan to see a show.

Inside, the Festspielhaus hosts a mix of musicals, concerts, and classical performances, many inspired by King Ludwig II’s life and passion for art.

If you visit during the day, the theater café is open to the public and has outdoor seating right by the water, offering a lovely view. It’s one of the nicest spots in the area for a quiet coffee or sunset drink.

Where to eat and drink

For a fairly small area, there are some great places to eat around Forggensee — from simple local spots to cozy Italian favorites. Here are a few we really liked:

• Brunnenstüberl – A relaxed Bavarian-style restaurant not far from the lake, perfect for a casual lunch or early dinner. They serve hearty local dishes — think schnitzel, käsespätzle, and seasonal specials.
• Pizzeria da Salvatore – If you’re craving something simple and comforting after a day of sightseeing, this little Italian place in Füssen is a great pick.
• Il Pescatore – Another Füssen favorite, this one’s slightly more refined. It’s all about fresh seafood, pizza & pasta.

How to get to Forggensee

Forggensee is easy to reach by both public transport and car, but if you plan to explore the area properly, renting a car is by far the best option. Conveniently, cars can be rented directly in Füssen.

We’ve had great experiences with DiscoverCars, where you can browse multiple offers from different rental companies and find the best deal with free cancellation. And to be fully protected, don’t forget the full coverage.

The nearest major city is Munich, about a 2-hour drive (120 km). From there, you can either drive directly via the A96 and B16 or take a train to Füssen. Trains run roughly every hour, and the ride takes around 2 hours.

Having a car gives you a lot more flexibility — especially if you want to visit Neuschwanstein, or the smaller lakes and mountain trails nearby. The roads are scenic and well-maintained.

Best time to visit Forggensee

Forggensee is a man-made lake, and that’s something worth knowing before you go — it’s drained almost completely in winter and refilled each spring.

The best time to visit is generally from June to early October, when the water level is high and everything around the lake is open and green.

We visited in mid-September, and it was a lovely time to be there. The weather was still mild, the air felt fresh, and the summer crowds had mostly disappeared.

Final Thoughts

Forggensee turned out to be one of those places that’s easy to underestimate — calm, scenic, and perfectly placed for exploring southern Bavaria. It’s not just about the lake itself (though the views are beautiful), but how close everything is: the castles, the mountains, and the small towns that make this region so special.

We loved how easy it was to combine quiet lakeside walks with day trips to Neuschwanstein, Füssen, or Schwangau, without feeling rushed. Whether you come for a few days of sightseeing or just want a peaceful base surrounded by nature, Forggensee is a great choice.