Bavaria is home to spectacular outdoor lakes, including the famed ‘Five Lakes’ area, where you can take a plunge in clear, natural waters surrounded by stunning scenery. Pack your swimsuit and join us for a wild swimming tour of the region, all an easy train or car journey from the sumptuous surrounds of The Charles Hotel in Munich.
Lake Walchen (Walchensee)
The gleaming turquoise water of Lake Walchen often reminds visitors of the Mediterranean. Clean and pure, the water is chilly, but hike up the Jochberg first during the summer and you’ll welcome a bracing plunge in the deep water.
Lake Ammer (Ammersee)
A day trip here involves swimming in pristine water, as well as the opportunity to go windsurfing, sailing, hiking, and cultural sightseeing. You can even visit the pretty Benedictine Andechs Monastery, perched on the hill above the lake.
Lake Starnberg (Starnberger See)
Located between Munich and the Alps, Lake Starnberg offers incredible mountain views as well as some fantastic wild swimming spots. The northern bank is a particular favourite among locals, thanks to its verdant lakeside greenery.
Lake Pilsen (Pilsensee)
With a generous shallow area near the shore and lots of overhanging trees providing shade, Lake Pilsen is popular with families. Swim further out to enjoy views of the picturesque lakeside, as well as the eye-catching Seefeld Castle.
Lake Chiem (Chiemsee)
The biggest lake in Bavaria—with glistening water, nature trails, and historical sites—Lake Chiem (nicknamed ‘the Bavarian Sea’) is a popular day trip destination from Munich. Keep an eye out for King Ludwig II’s unfinished Herrenchiemsee Palace when you visit.
Lake Wessling (Weßlinger See)
One of the smallest of Bavaria’s ‘Five Lakes’, you can hike around Lake Wessling in half an hour, before cooling off with a swim surrounded by plants, flowers and innumerable species of birds.
Lake Wörth (Wörthsee)
With beautiful, clear water and bucolic scenery, a wild swim here is likely to be one of the warmest and most relaxing in Bavaria. Just under half an hour from Munich, get here early in the day to enjoy the serene setting before other swimmers arrive.
Located within easy reach of Bavaria’s lakes, The Charles Hotel in Munich is the ideal jumping off point from which to enjoy some wild swimming.
What began as a single neoclassical building grew into a collection of five world-class museums, set on an island in the heart of the city. Today, Berlin’s Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most celebrated cultural destinations, home to masterpieces ranging from the 3,000-year-old Bust of Nefertiti to the Romantic canvases by German icon Caspar David Friedrich.
In an era where the pace of life seems to accelerate daily, the simple act of walking offers a grounding counterpoint. For families, it’s a way to explore without pressure - to notice what might otherwise be missed: a beautiful view over rooftops or the calm of a sun-dappled path.
Travelling solo with children is a unique kind of adventure - one that blends joy, challenge, and meaningful connection. From choosing the right destination to finding moments of calm, every decision holds more weight when you’re the only adult in the room. At Rocco Forte Hotels, solo-parent travel is approached with care and an understanding of what families really need.
