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.
Sometimes, the best ideas start in the most unexpected places. Often as a conversation between friends, perhaps over a drink. And so it was for Lydia Forte and Edgardo Osorio, Founder and Creative Director of Aquazzura whose shared vision led to the creation of Aquazzura Bar, a seasonal cocktail bar in the Secret Garden of Hotel de Russie. We sat down with them over a Margarita – what else? – to find out more…
Along the Mediterranean, food is intrinsic to daily life. Mornings begin with fishermen hauling in their catch, while market stalls brim with sun-ripened produce. Meals unfold slowly, often outdoors, with dishes meant to be shared. No rush, no excess - just ingredients at their peak, prepared simply and enjoyed in good company.
In the early 20th century, Munich was a hotbed of artistic innovation. Amid shifting social landscapes, a new school emerged from an intense exchange of ideas that would shape the trajectory of modern art: Der Blaue Reiter, or The Blue Rider. This avant-garde collective left an indelible mark on modern art with their radical departure from tradition and bold exploration of colour and spirituality.
