Beautiful winter wonderland mountain scenery in the Alps. ()
In the Bavarian Alps, along the Austrian border, sits the German area of Berchtesgaden. Enjoy quaint villages, Lake Königssee, hiking, skiing, and so much more in Berchtesgaden.
Begin your day with a family-friendly adventure at the Salt Mines, which were founded back in 1517. Put on your protective overalls and travel through time as the salt mineworkers whisk you away to their world (constantly kept at 12 degrees Celsius) for an hour of sliding and learning. After your hour-long tour, get a bite to eat and get all your salt-related products at the restaurant and shop onsite. It is advised that you purchase your tickets in advance on their website. If you want to learn more about salt’s history in the area, head over to the Old Salt Works in Bad Reichenhall. There, you can take a guided tour of the salt museum and the spring construction as well as visit the brand museum and Saline Chapel.
After your tours of all things sodium chloride, burn some calories with some outdoor adventures. Go skating or curling at the indoor ice rink (or, weather permitting, on the lakes). Berchtesgaden has six ski areas that can be accessed by car or with the RVO busses so you can ski or snowboard your way down a mountain. For those looking for something to do besides skiing and snowboarding, you can bobsled and luge along the artificially frozen ice track at Lake Königssee. If you want to try your hand at snow hiking or snowshoeing, there is a trail network of over 200km!
If relaxation is on your agenda, make your way to the Watzmann Thermal Spa, which has activities for adults and children alike. Features include an 80-meter waterslide, underwater recliners, numerous saunas, an infrared cabin and a small bistro.
Live out your royal fantasies at Schloss Berchtesgaden. Explore thirty rooms where you can view historical hunting rifles in the armories, see the various Baroque and Rococo inspirations from over the centuries, and over three thousand exhibits and works of art as you are guided around the castle. Note, you must book a guided tour to see the castle. The tour ends in the rose garden, weather permitting. For hunting enthusiasts, for an extra five euros, you can view the Deer Museum located in the stables of the castle which contains the collection of Duke Albrecht of Bavaria (1905-1996) of the skulls of 1290 bucks, does and fawns and 3425 antlers.
Quench your thirst at Grassl's Gentian Schnapps Distillery where you can not only enjoy schnapps that has been distilled in the area since the 1600s, but also around thirty different fruit and herbal spirits and liquors produced at the distillery. Take a guided tour of the distillery and taste some delicious shots while admiring centuries-old machinery. You can also pick up much-needed wooden goods and souvenirs at the shop.
End your day in the Old Town portion of Berchtesgaden where you will find a royal palace, monastery, townhouses and plenty of cafes. You can also accompany the night watchman on a guided tour of the area. With so much to do in the area, fun is practically guaranteed for a day in Berchtesgaden.
