Lake Chiemsee is just 7 km away from Aschau. While some prefer to view the 'Bavarian Sea' from our local mountain, there are numerous possibilities for water rats to enjoy the lake up close.
A comfortable steamboat trip across the Chiemsee is best done from Prien and reaches the first island in 15 minutes. While the Herreninsel with the magnificent palace of King Ludwig II attracts most visitors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., it is often surprisingly relaxed early in the morning, late in the afternoon or even in rainy weather. On Fraueninsel, a stroll past densely packed houses and flowering gardens is a must, as is the consumption of a freshly smoked Chiemsee fish in one of the island smokehouses.

Those who prefer to be their own captain will find what they are looking for at numerous boat rental stations around the lake (e.g. www.stoeffl.de). Different types of boats are available, from electric boats to kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. So cast off and head for the sun with swimsuits and a picnic in your luggage.

You are probably never alone at Chiemsee. But the bathing place Schöllkopf and the lido Felden are certainly among the quieter retreats. A number of beach bars (e.g. www.sundownerbar.de) have also settled on the much busier shore overseas, and for good reason: nowhere better to stick your feet in the sand and enjoy the most beautiful sunset on Lake Chiemsee with a beer or cocktail. A completely different form of deceleration is pursued only a few hundred meters away, in the Achendelta nature reserve. With a little luck and good binoculars, you can watch curlews, lapwings or Dunlin in search of food from the observation tower.

But bathing and relaxing in nature is not limited to the Chiemsee. Also the Simssee, the lakes around Eggstätt or the natural outdoor pool Aschau  invite you to cool off on hot summer days. The Aschauer Moorbad is also a recommendable place and is fed by the distinctive dark brown moor water from the Bärnsee nature reserve.