Located on the banks of the Großache River, Grassau is a small market town in the Bavarian district of Traunstein. It’s surrounded by mountainous hiking trails and on the doorstep of the island-dotted Chiemsee, a sprawling lake home to centuries-old palaces, monasteries and convents.
Things to do in Grassau
For sweeping views of Grassau and the surrounding countryside, hike to the Zeppelinhöhe. This scenic lookout is named after its memorial dedicated to the inventor of the zeppelin, Ferdinand von Zeppelin. For a longer hike, climb to the 1,669-metre-high summit of Kampenwand, from where you can see all the way to Munich on a clear day.
Travelling with kids? They’ll love spending a day at the Märchen-Erlebnispark Marquartstein, a family-friendly amusement park with gentle rides and play equipment. In addition to its fairytale-inspired houses, there’s a petting zoo and a summer toboggan run, all within a stunning mountain setting. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can dine on authentic Bavarian cuisine at the on-site restaurant.
Sprawling north of Grassau is the Chiemsee, an immense freshwater lake often referred to as the “Bavarian Sea”. On its main island is the incomplete Herrenchiemsee Palace, which was begun by Ludwig II in 1878 with Versailles as its inspiration. Learn about the former king’s life and legacy at the King Ludwig II Museum before visiting the Benedictine convent of Frauenwörth. Located on the small island of Fraueninsel, the nunnery is renowned for its octagonal bell tower dating back to the 12th century.
Getting around Grassau
Grassau is around an hour’s drive from Munich and 1.5 hours from Munich International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Grassau, although renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.