Schönau am Königsee

Schönau am Königsee is a health resort municipality in the Berchtesgadener Land district of southern Germany. The village sits at the southern end of Lake Königsee, with guesthouses and homes lining the main road and side streets while forested slopes rise on all sides.

The settlement began in medieval times as a resting point for traders and travelers heading toward Salzburg. At the end of the 19th century, doctors described the mountain climate as helpful for respiratory conditions, and the village became recognized as a health resort.

The name refers to the meadows near the lake, which locals called beautiful pastures when settlements first appeared here. Wooden balconies with carved railings and flower boxes decorate guesthouses in the way that has been common in this valley for generations.

The village serves as a starting point for walks to several mountain huts and to Obersee, which you can reach on foot or by boat. In winter many paths close, while the summer months keep most connections open.

Electric boats have sailed the neighboring lake for over 100 years to preserve the silence of the mountain landscape. Boat operators regularly sound a horn that throws back multiple echoes from the steep rock walls.

Location: Berchtesgadener Land

Elevation above the sea: 630 m

Website: http://koenigssee.de

GPS coordinates: 47.60550,12.98465

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:41