Herrenchiemsee New Palace
Munich, Bavaria, 83209
Located on an island on southern Germany’s Lake Chiemsee, Herrenchiemsee New Palace was commissioned in the late 19th-century by Bavarian king, Ludwig II. Designed to echo Versailles and pay homage to Louis XIV, the palace is one of the most lavish royal buildings in Germany.
The Basics
Herrenchiemsee New Palace is one of three palaces built by Ludwig II—another being the flamboyant Neuschwanstein Castle. View the 20 rococo-style rooms that were completed before Ludwig II’s death on palace-run tours, which typically cover highlights such as the Great Hall of Mirrors and the State Staircase.
Visit Herrenchiemsee on a coach or rail trip from Munich, which typically also add a visit to the nearby Frauenwörth monastery and alleviate transport worries. Alternatively, opt for a multi-day trip that includes Neuschwanstein. Other options include private full-day tours that promise more personalized attention, and tours from Salzburg that usually combine the palace with Ludwig’s Linderhof palace.
Things to Know Before You Go
Allow about three hours for your visit, which gives enough time for a 30-minute tour, and museum and garden visit.
The palace is wheelchair-accessible and also houses a café, restrooms, and a gift shop.
Photography is not permitted inside the palace.
How to Get There
Herrenchiemsee sits on Lake Chiemsee’s Herreninsel Island, which is accessed via regular boats from the lakeside town of Prien am Chiemsee. You can reach Prien by car via Autobahn A8 from Munich or Salzburg, or take advantage of regular trains from either city. Parking is available near the boat pier.
When to Get There
Herrenchiemsee is open daily, year-round, apart from on select public holidays. It gets busy during July and August, so if you plan to visit then, arrive early to avoid the main throngs. The palace fountains only operate from May through September.
What Not to Miss at Herrenchiemsee
On arrival at Herreninsel, most visitors take the scenic 20-minute walk to the palace. Alternatively, between May and September—and depending on availability—you can pay for a horse-and-carriage ride to the entrance. Having toured the palace, take time to explore the Ludwig II Museum, which charts the king’s life before his early death and showcases paintings, photos, personal effects, and royal regalia.
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