The permanent exhibition at the Museum Starnberger See explores the history of boats and ships on Lake Starnberg and, through it, the region’s past. The exhibits show different aspects of this history: an original dugout canoe illustrates the kind of boat fishermen used on the lake up until the 19th century. Nearby, you can see a model of the Bucentaur, probably the best-known and largest Bavarian ceremonial ship.

Boats and ships at the museum

The centrepiece of the permanent exhibition is another boat: the only surviving boat from the aristocratic fleet that remains fully intact. It was built in 1837 for King Ludwig I and named Delphin after its figurehead. The fishing boat and the courtly fleet thus stand side by side in the exhibition as distinct chapters in the history of shipping.

The Lochmannhaus is also one of the museum’s most important exhibits. Its history spans around 500 years. A kitchen with an open hearth from that period has been preserved in the house. For anyone interested in historic homes and everyday spaces, it offers another way to explore the region’s past, alongside the boats.

Castle garden and opening hours

In the 1970s, the town of Starnberg redesigned the small park within the walls of the historic castle garden in the style of a Renaissance garden. There is a viewpoint on top of the castle garden wall. The Schlossgarten park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you are planning your visit around it, check the opening hours in advance.

The St. Benedikt archaeological monument is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Here, too, it is advisable to check the opening hours again before travelling.

Boat cruise or walk

Boat cruises operate from the landing stage on Starnberg’s lakeside promenade from April to October. If a cruise is part of your plans, check the timetable for your travel date in advance. Boat trips are therefore a seasonal option, while the walks and hikes offer different experiences.

The cultural walk includes 24 information pillars; ten of them are equipped with audio tracks that you can access on site using a QR code. The circular route through Maisinger Gorge is a 2.5-hour hike. It starts in Starnberg and passes the Maisinger Bach, Maising and then Lake Maising. You can choose between a walk featuring information pillars and a hike with a stated duration and route.

More topics in the wider Starnberg destination

The wider Starnberg destination has other distinct topics to explore. The Bismarck Tower near Assenhausen was inaugurated on 1 July 1899. The listed Feldafing lido is still largely in its original 1927 condition; its seasonal operation may change.

There is also a bathing regulation relevant to the wider destination: bathing and swimming are prohibited in Bucentaurpark by order of the lake shipping authority because of the adjacent shipyard harbour. Check the current regulations before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Herrsching am Ammersee, Seefeld, Wörthsee, Allmannshausen, Tutzing, Weßling, Krailling, Gauting.

Back to the wider travel overview: Starnberg.