Chocolate, art and sights in Bernried on Lake Starnberg

A Bavarian picture-book village

A monastery with an onion dome, lovingly restored farmhouses, old lime trees and oaks - Bernried on Lake Starnberg is a real picture-book village and was honoured as one of the most beautiful villages in Germany in the "Our village has a future" competition in 2007. No wonder, because there are several sights to discover here that make up the special charm of the community.

The glass chocolate factory in Bernried

The Clement Chococult glass chocolate factory is located directly on the railway track in the historic brick railway station. Travellers often stop off here to stock up on handmade chocolates because of the delicacies made by the Clement family. The fronts are glazed so that you can marvel at the love and precision with which the chocolatiers make their exotic chocolates, filled carées with Bavarian motifs and chocolate bars with rose petals.

Art and culture at the Buchheim Museum

After a sweet treat, it's worth taking a 20-minute walk to the Buchheim Museum, which is located directly on the shore of Lake Starnberg. When the weather is fine, you can enjoy a sensational view of the Alps from here. The museum is also known as the "Museum of the Imagination", as the artist and writer Lothar-Günter Buchheim has housed his lifelong, colourful collection here.

Collections and activities at the Buchheim Museum

The museum concept includes four collections. The first shows Buchheim's collection of paintings by expressionists such as Emil Nolde and August Macke. The second exhibits arts and crafts from all over the world, from carvings to ceramics. The third collection comprises works by Lothar-Günter Buchheim himself - including paintings, photographs and prints. This is complemented by a fourth collection with changing exhibitions, which can be viewed on the website along with numerous event tips. The concept also includes an integrated ethnological museum with unique exhibits from all over the world.

If you are travelling with children, they can let off steam creatively in the "Laboratory of the Imagination": From the age of six (younger children must be accompanied), they can paint, work with clay or try out wood and lino printing free of charge at the weekend - with the support of experts, of course. Meanwhile, you can explore the artworks at your leisure or take a relaxing stroll through the museum park with its old trees and sculptures. Perhaps a coffee at Café Buffi afterwards?

Enjoy Bavarian cuisine in Bernried's village centre

After visiting the museum, we head to the Drei Rosen restaurant in the centre of the village - around 15 minutes' walk from the museum. Bavarian cuisine at its best awaits you here. In summer, you can also enjoy your meal in the cosy beer garden.

Whether it's crusted roast, ox goulash or veal stew - the selection is good and the prices are fair. Afterwards, take the Werdenfelsbahn railway back home. Or you can treat yourself to a praline from the Clement family on the way back and round off the day in style.

Directions and further information

The chocolate factory is located right next to Bernried railway station.

The Buchheim Museum is a 20-minute walk away - signposted and easy to find. If you show your Regio-Ticket Werdenfels or Bayern-Ticket, you will receive a 1 euro discount on admission.

The path to the Drei Rosen restaurant leads along the marina and the lakeside promenade towards the centre of the village. There you turn left onto Dorfstraße and follow it for about 100 metres - then you will find the restaurant on the left-hand side.