Sternenfels(Germany) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Starnberg, the best hotel with castle views is Hotel am Schloss, located just steps from the historic Schloss Starnberg. This boutique hotel blends Bavarian architecture with modern comfort, featuring rooms with exposed wooden beams and fireplaces. Guests enjoy traditional German breakfasts with fresh bread, sausages, and local honey. The hotel’s prime location places you within walking distance of the Old Town Market Square and St. Martin's Church, perfect for immersing in authentic village life.

The Schlossviertel district offers the most tranquil and authentic accommodation in Starnberg. Nestled beside Schloss Starnberg, this historic neighborhood features cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses from the 18th century. It’s ideal for exploring the Town Hall, Crafts Market, and Antique Bookshop on foot. At night, the area glows softly under vintage streetlamps, evoking a fairy-tale atmosphere. Stay at family-run guesthouses like Gasthof Roter Hahn for personalized service and hearty regional meals.

To experience genuine Bavarian culture, visit the annual Bierfest held in the Old Town Square, where over 20 local brews are served alongside roasted pork knuckles, sauerkraut, and dark rye bread. For deeper immersion, join a workshop at Starnberg Handicraft Studio, where you can craft pottery or weave baskets. In the evenings, attend folk music nights at Zum Rosenkranz, a cozy tavern featuring traditional zither and accordion performances that echo rural Bavarian traditions.

Familienhotel Alpenblick is a top choice for families seeking a warm, engaging stay in Starnberg. Located near the Forest Trail, it offers spacious family suites, a children’s play area, and daily activities such as forest scavenger hunts, candle-making, and feeding goats at the nearby farmyard. The on-site restaurant provides child-sized portions, and the hotel arranges excursions to Starnberg Zoo—just a 5-minute drive away—making it ideal for memorable family adventures.

Winter in Starnberg shines through its Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt) at Castle Square, featuring 30+ stalls selling handmade gingerbread, mulled wine, and wooden carvings. As dusk falls, the town lights up with festive illuminations, while the Schloss Starnberg facade displays animated light shows. Visitors can ride horse-drawn sleighs along the Alpine foothill trails or unwind at Therme Starnberg, the town’s thermal spa, enjoying soothing baths amidst snowy landscapes.

For off-the-beaten-path dining, try Unterirdische Küche, a secret underground restaurant hidden beneath an old cellar, accessible only by invitation. Chef Hanna Kraus crafts seasonal menus using locally sourced game and organic vegetables, paired with house-made sour plum liqueur. Another hidden gem is the Morning Farm Market at Hof Eger, where guests can milk cows, make cheese, and taste freshly baked cheese rolls, guided by the farmers themselves.

Yes, Starnberg is easily accessible via Germany’s rail network. Take a Deutsche Bahn (DB) train from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Starnberg Station, a scenic 45-minute journey. While no buses run within the town, electric bike-sharing services cover major attractions. For drivers, exit the A9 highway at the Starnberg junction; parking is plentiful downtown. Renting an e-bike is highly recommended to explore the Isar River Path and reach Lake Rudolf for stunning views.

Must-see natural spots include the Isar Headwaters Nature Reserve, a birdwatcher’s paradise offering panoramic views of the Alps. Lake Rudolf is the largest lake in the region, perfect for boating, fishing, and lakeside hiking. In autumn, the Maple Valley Trail turns golden—ideal for photography. The Höhenblick Lookout Tower delivers sweeping vistas of the town and surrounding valleys, making it the perfect spot for sunset views. Hotels often provide free maps and curated trail guides.

The Starnberg Historical Museum, housed in the former post office, showcases medieval armor, textile tools, and local manuscripts documenting the town’s evolution from agricultural village to cultural hub. For contemporary art, visit Klang & Licht Gallery, which hosts rotating exhibitions of sound installations and immersive light art by regional artists. On weekends, participate in pottery workshops at the Töpferwerkstatt, crafting your own ceramic piece to take home.

Every June, the Rosenfest (Rose Festival) transforms the Castle Garden into a living rose labyrinth, with locals dressed in Victorian attire parading through the blooms. In September, the Forest Sounds Concert takes place in the Oak Grove Amphitheater, featuring performances of Bach and Mozart by local choirs and orchestras. During December, the Sleigh Light Parade lights up the town—children ride decorated sleds and receive limited-edition Starnberg chocolate bars.