Visiting Eagle's Nest and Berchtesgaden from Salzburg

Perched high in the Bavarian Alps, Eagle’s Nest is a stunning sight with a dark history as the former summer retreat of Adolf Hitler. Set just over the German border, the site is easily visited on a day tour from Salzburg—here are your options.

Half-Day Tours

A half-day tour is the quickest way to visit the Eagle’s Nest, traveling by coach over the border to Berchtesgaden, then climbing to the mountaintop at 6,600 feet (2,011 meters). With pre-booked tickets, you'll enjoy skip-the-line access and have a guide on hand to explain the history of the Eagle’s Nest and its use by Hitler and the Third Reich. Many tours allow for free time to explore independently, take in the views, or purchase lunch at the onsite restaurant. To maximize your time, opt for a private tour that includes hotel pickup, private transport, and the chance to visit nearby sights, such as Königsee Lake, along the way.

Full-Day Tours

The journey from Salzburg to the Bavarian Alps is just as spectacular as the destination, and a full-day tour provides ample time to soak up the scenery at your leisure. With time to spare, combine your tour of the Eagle’s Nest with other popular sights, such as the historic salt mines of Obersalzberg, the World War II sites of Berchtesgaden, or the Austrian Lake District, where The Sound of Music was filmed.

Things to Know

• Berchtesgaden is located about 22 miles (35 km) south of Salzburg, over the German border.

• The Eagle’s Nest is reached by a 10-minute bus ride up the mountain (included in ticket prices), followed by an elevator up to the estate.

• Half-day tours to the Eagle’s Nest typically last between 4.5 to 6 hours, while full-day tours can last up to 9 hours.

• Bring warm clothes or a sweater—it can be chilly on the mountaintop even in the summer months—and comfortable shoes if you want to walk up to the viewpoint.

• Thanks to Europe’s open-border policy, you don’t need to pass through a passport check even though you will be traveling from Austria to Germany (although most tours do require that you bring your passport).

• Tours include entrance fees and round-trip transport from Salzburg.