** All photographs are courtesy of Hotel Edelweiss or Kelsey Haslam at Magenta Adventures.
Conversations drifted across the market square as I walked along the cobbled streets of Berchtesgaden, pausing every few steps to admire the painted façades around me. Scenes from Bavarian traditions stretched across the walls – colourful, intricate, and far more detailed than anything I’d expected to find in a small Alpine town.
Before visiting Berchtesgaden, Bavaria was a place I’d barely heard mentioned. Yet arriving in early summer, the setting immediately stood out: traditional Alpine buildings gathered around the town square while the Bavarian Alps rose sharply behind them, their highest peaks still streaked with snow.
Looking down across this scene is Hotel Edelweiss Berchtesgaden, a four-star superior hotel positioned just above the centre of town. During my stay it quickly became clear that the Edelweiss offers more than simply comfortable accommodation. It provides a base where Bavarian hospitality meets the sense of exploration that defines the surrounding mountains.
And in Berchtesgaden, that balance feels completely natural.
Exploring the town for the first time, I quickly realised why so many visitors linger here longer than planned.
Berchtesgaden has a distinctive Alpine character. Many buildings are painted in soft pastel tones and decorated with detailed murals depicting scenes from local folklore and traditions. These artworks aren’t simply decorative; they feel woven into the identity of the town itself.
Traditional German and Austrian clothing fills shop windows around the square, while small bakeries and cafés offer the perfect excuse to pause for coffee and cake.
At one point I realised I had taken so many photos that my camera battery completely died before lunchtime – which probably says everything about how photogenic Berchtesgaden really is.
And yet, despite its beauty, the town never feels staged. Life moves at an easy pace here, with locals and visitors sharing the same streets.
The culture of the region
Berchtesgaden has a strong sense of cultural identity, and that heritage is visible throughout everyday life.
Local traditions remain present in everything from the clothing sold in shops to the food and drink served in its restaurants. Schnapps, in particular, plays an important role in regional hospitality, often shared after meals or during celebrations.
The result is a destination that feels rich with character. At times the town even feels slightly surreal – like stepping into a fairytale village, though perhaps one closer to Hansel and Gretel than a polished Disney version.
A hotel run by the Hettegger family
Standing just above the town centre is Hotel Edelweiss Berchtesgaden, run by the Hettegger family.
During our visit, I had the chance to meet Martina Hettegger, who greeted us with the kind of warmth that immediately makes you feel welcome. It felt less like checking into a hotel and more like arriving into someone’s home where you had been invited to stay.
That family influence shapes the atmosphere of Hotel Edelweiss. Despite its size and facilities, the hotel never feels anonymous. Instead, there’s a sense that the people behind it genuinely care about the experience guests have while staying here.
Rooms with views of the Alps
After a busy day exploring the region, my room quickly became the perfect place to unwind.
Opening the balcony doors revealed a view across Berchtesgaden’s rooftops toward the mountains beyond. Even in June, the Alpine landscape still holds echoes of a snowy winter, creating a striking contrast with the town below.
It created a feeling that defined the whole destination: the town itself feels warm and comfortable, almost cosy, while the surrounding landscape hints at adventure and exploration waiting just beyond it.
You feel settled, but also curious to go further.
The Edelweiss spa
No matter the weather, the Edelweiss Spa is the perfect place to slow down. The spa includes a plethora of treatment and massage options, paired with relaxation areas to truly let go. But the highlight, for me, is the indoor panorama pool. Large windows frame the mountains outside, so even while swimming, you’re constantly aware of the Alpine landscape surrounding the town.
It wouldn’t be difficult to lose track of time as you feel the effects of the massage jets while floating in the pool, watching clouds drift across the peaks outside. After a day in the mountains, it felt like the perfect way to unwind.
Exploring the Bavarian Alps
One of the reasons Berchtesgaden is such a compelling destination is how quickly you can move from town life into dramatic Alpine scenery.
One morning, we travelled up to the Eagle’s Nest, the historic mountaintop building overlooking the valley. Our guide, historian and author Florian M. Beierl, led the tour with a depth of knowledge and enthusiasm that made the experience particularly memorable.
Hearing the history of the site explained from a German perspective was fascinating. As someone from the UK, these events often feel distant – something learned about in books or documentaries – so standing in the very place where they unfolded added an entirely different sense of reality.
We also visited the beautifully photogenic Lake Königssee, where electric boats glide silently across deep-green water, surrounded by towering cliffs. And later that afternoon, we stopped at Jenneralm, a mountain restaurant with great food and wide views across the Alps. From the terrace at Jenneralm, the air felt noticeably cooler than in the world below us, carrying that fresh mountain scent you only seem to find at higher altitudes. The atmosphere was lively without feeling crowded – glasses clinking, laughter and chatter, and the occasional round of schnapps being poured.
On the ski lift ride back down from the mountain, I watched in awe as several paragliders launched themselves from nearby slopes, soaring across the valley below us.
Watching them drift through the air against the mountain backdrop felt like the perfect illustration of the freedom this landscape offers.
Final Thoughts
For travellers exploring the Bavarian Alps, Hotel Edelweiss Berchtesgaden offers something rare: a hotel that feels genuinely connected to its surroundings.
The warmth of the Hettegger family, the views across the mountains, and the easy access to some of Bavaria’s most remarkable landscapes combine to create a stay that feels both comfortable and adventurous.
Berchtesgaden itself surprised me. It’s lively, beautiful and full of character – the kind of place you might not expect to find on your travel bucket list, but once you visit, you wonder why it isn’t already there.
And from the terrace of Hotel Edelweiss, looking out across the town and the mountains beyond, it’s easy to understand why people return here again and again.
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
