Herrenchiemsee New Palace (Neues Schloss) is King Ludwig II of Bavaria's homage to Versailles, built on Herreninsel island in Lake Chiemsee as a tribute to his idol, Louis XIV. Begun in 1878, it was left unfinished when the 'Fairy Tale King' died in 1886, and he lived here only a few days. Its centerpieces are the 98-metre Great Hall of Mirrors (longer than the original at Versailles), a lavish marble staircase, and the State Bedroom; in 2026 the former Augustinian monastery (Old Palace) also hosts the special exhibition 'Art and Democracy' (18 May–18 Oct 2026). Reached by boat from Prien, it makes an ideal half-day excursion.
Great Hall of Mirrors (Große Spiegelgalerie): at 98 m it outstrips the Versailles original, glowing with 33 chandeliers and 44 candelabra
Marble Ambassadors' Staircase: a dazzling recreation of the lost Escalier des Ambassadeurs at Versailles
State Bedroom (Paradeschlafzimmer): Ludwig II's most opulent room, drenched in red velvet and gilding
The self-serving 'Wishing Table' (Tischlein-deck-dich): a mechanised table set below and raised through the floor so the king could dine alone
King Ludwig II Museum and the unfinished west wing: bare, incomplete sections beside displays on the king's life and building plans
Good to know
RulesThe New Palace state rooms (Hall of Mirrors, bedroom, etc.) can only be seen on a guided tour of about 30–40 minutes. Buy tickets at the island ticket office and arrive early in peak season; confirm prices and tour times on the official site before your visit.
RulesThe boat fare (Chiemsee-Schifffahrt) is separate from palace admission. Ferries leave Prien/Stock and take about 15–20 minutes; if you use a regional rail pass, check what it covers, as the boat is usually not included.
SeasonJuly–August is very crowded, and during the Herrenchiemsee festival (roughly mid-to-late July) tour schedules can shift, with earlier last tours. Winter hours (late Oct–March) are noticeably shorter.
SafetyFrom the jetty it is a 15–20 minute walk on gravel paths to the palace (paid horse carriages run seasonally, weather permitting). Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer, as lake weather changes quickly even in summer.
SeasonCheck the time of the last ferry back to the mainland. Allow at least half a day, since the round-trip boat plus the guided tour easily takes over an hour on top of your visit.
CautionBuy boat tickets only at the official Chiemsee-Schifffahrt counter and palace tickets at the official office. Be wary of overpriced or unverified online 'combo' tickets, and keep an eye on belongings in busy queues and on crowded boats.
Practical info
Take a train to Prien am Chiemsee, then walk or ride the shuttle to Prien/Stock harbour and catch the boat to Herreninsel (about 15–20 minutes). The New Palace and museums open daily except 1 January, Shrove Tuesday, and 24/25/31 December, roughly 9:00–18:00 from April to 24 October and 10:00–16:45 from 25 October to March. Opening times, prices, and tour-language options should be confirmed on the official website before visiting.
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