Possenhofen: In Sisi’s Footsteps on Lake Starnberg

Possenhofen brings together the history of Empress Elisabeth with walking trails and activities around Lake Starnberg. When planning your trip, you can choose from a museum visit, audio and guided tours, and swimming spots.

Empress Elisabeth and the Museum

The Empress Elisabeth Museum is located in the former royal railway station in Possenhofen, now Possenhofen S-Bahn station on the S6 line. The entrance is at the east exit. The exhibition features images, printed materials, memorabilia, literature and historical documents about Empress Elisabeth and her family at various stages of their lives. There are also exhibits about King Ludwig II, Lake Starnberg and the history of the station.

Sisi, the future Empress Elisabeth of Austria, spent carefree summer months with her family at Possenhofen Castle during her childhood and youth. In the wider travel destination of Pöcking, special themed exhibitions complement the museum’s permanent exhibition. The tour is available in six languages, with a children’s audio guide and a German-language audio/video guide for deaf visitors.

The Elisabeth Trail and Audio Experiences

The Elisabeth Trail is a cultural-history circular hiking route in Sisi’s footsteps. From the Empress Elisabeth Museum, it takes about ten minutes on foot to Possenhofen Castle and about 30 minutes to the ferry crossing to Rose Island. In Feldafing, the trail follows Kaiserin-Elisabeth-Weg and Wolfsschlucht, which has a nature trail, back to Possenhofen S-Bahn station, or, on a shorter route, to Feldafing S-Bahn station. The approximate walking times distinguish the section to the castle from the longer route to the ferry crossing.

A self-guided option is the free audio walk “Audio Walks: Empress Elisabeth, ‘Sisi’ – Feldafing and Possenhofen.” Its nine stops in Possenhofen and Feldafing tell Elisabeth’s story, from her childhood on Lake Starnberg to her tragic death. The audio stops can be accessed via QR code and combined as you wish; the experience is suitable for all age groups.

Another way to explore is the guided tour “In Possenhofen in Sisi’s Footsteps.” It starts and ends at Possenhofen station by the Sisi statue and covers 2.8 kilometres on foot. Check the latest tour dates and details before taking part.

Swimming Spots and Boat Trips

The “Paradies” bathing area is a large swimming spot on the former grounds of Possenhofen Castle’s park. The City of Munich’s bathing area in Possenhofen/Niederpöcking has four jetties and ample toilet facilities. The extensive sunbathing lawn, with trees, has ample paid parking; a large kiosk with a beer garden is located near Possenhofener Straße. Since information about facilities and parking may change, check the latest details before your visit.

Possenhofen and Niederpöcking border Lake Starnberg and are therefore served by the mainly tourist-oriented boat service. Individual landing stages and timetables may change. If you are planning a boat trip, check the latest timetable in advance.

Pöcking as a Wider Natural Setting

The wider travel destination of Pöcking also has designated nature and recreation areas. Maisinger See is Bavaria’s oldest nature reserve and has been protected since 1941; it provides a habitat for rare bird and plant species. Maisinger Moor is a protected breeding area for rare bird species, while Maisinger Schlucht is designated as a water protection and recreation area. Swimming is permitted at the dam near Seehof on Maisinger See.

For the wider travel overview: Pöcking.