Location
Germany
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Grass / lawn
Best season
June to August
About Fohnsee
The Fohnsee is one of the Osterseen, a group of around 20 larger and many smaller lakes just south of Lake Starnberg near Iffeldorf in Upper Bavaria. The whole lake district is a nature reserve and has been protected since 1955. The Fohnsee is the lake most often named for nude bathing in the area: its nude beach is a grassy hill on the south side, with views across the lakes to the Alps and the village. A seen.de guide calls it an official FKK beach, and visitor reports say sunbathing is restricted to an area marked by posts with white caps, introduced around 1999 to protect the reserve. The strip at the water is narrow, around 5-7 m, and the Fohnsee is preferred over the Grosser Ostersee for its shade and clear, turquoise-tinted water; the meadow can be damp, so bring a mat. Cattle graze nearby and leave dung on the pasture, and adders have been reported. Nude bathing is also tolerated on two stretches of the east shore of the Grosser Ostersee. A small campsite lies on the Fohnsee. The spot attracts couples, singles and younger visitors.
Getting there
The Fohnsee can only be reached on foot. Park in Iffeldorf (paid parking at the edge of the village; free roadside parking was reported in 2007) and follow the road and then a farm track north past a barn towards the pasture, about 10-30 minutes depending on where you park. Iffeldorf is about 50 minutes by car from Munich via the A95 (exit Iffeldorf); by public transport allow about 1.5 hours, including roughly 30 minutes on foot from Iffeldorf. Paths are unpaved field tracks.
What visitors say
Visitors praise the scenery, clean water and Alpine views, and recommend the Fohnsee over the Grosser Ostersee for its shade and clearer shoreline. Common drawbacks are the damp meadow, limited space near the water, cow dung and goose droppings, and the walk from Iffeldorf. The grazing cattle divide opinion. Munich guides consistently list it among the best nude bathing spots near the city.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
The Osterseen are a nature reserve; visitors report that sunbathing at the Fohnsee is limited to an area marked by white-capped posts. seen.de describes the Fohnsee beach as an official FKK beach, but no municipal or state source was found to confirm a designation (2026).
Naturism at Fohnsee sits under Germany's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: Germany public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 47.7777, 11.3130
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Germany
Frequently asked questions
Where is the nude area on the Fohnsee?
On the grassy hill on the south side of the lake, within an area marked by posts.
How do I get there?
Park in Iffeldorf and walk north along the road and a farm track; there is no car access to the lake.
Is nudity allowed elsewhere at the Osterseen?
Nude bathing is also tolerated on two stretches of the east shore of the Grosser Ostersee, according to seen.de.
Are there facilities?
No facilities at the beach itself; a small campsite lies on the Fohnsee.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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