Just returned from this place of interest in Southern germany all I can say is that it was a big disappoinment, nothing relates o Hitler ,the building on the top is now only a restaurant the only thing that was impressive was the ascent in the brass lift.

A waste of time and money

Agree it had less historical interest than we had hope for. It was also foggy so we had zero view from the top. However, we did have a fairly knowledgeable guide who was able to tell us little tidbits like Hitler was claustrophic so the elevator was lined in polished brass to give an illusion of a larger space and that he was a vegetarian.

I have posted numerous times that the German government wants to downplay anything relating to Hitler. But there is a wonderful American couple who give small mini van tours. You book them from the tourist office in town. Their tour is filled with fascinating and historical information. You visit a "privately owned" bunker and it is really interesting. When you get to the top, they take you into a small private room and there is much information about how it was when Hitler was there and the significance of it all. They point out some small thing like insignia that you would never find or see on your own.

Just going on your own on the bus does nothing. It's simply a picnic spot and scenic overlook.

I totally agree with Patrick since the Eagles Nest Tours which he refers to are wonderful and the only officially-sanctioned tours of the entire complex.

We were told you have to book months ahead since that van only holds six people and we did so..well worth it IMO, including that privately-owned bunker tour.

Damn, Topman knows everything about Europe, Do you live there??

I guess it depends on how interested you are in the subject and how much research you're willing to put in on your own. I wandered around the entire Berchtesgaden area on my own and found tons of interesting sites. You can still find old pillboxes, bunker vents, foundations from many of the old leaders' homes and old Germans more than willing to talk about the past over a few beers. I never heard of that bus tour however. Now I'm thinking about a return visit next summer.

Before I visited I did alot of research and when I was finally there it had quite an impact on me. If you look at old newsreels, books, pictures, even the History Channel, you will see exactly where everything was and some of the sites are still there.

I didn't have a tour guide and the one Patrick mentions would have been nice, but to me it was a very emotional experience.

If you want an emotional experience and interaction with places of interest associated with the Third Reich- go to Berlin-you'll find more than you can deal with there.