The Luftkurort Bernau lies in the Chiemgau area at the south-western bank of the lake Chiemsee.

In the south are the Chiemgau Alps (German: Chiemgauer Alpen) with the prominent summit, the Kampenwand.

An old rail station for the transportation of peat in the bog area Kendlmühlfilzen reminds of these times.

The cycling route (Uferrundweg) around the lake Chiemsee also passes through one of Bernau's districts called Felden.

During the time of ancient rome Bernau was a popular resort for soldiers because of its convenient and healthy location.

[4] The emperor Maximilian I. stayed in Bernau during his campaign against the castle Burg Marquartstein in Oktober 1504.

Service takes place in the church St. Laurentius which belongs to the catholic parish of Bernau.

Blazon: „In Silber über einem mit zwei durchgehenden silbernen Wellenbalken belegten blauen Dreiberg eine grüne Hausmarke, bestehend aus Kreuzkopfvierfußschaft mit erhöhter linker Mittelkreuzstrebe, Vierfuß hintenendig gekreuzt.“ (Silver, at the bottom a blue trimount, with two continuous silver waves going through the mount and above a green House mark consisting of a complex pattern.)

The house mark belongs to the innkeeper family Seiser, who have played an important role in the municipality since the end of the 15th century.

The trimount alludes to the Aschauer coat of arms who Bernau used to belong to, however, it also stands for the mountains in the Chiemgau area.

Bernau is a popular place for tourists due to its tranquillity and its proximity to large cities such as Munich and Salzburg.

Popular tourist spots apart from the lake Chiemsee are the castle Bonnschlössl, the guesthouse Gasthof alter Wirt and the Torfbahnhof, an old rail station for the transportation of peat.