Never heard of it? No, neither had we until very recently. As part of a two week road trip around Austria and Southern Germany, we thought we were just booking a sleepy little town within close proximity to Lake Eibsee – our bucket list choice for Bavaria. What we didn’t bank on was the warm and fuzzy feeling that grew and grew as each day in Garmisch Partenkirchen passed. Add to that the whole host of other amazing places we visited near Garmisch and we realised we’d stumbled upon a proper Bavarian gem.
If you’re ever considering an Alpine Escape and wondering about the perfect place to stay for a few days of castles, cable cars and coffee stops, we reckon we’ve found it!
Famous for its dramatic mountain scenery, charming pastel-painted houses, and a unique blend of German and Alpine traditions, Garmisch Partenkirchen emits a force that pulls on your heart strings. We seriously didn’t want to leave…
Garmisch Partenkirchen At A Glance
Tucked into the Bavarian Alps, at the foot of Germany’s highest peak – The Zugspitze – a visit to Garmisch Partenkirchen is a very scenic one. In winter, the surrounding peaks are a snowy playground for skiers. In summer, crystal clear lakes and hiking trails that don’t require too much skill reveal jaw dropping views. Add to the picture the alpine houses with their quaint painted frescoes that tell the towns’ stories and you begin to see why Garmisch-Partenkirchen will charm your socks off.
There’s also a myriad of things to do in Garmisch Partenkirchen and the surrounding area, that we wished we had booked a few more days. Aside from natures playground there are so many Bavarian dishes to sample, castle’s to conquer and beer houses to drink in – Bavaria’s hidden jewel really does have it all.
And, with regular train connections from Munich and Innsbruck, you’ve got a year round escape that ticks all of the boxes.
ACCOMMODATION SUGGESTION
If you are looking for accommodation in Garmisch we’d like to introduce you to FERIENHAUS HEIMHOF, on the edge of town. A traditional home where the owners live downstairs and the upper floors have been converted into well-equipped apartments. The vibe is ‘homely chalet’ but to be honest we spent more time on the balcony than we did taking advantage of the cosy interior – it’s not every day you can wake up and go to sleep with THAT landscape! You have everything you need in the kitchen, there’s the option of bikes, the location is spot-on, and evening walks in the valley below will be memories we will cherish for the rest of our lives. And if you do want to ditch the car for your stay in Garmisch, public transport is widely accessible from the apartment too. This really is the perfect Garmisch apartment!
For the best deals at Ferienhaus Heimhof, click here.
So what is there to see around town and how do you make the most of your Garmisch-Partenkirchen Alpine escape?
THINGS TO DO IN GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN & NEARBY
1.Explore The Town Of Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Why such a tongue twister name? Well, they were originally two towns, Garmisch and Partenkirchen, until an amalgamation was ordered by Hitler. Two separate market towns combined would give them more of a chance at being chosen for the following years’ Winter Olympics. However, even today they retain their individualities.
Garmisch is the new side of town, although by new we mean approximately 800 years old since a settlement began. And Partenkirchen, the more picturesque twin, goes back to Roman times since the main street, Ludwigstrasse, follows an old Roman trading route from Venice to Augsburg.
Today, you will get the most joy from wandering the colourful main street in Partenkirchen – Ludwigstrasse. Unfortunately most of the street was burned to the ground in fires during 1811 and 1865 and only a couple of original buildings remain – the Alte Haus (No. 8) and Wackerlehaus (No. 47). And whilst the rebuilds originally followed the sober and austere look of the Maximilian style, some creative spark decided he’d had enough of bland-ville and began decorating each store-front and beer house with beautiful murals and stucco.
Where there were plain and unimaginative windows, ornate frames and ironwork appeared. And where lifeless blank walls once oppressed the passers-by, now beautiful frescoes brightened things up a bit! At first you don’t even notice how flat and square the original building actually is – the fake windowsills, wood-craft and decorative mouldings are so cleverly done! And as for the colourful scenes that are painted everywhere – they’re called Luftlmalerei (meaning ‘in the air’). They often depict patron saints, the trades of homeowners, and other scenes from Bavarian folklore.
It’s enough to just wander their decorated high street, perhaps dipping into a bakery or cafe for some apfelstrudel or nussecken. However, don’t miss the Museum Werdenfels where regional history is preserved inside a 17th century heritage building. And, be sure to sample some authentic Bavarian cuisine, and maybe a spot of Bavarian dancing, at the Gasthof Fraundorfer Inn.
We also made the steep climb out the back of town for some incredible views across the rooftops towards the Zugspitze – but this hike isn’t for the weak of heart!
2. Take The Cable Car Up The Zugspitze
If you do just one thing during your time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, make it a trip up to the top of Germany’s highest mountain — the Zugspitze (2,962m). Whether you ascend via the Eibsee-Seilbahn (cable car) or take the Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train for a more leisurely climb, the reward is the same: a jaw-dropping panorama stretching across four countries — Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy on a clear day.
At the summit, you’ll find observation decks, a glacier with year-round snow (yes, even in summer!), and even a little beer garden — because of course there’s a beer garden at nearly 3,000 metres.
TOP TIP; check the weather before you ascend – those pesky clouds can’t half spoil the view. We did notice however that by 11am most mornings the cloud had lifted – perfect timing for a pre-lunch tipple with a view. And bring a jacket — even in August, it gets chilly up there.
3. Visit Lake Eibsee – A Mirror To The Mountains
Just below the Zugspitze sits Lake Eibsee, and trust us, this place is straight out of a fairytale. Emerald waters, tiny forested islets, and mirrored reflections of the surrounding peaks are only a 20 minute drive from Garmish Partenkirchen. There’s also the option to take the Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train if you have plenty of time, or the number 9840 bus if you want to get there quicker and cheaper.
There’s a well-marked trail that loops the lake (about 7.5km), and it’s an easy, mostly flat walk with endless photo opportunities. Pack a picnic, rent a pedal boat, or just perch on a rock and take it all in. Early morning or late afternoon is best for fewer crowds and perfect lighting.
Sadly we only had time for an hour at the lake because of inclement weather during our stay, but it’s definitely possible to just drop by for a short time and still beat the crowds and car park charges. We wrote more about how to do this here…
The Cheapest & Quickest Way To See Lake Eibsee
And, if you would like to make a night of it, there’s a wonderful 5 star hotel right on the water with a panoramic restaurant and free use of water sports. If you were just visiting Eibsee for one night, this would be our recommendation. For the best deals at the Eibsee Hotel, click here.
4. Walk The Partnach Gorge (Partnachklamm)
Just a short walk from the Olympic Ski Stadium lies one of Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s most dramatic natural sights — The Partnach Gorge. This 700-metre-long, narrow chasm slices through limestone rock, with icy waterfalls, gushing rapids, and moss-covered cliffs towering above.
You’ll follow a narrow, torch-lit path through tunnels and along ledges carved directly into the rock face – there’s only a fence between you and the wettest death ever imaginable! It’s atmospheric, awe inspiring and absolutely unforgettable. And don’t base your choice to visit on photographs because no image does it justice! It really is jaw-dropping.
Once you’re through the gorge and emerge onto a beautiful turquoise riverbed, you have three choices. Turn around and return the way you came (possibly against the flow of a lot of people). Or take one of two trails back to the carpark. One is an extremely steep climb then decent, but it does bypass two charming Gasthaus’s with incredible views where we proceeded to reward ourselves with a large beer. Or the other is a longer trail along the river and back to the car park around the other side of the gorge.
TOP TIPS; Buy your tickets online beforehand to avoid the queue’s at the ticket machines or office – this way you can scan them at the gate and just walk straight through. Also, neither of us could get any signal at the point where you need them so make sure you screen-shot the barcode ahead of time.
You WILL get wet! Think log-flume levels, where the drips can come at you from anywhere, at any moment, so a poncho or kagool is useful.
5. Hit The Trails (Even If You’re Not a Pro)
The first best thing about the hiking trails around Garmisch-Partenkirchen is that you don’t need to be an expert hiker or hardcore mountaineer to enjoy them. There are dozens of gentle (and well-marked) walks that reward you with views you’d expect only after hours of gruelling climbing usually.
The second best thing about a Garmisch Partenkirchen hiking trail is the Alm’s houses en route. A novel concept that we have never come across before but comes fairly close to a countryside walk with a pub at the end of it. But these are people’s homes that they open up for hospitality and you only get what they’ve chosen to cook that day. Still, there’s always a decent choice, it’s always homemade, and to my delight it usually involves a dumpling or two. If you ask me what the highlight of our Germany/Austria road-trip was, it was the hikes we did to alms houses. A favourite of ours near Garmisch Partenkirchen was Gschwandtnerbauer (yes I did spell that correct, no I can’t pronounce it) – a charming place with the most incredible views over the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains.
Some of our other favorite gentle routes:
- Riessersee loop – peaceful lake views and a chance to grab a drink at the café on the water’s edge.
- Wank Mountain – you did read correct! Take the Wankbahn cable car up and hike around the summit for 360° Alpine views.
- Eckbauerbahn & surrounding meadows – ideal for families or those wanting something less steep.
6. Castle-Hunting Day Trips From Garmisch Partenkirchen
In an area of fairytale castles, Garmisch Partenkirchen is the perfect base for day trips to some pretty awesome fortifications. About an hour’s drive away is the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen. This 19th-century masterpiece of romanticism was dreamed up by King Ludwig II and famously inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. It draws visitors from all over the world so book ahead to avoid queues.
Just below Neuschwanstein sits Hohenschwangau Castle, the lesser-known but equally fascinating childhood home of Ludwig. Arguably more authentic, the lived-in feel contrasts beautifully with Neuschwanstein’s theatrical flair. The two can easily be seen in one day.
Closer to Garmisch, and far less crowded, is the stunning Linderhof Palace (about 45 minutes’ drive). It’s Ludwig’s only fully completed residence — a mini Versailles nestled in a forested valley, complete with extravagant interiors, formal gardens, and even a grotto built for private Wagner performances.
For something a little different, head across the border to Austria and explore the Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble near Reutte (approx. 1 hr 15 mins). This dramatic hilltop ruin is connected by Highline179, one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world — an unforgettable experience for history loving thrill seekers.
So, as you can see, there is so much beauty and culture to absorb at Garmisch Partenkirchen you could easily stay a week. We stayed for 4 nights as part of our Germany Austria Road Trip but really wished we could have taken advantage for longer!
And don’t forget, the apartment we stayed at – Ferienhaus Heimhof – was definitely a stellar choice in terms of accommodation and we really can recommend you stay there with total confidence. For the best rates, click here.
We have written a few other posts from this trip – 2 weeks in Austria and Germany – so if you’d like to learn more about this area, take a look…
Four Days In The Tyrolean Alps – Innsbruck, Wipptal & Beyond
The Nightmares AND The Fairytales Of Hallstatt, Austria – A Travel Guide You Want To Read First
The Cheapest & Quickest Way To See Lake Eibsee, Bavaria
3 Days In Berchtesgaden – The Eagles Nest, Salzburg, Konigsee Lake & More
Summer In The Alps – Our 10 Day Itinerary For An Austria & Germany Roadtrip