A staggeringly well known hangout for outdoor enthusiasts, ski lovers, and mountain hiking backpackers, it is not surprising that the Upper Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is honored with postcard perfect snow covered Alps that are overlooking the borders of Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
For skiing fans, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers the best ski slopes that can be experienced all year round.
It has maintained its reputation as the perfect skiing destination in Germany and plays host for international skiing events that gather ski professionals and amateurs from all over the world every winter season.
Best time to visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
Garmisch-Partenkirchen rugged area does not get much warmth during the mid year (the summer season is from June to August) and the winters (November – March) here are characterized by thick snow and cool climate.
It is situated at the foot of Germany’s most noteworthy mountain- the Zugspitze.
The high altitude location implies that mid-year temperatures don’t go above 20 °C.
Nonetheless, the all year round cold atmosphere does not signify that the summer season is boring in this part of Germany.
The sun shines brightly and sunblock and shades are still essential when heading out to the mountainous areas of the city (to prevent sunburn).
Even in summer there is snow and you should bundle up and wear thick jackets.
The atmosphere is generally classified as a snow capped one and the air quality is high.
Because of its elevated status, the city is considered as an allergen free territory.
However, if you prefer to climb the mountains, it is imperative that you are agile and physically fit because the thin air requires the lungs to work harder (to pump oxygen into the vital system of the body).
The winter season and chilly atmosphere heighten up from January to February.
If you come from a country that experiences the chilly winter season, the biting cold will not be a big deal for you and you will prefer to hit the slopes and explore the numerous ski resorts of the city.
It can be visited any time of the year, but tourist arrival reaches its enormous peak during the winter season months.
Best 9+ Things to do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
These are a few of the top attractions and my favorite things to do in the city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen…
Zugspitze
Zugspitze is a spectacular mountain with incredible views.
You must ride a cable tram or car to access it.
It is worth climbing the almost 3000m (train / tram) to admire the scenery on the icy mountains.
Tickets are expensive to raise / enter the park (approximately 52 Euros), but it is worth every penny.
Be sure to climb all the trail points with a panoramic view in all directions.
Be aware of the time too, because the rainy or foggy days can disturb the beautiful view or make it difficult to find parts of the attraction.
From Munich, the mountain is about 1 hour away.
The view from the path is already worth the ride.
In good weather, the trip by cable car takes about seven minutes.
Wear lightweight jackets because it is very cold.
The cable car ride has a fantastic view of the Eibsee Lake and the rugged slopes of the mountain.
Upstairs there are restaurants and souvenir shops.
The highest point of Germany lies in the Bavarian region and it is worth visiting because of its good tourist infrastructure.
It’s good to go on days without much cloud coverage because the view from the peak is magnificent.
When the fog is dense, there is not much to see down below.
Because it is the highest point of Germany you can see the mountains of four countries (Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria).
From Munich you can take a train to reach the station of Garmisch-Partenkirchen right at the foot of the imposing mountain.
It is a thrilling climb for those with nerves of steel and no fear of height.
Do not forget the sunscreen!
Partnach Gorge
When in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, it is impossible not to visit the Partnach Gorge.
Walking starts at the Olympic Stadium, although before the gorge there is a small hotel where guests can be transported to the gorge by car.
The passage in the valley is shorter, but it comes with an extra charge.
There is a carved rock terrace on which you will pass over the turbulent mountain river.
It’s pretty safe, but be careful and watch for children.
The road to the gorge is about one kilometer, but there are opportunities to shorten the route.
If you choose to hike, wear appropriate shoes and clothes because the road gets slippery and damp in winter.
From the stadium to the ticket offices in the gorge, you can spend 20 minutes of quiet walk on a breathtaking place.
In about 10 minutes you will come to the information boards with pointers and advisories about the gorge if it’s safe to proceed.
The ideal option is to walk to the left.
In winter, constantly check for warnings about icicles over the open sections of the route.
The road itself is fenced and safe, but in open areas icicles may fall.
In summer, the route itself is humid from all sides and there is water formed by the flowing melted snow.
The trail proves to be challenging in both weather; either the water under your feet or spray from the top and side of icicles.
But taking into account all the potential difficulties, you’ll get out from a walk and gorge adventure with untold pleasure.
Alpspitz
The peak of Alpspitz is considered to be the symbol of the ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen that rises majestically above the foothills.
You can also climb by cable car; buy a combined ticket for the ascent and descent on Alpspitz from the Zugspitze and from one vertex to another take a walk and enjoy the Bavarian Alps.
The lower stations of both chair lifts are easily accessible by bus.
In good weather, the visibility can reach a hundred kilometers more and you can admire the views from the two crossed iron platform upstairs.
You will be in awe of its great location and breathtaking beauty.
The view from the observation deck extends along the edge of the abyss path for walks, equipped with a steel rope attached along the cliffs.
It is recommended (but not required) to wear a climbing harness and attach oneself to the rope snap.
You will need comfortable shoes, preferably trekking boots, warm sports jacket, and of course the camera!
Popular Garmisch-Partenkirchen Tourist Attractions
Aussichtsplattform AlpspiX
The Aussichtsplattform AlpspiX can be found at the very top of Alpspitz, where the lift is raised followed by a staircase.
The landmark observation deck has a floor that is similar to a metal mesh/console.
The deck has a great view of the mountains.
In the end there is not such a great distance from the edge of the cliff on which the playground is located.
It offers absolutely stunning views of the mountains and the village in the valley.
The site is located at an altitude of 2000m.
You will feel winter in the sunny weather where the panorama is fascinating.
You can ride the cable car and the route down is very interesting – with views of the mountains, lakes, and gorges.
At the top there is a cafe and sun loungers.
On the actual site, the wind is very strong, but it just adds some sense of reverence for nature while in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Wank Mountain
The Wank Mountain is a small mountain with a cable car gondola type and walkways.
The cable car can be reached by public transport.
Sit down in a gondola and 15 minutes later you are on the mountain.
Along the climb you can admire the beautiful forest that grows on the slopes of the mountain.
At the top, there is an observation deck where there is a view of the entire Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
This mountain has wide paths with benches.
With any luck, the road leads through a peaceful dozing herd of cows and a few horses at the wayside.
The way down is feasible even for children and they will no longer need prams.
There are small hiking postcards that you can get for free at the mountain and railway stations of the valley.
It is a nice hiking mountain for beginners because of its superb view and accessible location.
The cable car to the Wank is long, steep and has magnificent views of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze.
The small climb to the summit hut is easy to master even with imperfect footwear and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view.
Is Garmisch-Partenkirchen worth visiting?
Yes Garmisch-Partenkirchen is worth visiting, because it is such a beautiful city.
Don’t forget to visit this place:Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ski Resort
The Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ski Resort is a ski lover’s dream in clear weather with idyllic views of the valley and the Zugspitze in the back.
The skiing resort is fun and the prices are expensive, but it is tolerable and worth seeing.
During peak season (winter), the queues at the train station and gondolas are unacceptable.
Overall, it is a small and beautiful ski resort that is perfect for 7 days of skiing.
This resort is famous starting from the legendary Four Hills Tournament.
As early as 1923, it is here where they created the first Olympic ski jump designed as a form of competition for the Olympic Winter Games.
For beginners and advanced skiers, it has something for everyone.
The ski area has undoubtedly the most beautiful slopes around the Zugspitze and the agreeable nature is equally magnificent.
Garmisch-Classic
The Garmisch-Classic is a ski area that offers pure relaxation with a grandiose view.
The Garmisch-Classic is the perfect starting point for hiking and skiing.
Either you can start walking from Garmisch directly, or you can take the cable ride to the Alpspitz, Zugspitze and other significant mountains in this region.
The hiking possibilities are always limitless.
The village itself has a beautiful pedestrian zone with many cafes and restaurants.
In the area you can take the most amazing trails.
In the center near several mountain railways you can go into the various hiking areas.
A car is not absolutely necessary because the bus services are very good.
In addition, there are a lot of opportunities for things to do and in one of the numerous excellent restaurants; you can take a typical Bavarian specialty.
On the surrounding mountain which is also the highest in Germany, you can cozy up to perform challenging hikes or simply enjoy the wonderful view.
Popular places to visit in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Freilichtmuseum Glentleiten
The Freilichtmuseum Glentleiten is a vast open air museum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
It has so much information and carefully arranged houses with facilities on a large area.
One can have an overnight stay in the houses and individual rooms.
There are hands-on activities for kids and a chance to see lots of animals.
The museum has a wonderful location with views of the mountains.
The lovingly restored pastures and farmhouses invite you to experience the historical immersion and find idyllic places to rest.
With films, images, and animations both children and adults feel like being in a fairy tale world.
In addition, visitors can also participate as potters and custom decoration of the vessels.
This can also be done with children and proves to be a lot of fun.
For the nourishment, the place is well catered with a huge selection of delicious cakes and regional cuisine.
The museum grounds can be visited from spring to autumn or practically in any kind of weather.
The terrain is vast and even if it is full during the holidays and more so during the peak season, there is still much space and freedom to move for everyone.
Olympiastadion
The Olympiastadion is currently the object of not only about sports, but also for its historical value.
In 1936, it hosted Winter Olympics, despite the fact that the authorities in Germany were Nazis.
It has interesting architecture decorated with bas-reliefs of the 20th century.
The stadium is still impressive and for nearly 80 years, it has undergone a lot of changes.
It is a remarkable sports complex for various sports that is equipped with a swimming pool, located near the city center and near the railway station.
It is open for free access and you can go through the stadium to see how Olympic facilities looked like during the early times.
It bears the imprint of the imperial ambitions of the leadership of the Third Reich.
The springboard was rebuilt and annually hosts one of the World Cup events in Germany.
The building impresses with its scale and monumentality even in details.
In summer there is nothing to do, but you can take a few photos on the memory of this unique place in the history of sports.
Richard Strauss Institute
The Richard Strauss Institute is a cultural oasis in the winter and sports-oriented Garmisch.
It provides information about Richard Strauss and all about his musical education and ministry.
The small concert hall with about 100 seats is used for many events designed especially for the indigenous and culturally interested locals and tourists.
The library at the institute is excellent and invites you to linger, however, it takes a very large part of the building.
The Richard Strauss Institute (RSI) was opened in 1999, the 50th anniversary of the composer and musical genius from Garmisch.
It is housed in the 1893 built Villa of Mannheim cigar manufacturer Ludwig Mayer Doss.
The cultural institute is now maintained and sponsored by the Bavarian State Ministry of Sciences, Research and the Arts.
The Richard Strauss Institute in Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers a comprehensive exhibition on the life of the composer Richard Strauss, who has lived for many years in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
In addition to various objects, there are many multimedia presentations.
Also to be found in one room is an extensive music collection and most of his work.
The Institute can be reached on foot from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Train Station.
The entrance fee is reasonable and children under 13 years old are free.
The institute accepts visitors from Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 16:00 PM.
In the Zoeppritzstraße (just outside Garmisch-Partenkirchen), you will find the home and birthplace of Richard Strauss.
This is now inhabited by the descendants of Richard Strauss and cannot be visited.
Must see places in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Hausberg
Hausberg is a snowboard and ski area that is designed especially for beginners who want to explore alpine skiing in the city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The route leading to the top of the ride is very long and probably one of the longest in the area.
It is 10-15 minute walk from the downtown part of Garmisch where most buses pass by.
It has a variety of trails catering for all tastes and budgets and great choice of ski schools.
At the completion of the ride, you can enjoy a cup of coffee and observe the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, as well as the beginning of the next ski ride.
In general, it is a pleasant place with nice pistes.
This skiing area is simply stunning!
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is worth a special journey in Germany.
It has gorgeous mountain scenery, numerous hiking and excursions, varied cuisine in well-run restaurants, interesting villages that offer the predominantly pronounced friendliness of its indigenous population.
Should you be travelling without a car, there are public bus lines and cable trams that will bring you from one mountain to another.
