Travel Guide: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
{About}
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany is known as a top skiing destination but is also a wonderful place to visit at any time of year. Garmisch is an outdoor lover’s dream and can be enjoyed by everyone, from the very advanced outdoor sports enthusiasts to families with small children. Read on for some of the best things to do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen!
{Get There}
Garmisch is best experienced with a car. It is one hour's drive from Munich and one hour's drive from Innsbruck, Austria.
You can take the train to Garmisch from the Munich Hauptbahnhof or the Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. Once you arrive in Garmisch, the town is a fairly short walk from the station, and there are some taxis available. Or you can walk over to the Zugspitzebahn and use that train to take you up the mountain. You can also get off at any of the cable cars (Hausberg, Kreuzeck, Alpspitz, or Zugspitze sielbahn). If you get off at the Zugspitze cable car, you will be at the same location as Eibsee.
{Stay}
There are several guesthouses and hotels in and around Garmisch, ranging from the very delux to the relatively basic. If you’re having trouble finding something in Garmsich in high season, try searching in Grainau. It’s a very short drive away.
We always stay at the Staudacherhof. The property is owned and run by family friends, and everything about it is a delight from start to finish. The location is close enough to walk into Garmisch, but the hotel is on a residential street, making it feel like a delightful escape. The property has lovely indoor & outdoor pools and spa facilities, and breakfast is perfect for fueling you up before an active day.
{See & Do}
The Zugspitze: Garmisch-Partenkirchen is home to the tallest peak in Germany, the Zugspitze. I definitely recommend that first-time visitors make the trip to the top. You’ll want to pick the most clear weather day to go up. If it is cloudy, your view can be blocked, and you won’t see much.
Once you make it to the top, you can walk around the viewing deck, take in the view, enjoy a beer, soak up the sun, and even go sledding/tobogganing. You can actually sled all year long up on the top! The Zugspitze is split between Austria and Germany, so while you’re up there, you can cross the border and visit Austria as well.
You can get up to the Zugspitze in a few ways:
You can take the Zugspitzebahn (a train) from a few stops in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From the first stop near the Ice Stadium the trip will take about an hour.
The sielbahn (cable car) from Eibsee is a quicker way to get up. The ride only takes about 10 minutes. The parking lot for the cable car is in the same place as the parking for Eibsee.
There is also a cable car up from the Austria side. Catch the cable car in Ehrwald and ride up that way.
Tip: You should dress in layers. It will be quite a bit colder at the top of the mountain and it can be windy as well. Even in the summer, bring at least a light jacket and check the weather at the top before you go up.
The Eibsee: The Eibsee is a wonderful place to visit year-round. The lake is surrounded by a 4 mile (7 km) walking trail. In the summer, you can rent pedal boats, bring stand-up paddle boards, or find a spot on the shore to picnic and take a refreshing dip. In the winter, Eibsee is just as beautiful when it is covered in snow. Sometimes, the lake even freezes over!
The Eibsee shares a parking lot with the Zugspitze cable car, if you’re ambitious you could try to visit the Zugspitze in the morning and spend the afternoon at Eibsee.
Olympic Stadium: The Olympics were held in Garmisch in 1936. The ski jumps remain and are still in use. If you happen to visit over New Year’s, you can buy tickets to watch the ski jump competition. It is free to walk into the stadium and wander around.
{Outdoor Activities & Sports}
This area of Germany, and into nearby Austria, is well known for its outdoor sports, primarily skiing and winter sports, but also hiking, mountain biking, and climbing. I’ve only skied here once, and it was years ago, so I don’t have terribly helpful insights on that score, but we are avid hikers and love being outdoors in such beautiful surroundings and have done many of the major hiking/walking areas over the years and many with a kiddo in tow! This site has the most up-to-date info on open chair lifts, open ski runs, etc.
Hike: In spring, summer, and fall Garmisch is a hiker’s paradise. Whether you are an experienced hiker looking for challenging, full-day hikes or have little ones with you, there are options for all.
1.) Eibsee Loop
Park: Eibsee parking lot near Zugspitze Cable Car (paid lot)
Distance: 4.7 mile relatively flat loop, can be done as a shorter out and back
Facilities: At the Eibsee Pavillion Cafe, pay to use
Eat: Eibsee Pavillion Cafe-sit down table service; Biergarten-self service, more casual, only open in the summer
Notes: Start by going counter-clockwise around the lake. You’ll reach the best views early in your hike. After your hike, go for a paddle on Eibsee. If you have a kayak or paddleboard, you can bring it, or if not, rent a pedal boat on-site at the dock.
2.) Partnachklamm
Partnachklamm is a must-do when you visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The Partnachklamm is a narrow river gorge that you can hike through. In winter, you’ll find the rock walls covered in huge icicles and ice sheets.
You can hike out and back through the Klamm or hike through and then continue on a path through the woods to get back to your car at the Olympic Ski Jump or to the Eckbauerbahn, which can take you back to the ski jump.
Park: Olympic Ski Jump parking lot
Distance: 1 mile for the actual gorge from gate to gate, 20-minute walk to the entry gate from the Olympic Stadium parking lot
Tickets: Adults 7.50, Kids 3, Dogs 2
Facilities: At the entry point of the hike
Eat: @klammhaus
Notes: Check the website before your visit, Partnachklamm can close unexpectedly due to weather conditions. Wear sturdy shoes here, preferably ones with a lot of traction, it can get slippery. Strollers won’t work here, you’ll need to carry babies/toddlers in a carrier.
3.) Kramerplateuaweg
The Kramer is the peak on the opposite side of the valley from the Zugspitze and Alpspitz, which means you’ll be rewarded with amazing views while you walk. Drive up to the Alm Hütte, park, and across from the parking lot, you can find a walking path a little way up that gives wonderful views of those mountains. You can hike to the Werdenfels castle ruins or up to Pflegersee, or to the Kreigergedächtniskapelle (a WW2 memorial). When you’re done hiking, go back to Alm Hütte to enjoy lunch with a view, or you can head back down into Garmisch. The restaurant also has an outdoor playground to entertain little ones. Make sure you save room for their famous cream puff desserts (cream puffs only after 2:00 PM; the restaurant is cash only and closed on Wednesdays).
Park: Berggasthof Almhütte
Distance: Depends on how far you want to walk. From Berggasthof Almhütte to the Pflegersee is 4.2 km one way.
Facilities: At Berggasthof Almhütte or @berggasthofpflegersee
Eat: Eating also available at both restaurants above, Almhütte is cash only, giant cream puffs only available after 2:00 pm..
Notes: There is a great playground at the Almhütte. About 1.5km into the hike to the Pflegersee, there is an option to loop back into Garmisch.
4.) Tannenhütte
Park: Near Hotel Schöne Aussicht Garni for the easiest route
Distance: 1.5 miles each way
Facilities: At the Tannenhütte
Eat: @tannenhuette (check opening hours before you go); there is a playground here too.
Notes: This one has the most incline on the list.
5.) Walk through the valley fields
Park: Park at the Olympic Stadium, Hausberg lot, or Kreuzeck lot.
Distance: Multiple lengths, depends how far you want to walk.
Facilities: Olympic Ski Jump and the cable car stations.
Notes: Expect to share the trail with bikers. Most impactful views are closer to the Kreuzeckbahn. In the late spring and early fall you can also expect to see cows in the fields. Keep dogs on a leash at all times if there are cows. The trails are gravel/dirt and can get quite muddy if there has been a lot of rain recently.
6.) Kreuzeck Garmisch
Park: At the Kreuzeck cable car station
Distance: Various
Facilities: At the cable car station and restaurant at the top
Eat: Kreuzeck Alm
Notes: This is a great one with the kids. You can ride the smaller gondolas up to the Kreuzeck and walk a short way down to Kreuzeck Alm, a restaurant with an outdoor playground and an epic view of the Alpspitz peak. You can hike down to the valley from here or hike up to the Alpspitz.
7.) Reissersee
The Reissersee is a smaller lake nestled up on a hill above Garmisch. You can easily walk around the Riessersee on its flat path. There are also several trails that you can connect to from here. You will also find the old Olympic bobsled track here. You can also hike up to the lake from the valley floor or you can drive. There is a hotel at the lake where you can stop for lunch or an afternoon treat.
Park: You can easily walk up from the valley floor, or you can drive to the lake, park, and continue from there.
Distance: You can walk around the lake in about 20 min and connect to multiple other trails from there.
Facilities: At the Hotel Risersee
Eat: Hotel Risersee
8.) Wank
This smaller cable car will take you to the top of the Wank (pronounced “Vonk”) for a different panoramic view. You can also hike to the top or to the middle cable car station. At the summit, you’ll find two restaurants and a wooden playground. In the summer months, you can expect to see your friendly neighborhood Alpine cows grazing nearby.
Park: Wankbahn station.
Distance: Multiple trails and hike durations.
Facilities: At the cable car station and at the top.
Eat: We love the Wankhaus.
Notes: Kletterwald is located near the cable car station at the bottom. If you are feeling ambitious, you can also hike up from the bottom, of course. If you do, I highly recommend stopping in at the tiny Wallfahrtskirche St. Anton. This tiny forest church is also a war memorial.
9.) Eckbauerbahn
Park: Olympic Ski Stadium lot.
Distance: There are a variety of trails here as well. Plenty of options for hiking up or down.
Eat: You can bring a picnic lunch up or stop by Berggasthof Eckbauer, just a 5 minute walk from the cable car station, for a meal with a view.
Notes: This cable car begins to the left of the Olympic Ski Stadium. Take it to the top to enjoy sledding in the winter and hiking in the summer. Kids will enjoy the playground at the cable car station at the top.
10.) Waterfall hike in Ehrwald
Park: At the Ehrwalder Almbahn. If you are facing the chair lift, head to the left and you’ll see a trail heading into the woods. Follow the signs for Wasserfall Rundweg.
Eat: Brent Alm or head back into Ehrwald and check out Sofa Cafe.
Notes: Pick up a scavenger hunt card at the start of the trail and find clues to a magic code along the trail. This hike is a scavenger hunt for kids. Pick up a card and pencil at the beginning of the trail and try to find the secret numbers at several stations along the hike.
11.) Ehrwald Almsee Rundweg
Easy and quick loop that passes a playground, a small pond with a pull raft to cross the water, and one more gorgeous alpine lake (Almsee). End back at the Tirolerhaus for a delicious lunch.
12.) Kuhfluct Wasserfall Farchant
This trail parallels a river where you’ll get to see a few waterfalls. The biggest one is especially impressive in the late spring/early summer.
13.) Leutaschklamm
3km loop that walks along an elevated walkway over the gorgeous icy blue Leutaschklamm, just 30 minutes from Garmisch. Have lunch in Mittenwald after your hike!
Bike: Bring or rent bikes and have fun biking around town or on the valley paths. Garmisch is very biking-friendly, and people ride bikes here all year long.
Climb: Visit the Kletterwald, an outdoor ropes course. Kids from age 5-12 are able to climb with an adult. Kids over 12 can climb on their own. If the weather is bad, or in the winter, you can visit the indoor climbing hall (kletterhalle) in Ehrwald, Austria. Rent all your gear on site or bring your own if you have it. You can also bring in your own food and snacks.
Swim: In the summer, the valley can get quite humid, and the pools and abundant lakes are a great way to cool off. All of the local pools have indoor pools and outdoor pools. Some have waterslides, saunas, and baby pool areas. The nearby lakes are another great way to cool off in the summer.
Playgrounds:
Playground at the Wettersteinstrasse, a great playground located between Garmisch and Partenkirchen. Climbing structures, swings, sand and water features, and clean bathrooms.
Loisach Park, big playground/park with large sandpit, zipline, climbing structures, swings, in-ground trampolines, slide, and big pond to walk around. (Not open in the winter.)
St.-Anton-Anlage am Waldweg, located at the foot of the Wank mountain.
Eckbauer, top of the Eckbauerbahn. You will have to hike or take the cable car to get here but this recently built wooden playground has a zipline, balance area, ball maze (buy a ball at the bottom of the cable car for 2€), and lots of fun things for kids. Some things are removed for winter but many part of the playground still stay open.
Kreuz Alm, at the top of the Kreuzeckbahn. Not the most extensive but a perfect place to play after a hike with a stunning view of Alpspitz. Trampoline, swings, trucks, and a restaurant where you can relax with a view.
Grainau Spielplatz, park at the Schwimmbad (swimming pool) for free, but still get a ticket from the machine. This new, natural playground will entertain kids for a long time.
Farchant, Spielplatz am Walderlebnispfad. Come here for the water play and the Mountain View. Sometimes, you’ll find cows nearby as well!
{Day Trips}
There are many great spots to explore within easy driving distance of Garmish. Here are a few of our favorites.
Ettal: Ettal Monastery is located just before you get to Oberammergau. This monastery has been here since the 1300’s and has been brewing their own beer for just as long. The restaurant across the street is very good, but make reservations because in the high season it gets very busy. There is also a lovely nature preserve, the Ettaler Weidmoos, just up the road. It is criss-crossed with trails and is totally flat.
Schloss Neuschwanstein: Germany’s most famous castle, Neuschwanstein is just an hour away from Garmisch. It’s the most famous for a reason and well worth the visit. Make sure you buy tickets in advance as it does book up. You can either hike to the castle or pay to take a horse carriage to the top. Strollers must be left outside the castle near the gift shop.
Consider also touring the Hohenschwangau castle at the same site. This was Ludwig’s childhood home, and the tour gives you more insight into his life.
Fussen is the nearby town. It is also very charming. You can walk to see the waterfalls and see the castle in town.
Lermoos, Austria: Lermoos is also a short drive over the border into Austria. The valley here, the Tirol Zugspiz Arena, has epic panoramic views. In the winter come here for cross country skiing. In the summer come here to enjoy the walking trails. I’ve heard good things about the Alpenrose – Familux Resort if you are looking for a place to stay.
Innsbruck: Innsbruck, Austria is a great place for a day trip. It is a very pretty little mountain town in Austria. It only takes about an hour to drive here from Garmisch, though the road is quite twisty! You can also take the train but it takes a bit longer.
You can wander the old town, do some shopping, and visit the Alpine Zoo or the Swarovski KrystalWelt, which is known to have an excellent playground.
Kolbensattle Alpine Coaster in Oberammergau: Buy tickets to ride the cable car up and take the long alpine coaster down. Before you ride down, you can eat a meal at the restaurant and kids can play at the playground.
{Eat & Drink}
Colosseo for authentic Italian with a focus on pizza. They also have great salads! The owners are from Italy and drive to Italy for ingredients! There is also a great indoor kid’s play corner that will keep little ones entertained!
Kroner Cafe for cakes (the chocolate walnut is to die for) and all manner of fancy coffee concoction. The salads are passable as well.
Risersee Hotel for ice cream and cake.
KlammHaus restaurant is right outside the entrance to the Partnachklamm. I recommend starting or ending your excursion here! The dessert platter is definitely worth experiencing!
Schloss Elmau is a luxury resort a short drive outside of Garmisch and well worth a visit and either afternoon tea or dinner. Reservations needed.
Hobis Backstube: This bakery is a gem! Parking is tough, so I would recommend going on foot. They have a small shop as well as a bakery where you can get local products.
Cafe Max: Great spot for coffee and brunch.
Gasthaus zur Schranne: Go for the drinks and the lovely outdoor seating space. Traditional food.
Fischer's Mohrenplatz: Skip the food here, but it is the best spot in town for an outdoor drink. The atmosphere is fantastic. In the summer, they have an outdoor spritz station, and in the winter, mulled wine is the go-to drink. There is a small play structure for kids, and it is totally kosher to let them run wild while you enjoy a drink and chat with other patrons.
La Baita: Italian food and pizza joint. You can also call for order delivery or pickup. I prefer the Colosseo but this is a very popular place.
Hoffman’s WaffleHaus: Come here for breakfast, there are lots of sweet and savory waffle options.
Mukkefukke: (yes, actual name) Come here for their famous salads.David and Dean: if you need a salad fix.
Hotel Zugspitze: The restaurant here is lovely, as is the garden for a drink. The dining room is a bit more upscale/formal.
Hofbräustüberl Garmisch: Traditional food and local beer.
DER LADEN: Great coffee and brunch/lunch.
Wildkaffee Café: Cute coffee spot!
Bakery pastry Benedict Sieß: This bakery in Partenkirchen is worth visiting. There is usually a line, so I recommend getting there early!
Mountain Huttes: Anytime you take a cable car up or hike up a trail, you will find a hütte. Most of them have great food and great views!
{Shop}
The main thoroughfare in Garmisch is pedestrian-only and lined with shops and cafes. Twice a week (currently Wednesdays and Saturdays), there is a farmers market that sets up, bringing an added lively bustle to the commercial district. Many of the commercial buildings are built in the traditional Bavarian style and are adorned with incredible murals called Lüftlmalerei.
Grasseger: This is THE destination for all things tracht (traditional Bavarian clothing) and a truly beautiful store. Even if you think this style of clothing isn't for you, I dare you to wander through this multi-story store and not spot a thing or two you feel you need to add to your wardrobe.
SOR: This shop has great men’s clothing and accessories.
ADAM: I always find a fun surprise in this bookshop.
Sophieplus: This is a super cute souvenir shop in Partenkirchen.
Schuhmuckl: Great shop for kids’ shoes. They will measure and are very helpful.
Spielwaren Krömer: Toy store with a good selection from babies to older kids
Bimo's Kindergarten Kids Tracht: Darling shop with kids' clothing in the local style plus modern picks. This is where we get the best Bavarian-style kids’ sweaters.
{What to Pack}
No matter what time of year you come to Garmisch, you will want to pack layers. The weather can be a little unpredictable. Sometimes, the forecast will show rain for a week and then give you one little shower. Even in the summer, it can get chilly. And it is always cooler on top of the mountains than in the valley. In the winter, you should pack your warmest coats, boots, hats, and gloves. Here are a few other key items I recommend.
