Bavaria is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions in Germany thanks to its stunning alpine scenery, romantic castles and charming medieval towns. Amongst all the amazing places in this region, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a hidden gem worth adding to your Bavarian itinerary.
Destination: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a mountain town in Bavaria and an ideal choice for a quick getaway in the heart of the Bavarian Alps. Although mainly popular as a ski destination, it’s summer look is equally mesmerizing. We visited this quaint town for 3 days during summer and totally fell in love with this place! The lush green meadows with rugged mountains in the background are an absolute delight for nature lovers. Also if you are an experienced hiker, then gear up to hike the highest mountain peak of Germany!
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Garmisch-Partenkirchen
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| Panoramic view from our walking trails |
Scratch the map:
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is approximately 90 km away from Munich and can be reached via train in 1.5 hours. You can also hire a car and enjoy driving on the scenic routes of Bavaria. Although now joined as one, Garmisch-Partenkirchen used to be two separate towns earlier. Today these two cities together represent an authentic Bavarian town which has become a year-round holiday destination.
Our Tour Highlights:
- Zugspitze (2962 m): Our main attraction in Garmisch-Partenkirchen was Zugspitze, the highest mountain peak of Bavarian Alps on the border of Germany and Austria. On the German side the peak of Zugspitze can be climbed as well. It is easy to access the mountain via the cogwheel train and a gondola ride. The journey to the peak takes 45 minutes with lovely views of the Alpine landscape on the way. However, after Riffelriß, the train travels through a tunnel for almost 20 minutes. Hence it's better to deboard the train at Eibsee and ride the cable car (Zugspitze Seilbahn) up to the top to continue enjoying the breathtaking scenery (obviously train will be a better option if elderly people are travelling with you so that they don't have to stand all along in the cable car). Once at the summit (2,962 meters), walk around to admire the amazing scenery and later grab a cup of coffee at the restaurant over there.
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| At the top of the summit |
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| Cloud covers over Zugspitze |
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| Breathtaking view of Zugspitze |
- Eibsee: Germany is indeed the land of ‘See’ or lakes and Eibsee will certainly top this list in terms of beauty. It is located at the foothills of Zugspitze and you can get a sneak peek of this pretty lake from the cable car as you the descend the mountain. The crystal-clear water of this lake and especially its turquoise colour will leave you spellbound! Spend some relaxing time in this serene location far away from the stress of daily life. You can also go for a leisurely stroll in the nearby woods surrounding the lake.
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| Eibsee |
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| Walking trail near Eibsee |
- Alpspitze (2682 m): Alpspitze is the second highest mountain peak of Germany which can be reached via the Alpspitze cable car from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. On the top of Alpspitze is the 'AlpspiX Viewing Platform' with two curved metal walkways hanging over the cliff making the shape of an X. It goes without saying that the panoramic view from AlpspiX is a visual treat!
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| AlpspiX |
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| View from AlpspiX |
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| On our way to Alpspitze (in the cable car) |
- Olympic Ski Stadium: This stadium had hosted the 1936 Winter Olympic Games. The ski-jump hill Olympiaschanze is also known for the New Year's Ski Jumping held here every year.
Additional tour options:
- Partnach Gorge: Partnach Gorge is a natural wonder created by the mountain stream Partnach in Bavaria. Once you enter the gorge, follow the winding trail to discover the beauty of this place.
Useful Tips:
- Travel by: We hired a car and drove down from Friedrichshafen (Baden-Württemberg) to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The journey of ~200 kms took us around 3.5 hours. If you are travelling from Munich it will take you 1.5 hours by road. Although travelling by car has its own benefits, getting around by train or bus is also pretty easy in Bavaria.
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| Scenic route in Bavaria |
- Best time to visit: That's a difficult one to answer! If you like skiing then I would suggest visiting Garmisch during winter. However for people who simply want to enjoy nature in the mountains, it is worth travelling to Garmisch in summer (preferably during May or June to avoid crowd).
- Accomodation: We stayed at Hotel Zugspitze which is a 5-minute walk from the railway station. Apart from its nice ambience and great location, the hotel also has a Michelin star restaurant with awesome cuisine to attract the foodies!
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| Hotel Zugspitze |
- Market place: For shopping enthusiasts, there is Shopping Centre close to Hotel Zugspitze where you can buy some souvenirs or stop by a nice café to enjoy a cup of coffee.
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| City centre |
- Zugspitze & Alpspitze ticket: Combo 2-peak tickets costs 71 Euro (valid for 2 days)
- Weather forecast: The weather in Garmisch can change very quickly during summer; hence check the forecast to plan your day accordingly. In particular, it can get very foggy on the mountain peaks, but patience is key!! Wait for some time for the cloud covers to clear so that you can enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Goodbye notes:
If the mountains are calling you, this idyllic location can be your next destination to unwind amidst nature. You can also use Garmisch-Partenkirchen as the base for exploring other nearby attractions if you are on a week long vacation in Bavaria. More information on the other attractions will follow in the next chapter. Auf Wiedersehen... till then!!
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