brown wooden houses on green field viewing mountain during daytime
a red train traveling down train tracks next to a forest
A couple of horses standing next to a snow covered road
A snowy landscape with a mountain in the background
A snow covered mountain with a building in the foreground
Photo by Herr Bohn on Unsplash

Holiday in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

City in Germany — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇩🇪

Country

Germany

Type

City

Best time to travel

December to March (skiing, -5 to 5 °C). June to September (hiking, 18-27 °C). January for the Four Hills Tournament.

Budget/day

80-170 €

Getting there from Germany

RE/RB to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1.5 h direct from Munich). By car A95 from Munich (about 80 km). Nearest airport Munich (MUC, 1.5 h).

About Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen lies at the foot of the Zugspitze (2,962 m), Germany's highest mountain, and is one of the most famous alpine resorts in the world. The double municipality was formed in 1935 from the two towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen in connection with the 1936 Winter Olympics — the Olympic ski stadium and the historic ski jump still shape the town's image today. The Zugspitze can be reached by cogwheel train (75 minutes from Garmisch) or by cable car from Eibsee. On a clear day, the summit offers a 400-peak panorama over four countries (Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland). The cable car ride over the turquoise Eibsee is spectacular in itself. The Partnach Gorge is an impressive natural wonder: Over thousands of years, the Partnach has carved an 80-meter deep and 700-meter long gorge through the rock. In winter, the walls transform into bizarre ice formations. Access is via the Olympic ski stadium, entrance about €5. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the venue for the traditional New Year's ski jump of the Four Hills Tournament and was the host of the Ski World Championships in 1978 and 2011. The Kandahar descent is one of the most challenging racecourses in alpine ski racing. In summer, over 300 km of marked hiking trails attract visitors, including the King's Way to Linderhof Palace and the Kramer Trail with panoramic views over the Wetterstein mountains.

Nature
90
Safety
90
Winter
90
Urban
85
Adventure
80

Top 5 highlights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Zugspitze (2,962 m)

Germany's highest mountain with a 400-peak panorama over four countries: accessible by cogwheel train or cable car from Eibsee.

2

Partnachklamm

80-meter deep and 700-meter long rocky gorge: spectacular ice formations in winter, accessible year-round.

3

Eibsee

Turquoise mountain lake at the foot of the Zugspitze: circular hiking trail (7 km), boating, and swimming with alpine panorama.

4

Olympia-Skistadion

Historic ski jump from the 1936 Winter Games: venue for the Four Hills Tournament and freely accessible.

5

Historic Town Center

Lüftl painting on the facades of Partenkirchen: magnificent farmhouse paintings from the 18th century along Ludwigstraße.

Hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Recommended travel time

December to March (skiing, -5 to 5 °C). June to September (hiking, 18-27 °C). January for the Four Hills Tournament.

Summer

16-27 °C, warm and sunny, thunderstorms likely in the afternoons

Winter

-8 to 3 °C, snow reliable, Föhn days mild and clear

How much does a holiday in Garmisch-Partenkirchen cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

40-70 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

80-170 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

200-500 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

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5 travel tips for Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Buy the Zugspitze ticket early — mountain and valley ride about €60. Online booking saves waiting time. Combination of cogwheel train up, cable car down recommended.

Partnachklamm in winter — the ice formations are spectacular, sturdy footwear and crampons are mandatory. Bring a flashlight for the tunnel sections.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen Guest Card — free bus and train travel in the region as well as discounted mountain railways. Available at your accommodation.

Eibsee circular trail — 7 km easy hike around the most beautiful mountain lake in Bavaria. Start early in the morning before day visitors arrive.

Experience the Four Hills Tournament — the New Year's ski jump on January 1 is a folk festival. Standing places are free, reserve seats in advance.

Food & drink in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

These specialties you must try!

Käsespätzle — handmade spätzle with mountain cheese and crispy fried onions: alpine soul food in every hut and inn.
Schweinshaxe — crispy roasted pork knuckle with dumplings and coleslaw: Bavarian classic, particularly good in Garmisch.
Kaiserschmarrn — fluffy, torn pancake with powdered sugar and plum compote: sweet alpine specialty after hiking.
Obatzder — spicy cheese cream made from ripe Camembert, butter, and paprika: beer garden classic with pretzels and radishes.
Brezn with Weißwurst — traditional breakfast before noon with sweet mustard: best enjoyed in Garmisch at a beer garden with mountain views.
Suitable for:ZugspitzeAlpsSkiHikingOlympicsGorgeBavaria

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