In the Bavarian Alps, at the foot of the Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen lies between high mountain peaks and lush meadows. The mighty mountain ranges around Garmisch-Partenkirchen can be explored on more than 300 kilometres of hiking trails. The surrounding mountain peaks always seem to spur residents and guests on to something new. Once created from the two municipalities of Garmisch and Partenkirchen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is today original and rustic, but also original and unparalleled. Ideas for new restaurants, innovative products sprout in the village like the herbs on the alpine meadows.
Every alley, every nook and cranny tells its own story. Old customs and new favourite places. Traditional Lüftl painting and village character meet stylish design hotels, hip cafés and individual shops. In the small town, top Olympic performances can be combined well with deceleration and health. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a place of contrasting contrasts.
RIESSERSEE INSTEAD OF EIBSEE
One of the most visited lakes in the region around Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the Eibsee. The almost magical alpine lake is located at the foot of the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. Many tourists combine the two attractions, so the Eibsee and Zugspitze are often overcrowded. Less well-known but at least as beautiful is the Riessersee. The lake is located at an altitude of 785 meters in the Wetterstein Mountains and is easy to reach from the city. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a great panorama: the Waxenstein and the Kramer rise above the water, and on a clear day even the Zugspitze massif is reflected on the water surface.
MOST BEAUTIFUL STREET IN GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHE
The most beautiful but unfortunately also the most crowded street in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is clearly the Ludwigstraße in the district of Partenkirchen. Here, colourful houses are lined up with paintings, bay windows, cantilevers and stucco. Above all, the famous Lüfel painting is clearly visible here. The well-known façade painting in southern Germany is typical of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Incidentally, the term Lüfelmalerei came about because the façade artist Franz Seraph Zwinck usually worked at lofty heights.
A good 2,000 years ago, the Roman trade route Via Raetia, which ran between Augsburg and Venice, ran through Ludwigstraße. A tip in Ludwigstraße is the “Chocolaterie Amelie” (Ludwigstraße 37). Master chocolatier Linus Kässer uses only the best raw materials and processes them by hand into delicious chocolate creations. In total, there are around 55 different types of broken chocolate and over 60 types of pralines.
CLASSIC CAR TOUR INSTEAD OF CITY TOUR
The classic way to get to know a city is a city tour, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen there is a cooler solution: Two young creatives have come up with something very special here: “Centro” owner Flo Nagel and event veteran Marco Wanke, both of whom have a great soft spot for classic cars, offer a tour through the region in their vehicles. In lovingly restored vintage cars, you will travel through the city to visit those places that are away from the tourist crowds.
FEEL THE ELEMENTAL POWER OF THE ELEMENTS
The Partnach Gorge is one of those magical places in the Zugspitz region where the unbridled power of the elements can be felt. In addition to the water, it is the air that is special in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. In the climatic health resort, you can really breathe deeply – the mountain air is fresher and purer than elsewhere. Perfect adventure holidays and a lot of fun are wildly romantic hikes.
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN AT A GLANCE
- Climatic health resort with the best air
- Cafés, restaurants and shops to stroll and linger
- Well-filled calendar of events with many highlights
- Museum Werdenfels and Museum Aschenbrenner
- Mountain railways-, Alpspitz and Kreuzeckbahn
- Hiking and biking trails
- Ski area right on your doorstep
- Cross-country ski trails just a stone’s throw away
- Ski jump
- The Partnach Gorge
Editor’s Pick:
Explore Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze region in comfort with a rental car from Sixt.
