11 Best Things To Do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Travel Guide

Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany surprised us in the best way. What we loved most was how mountains surround the town in almost every direction. It honestly feels like you’re staying right in the middle of the Bavarian Alps.

It’s lively yet cozy at the same time, and the historic buildings with painted murals give it a character that’s hard to find elsewhere. The first time we wandered down Ludwigstraße, it genuinely felt like stepping into another era.

This is the kind of place where your days naturally revolve around being outdoors. There’s an incredible variety of activities nearby, from dramatic gorges, panoramic cable cars, scenic lakes, and trails for every level.

Below are the activities that stood out most from our visit — the ones we’d gladly do again and the ones that impressed us unexpectedly.

Best Things to do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

1. Explore the town’s center

The center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is honestly one of those places that keeps charming me no matter how many times I have been there.

The historic streets are lined with pastel houses decorated with traditional Lüftlmalerei frescoes, painted shutters, carved wooden balconies, and flower boxes that make the whole town feel almost storybook-like.

We especially loved that after long, beautiful hikes during the day, we could still spend our evening here strolling cobbled lanes.

The town actually formed when Garmisch and Partenkirchen merged in 1935 for the Winter Olympics, and you can still feel that blend of lively mountain town energy and old-world Bavarian charm as you wander around.

2. Stroll around Ludwigstrasse

Walking along Ludwigstrasse feels like stepping into a living postcard. This historic street in the Partenkirchen side is lined with beautifully preserved Bavarian houses covered in colorful fresco paintings. It’s perfect for travelers who appreciate architecture, culture, and atmosphere.

We genuinely think it’s worth visiting even if you’re short on time. You’ll find plenty of souvenir and handicrafts shops here as well as many cozy restaurants and cafes. 

We spent about 30–60 minutes here, though photographers or café lovers could easily stay longer. Based on our experience, early evening is the best time — softer light, fewer crowds, and a more local feel once day visitors leave.

3. Try local specialties

Bavarian cuisine is all about hearty, comforting dishes, rich sauces, regional meats, and recipes shaped by alpine farming traditions. You’ll find plenty of traditional restaurants serving seasonal specialties, which means menus often change depending on the time of year and what’s locally available.

We loved dining at Zum Wildschütz because of their Bavarian tapas concept, where you can order smaller portions of regional dishes and try several in one sitting.

Our personal favorites were the Zwiebelrostbraten (tender beef with onions and rich gravy) and Hirschgulasch, a slow-cooked venison stew that was incredibly flavorful.

And for dessert — you honestly shouldn’t skip Kaiserschmarrn, a fluffy shredded pancake caramelized in butter and sugar, usually served with powdered sugar and fruit compote.

Insider Tip: If you see seasonal game dishes on the menu, order them — they’re often specialties you won’t easily find elsewhere.

4. Visit the dramatic Partnachklamm

This gorge completely surprised us in the best way. Walking through Partnachklamm feels immersive from the first minute. We were stunned by the narrow tunnels carved into rock, towering cliff walls up to 80 m high, and icy-blue water rushing just beside the path.

It’s perfect for travelers who want something dramatic and adventurous without needing serious hiking skills. The trail is easy and manageable for most people (kids and dogs included, though strollers aren’t allowed).

We went right at opening time around 8 AM, and that honestly made the experience better and less crowded.

The gorge itself is about 700 m long and takes roughly 20–30 minutes one way, but we’d recommend allowing 1.5–2 hours total including the scenic walk from the parking area and the option to continue the loop trail above.

Insider Tip: It’s noticeably colder inside the gorge even on warm days, so bring a light jacket and shoes with good grip — the path can be wet and slippery.

Official Website: partnachklamm.de

5. See the Olympic Ski Jump

I’d wanted to see these ski jumps ever since watching Eddie the Eagle, which was filmed here. The jumps were built for the 1963 Olympic Games taking place in GaPa.

Standing below them really shows their scale — there are three jumps, and the largest tower rises to about 98 meters, which honestly looks even taller in real life.

It’s a great stop for sports fans, film lovers, or anyone curious about Olympic history. We think it’s worth it because you rarely get to stand right beneath structures like this and appreciate their size up close.

You don’t need much time. Around 20–40 minutes is enough to walk around, take photos, and soak in the atmosphere, though you could stay longer if you enjoy architecture or sports venues.

The area is free to visit, which makes it an easy add-on to your day, especially since it’s right near the path leading toward the gorge.

If you want deeper insight, there’s a guided tour every Saturday at 3 PM year-round, which lets you learn more about the events, athletes, and engineering behind the jumps.

Official Website: gapa-tourism.de

6. Stroll around Lake Eibsee

Lake Eibsee is one of those places that looks unreal in photos — and somehow even better in real life. I first visited before it became widely popular online, and it instantly became one of my favorite alpine spots.

What makes it special is the variety: crystal-clear turquoise water, tiny islands scattered across the lake, forest trails, and the dramatic backdrop of Zugspitze rising straight above.

It’s perfect for nature lovers, photographers, casual hikers, and honestly anyone who wants spectacular scenery without committing to a demanding hike.

The main highlight is the 7.2 km lakeside loop, which takes about 2–2.5 hours, though you don’t have to walk it all. We actually only did the northern shore and it turned out to be the most scenic stretch anyway — wide, mostly flat, and lined with viewpoints that make you want to stop every few minutes.

Summer feels lively and vibrant, autumn adds color and atmosphere, and colder months turn the lake into a quiet, fairytale-like landscape.

Insider Tip: If you don’t have time for the full loop, go straight to the north shore — that’s where the most iconic mountain views are.

7. Visit Zugspitze — Germany’s Highest Peak

Standing on top of Zugspitze feels surreal — at 2,962 meters, it’s the highest point in Germany, and the views stretch across four countries on a clear day.

This is perfect for travelers who want a high-alpine experience without a strenuous climb, since you can reach the summit by cable car or a combination of train and lift. We think it’s absolutely worth it because the panorama from the top is on a completely different scale than anything you see from the valleys below.

Plan 2–3 hours for the visit to enjoy the viewing platforms, glacier area, and cafés without rushing. Weather really matters here, so check forecasts before going. It’s great year-round — scenic viewpoints in summer and skiing in winter — but clear days are key for the full experience.

Insider Tip: Many visitors go up one way and down another (for example cable car up, train down) — it makes the trip feel more like an experience than just a ride.

Official Website: zugspitze.de

8. Hike through the Höllentalklamm Gorge

We hadn’t even heard of Höllentalklamm before planning our trip, so we arrived without expectations — and it ended up being one of the most memorable places we explored in the Bavarian Alps.

The hike takes you through a dramatic gorge with roaring waterfalls, dripping tunnels carved into rock, and narrow ledge paths clinging to cliffs. It’s ideal for nature lovers and hikers who want something adventurous but still manageable.

The classic route isn’t technically difficult even though it feels wild and immersive. We think it’s absolutely worth it since the scenery constantly changes and never feels repetitive.

The standard out-and-back hike from Hammersbach is about 5.2 km and takes roughly 3.5 hours, though the gorge section itself is only around 1.2 km.

We actually combined it with a longer alpine route starting from Kreuzeck, which made it even more spectacular. More on that below.

Based on our experience, it’s smart to avoid visiting after heavy rain because water levels can rise quickly.

Insider Tip: Bring a light rain jacket even on sunny days — water drips from above throughout the gorge, and you’ll almost certainly get wet.

Official Website: grainau.de

9. Take a cable car up to Kreuzeck (& hike)

Taking the cable car up to Kreuzeck is one of the easiest ways to access panoramic alpine terrain without a long uphill climb, and it’s perfect for hikers who want mountain scenery with flexible effort levels.

From the top station you’ll find multiple trail options, ranging from relaxed scenic walks to longer alpine routes, which is what makes this spot so worth it — you can tailor the day exactly to your energy and experience level.

We personally combined it with the Höllentalklamm adventure and followed the trail toward Hupfleitenjoch before descending along a narrow mountainside ledge path toward Höllentalangerhütte and continuing through the gorge.

That section was easily the most memorable part — dramatic views, occasional cables for support, and a real sense of exposure — not dangerous in dry conditions, but definitely best for hikers comfortable with heights.

Altogether our route took about 4.5 hours, though shorter routes from the summit can take just 1–2 hours.

Official Website: zugspitze.de

10. Enjoy sunset at Geroldsee

Geroldsee is honestly one of my favorite places in the Bavarian Alps, especially in the evening. It’s incredibly easy to access — you can park nearby and reach the viewpoints within minutes.

There are a few gentle paths around the area if you feel like wandering, but many of the best views are right near the roadside meadows.

What makes it truly special is the sunset. This spot is famous among photographers for a reason — on clear evenings, the mountain peaks behind the lake turn deep shades of red and orange as the last light hits them, and their reflections shimmer on the still water.

We think it’s absolutely worth timing your visit for golden hour because the atmosphere is so magical. Plan about 30–60 minutes here, longer if you’re into photography or just want to sit and watch the light change.

Insider Tip: Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset and stay after — the colors often become even more dramatic once the sun dips below the horizon.

11. Take a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle & Forggensee

This is one of the best day trips you can take from the area because it combines two completely different experiences in a single outing: one of Europe’s most iconic castles and a peaceful alpine lake just minutes away.

Seeing Neuschwanstein in person honestly impressed us more than expected — the white towers rising above the forest with the Alps behind really do look straight out of a fairytale.

Even if you’re not usually into castles, the setting alone makes it worth visiting. Inside, the rooms are colorful, ornate, and slightly eccentric, reflecting King Ludwig II’s artistic imagination.

We actually stopped at Forggensee first and were surprised by how much we liked it. The lake has a soft blue-green color that changes with the light, and despite being so close to major sights, it feels calm and uncrowded.

Plan half to a full day depending on how much you want to see. Morning is best for castle visits (fewer crowds), while late afternoon is perfect by the lake.

Insider Tip: Don’t skip Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) behind the castle — that’s where you get the classic postcard view.

Official Website: neuschwanstein.de

Where to eat

• Zum Wildschütz – We loved this spot for its Bavarian tapas concept — smaller, cheaper portions of local specialties so you can try several dishes in one meal. Everything we had was delicious, and the cozy atmosphere made it feel genuinely local.
• Bungalow 7 – A great choice after a day outdoors. Their burgers are seriously tasty, the spare ribs and Flammkuchen are top recommendations, and the refreshing drinks make it the perfect place to wind down in the evening.
• Gasthaus zur Schranne – Ideal if you want classic regional food in a traditional setting. The standout dish here is the Zwiebelrostbraten, and we’d definitely save space for the Kaiserschmarrn.

How to get around

Getting around Garmisch-Partenkirchen itself is easy. The town is very walkable, and much of the center is a pedestrian zone, which makes strolling between restaurants, shops, and sights really pleasant. 

Parking can be tricky on busy days, especially in peak season or weekends, so it’s worth arriving early if you’re driving.

For exploring the surrounding mountains, lakes, and trailheads, we had our own car and honestly found it the most efficient option. It gave us the freedom to reach less-accessible hikes, start early, and adjust plans depending on weather.

If you’re planning similar adventures, renting a car is worth considering, and we recommend checking options through DiscoverCars to compare prices and coverage easily.

Public transport is also a solid alternative. The region has reliable buses and trains that connect the main attractions and nearby towns, so you can explore without a car. It’s just not quite as flexible if you want to visit multiple spots in one day.

Quick Tips & Local Insights

• Garmisch-Partenkirchen is bigger than it looks — distances between attractions can be longer than expected, so plan your days geographically to avoid backtracking.
• Start hikes early if you want quieter trails and easier parking, especially in summer and on weekends.
• Weather changes fast in the mountains — always bring a light layer and check forecasts before heading up.
• Cable cars save time and energy if you want views without long climbs, but check operating hours since they can vary by season.
• Cash still helps in traditional restaurants and huts, even though many places accept cards.
• Book accommodation ahead in peak months — it’s a popular base for the Bavarian Alps and fills up faster than you’d expect.

Final Thoughts

Garmisch-Partenkirchen turned out to be one of those destinations that’s easy to like and even easier to recommend — a place where you get dramatic alpine scenery, outdoor adventures, and charming town atmosphere

What we appreciated most is how flexible it is: you can fill your days with hikes and viewpoints or keep things relaxed with lakes, scenic drives, and great food.

If you’re planning your trip and want to add more trails to your itinerary, our guide to the best hikes in the Bavarian Alps is a great next read to help you choose routes that are actually worth your time.