Veröffentlicht von Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the most important and best known tourist resort in the German Alps. Strangely enough, with just under 30,000 inhabitants, the community is not a town, but merely a market. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen everything revolves around tourism – especially winter sports. The Winter Olympics were held here in 1836 and the Ski World Championship in 1978. If Munich had been awarded the contract for the next Winter Olympics, the ski races would have been held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The ski jump is also well known, where the New Year’s ski jumping takes place every year as part of the 4-Hills Tournament.
The division into Garmisch and Partenkirchen is still very important for the locals. Garmisch is roughly the part west of the station, Partenkirchen the part east of the station. Most sports facilities are located in Partenkirchen. Both parts have their own center. Actually the community is a double city. In Garmisch there are the larger pedestrian zone and shops as well as the famous casino.
Garmisch
In the wide pedestrian zone you can feel the wealth of Garmisch. Many noble shops and the casino characterize the street. Behind the pedestrian zone, when you come from the train station, there is the beautiful Kurpark and the central church Sankt Martin. Around the church, especially in Sonnenstraße, the old Garmisch is still clearly visible – worth seeing houses with Lüftlmalerei etc. – great sights.
The casino is located in the middle of the pedestrian zone at Michael-Ende-Platz. The author of the „Unendliche Geschichte – Infinite Story“ is the most famous man from Garmisch. In the casino (opening hours daily starting from 15 o’clock) still prevails a strict dress code in contrast to many other casinos in Germany. Men need a shirt and a jacket (which however can be borrowed). On 4500 square meters there are both roulette and slot machine games. There are direct buses from Munich to the casino.
Video: Sights Garmisch Partenkirchen (from YouTube)
Partenkirchen
Ludwigstraße is the central street in Partenkirchen. Several interesting churches are located in Partenkirchen, such as the great Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
The most famous shop in Partenkirchen is probably the shoemaker Berhard Berwein. It is a well-known shoe shop for custom-made shoes for celebrities and rich people. However, individually cobbled shoes are considerably cheaper here than in comparable shops in Munich or other large cities.
The Olympic Stadium is located in the south of Partenkirchen about 3 km from the centre. The sports facilities for winter sports are probably the biggest sights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is very impressive to see once the big ski jump, where the New Year’s ski jumping takes place every year as part of the 4-jump tour. The stadium is usually open and there is no entrance fee. You can also just walk up the steep jump a bit. Tickets for the competition on January 1st are quickly sold out and very expensive on the black market. Behind the Olympic facilities there is the Partnachklamm, an impressive gorge with high walls. The hike is not very difficult and is also possible in winter when the weather is favourable.
Journey to Garmisch-Partenkirchen: From Munich there is a local train every hour, in between there are also some faster trains per day. The Bayern-Ticket and the weekend ticket are valid on the local trains. Other train routes go from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Mittenwald and Innsbruck (Austria), and to Füssen via Reute in Austria. However, despite the crossing of Austria, all German tickets are valid. The route via Mittenwald to Innsbruck is one of the most beautiful train routes in the Alps. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen there are several bus lines connecting Garmisch, Partenkirchen and the Olympic Stadium. The Bayernticket is also valid here. Very cheap to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and back you can get from Munich with the Spielbankbus. But then you are only in Garmisch in the evening. The single trip costs 7,50€ in 2017.
An incomparable experience is the trip with the rack railway to the Zugspitze (see picture above), the highest mountain in Germany. However, it is not quite cheap: The trip costs 59.50 euros there and back (in 2020). You can also choose to take the cable car. It is recommended to go up by train and possibly down by cable car.
Good bus tour from Munich to Zugspitze
A great tour by bus from Munich and by cable car or cog railway to Germany’s highest mountain Zugspitze near Garmisch-Partenkirchen: More information and booking
Garmisch-Partenkirchen top 10 sights
Zugspitze: Germany’s highest peak with breathtaking views of the surrounding Alps.
Partnachklamm: A breathtaking valley with hiking trails, waterfalls and impressive rock formations.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ski Area: Known for its excellent skiing and snowboarding in the winter.
Eibsee: A beautiful lake with crystal clear water near the Zugspitze. Perfect for a relaxing day.
Linderhof Castle: One of King Ludwig II’s fairytale castles, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Old Town: Explore charming streets, visit local shops and enjoy traditional Bavarian architecture.
Wank Berg: A popular hiking spot with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Werdenfels Museum: Learn more about the history and culture of the region through a variety of exhibitions.
Olympic Ski Stadium: Site of the 1936 Winter Olympics, with tours and a museum.
Richard Strauss Institute: A museum dedicated to the famous composer Richard Strauss in his former residence.
Obrammergau near Garmisch-Partenkirchen is also a place with many sights: Click here