Winter trips to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Let's start off with some interesting facts about this town in Germany:
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a Bavarian city that leaves travelers speechless with its incredible beauty.
- Garmisch (in the west) and Partenkirchen (in the east) were separate towns for many centuries.
- It is a ski town in Bavaria, Germany, and borders Austria.
- Home to Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze, at 2,962 m or 9,718 ft.
- It was the site of the 1936 Winter Olympic Games.
Transportation
I have been to Garmisch-Partenkirchen twice, both times in winter, and would love to go again in a different season. It's a stunning city and has unique viewings, sports, and attractions all year long.
It's 4 hours and 30 minutes drive without traffic...it took us almost 6 hours to get there on a Saturday. I can't complain, the views on your way there make your trip very pleasant.
Lodging
The first time we stayed at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. Note: this is an exclusive hotel for U.S. Armed Forces, their families, and other authorized users. View from the hotel room:
Nevertheless, if you aren't eligible to stay there, there are many beautiful B&B hotels nearby.
The second time we stayed in an Airbnb in Innsbruck, Austria. We just spent the first day in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the rest of our trip in Innsbruck as it's only 1 hour away from there. We'll talk about Innsbruck in a different blog.
Food
We had breakfast included in the hotel and on the second occasion, we bought some food from the grocery store to eat at the Airbnb.
We ate in Shaka Burgerhouse both times we visited Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It's a delicious, relatively cheap, and cool industrial and rustic-style restaurant.
Tourist attractions
- Partnach Gorge - where the Partnach river surges spectacularly through a narrow, 2 km or 1 mi gap between high limestone cliffs. Adults pay 6 euros and kids from 6-17 years old pay 3 euros. Note: we went in winter but it's also amazing to see it in different seasons.
- Zugspitze - We took a huge cable car to the highest mountain in Germany and it cost 48 euros roundtrip per person. It's expensive but it's worth the view and you can also ski on the other side of the mountain once you get to the top. Of course, you would have to rent the equipment or bring it if you have it already.
- Hausberg Night Family Sledding - This was an activity booked through the hotel. Just $10 per person for sled rental and transportation.
- 1-day ski lesson - This was an activity booked through the hotel. This is a beginner program with a certified instructor. It includes the clothing and equipment for 4 hours. It was an incredible experience, though, we were exhausted. The equipment is heavy and not so easy to get used to it.
- Linderhof Palace - It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
- Eibsee - Gorgeous mountain lake at the base of the Zugspitze. It was frozen and we were able to stand and walk on top of it. I was terrified but I did it. People boat and hike around it in the summer.
- Neuschwanstein Castle - Known as the Cinderella castle.
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