Garmisch–Partenkirchen sits beneath the shadow of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak. This Bavarian ski town—which is technically two towns married into one—has a lot to offer travelers and not just those who pound the powder. With a historic town center, oodles of Bavarian fare to taste and enjoy, and scenic surroundings in spades, there are plenty of things to do in Garmisch–Partenkirchen.
When to visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen depends on one thing: Are you here for skiing? If so, you’ll want to visit November–March, when the slopes are sparkling with powder. If not, June–September offer reliably warm weather, the hiking trails will be beautiful and clear of snow, and the days are long enough to enjoy lengthy nights clinking beers on the patio.
Like in many cute German towns, you’ll want to do at least some of your traveling on foot, traversing Partenkirchen’s historic Ludwigstrasse and stopping by the shops and restaurants. The area has a solid bus network, which can take you to the base of the Zugspitze, and bicycles, rideshares, and taxis are options, too. In other words: You don’t necessarily need a rental car.
While nearly everyone will make the trip up (or down) the Zugspitze’s cable car, fewer people bother to venture to nearby Partnach Gorge. It takes about 90 minutes for most visitors to complete the out-and-back trail to see the split in the rock that's 2,303 feet (702 meters) long and 260 feet (80 meters) deep. Avid hikers can turn it into a 7.5-mile (12-kilometer) loop that typically takes about four hours.
