Hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Gateway to the Zugspitze

Garmisch-Partenkirchen sits 708 m above sea level in the Werdenfelser Land, 90 km south of Munich at the foot of the Zugspitze — Germany's highest peak at 2,962 m. The twin towns merged in 1935, just in time to host the Winter Olympics the following year. That Olympic heritage still shapes the place: the Olympia Ski Stadium hosts World Cup slalom races each January, and the Große Olympiaschanze ski jump rises visibly above the rooflines of the old Partenkirchen quarter.

Where to Stay

Hotels cluster along Bahnhofstraße and around Marienplatz in Garmisch, within walking distance of the cog-railway terminal for the Zugspitze. The Partenkirchen side retains frescoed Lüftlmalerei façades and quieter guesthouses along Ludwigstraße. Skiers favour properties close to the Hausberg gondola; hikers in summer prefer the eastern edge of town near the trailhead for the Partnachklamm gorge, a 700 m limestone canyon cut by the Partnach river.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Direct trains from Munich Hauptbahnhof take 1 hr 22 min on the Bayerische Oberlandbahn.
• Ski passes: The Zugspitze Arena pass covers 40 km of pistes; book online to avoid morning queues at the valley station.
• Seasons: July and August draw hikers; January through March fills hotels for ski season — book at least 8 weeks ahead for weekend stays.
• Currency: Euro (€); most mountain huts accept cash only.