What to Do in Garmisch- Partenkirchen
Trip Overview
Terrain: Mountains
Company: My husband and our dog
Goal: To find dog-friendly options as we explore mountain towns and hike to outdoor water attractions such as waterfalls and lakes.
Know before you go: kid-friendly - yes | wheelchair accessible - no | pet-friendly - yes |
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is an outdoor lover's dream vacation. There are a myriad of hikes to choose between in this area of Bavaria, even our hotel was geared toward outdoorsy adventures. The mountainous city also offers activities like paragliding, mountain climbing, mountaineering, cycling, alpine skiing, and trail running.
For us, this trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen also included exploring parts of the neighboring towns Farchant and Grainau. All the towns are close together and well-connected by public transportation. The buses and train came in handy when we wanted to hike around busy spots with tough parking situations like Lake Eibsee and the Partnach Gorge.
We decided to bring our dog, May, along for this trip, so all the options you see in this article from the restaurants to the excursions are dog-friendly. Even our hotel staff was excited to meet her. She got an incredibly warm welcome with many treats. Needless to say, she had a great time in Garmisch.
Alright, with those foundations in mind, let’s dive into what you can eat, do, and see in these adventure filled mountain towns in Bavaria!
Eat
Sportgaststätte Föhrenheide
Frickenstraße 33, 82490 Farchant
This family-owned German eatery was our favorite restaurant during our entire stay in Farchant and Garmisch. Sportgaststätte translates to sports restaurant, and this fun restaurant is surrounded by fields and courts for various types of sports. We loved watching the locals play games from our favorite table on the uncovered patio. During our two visits to the restaurant, we had impeccable service each time. I would recommend ordering the steak with pepper sauce. We also enjoyed the spinach dumplings, which come with a wonderful and sizable side salad, as an appetizer.
Special dietary accommodations: vegetarian-friendly
Eiscafe Vittoria
Ludwigstraße 83, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
This cute little shop is located in the Hotel Maier Garni. We were able to keep an eye out for our bus at the bus stop across the street as we ordered at the walk-up window. Their menu offers everything from pasta to coffee and gelato. I went for the cold, sweet treat options. When it comes to gelato, I am a pistachio lover through and through. After a long afternoon of hiking in the mountains, a pit stop at Eiscafe Vittoria was the best choice.
Special dietary accommodations: vegetarian-friendly
Chapeau Claque
Waxensteinstraße 1, 82491 Grainau
Chapeau Claque is a great spot for lunch or dinner in Grainau. This restaurant serves primarily German and Central European cuisine. The patio is breezy and shaded, which is just what we needed after a toasty afternoon in the sunshine. I will advise you to find the silverware in the box that slides open on the edge of your table before you ask your waitress for flatware like I did! I took a chance and ordered weißwurst for the first time here, and I was pleasantly surprised. If you’re feeling adventurous, give it a try, and don’t forget to peel the protective layer off the weißwurst before eating it. Another notable dish here was their spätzle; it was some of the best we’ve had here in Germany.
Special dietary accommodations: vegetarian-friendly
Pizzeria Vesuvio
Mühldörflstraße 12
This little gem is located in front of the Loisach bridge in Farchant is a local favorite. We were seated quickly without a reservation. We loved listening to the babble of the river out on the patio as we ate. The tomato soup was excellent and the pasta was tasty. The staff didn’t speak much English, but were willing to work with us because their English knowledge trumped our German and Italian knowledge. Our server even doted on our dog, bringing her not one but several treats.
Special dietary accommodations: vegetarian-friendly
Do
Lake Eibsee
This gorgeous lake is located at the base of Germany’s highest mountain called the Zugspitze. Since this is such a popular attraction, we decided to take the Zugspitze cable car from Grainau to the lake so we didn’t have to deal with attempting to find a parking spot near the lake. Once you arrive at the lake, you can grab a drink at the biergarten before exploring the trail loop. The trail around the lake is approximately 4.66 miles in length. Plan on walking for about two hours if you would like to walk the entire loop. It is a hike suitable for beginners and small children. There are many spots to stop off near the water, so dip your toes in the lake and watch the paddle boaters float by in the crystal clear water.
If you do choose to ride the Zugspitze cable car, I advise you to check the schedule before you go. The final train of the day headed back to Grainau was packed to the point that we almost didn’t fit. If possible, hop on the train before that one if you are there near the end of the day!
Kuhflucht Nature and Recreation Park
We found this hike purely by chance. The Kuhflucht Waterfall hike is located in the forest area behind the Explorer Hotel Garmisch location where we stayed. This hike was the least crowded out of all the hikes from this trip. The journey takes roughly 45 minutes with three waterfalls along the way as you head to the overlook area at the apex of this quick in-and-out hike. Check out the several overlook areas, relaxation stops, and educational plaques interspersed throughout the hike. You will also meet the village mascot, a nature loving pine tree called FarchAnderl who is responsible for teaching children how to behave in nature.
Hiking the Gorge was a failed excursion for us. We bought tickets after the hour-long wait in the first line (buy tickets online if you can!) and got into the line to wait to enter the gates of the hike. It was then we realized we had to turn back. The wait would have exceeded three hours. We decided to save this excursion for the next time we visit Garmisch when we are better prepared to wait, and next time, we will plan our visit on a weekend which doesn’t coincide with a busy German holiday. I opted to include this in the article anyway because the photos of this hike look incredible and I can’t wait to do it sometime soon. I will update this piece with my experience once I’ve finally conquered the insane lines to get to this hike.
Stay
The Explorer Hotels philosophy is founded on sustainability for the adventurous traveler. They remain true to their brand from the design of 100% passive house construction to the Explorer Camps and sports accommodations areas. Luckily for us, the Explorer hotels are also pet friendly. As a quick disclaimer to my overall trip notes above, I will say that the Explorer Hotel was the one part about this trip that is wheelchair accessible.
Below, I’ve listed the amenities offered at each of their ten – soon to be eleven – locations. You can book a stay in Germany (Neuschwanstein, Oberstdor, Garmisch, Berchtesgaden) or Austria (Kitzbeuhel, Zillertal, Hinterstoder, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Montafon, Ötztal, and starting December of 2024, Stubaital).
Rooms with Modern Design
With storage and user-experience at the forefront of its organization, the design was PERFECT. There was a spot for everything and most of the storage spots, even the nightstands, were hung on the wall to save space. For a small room, it felt well-equipped for our stay. I enjoyed using the compact window seat table area as a breakfast nook.
Sports Spa
Finnish sauna, steam bath, infrared sauna, relaxation room, and a fitness area with strength and cardio equipment.
E-charging Stations Available to Rent
There are four public charging stations in the underground car park. The underground parking space costs €8.80 ($9.56).
Breakfast Buffet
To drink, the buffet offers a fabulous selection of coffee, tea, and juices. The food selection was ample, boasting a vast array of fresh bread, muesli, jams, cheeses, meats, and a DIY egg-frying station.
Bike and Ski Area
Lockable sports lockers, workbench, bike washing area, tour suggestions, as well as tips for ski courses, guided tours, rental bikes, and rental skis.
Free Wifi
Whether you decide to explore the great outdoors or have a leisurely time near a body of water, I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip to Garmisch!
Stay tuned for the upcoming France and Italy content. You can catch sneak peeks of these trips on my Instagram @ajamoonwrites.
Until next time,
Aja
