Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, popular for both winter and summer sports, offers numerous possibilities throughout the year. In winter the extensive network of ski slopes, ice sports, cross-country skiing and sledding beckon. Summer draws hikers, mountaineers, cyclists, golfers and water sport enthusiasts. In addition to sport, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers many other activities.

It is not by chance that Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a premium-class health resort. Numerous hiking trails invite the visitor to explore the flora and fauna of the German Alps and   marvel at the  incomparable Alpine panorama which has inspired artists such as Kandinsky.

World-class ski events and the famous New Year’s ski-jump competition, as well as the numerous concerts given by jazz greats at Schloss Elmau, or the top-notch cabaret, theatre and classical concerts such as the Richard Strauss Festival held at the Congress Centre, are only some examples of the many sporting and cultural events which give expression to the cultural diversity of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Framed by Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, the town centre combines the charm of Bavarian gemütlichkeit with modern shops. For shoppers, the numerous cafés are an ideal spot to take a break, or they may wish to relax in the centrally located spa gardens and listen to a concert.

The charm and potential of the region have drawn many famous personalities and are the reason why numerous events are held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Garmisch-Partenkirchen was the venue for the IVth Winter Olympics in 1936. In 1978 the Alpine World Ski Championships were held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the first time.

In 2011 the  Alpine World Ski Championships will return to the region. The region is also bidding for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Come to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and see for yourself!

Garmisch-Partenkirchen has many tourist attractions

  • The beautiful Alpine panorama, with the Zugspitze and the Alpspitze
  • The Partnachklamm gorge throughout the year
  • The Werdenfels castle ruins
  • King Ludwig II’s hunting lodge at Schachen
  • Historical Ludwigstrasse
  • The Olympic Ski Stadium with its new jump
  • Garmisch-Partenkirchen casino
  • Church of St. Martin
  • Pilgrimage church "Wallfahrtskirche St. Anton" (Partenkirchen)
  • Sebastianskirche

Regular highlights

  • New Year´s Day Ski-Jumping Competition as part of the Vierschanzen-Tournee
  • Bavarian Horn Sled Championships
  • January/February - FIS Alpine Ski World Cup
  • GAPliveNIGHT
  • Richard-Strauss-Festival
  • First weekend:  BMW Motorcycle Days
  • Festival Weeks in Garmisch und Partenkirchen
  • KULTurSOMMER (summer cultural festival)

Other places of interest which can be reached from Garmisch-Partenkirchen

  • The royal castles: Linderhof or Neuschwanstein
  • Glentleiten open-air museum
  • Kloster Ettal
  • Mittenwald, the region where violins are built
  • Wieskirche
  • Munich
  • Innsbruck

Partner cities

  • Chamonix, Frankreich
  • Lahti, Finnland
  • Aspen, USA