Best “Off the Beaten Path” Things to See in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
As someone who lived in the city for a few years, I was able to dive more in-depth here than my hometown in America. As a result, I experienced a side that was unseen by tourists and preserved the beautiful Bavarian spirit.
While most people typically try to get through Garmisch in a day or weekend, there is so much more to see for anyone who has the desire. This guide is for those who want to see more of the undiscovered side of GaPa or for locals who might have a desire to branch out beyond and experience something new.
I am assuming that if you are reading this, you have probably already booked a tour in the Partnach gorge, taken the Zugspitzebahn up to the summit, made it to Lake Eibsee for the most stunning views of the Zugspitze or walked by the old Olympic stadium.
If you are looking for the “must-see” things to do in GaPa, click here!
However, for those looking for unique recommendations that have a bit more time on their hands, here are 12 things to do to become more immersed in local German culture.
1. Riessersee
This is often the forgotten lake in Garmisch and, as a result, was never exceptionally crowded— even during the height of summertime.
Only a quick hike from the Hammersbach trails south of the city, this little slice of heaven is idyllic and incredibly peaceful— a pristine, blue lake sitting halfway atop the Kreuzeck mountain, boxed in by green, lush oak trees and staring directly up at the Alpspitze which can be seen reflecting off the water.
If you get hungry or thirsty, stop by the Seehaus restaurant on the Western edge of the lake and grab a cold beer. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 12-5pm and 6pm to 8:45pm for dinner service, you can enjoy regional delicacies and sweet treats in a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the lake and mountains. It is a quaint, protected hideaway and deserves to be enjoyed.
2. Grainau
Maybe it seems a bit silly to include going to another town as a recommendation for Garmisch. But I can promise you won’t be disappointed. While I recommend taking the walk from the Hammersbach trails, you can also take the bus line to Eibsee right through Grainau as it will typically stop there on its way.
Once there, it will feel as though you stepped out from a time machine.
The ancient, untouched Bavarian architecture is adorned with colorful, hand-painted murals of religious and regional motifs. The small town is incredibly quiet as tourists rarely frequent the area and a large, steepled church looks out upon the quiet Marienplatz.
A few cafes and restaurants populate the street for anyone who walks up an appetite, however, no shopping is found here. Big chains or small businesses alike are excluded from the city limits; only vending machines filled with cheese and meat seem to fill the void of commercialism.
This silent, antiquated city is an outstanding way to see the real German culture and experience a pastoral way of life that is likely very foreign to most tourists and makes it a must-see.
Chip’s rec: A bit above Grainau sits the Panorama Trail Mountain View: hike this if you get an opportunity.
3. Werdenfels Ruins
Up 200 feet in the Loisach Valley between Garmisch and Farchant sits the ruins of an ancient castle, silently watching the plains below. This is the Werdenfels Castle, a crumbling heap of limestone which once served as the administrative center of the County of Werdenfels.
It is free to visit and requires only a short, 20-minute hike uphill before reaching the lookout point. Around the castle sit plaques written in German and English, describing the history of the monument and its fall into disrepair. From the castle turrets, you can witness the entire Wetterstein mountain range, Garmisch, Farchant and even the Eastern tip of Grainau.
From the castle, you can either continue to hike up through the valley to the outrageously beautiful lake Pflegersee, or return back down and grab a snack and drink from Brauhaus Garmisch.
4. Pub33
For those who don’t know my love for Pub33, be sure to click here to read my reviews on the best bars in Garmisch.
Pub33 is the ultimate way to have a friendly pint with the locals. Nestled away a few blocks from the Marienplatz sits an unassuming building, furnished with stained glass windows and a small bike rack outside the large, wooden door. Inside lies a safe haven with dark, mahogany bar countertops, comfy, nestled booths and genial bartenders.
The beer selection is outstanding, yet, the food is actually the unlikely hero of this bar. From sizzling Flammenkuchen to steamy Schnitzel Baguette, this was often my first choice for a late-nite dinner and rivals any traditional restaurant in the city.
The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed; locals come in after a hard day’s work and sit talking at the bar or shooting darts right nearby. All nationalities may be found at this bar, calmly sipping their drinks and playing card or dice games to pass the time. Laughter and friendship floods the atmosphere, cutting through the Taylor Swift that occasionally plays through the jukebox. This is my favorite bar in the world.
Chip’s recommendation: order milk shots for the table and tip well. The bartenders will look after you, often bringing free digestifs like Rumpleminze or Limoncello if they like you.
Bring cash–they don’t accept credit or debit.
5. Mukkefuck
If you are looking for traditional Bavarian cuisine served in an upscale, classy atmosphere, look no further than Mukkefuck. While my friends and I would laugh at the funny name whenever we passed by, the way they treat the quality of their food is no laughing matter.
Open 11-9 for brunch, lunch and dinner, this is genuinely the most exclusive restaurant in the entire city. Even on Wednesday nights, we would find the line wrapped around the building and many Germans sitting in the small garden nearby, just praying a table would open before the kitchen closes.
Mukkefuck was once a small, residential house that was retrofitted to become a quaint, intimate traditional restaurant. As a result, the dining space is only two small rooms and, on summer nights, the back patio– a hidden gem known only to the locals.
Click here to get a reservation!
6. Picnic in the Michael-Ende Kurpark
On the Eastern side of the city sits an idyllic oasis of peace and relaxation in the midst of the breathtaking Bavarian Alps.
Complete with herb gardens, GaPa swing, insect hotels, herb snails and frequent outdoor concerts, this park is an incredible experience for the entire family and boasts a lush variety of plants and a picturesque pond.
Known as the “green heart of Garmisch”, this is the ultimate place to have a picnic or sit under the stars to watch traditional, Bavarian entertainers play the accordion and dance in Lederhosen on stage. There are few better ways to spend a summer night than out on the field in Michael-Ende Kurpark.
7. Climb the Kramerspitze
Admittedly, this is a tough one for most people and so is a bit more niche and harder to follow.
If someone comes to hike in Garmisch, they will typically be on the Wank or Zugspitze. The Wank is easy and offers breathtaking, panoramic views as a reward and the Zugspitze is the tallest mountain in Germany and, therefore, sits on the bucket list of most true adventurers.
Sitting parallel to the Zugspitze on the opposite side of GaPa stands the Kramer, the most desolate and untouched mountain in the region.
While still a moderate climb, it is much tougher than the Wank or Kreuzeck and, toughest of all, there is no Bahn to the top. This means that unlike other mountains in the area, you descend by the same method as you ascended; there is no cheating and riding the cable car back down.
Scrambling is required in a few areas and makes the route much trickier.
For those looking to try something truly off the beaten path, I recommend trying this route. It is a bit easier and less intensive.
8. Garmisch Boulderhalle
One last adventurous option if you want to do something active but don’t want to hop on an entire mountain.
I found a true home in the Garmisch Boulderhalle, especially the older building that functioned more as a bar than a climbing gym. Since it has been renovated it has flourished more than ever and now attracts both climbers and enthusiasts of all ages.
This gym includes bouldering, lead climbing and a children’s area. It is still quite cheap compared to most climbing gyms with a price tag of only 14£. There are also discounts for families, making this a very affordable option to get your blood pumping in one of the healthiest cities in the world.
Just a quick walk down the street will lead you to the Alpspitz-Wellenbad, an indoor waterpark complete with wave pools, water slides and hot tubs to help you unwind and wash the climbing chalk off.
9. Bowling at Zugspitzebowling
Funnily enough, Garmisch has an excellent bowling alley.
Every day from 4pm to 11pm, this small, underground establishment opens its doors to the public. While it has less than 10 lanes, it is still a great winter activity to beat the frigid air and work on your strike game a few nights a week.
After 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, Zugspitzebowling becomes a true party atmosphere and evolves into disco bowling. The lights are dimmed, neon black lights are activated and green strobe lights flicker across the lanes.
This place comes equipped with a full bar and restaurant, keeping you fed and tipsy while you focus on getting your next strike!
It’s open 4-1am on weekends and 4-10 on weekdays. Closed on Wednesday. However, the hours always seemed to vary according to whether they felt like actually opening. Check or call before walking all the way there.
10. Exploring Partenkirchen
While you are probably already going to do this, a walk through Partenkirchen still deserves a spot as “must-see”. This quick strip, modeled after traditional Bavarian architecture, contains shops, restaurants and cafes.
A large church steeple dominates the town and the entire area feels very historic due to the lüftlmalerei (murals depicting different stories) coloring the walls of each building.
I play guitar so I would often frequent Musik Productiv for any musical items I needed.
Chip’s recommendation: Drei Mohren is my personal favorite restaurant in Partenkirchen and serves some the best schnitzel I ever tried in Germany; it is high on my list of recommendations.
11: Jesus Rock
At the base of the trailhead for the Kramerspitze sits “Herrgottschrofen” or, as it is known to Americans: Jesus Rock.
During the summertime, one will typically find local climbers honing their skills on the limestone wall near which a hole was carved 15 feet up and a life-sized figurine of Jesus sits within– hidden behind a steel fence.
The hole is very concealed and imperceptible behind the trees until you literally stumble right on it. The entire area is a unique, protected religious site where pilgrims and climbers will appeal to God and draw strength from his likeness before their ascent of the Kramerplateauweg.
A bench sits nearby where climbers or religious zealots may rest while viewing the strange and magical feature of the wall.
Few tourists ever are privileged enough to see this protected area and, as a result, it is mostly natives who frequent this area. You are sure to be struck with wonder and amazement staring up at the strange scene in the rock.
12. Kainzenbad
If you have the pleasure of visiting Garmisch in summer, Kainzenbad is both a must-see and off-the-beaten path destination. On the far Northeastern side of Partenkirchen sits a large, outdoor naturally-occurring pool which has been transformed into a Bavarian summer paradise.
There are restaurants, diving boards, beach volleyball courts, a children’s area and an abundance of space to roll out the towels and catch some sun. From here, one can dreamily stare up at the ski-jump directly next door and the Zugspitze far in the distance.
The grass is green, the water is cool and the sun is hot during summers at Kainzenbad, a perfect mixture to keep everyone happy and tan.