Garmisch-Partenkirchen Information

Apres-ski

A bustling resort, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers a large choice of more than 30 après-ski establishments, from sophisticated lounge bars to lively pubs.

Coming down from the slopes, the Lodge at Hausberg (www.lodge-gap.de) is the place to stop off for a big beer. It has free Wi-Fi too and starts to get busy from 1500.

In Garmisch centre the popular Peaches Cocktail Bar (tel: +49 882 118 727; www.peaches.de) has been a resort institution since 1975, and actually houses seven different bars within the one building.

Becks-Stadl (tel: +49 882 159 199) is another good choice, especially for sampling the famous local brews.

Later in the evening, most revellers head to one of three nightclubs that keep the music blasting until the early hours.

Eating out

Like its impressive après-ski facilities, Garmisch-Partenkirchen also provides a wide array of options for dining, with more than 120 cafes and restaurants to choose from.

For a taste of the full traditional Bavarian dining experience, the 16th-century Atlas Posthotel (tel: +49 88 217 090; www.atlas-posthotel.com) is among the very best, seating guests in the ornate Poststube, complete with horns hanging from the ceilings and local artworks adorning the walls.

Cuisines from around the world are also represented; including Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Mexican and Thai. For a particularly acquired taste, head to Koch’s (tel: +49 88 219 698 999; www.kochs-garmisch.de) to sample their much-loved signature dish - Octopus Carpaccio.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a year-round resort with plenty of activities to keep all ages entertained. It’s also one of the better options for groups of non-skiers. Guests receive a ‘Visitors’ Card’ which entitles them to complimentary use of the local buses and free or discounted entry to facilities, including the swimming pool and ice rink complexes.

The Alpspitz-Wellenbad centre houses a swimming pool with a wave machine, flume, spa facilities and family pools. The resort’s Ice Sports Centre contains five indoor and outdoor rinks, with the option of curling lessons, ice skating or ice hockey.

The town has a range of cinemas, theatres, concert halls, museums and other cultural activities; while tours to nearby attractions, such as the ‘fairy tale’ castles of Linderhof and Neuschwanstein, are also available.

Visitors can also choose from numerous outdoor activities, including toboggan runs and paragliding; while 100km (62 miles) of hiking paths are open for public use.

Family fun

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a prime example of a modern, purpose-built resort with plenty of family fun both on and off the slopes, including the likes of tobogganing, ice skating and a rope course.

The town is quite large and the ski areas are rather fragmented, so it’s likely there will be a fair amount of time spent walking, on buses or on funicular railways. If that’s likely to be an issue, check the accommodation’s location and accessibility before booking.

On the slopes, children aged four and over can join a ski school, where classes and tuition are available in English.

Retail therapy

Garmisch has a large and eclectic range of retail options with some 450 stores for shoppers to choose from. The main shopping areas are concentrated in the pedestrian zone around Michael-Ende-Kurpark, where there’s a mix of traditional shops and well-known chains.

For smaller, quirkier options, try historic Ludwigstrasse in Partenkirchen, the former market street that is now home to jewellers, potters, a chocolatier and a weekly market.

Splashing out

One of the activities that first attracted people to the early winter sports resorts of the late-nineteenth century was the simple sport of tobogganing. Garmisch, with its 1.6km-long (1 mile) trail from St Martins Hütte at Mount Grasberg is a perfect place to enjoy this activity.

Hotels

Garmisch-Partenkirchen has a wide variety of accommodation types, but the predominant option is the traditional hotel, where the choice ranges from the basic to 5-star luxury.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap