Where to Stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: 11 Best Hotels for All Budgets
Our personal recommendations for the best areas and places to stay | Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here. |
Germany’s mountain home
If you like mountains and outdoor adventures, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is simply the best place in Germany.
Located right by the Bavarian Alps (including Zugspitze – Germany’s highest mountain!), there’s no shortage of peaks to scale or admire from afar.
In summer, GaPa is a hiker’s paradise. And in winter, the steep slopes make for some of the country’s best skiing.
No matter when you visit, the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen itself is an inviting place full of life and culture.
We have now been here 3 times and absolutely love it!
Read on for which areas to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and our personal recommendations for the best hotels in all price ranges (from high-end spa hotels to more budget-friendly options).
Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
- Budget: Hotel Atlas Sport – Great value ensuite double rooms with free wifi and parking.
- Value for money: Biohotel Garmischer Hof – Amazing views, organic food and a spa and wellness centre. Our favourite hotel in GaPa.
- Luxury: Bader Suites – Luxurious, spacious apartments with everything you need.
Search for the best hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen here.
Table of contents
Map: Where is Garmisch-Partenkirchen located?
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located in Bavaria about 700 metres above sea level in the very south of Germany ~90 kilometres southwest of Munich (the state capital and most populous city).
The best areas to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Although GaPa is a relatively small town (~27,500 residents), it’s still big enough that it makes sense to carefully consider where you’re going to base yourself.
Garmisch vs Partenkirchen
The town is basically split in two: Garmisch to the west and Partenkirchen to the east.
There’s about 2 kilometres (less than 30 minutes of walking) between the centres of the two.
Garmisch vs Partenkirchen
- Staying in Garmisch (west): A more modern feel, more accommodation options, more restaurants and cafés. Garmisch is simply bigger.
- Staying in Partenkirchen (east): A more historic feel with quicker access to mellow forest hikes.
Car or not?
Will you be driving to GaPa? If so, you’ll be very mobile and able to see all of the wonderful sights in the region.
Staying in the city centre of Garmisch-Partenkirchen with a car, it’s a good idea to pick a hotel that offers parking. Most hotels do.
Staying within walking distance to restaurants
Unless you’re booking accommodation with a kitchen, it’s a good idea to think about where you wish to eat during your stay.
Staying in the city centre of GaPa, you can easily walk around to the many cafés and restaurants.
Outside of the city centre, there are generally fewer places to eat. Which means you might want to drive into town for at least some of your meals.
That means finding a parking spot.
Outside of the high season, this is often not a problem. But if you’re travelling during a popular holiday, parking spaces can be limited – especially during the weekend.
Staying in a town near GaPa
You don’t need to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to access the beautiful nature the region has to offer.
Instead, consider staying in the nearby towns of Grainau, Farchant, Oberau, Krün or Mittenwald.
For one, there are some cheaper hotels located here. And although GaPa is far from busy, these smaller towns are certainly even less busy so you can fully enjoy the total mountain bliss.
The best towns to stay near GaPa:
- Grainau: Home of the famous church and right next to Eibsee and Zugspitze.
- Farchant or Oberau: Small towns just north of GaPa with railway stations for easy transport.
- Krün or Wallgau: Genuine villages perfect for a relaxing holiday.
- Mittenwald: A true beauty of a town worthy of independent exploration close to the Austrian border.
The best hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
With a mix of the famous Bavarian hospitality and high German quality, the accommodation options in Garmisch-Partenkirchen are all excellent.
First, we’ll give you an overview of our personally recommended hotels, and then we’ll dive deeper into each category.
Top choices: Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Budget: Hotel Atlas Sport – Great value ensuite double rooms with free wifi and parking.
- Value for money: Biohotel Garmischer Hof – Amazing views, organic food and a spa and wellness centre. Our favourite hotel in GaPa.
- Luxury: Bader Suites – Luxurious, spacious apartments with everything you need.
Search for the best value accommodation in Garmisch-Partenkirchen here (adlink) or scroll down for specific recommendations for the best hotels and places to stay.
Luxury hotels in GaPa
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is known as a wealthy German resort town, which is also reflected in the hotel options.
Luxury here is not cheap. But you won’t find more comfortable places to stay so near the Bavarian Alps.
The best luxury hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
- Bader Suites – Luxurious, spacious apartments with everything you need.
- Hyperion Hotel – 5-star hotel with a heated indoor pool and spa facilities.
- Schloss Elmau – Luxury spa retreat & cultural hideaway in a huge castle.
- Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein – View towards Zugspitze in Grainau.
Bader Suites – luxurious apartments
Bader Suites’ apartments have everything you need to have a perfect time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Cooking here is a breeze with a super well-stocked kitchen, the sofas are lovely for hanging out after long days in nature (perhaps watching Netflix on the smart tv) and you’ll have plenty of room both inside and outside to enjoy the tranquillity of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The wifi here is very fast for getting important work done, there’s a desk and the windows are pretty much sound-proof, making it easy to hop on video calls without disturbances.
Parking in the underground garage is free, but whether you take the car or not, everything is close by Bader Suites; the town to the north and the mountains all around you.
We really loved staying here for more than a week, and we think you might, too!
P.S. You’re allowed to bring your dog to Bader Suites for a small extra fee. So cute.
Check prices and availability at Bader Suites (adlink).
Hyperion Hotel (H+ Hotel Alpina)
Being the only true 5-star hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Hyperion Hotel is where you’ll want to stay for luxury in town. The rooms at Hyperion Hotel are modern and bright.
There’s a heated indoor pool and spa facilities such as a Finnish sauna and a Roman steam room to heat up after cold days.
The Kaminzimmer Restaurant offers typically Bavarian cuisine. In winter the fireplace is blazing and in summer it’s possible to enjoy the sun outside on the terrace.
Check prices and availability at Hyperion Hotel (adlink).
Schloss Elmau – Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway
As the site of the G7 summit in both 2015 and 2022, the home of displaced concentration camp survivors after WWII and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Schloss Elmau is not your everyday 5-star luxury hotel.
Located between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald in a beautiful valley, you probably won’t need to leave. Apart from having the mountains right at your doorstep, there’s a huge spa with an infinity rooftop pool, a well-equipped gym, yoga facilities, a big library and 7 restaurants (including Luce d’Oro with two Michelin Stars).
Check prices and availability at Schloss Elmau (adlink).
Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein – View towards Zugspitze
With incredible views towards nearby Zugspitze, Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein is the best place to stay in Grainau.
Here you’re also close to stunning Lake Eibsee and the hotel itself looks very comfortable (including a nice spa area).
Check prices and availability at Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein (adlink).
Value for money hotels in GaPa
In this category of hotels, you won’t find the same kind of opulence as at the luxury hotels and apartments. – which, arguably, most people don’t need.
At these hotels, you’ll still have all the facilities and amenities you need for a relaxing stay without (totally) breaking the bank.
The best value for money hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
- Biohotel Garmischer Hof – Amazing views, organic food and a spa and wellness centre. Our favourite hotel in GaPa.
- Hotel Zugspitze – Big rooms with a great location.
- Quartier Lodges – Super modern and stylish stay.
Biohotel Garmischer Hof
We really loved our stay at Biohotel Garmischer Hof the second time we visited Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The restaurant is one of the best options for fine vegan and vegetarian dining in town, and the organic breakfast buffet is full of delicious, healthy options.
There’s a spa and wellness centre offering plenty of options for relaxation after long days of exploring the surrounding area. Also, the location in the heart of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is just great.
Check prices and availability at Biohotel Garmischer Hof (adlink).
Hotel Zugspitze
We stayed at Hotel Zugspitze for some of the time we were in Garmisch-Partenkirchen the first time around and really enjoyed our spacious room, the spa, the fitness room and the perfect location.
Parking is free on the street just opposite the hotel and there’s also a big (paid) garage so you’ll always be able to park your car close by.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Zugspitze (adlink).
Quartier Lodges – Super modern stay
Located within walking distance to the city centre of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Quartier Lodges is surely one of the most modern and stylish accommodation options in the area.
Tip: There’s free street parking right by the hotel.
Check prices and availability at Quartier Lodges (adlink).
Budget places to stay in GaPa
To be frank, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is simply not a budget destination.
Staying here is generally expensive. Even the cheapest options aren’t that cheap.
On the other side, these budget options are still really nice places to stay. And if you travel outside of the high season, you might be able to score a good deal.
The best budget hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
- Hotel Atlas Sport – Great value ensuite double rooms with free wifi and parking.
- Bavaria Biohotel – Eco-hotel in the city centre.
- Alpvital – Apartment with your own kitchen in Klais.
- Hotel Schatten – Traditional stay in Partenkirchen.
Hotel Atlas Sport – Cheap double rooms
Hotel Atlas Sport is one of the cheapest options for double rooms in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
It’s located in the eastern part of town just 10 minutes of walking from the Olympic Ski Jump.
The rooms come with ensuite bathrooms, free wifi and free parking.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Atlas Sport (adlink).
Bavaria Biohotel – Eco-hotel in the city centre
Right in the middle of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, near both the train station and the Kurpark, you’ll find the budget-friendly Bavaria Biohotel – an eco-hotel in a cute, traditional building with a modern interior.
Bavaria Biohotel belongs to the family that owns Biohotel Garmischer Hof (adlink – our favourite hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen), so we have no doubt that it’s a quality stay.
Check prices and availability at Bavaria Biohotel (adlink).
Alpvital – Apartment with your own kitchen in Klais
With options for rooms with and without small kitchens, staying at Alpvital in Klais (about 15 minutes of driving from GaPa) is a good way to save money on the otherwise pretty expensive accommodation in the region.
Having a car here is nice, but the hotel is actually located right by a lot of lovely nature (including the famous Geroldsee and Barmsee lakes).
Check prices and availability at Alpvital (adlink).
Hotel Schatten – Traditional stay in Partenkirchen
With a light, wooden design, Hotel Schatten is a great place to stay in the Partenkirchen part of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Schatten (adlink).
How long should you stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
How long to stay in Gapa is not an easy question to answer. There are so many things to do that you could probably stay here for months or years without having done all of the lovely hikes and seen all of the stunning lakes.
(Luckily, we have done our best to highlight the very best activities and sights to see in our complete travel guide to Garmisch-Partenkirchen!)
How long to stay:
- One night: If all you wish to do is to see the famous Eibsee and/or Zugspitze, one night is enough.
- Two nights/a weekend: A popular option for Germans. Not really enough time to see all of the highlights in our opinion, but better than nothing!
- 3-4 nights: Now we’re starting to get there. With a small handful of days in GaPa you’ll be able to experience some of the top sights leisurely.
- 1 week: Perfect. While you could of course stay longer, 1 week is likely enough to do and see the very best of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
How to get around Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Walking around Garmisch-Partenkirchen is easy.
The city centre (Am Kurpark) is totally car-free, and the rest of the streets have sidewalks.
Parking in the very centre isn’t all that easy which is why we generally recommend staying within walking distance of the cafés and restaurants.
Public transport is simple to use in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
How to get to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
From inside Germany
The A95 autobahn directly connects Munich with Garmisch-Partenkirchen making the drive quick and effortless.
- Driving yourself should take about 1 hour.
- Taking the bus takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- It’s also possible to take the train directly from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen with the ride taking about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
From outside Germany
The main international hubs and airports close to Garmisch-Partenkirchen are Munich, Innsbruck (closest), Salzburg and Zürich.
When to visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen
What’s the best time of the year to visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
There’s no bad time to visit GaPa, but as with most other popular destinations, avoiding the main holiday seasons makes sense if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy cheaper accommodation.
Spring
Spring is a beautiful time to visit with warming weather, rushing water and blooming flowers.
March, April and May are some of the best months of the year for off-season travel to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Tourism is at a low, so you’ll find cheaper prices on accommodation and almost no crowds.
If you visit early enough, you might still be able to go cross-country skiing. And the downhill runs on Zugspitze are probably open.
Summer
Summer is naturally the warmest season.
The summer holidays in Germany are spread out between the middle of June and the middle of September
Booking your hotel or guesthouse in advance is a good idea if you plan to travel to GaPa in June, July, August or September.
Autumn
Autumn is a wonderful time to visit.
We have visited Garmisch-Partenkirchen in October and loved seeing the changing colours of the leaves.
The weather wasn’t particularly warm (it was downright freezing at Zugspitze) but the colours and lack of tourists more than made up for it.
Winter
Winter is a popular time to visit GaPa for winter sports.
The snow season generally runs from the start of December to the end of April/beginning of May.
Needless to say, it’s a good idea to pack warm clothes for a winter trip in Europe.
But don’t be surprised if you also get some sunny days down in the valley making for some perfect low-altitude-hiking weather.
The 25 best things to do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
There is an incredible amount of interesting activities and beautiful sights in GaPa.
Slow forest walks, strenuous mountain hikes, alpine lakes, castles, cable cars, gorges, murals, cosy streets, churches… The hardest thing is actually choosing!
For all of the best things to do, check out our huge article dedicated to the subject: A Complete Travel Guide to Garmisch-Partenkirchen: 25 Best Things To Do & See – Everything you need to know including itinerary inspiration, the best experiences and where to eat.
Here are the 25 best things to do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
- Visit Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain
- Walk around Lake Eibsee and take in the magical views
- Get a new perspective from the top of Alpspitze
- Hike the stunning Partnach Gorge
- See the Olympic Ski Jump
- Check out the amazing alpine views at Geroldsee and Barmsee
- Visit Grainau and the beautiful church
- Stroll around Lake Riesersee
- Visit the old town of Mittenwald
- Experience the epic Höllentalklamm Gorge
- Go on a canyoning tour
- Take a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
- Iconic meadow views at Hammersbacher Fußweg
- Ski down the slopes of Zugspitze
- Go cross-country skiing
- Chill out at the Kurpark
- Spot all the murals (Lüftlmalerei) in town
- Walk down Ludwigstraße in Partenkirchen
- Visit the charming Wamberg church village
- Discover the Werdenfels Castle ruins
- GaPa views from Kriegergedächtniskapelle
- Check out the royal views from Königstand above town
- Enjoy the lake views at Pflegersee
- Hiking Wank Mountain
- Go on a day trip to Munich
What to bring to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Sunscreen (adlink). The sun can be strong even in winter.
- Hiking shoes.
- Swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim in the lakes or at one of the hotels with a spa area.
- Water and snacks.
Minimise your impact
To minimise your impact during your visit, follow these guidelines:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid single-use plastics, including straws.
- Dispose of waste properly. While putting your trash in a nearby trashcan is convenient, wrappers and other small items are prone to get taken by the wind and end up in the lake.
- Check your sunscreen if you intend to swim. Many brands contain oxybenzone and other chemicals that are harmful.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Let everything stay in its natural place. No stone-throwing.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
- Respect wildlife.
Thanks for reading
We hope this travel guide to where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been helpful.
Which hotel did you stay at when visiting? If you’ve been to GaPa, it would be awesome to hear your accommodation tips.
If not, please don’t hesitate to ask away in the comments.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for cheap hotels.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like World Nomads and True Traveller. All three compared here.
Our camera gear:
- Panasonic GH5. Used for all of our photos and videos.
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Best drone out there!
- Sirui Tripod. Lightweight and strong.
- See all of our camera gear here.
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