11days in garmisch-partenkirchen in summer

I would have the same concern about staying that long in any one spot (other than Paris or London). Will you have a rental car for the freedom to poke around different small towns in that region each day? Are you hikers who like to conquer every mountain? To get an idea of travel times to bigger cities, trains to Munich take 1.5 hours, which works as a daytrip, but Salzburg take 3.5 hours each way.

Yes, we do have a car. There may be a couple of hikers among us too. Since we already got our plane tickets in and out of Munich, would you have a suggestion if I were able to change the apartment dates? Thanks!

If you're into outdoor activities, there's several weeks worth of good hiking, horseback riding and biking trails in the area. I believe GaP or one of the surrounding towns also has a golf course. And if you have a car, you can take easy daytrips to the famous castles, Innsbruck, Mittenwald, Oberammergau, Lindau and the Bodensee, Chiemsee, Munich, Landshut, Berchtesgaden, Kufstein, and perhaps even Salzburg (PS, it takes far less than 3.5 hours to drive, although it's not a short drive either).

I love Garmisch, but it's primary purpose is an attractive base for outdoor sporting activities. It's not like, say, London or Paris where you go to explore the town itself.

I think most of us would agree that you may get bored with GAP if spending 11 days there. I would recommend you break it up into 4-5 days in GAP, 2-3 days in Salzburg and area around there, and the rest of the time in Munich (turn in the car early). I noticed that Tom didn't mention the Zugspitz as a place to visit near GAP...

"I noticed that Tom didn't mention the Zugspitz as a place to visit near GAP.."

I assumed that they're already aware of it, and the implication that it affords a tremendous day-hiking opportunity, seeing that some members of her group are self-described hikers. That's kind of like recommending Mt. Everest to a group of mountain climbers headed to Nepal.

Very helpful! Thank you for the comments. My husband would like to stay in on place, so looks like day trips are the answer. If there are any restaurants, etc that are not to miss in town, please advise. We will have three young adults along who may enjoy a lively bar/ music scene. Our accommodations are located on the pedestrian zone so hopefully they can walk to some places. Any input is appreciated...

Hi,

Even northern Italy is a doable day trip from Garmisch. The old towns of Brixen/Bressanone and Sterzing/Vipiteno are less than an hour from Innsbruck. Just outside of Sterzing is Reifenstein Castle/Castel Tasso, which I believe Rick Steves still calls the best medieval castle experience.

With an early start and a clear day, the Italian Dolomites are also doable, meaning the Val Gardena.

Paul

Our accommodations are located on the pedestrian zone so hopefully they can walk to some places.`

Where exactly? There's a pedestrian zone in the Garmisch section of town, and a sort-of-pedestrian zone over on the Partenkirchen side.

A very popular restaurant/hotel is the Fraundorfer, over on Ludwigstrasse in the Partenkirchen section. They have live music almost nightly (a guy playing an accordian, mostly), and some boys perform a short little slap dance two or three times a night. The food used to be nothing special, but it's improved considerably since my first visit. The potato soups is amazing.

For night-life... winter is a better time of year for this, but some people I know enjoyed some place called "Peaches". I'm not sure exactly where it is. I enjoyed an evening at some place that after consulting Google maps, I think was called Antonello's Pizzabar. Also live music here, but more of the Schlager variety than Bavarian Volksmusik. Or, just make friends with someone at your table at the Fraundorfer. After they stop serving food in the evening, it basically turns into a beerhall.

We are staying Am Kurpark. Thank you!