We just booked Rick’s Alpine My Way tour which starts in Salzburg and we want to add a bucket-list item on to the beginning of our tour.
I’ve got sentimental reasons for choosing Garmisch but can’t find a lot of information about it from Rick’s sources. He really likes Rothenburg and that info is easy to find. I’m looking for opinions based on your experience comparing Garmisch and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We’ll probably be flying into Munich and will be taking trains to one of these towns and then a train from that town to Salzburg. Would welcome any advice or recommendations. Thank you.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9320 posts
I can only really comment on Garmisch, since I haven't been to Rothenburg. I've been to Garmisch twice and would cheerfully go back another time. I find that there are so many things to do in the area. We traveled by train from Munich and it was quite easy. We had a D-ticket which was the same price at that time as the train ticket but gave us unlimited use of public transport in both Munich and Garmisch. It would also get you to Salzburg.
Garmisch has a variety of lodging and restaurants plus an interesting pedestrian area. Nearby are Partnach Gorge, The Zugspitze, The Eibsee, and multiple bike paths, walking paths. The views are breathtaking.
I've spent a total of 10 days there so far and still have barely scratched the surface of what is available to do.
Posted by
Canada
27 posts
Hello,
My family ended up going to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Rothenburg last year and loved both. For some context, we were three nights in Rothenburg, and happened to be there during their summer wine festival, which added to the ambience and enjoyment. For Garmisch, it was just a daytrip from Munich, via car.
If you're already spending time in the Alps with your tour, I'd probably recommend Rothenburg, especially if you do not have a car. I know a lot of people see everything in Rothenburg as a day trip, but we parked our car for three days and had a great time without getting bored (hiked to Toppler castle, Crime and Punishment Museum, perimeter wall walk, Night Watchman tour, waay too much time in the Christmas stores, patio drinks).
Garmisch-Partenkirchen was beautiful and we had a great evening hiding from a rain storm in a fantastic pub off the main streets, but I'm not sure how accessible the sites would be without a car.
Ultimately, I don't think you can go wrong though.
Cheers,
Posted by
Canada
27 posts
If the poster above had no trouble with transportation and seeing Partnach gorge, take some of my opinion with a grain of salt. The gorge was honestly one of our highlights, and we wanted to spend more time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen after our day trip. I'd go with whichever sounds better, and can heartily recommend both.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1968 posts
It really depends on what you want to get out of your visit. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is charming, pretty, and touristy. You can easily walk the old part of town, inside the walls, in a day. Seeing everything will take longer, and if you want to see the surrounding area there's a fair bit to see. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a ski town at the foot of the German Alps. It also does a fair bit hosting tourists in the other seasons due to it's proximity to Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau, Ettal, and other sites. If you want to see midevil towns, smaller castles, and middle Bavaria, the RodT is the place. If you want mountains, bigger castles, and an Alpine adventure G-P is a very good base. I'm partial to both.