5 Best Sights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, The Bavarian Alps

Soaring to 9,718 feet, this is Germany's highest mountain and the number-one attraction in the area. Hard to see from Garmisch-Partenkirchen—and often mistaken for the nearby Alpsspitze—it's worth going up to see the view, and the best way to do that is with a "Zugspitze Round Trip" ticket. From Garmisch you'll take the historic Bayerische Zugspitzbahn cog railway, which trundles all the way up to Zugspitzplatt, about 8,530 feet above sea level. From here, the Gletscherbahn cable car whisks you right to the summit. Once you've taken in the scenic views (on a clear day you can see four countries), you'll descend on the record-breaking Zugspitze cable car—dropping 2 km (1¼ miles) in just 10 minutes—to catch the cog railway back into town.

Perched on a hill overlooking Partenkirchen, this charming old pilgrimage church turned war memorial site is worth the walk (15 minutes up from Ludwigstrasse; 10 minutes back down) for its beautiful 18th-century frescoes by the renowned painter Johann Evangelist Holzer. The numerous memorial plaques combined with the peaceful mountainside location makes this a contemplative stop.

The original foundation for this church was laid all the way back in the 9th century, though the current building dates to 1280. It showcases Gothic wall paintings from throughout the centuries, including a 7-meter-high (21-foot-high), larger-than-life figure of St. Christopher from 1330 and a Passion of the Christ fresco dating to the 1400s. Starting at this old church, walk 10 minutes along pretty Frühlingstrasse and across Schneggensteg bridge to find the "new" 18th-century Parish Church of St. Martin ( Marienpl. 6); its spectacular interior is adorned with vibrant stuccowork by Joseph Schmutzer and rococo work by Matthäus Günther.

On the eastern edge of Garmisch, en route to Partenkirchen, stands the home of composer Richard Strauss, the town's most famous son. Although born in Munich, he settled in Garmisch in 1908 and lived in this house until his death in 1949. The property itself, which is still owned by the composer's family, is not open to visitors, but the attached institute and research center offers a popular exhibition dedicated to Strauss's life. Regularly symphony and chamber concerts are held here, and it becomes the center of activity during the Richard Strauss Tage, an annual music festival held in mid-June.

The region's culture and history are intriguingly presented in this Partenkirchen museum, mostly set inside a beautiful 17th-century merchant's house (but with parts of the exhibition space dating back to the 1200s, and others to 2018). Spread over 19 rooms and five floors, the exhibits explore traditional aspects of life in the Werdenfelser region (an independent state for more than 700 years, until 1802), from traditional folk costumes, jewelry, arts, and crafts to recreations of rural and bourgeois bedrooms. There are regularly-rotating temporary exhibitions showcasing modern local paintings and sculptures. The museum is located on Partenkirchen's historic Ludwigstrasse, home to dozens of colorful, ornate building facades, so continue exploring local history and culture with a leisurely stroll along the street.