8 BUCKET LIST PLACES IN BAVARIA

I had the pleasure of venturing to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a beautiful town in Bavaria, Germany. I met a couple of photographers online who shared the same passion for travel and photography; some with more or less interested in other areas as well, such as nature, and lifestyle, and an irresistible urge to connect to different people all over the world. What started as an idea to meet up, escalated into real-life planning.

Knowing absolutely nothing about this region, I was blown away by the natural beauty and fresh air. From different lakes to mountains, there were so many mesmerizing views that truly captivated my eyes. I’ve compiled 8 must-visit spots along with a customized Google Map for the exact locations of all the mentioned photos below. It is definitely worth experiencing yourself and also getting some amazing Instagrammable shots as I did.

We wanted to visit Eibsee as our first sunrise spot to shoot in Garmisch, but unfortunately, we were greeted with layers of fog along the lake. By the time we got to our spot, the sun had risen a little over the fog and gave sharp lighting with quite a bit of shadow. We ended up visiting Eibsee again the following day for sunset and it made such a difference! The views were not obstructed and the colors were amazing! However, it got extremely dark quickly so we had to quickly make our way out of the trail back to the parking lot. Depending on where you want to admire Eibsee, it could be anywhere from a 20-40 minute moderate walk. Wear comfortable shoes! N.B. The top picture was also taken at Eibsee.

This has to be one of my favorite places during this weekend’s trip! This place has such a serene vibe and scenic view that any shots taken here are naturally picturesque. There is a small parking lot outside of the lake, where you can park and follow the straight path, and by choice, walk up the hills until you find a view worth eyeing. We visited this place around 10 in the morning; there was still a dense amount of fog, so the mountains were not fully visible in my shots.

This was one of the smaller lakes we visited, and extremely easy to get to. Parking was a few meters from the lake itself where there was a restaurant with patio seating. However, I was standing on one of the wooden floats adjacent to the restaurant. I didn’t even bother to walk around the lake like everyone else did and that was okay for me. These picture is justifications that where I was, was simply enough to take in the view and have some great shots of my friend Tina @postcardsfrom.tina.

Award winning photo taken by Marcel @marsography

The tallest mountain in Germany, approximately 2,962 meters above sea level, is located next to Eibsee. With an entrance fee of 58 Euros, two cable cars allow you to stop at different areas of Zugspitze. Taking the first cable will take you to the first stop, which isn’t the very top, but still pretty high up. There’s a small walkway section as a viewpoint and a little church. Taking the second cable car from that first stop’s location will take you to the top of the mountain. Here, you will be stunned by the everlasting mountain peak views. But beware, it can be extremely cold and windy from the high altitude. There are several activities to do once you’re up here which include walking across the bridge to Austria, a small exhibit you can check out, food, souvenir shops, and a section that allows you to climb to the remainder of the peak to be at the very top. I climbed this with proper shoes, the area is very steep and slippery with little room for mistakes. Climb at your own risk with proper mountaineering gear!

This was one of the locations that I didn’t get a chance to visit but would highly recommend adding to your list if you’re already here! There’s a small church at the top of the trail named St. Anna which you should stop by as well if given the time. One of the lovely people I met over the weekend, Viktoriya (@viktoria_08_08) had a chance to get a shot of herself from her boyfriend (@felixmelchner) in the picture below.

This wasn’t located within Garmisch but was still close by, making it worth a stop for either leaving or coming from Garmisch. It is one of the iconic castles in Germany that is seen all over Instagram from different perspectives. The walk up to the castle is a moderate incline that would be comfortable in shoes. I got there about 2 hours before sunset and stayed until the very last light with unexpectedly amazing shots! To get to the viewpoints below in my picture(s) requires a bit of “off-roading” that includes climbing over (or in between) a wooden fence, and making your way through the trees a few meters from there. Make sure to check out my Google Map below for detailed information on how to get to these locations for your awesome photos.

This is the perfect stop if you’re heading to Neuschwanstein Castle since Highline 179 is only 20 minutes away from it. It is 114 meters in altitude above the Ehrenberg Castle. I didn’t get to visit this location on this trip due to a restricted time, but I would recommend visiting here for some nice suspension bridge shots, and the experience of course. Instagram blogger @katie.one got an amazing shot here during the winter season, while another blogger @carokarmann shot hers in the autumn season, both pictured below.

Check below for the customized Google Map I created that you can add to your Google Map. I’ve pinpointed exactly the locations where all the pictures above were taken, so you wouldn’t have to spend your time wasting away and enjoy your adventures!

I highly recommend visiting this underrated region when planning a trip to Germany. I had not only amazing shots here but everlasting memories with strangers that I bonded with and became friends with to this day.