In the very south of Germany, not far from Austria, lies the typical Bavarian town of Mittenwald, famous not only for its picturesque landscapes, but also for its musical traditions. Skiers and snowboarders come here to have a leisurely ride, have a nice rest in the company of friends or family, and also enjoy the local beauties of nature. The pride of the resort is the second longest track in Germany, stretching for seven kilometers.

Mittenwald is not only a ski resort, but also a very interesting place, which has been known as the “city of Venetian fairs” since 1447. Later it became famous as the “string city”, because there are many music shops and schools here, the most famous of which is the workshop of Matthias Klotz, where string instruments are made. Also, almost all year round in the vicinity of the city you can hear the sounds of violins, cellos and other musical instruments. The resort is also famous for its houses, the facades of which the locals have turned into art canvases, creating a kind of street art gallery.

Here you can ski on numerous slopes, walk through the picturesque surroundings, and also get acquainted with the culture of the city. The resort is suitable for both experienced skiers and snowboarders, as well as beginners.

History of the city

Mittenwald is located on the site of an old Roman trade route over the Brenner and was first mentioned in the “Media Silvia” in 1080. The place was from 1294 in the county of Werdenfels in the diocese of Freising and lies in the border forest of the two dioceses of Freising and Brixen.

The annual rainfall is 1,437 mm, which is in the upper third of the values recorded by the measuring stations of the German Meteorological Service. The driest month is February. The rain is heaviest in July. The wettest month has about 2.9 times more rain than the driest month.

Mittenwald’s economic heyday was in 1487-1679. During the disputes between the Venetian merchants and the markets of Bolzano Bozener, the entire trade in goods between Germany and Italy moved to Mittenwald.

The town is located south of the fork in the road towards Garmisch or above the Kesselberg. The great heyday of Mittenwald ended when the markets were returned to Bolzano in 1679.

King Maximilian II founded the Mittenwald Violin School in 1858. Every year, masters of violin making are trained here. The tradition of violin making has been preserved in Mittenwald even today with about ten local violin makers, the price of a first-class violin easily reaching the five-figure euro zone.

The beginning of modern tourism in Mittenwald is 1912, it is directly related to the opening of the station on the Mittenwaldbahn, i.e. the railway line from Munich via Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Innsbruck.

According to statistics, today Mittenwald offers about 600 accommodation units, a total of 5,400 places for 282,000 overnight stays and about 70 catering establishments, which makes tourism the main industry in Mittenwald.

How to get there

The nearest airports are in Innsbruck, Munich and Salzburg. You can get to Mittenwald by train:

From Garmisch-Partenkirchen

From Munich

From Innsbruck

Trains run almost every day, so there should be no problems with the road.

Resort characteristics

Skiing season – December-March

Total length of slopes – 28 km

Number of slopes – 57

Difficulty of slopes – blue – 6, red – 7, black – 2

Elevation difference – 437 m

Longest slope – 7 km

Number of lifts – 10

Cost for one day of skiing adult / child – 26.5 / 19.5 €

Rental – yes

Ski school – yes

Kindergarten – yes

Ski slopes and lifts

Mittenwald is a small paradise for snowboarders and skiers of all levels. There are many slopes here, from the simplest, which can be ridden by a beginner or child, to the most difficult, which only professionals will be able to do. The resort is mainly chosen not by thrill seekers, but by those who just want to ride calmly, relax and have a nice rest in the company of friends and family.

The total length of the slopes is 28 kilometers, of which 5 are blue, 17 are red, and 6 are black. Another advantage of the resort is the fact that all slopes are equipped with modern artificial snowmaking systems and night lighting.

The easiest slopes are at the bottom, and to ride the more difficult ones you will need to climb to the top. The chairlift takes you to the Hoher Kranzberg mountain, 1,391 meters high. You can also take the cable car to another mountain, the Westliche Karwendel Spitze. The station is located at an altitude of 2,244 meters, from where the most difficult and steep descents take place.

Slope Map

Ski Schools and Equipment Rental

The resort has four large ski schools, whose instructors will teach everyone to ski, regardless of skill level and age.

There are also several sports shops at the service of vacationers, where you can rent all the necessary equipment. True experts in ski and snowboard equipment rental will help you choose the right equipment at all rental points.

Hotels and cottages

In Mittenwald there are many hotels and cottages for every taste and budget. Vacationers can stay both in the city center and in close proximity to the slopes. One of the best accommodation options here is the Ferienhaus Antonia, located in the heart of the city. All rooms are decorated in Alpine style and feature satellite TV and a DVD player, a living area and a fully equipped kitchen.

Another popular place is the Almroeserl guest house, located opposite the hiking and cycling trails along the Isar River.

These Alpine-style apartments are just a 5-minute walk from the historic center of Mittenwald. The rooms offer a balcony or terrace with stunning views of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains.

Landhaus Albrecht 4 star hotel

Landhaus Albrecht is a self-catering accommodation located in Mittenwald. Free WiFi access is available. The apartment is 200 metres from the Kranzbergbahn Cable Car and 1.1 km from the Karwendelbahn Cable Car.

The apartments feature a living area and a TV with DVD player. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave. The private bathroom comes with a bath or shower and a hairdryer. You can enjoy mountain views from the apartment.

Hotel-Garni Drachenburg 3 star hotel

This family-run hotel is located in the scenic Bavarian Alps, just 1 km from Mittenwald town centre. It offers free WiFi and a free sauna, as well as rental bicycles and ski storage.

The bright, non-smoking rooms at Hotel-Garni Drachenburg are decorated in neutral colours, and some have a terrace or balcony. All rooms feature a seating area with a TV and a private bathroom.

A breakfast buffet is available in the morning. Local restaurants and bars can be found within 1 km of the hotel.

The Hotel-Garni Drachenburg offers sledge rentals and several cross-country ski runs and hiking trails nearby.

A great leisure option is the 90-minute walk or bike ride to Ellmau Castle, with a visit to the Lauter and Ferch lakes along the way.

Gästehaus Sophia

Guesthouse Sophia is located in Mittenwald, 1.2 km from Kranzberg Ski Lift. Free WiFi access is available and free private parking is available. The guest house is 2.3 km from Sonnenhahnlift, 2.3 km from Karwendelbahn and 2.3 km from Kranzberg-Gipfelbahn. All rooms have a balcony with mountain views.

At the guest house, each room is fitted with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All rooms at Guesthouse Sophia are fitted with a seating area.

A continental breakfast is available every morning at the guest house.

Luttenseeft Ski Lift and Ubungslift-Kranzberg Ski Lift are 2.4 km from Sophia Guest House.

Gästehaus Sonnenheim 3 star hotel

The 3-star Sonnenheim guest house is located in a quiet area in the heart of Mittenwald, just 400 metres from Mittenwald Train Station. It offers rooms with beautiful mountain views and free WiFi.

The rooms have a comfortable seating area and a flat-screen TV. Each room is decorated in a traditional Bavarian style, with wooden panels and carpeted floors. Some rooms also have a balcony.

A buffet breakfast is served in the charming breakfast room, where afternoon coffee is also served. On sunny days, guests can relax on the terrace with its scenic views of the Karwendel mountain range.

Skiing is possible in the surrounding mountains, and a ski school is just 300 metres from the guest house. Bicycles can also be rented at the guest house. After a long and eventful day, guests can relax in the library.

Guests can take day trips to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (16 km) or cross the Austrian border to Innsbruck (35 km). Free private parking is available on site.

Restaurants and cafes

Mittenwald is not the most party place, but there are around 30 local restaurants and bars where you can enjoy delicious food and the famous Bavarian beer. The most popular establishment in the resort is the Gaststatte Restaurant – Romerschanz, where a cozy and homely atmosphere reigns. The best German dishes are prepared here, the portions of which will pleasantly surprise visitors. All the waiters in the restaurant speak English fluently, so there should be no problems with understanding.

Another place worthy of attention is the small establishment Cafe Haller, where on the spacious terrace you can enjoy the unsurpassed quality of dishes, as well as a magnificent view of the mountains. The cafe is especially proud of its dessert menu, where visitors will have plenty to choose from.

Sights and entertainment

Mittenwald is one of the most charming cities in Europe: lakes, clean air, mountains, sights – all this makes it the pearl of Germany. Here you can walk along one of the picturesque routes, enjoying the mountain air and the night view of the mountains, visit the Mittenwald waterfall.

You can also walk through the city center, where violin workshops are at every step, because it is not for nothing that Mittenwald is called the “string city”. There is also a museum of local lore and musical instruments, where you can learn and see how musical instruments are made. Another landmark of the city is the facade, or “air”, painting, which has turned ordinary streets into bright paintings. You can walk around and look at the numerous buildings for hours, because Goethe himself called the city “a picture book that has come to life.”