Mittenwald is one of the prettiest villages in the Bavarian Alps. Painted houses line the main street, a baroque church dominates the square, and the jagged Karwendel range rises right behind the rooftops. The town is famous for violin making, a craft brought here in the seventeenth century and still celebrated in a museum, and it feels calmer and more traditional than the larger resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, about twenty kilometres away. Post Hotel Mittenwald is a Mittenwald address, a good choice for travellers who want a quiet alpine base with easy access to hiking, cable cars and day trips. From the village you can ride the Karwendel cable car to a high viewpoint, walk the Leutasch gorge trails, cycle along river paths or take the train to Garmisch for the Zugspitze, and the Eibsee and Partnachklamm are an easy drive or train ride. In winter it has a cosy village feel and good snow for cross-country skiing and sledging.
Location and getting around
Mittenwald has its own railway station on the line between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Innsbruck, so you can reach the town without a car, and local buses cover the valley. Check the distance from the hotel to the station and the main street when you book. If you plan to see Neuschwanstein, allow a long day, as the castle is far to the west, and a guided tour is easier than a self-drive. Parking is usually possible for guests, but confirm in advance.
Rooms and facilities
Room categories, views, breakfast and extras vary, so read the details before you reserve. Rooms facing the mountains give the best views, and those on the main street may be livelier. Families should check bed options and anyone with mobility concerns should ask about stairs and lifts. If you want to eat in, ask whether the hotel has a restaurant, as the village has several traditional inns in any case.
Good to know
Mittenwald suits a slow trip, with a walk through the old streets, a visit to the violin museum, a ride up the Karwendel and an evening in an inn. It is less suited to people who want nightlife or a big spa resort. Summer and the Christmas period are busy, and some mountain lifts have maintenance breaks in spring and autumn, so check schedules.
Dress for sudden weather changes and carry a rain layer on walks. A midweek stay in early summer or early autumn gives long daylight, clear air and comfortable prices. If you are travelling by train, check the timetable of the line to Garmisch and Innsbruck, because the last evening services can leave earlier than you expect.
Why stay here
- ✓Mittenwald village base beneath the Karwendel
- ✓Railway station with services to Garmisch
- ✓Painted houses and violin-making heritage
- ✓Karwendel cable car and gorge trails nearby
- ✓Cross-country skiing and sledging in winter
- ✓Room types to compare when you book
- ✓Breakfast arrangements to check at booking
- ✓Parking to confirm at booking
Good questions
How far is Mittenwald from Garmisch-Partenkirchen?+
About twenty kilometres, reachable by train or car in a short time.
Is Mittenwald good for Neuschwanstein?+
It is better as a quiet mountain base. Neuschwanstein is a long day trip from here.
What is there to do in the village?+
Walk the painted main street, visit the violin museum, ride the Karwendel cable car and enjoy the inns.
