The town of Geretsried is one of the most populated areas in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district in Upper Bavaria. On the banks of the fast-flowing Iser river, close to the Bavarian Alps and the great Lake Starnberg, it is surrounded by ancient woodlands.
This area of Germany is one of the most scenic — and this busy little city is no exception! The ancient houses are covered with the local Lüftlmalerei — a painted mural similar to the Italian art: tromp l’oeil. Some of them are just amazing — whole alpine scenes across the side of a house!
The streets are compact in places and the bustling stores are filled with curiosities, trinkets — and tourists! The community here are very welcoming and you certainly won’t miss out on great hospitality when in town. Make a point to try some regional dishes and drinks while you’re here too to really get the flavor of Upper Bavaria!
The lakes around here and the Iser river itself, offer visitors the chance for a pleasant river cruise — to help capture the scenery from a different angle. Or head south on board, towards the ancient town of Bad Tölz with its iodine springs and car-free town center for something different again.
Geretsried is also in a region where the local people have a distinct folk-costume, and they wear it with pride! You will find that ladies wearing their brightly colored Dirndl around the streets on market days; its not just for special occasions! This city is living in the very essence of Upper Bavaria — and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to get involved too. ;-)
Festivals and regional holidays are all celebrated here, and very enthusiastically as well! There are dozens of such festivities throughout the summer when the fields are in bloom. There are also a few in winter as well: they come with the snow-drifts!
The landscape around Geretsried really is as you would expect in this region of the country. With fir-clad mountains on the horizon, shimmering alpine lakes almost at every corner and yodelling in the distance… You really won’t be disappointed here!
