Discover 6 Must-Visit Cities in Baden-Württemberg
Germany’s third largest state truly offers something for everyone. For the urbanite, there’s 21st-century Stuttgart – Baden-Württemberg’s capital. Nature lovers aren’t neglected either: wooden hills, mountains and enchanting lakes are all there for the taking.
Other attractions? How about mineral spas, medieval castles, palaces and gardens, for starters.
Here are six cities that make for a great Baden-Württemberg break.
Hot springs, a gilded casino and a host of excellent restaurants have been attracting visitors to Baden Baden for centuries.
Baden-Baden
Situated on the edge of Germany’s Black Forest, this historic spa town counts Queen Victoria, Victor Hugo and Marlene Dietrich among its high profile past guests. Meanwhile, Fyodor Dostoyevsky was inspired to pen The Gambler, following a visit to Baden Baden’s gilded casino. Don’t fancy a game of chance? Unwind in the hot springs at Friedrichsbad, a palatial bathhouse that opened in 1877.
Baden Baden also boasts a smattering of excellent restaurants, a striking concert hall and a first-class museum dedicated to contemporary art.
Freiburg is bubbling university town, home to tons of historic monuments and a wonderful restaurant-scene. It’s also the sunniest town in Germany!
Freiburg im Breisgau
The jewel of the Black Forest, Freiburg im Breisgau is an attractive university town where a warm welcome is – quite literally – always guaranteed: blessed with upwards of 2,000 hours of annual sunshine, it’s Germany’s sunniest city.
Classical sightseeing should begin with a trip to the Gothic sandstone cathedral, the pride of the Freiburg skyline.
Then make for Munsterplatz, a cobbled pedestrian square ringed by historic monuments, before boarding the cable car to the top of the forested Schlossberg for fantastic views of Freiburg.
Perhaps Germany’s most beautiful city, Heidelberg is renowned for its offering of beautiful sights and picture-perfect location by the Neckar River.
Heidelberg
Often described as Germany’s most beautiful city, Heidelberg has long hosted A‑listers: German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, influential British landscape artist William Turner, and American author Mark Twain all found inspiration in this small university town.
And for good reasons — Heidelberg boasts a world-famous castle, baroque mansions, a pretty old town, lush forests and a Bohemian atmosphere that can’t fail to charm even the most jaded of traveller.
Having survived the Second World War without being bombed, Konstanz is a uniquely well-preserved medieval town. Worth a visit for its charming Altstadt alone!
Konstanz
Located right on the border to Switzerland, Konstanz is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany. This is because the Allies avoided bombing Konstanz (as it was too close to neutral Kreuzlingen in Switzerland), during World War II.
Today this lively, likeable university town is home to over 85,000 people with one in seven being students. Amble around the cobbled Altstadt (old town) and the harbour, and check out nearby islands including Mainau and Reichenau.
Stuttgart is the beating heart of the region, full of world-class restaurants, sights and a thumping nightlife scene.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart may be best known as the home of the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz (both of whom have their own impressive museums), but it also boasts a vibrant cultural scene. Expect several art galleries and the world-renowned Stuttgart ballet – all set against a backdrop of rolling green hills, forests and vineyards.
When night falls, head to Theodor-Heuss-Strasse – a mile-long stretch of bars and clubs – to soak up the best of Stuttgart’s nightlife.
Ulm is, perhaps, best known as the home of Albert Einstein, but this gem of a city also boasts a stunning cathedral and plenty of those wonderful, cobbled streets that’ll look smashing on your Instagram.
Ulm
Situated halfway between Stuttgart and Munich, Ulm is where you’ll find the tallest church in the world: Ulm Cathedral which was once the tallest building in the world at 161.5m before its record was surpassed by Philadelphia’s City Hall.
Ulm is also the birthplace of physicist, Albert Einstein, a fact commemorated in the unique Einstein-Fountain.
Einstein aside, check out the old Fisherman’s Quarter where you’ll find cobbled lanes, houses, bridges and traditional restaurants that are sure to impress your Instagram followers.