10 tips for city break to Baden-Württemberg

1. Freiburg: head for the heights (and the market)

Discover the sun-drenched city of Freiburg im Breisgau, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and home to a university. Take a stroll through the historic centre and admire the Freiburger Münster. Climbing the 116-metre tower rewards you with a phenomenal view of the nearby Black Forest. The city really comes to life in the shadow of this cathedral on the lively Münsterplatz, where more than 130 market stalls offer local delicacies such as the famous 'Lange Rote' sausage. Finish your visit in style at the Alte Wache with a refreshing 'Kalte Sofie', a unique ice wine drink.

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2. Freiburg: go with the flow

Boasting one of Germany’s most beautiful historic town centres, Freiburg is just around the corner from the Black Forest. The carefully restored centre feels like a lively open-air museum and is famous for its Bächle, the narrow water channels that wind through the streets. These channels were once used for firefighting, but today they symbolise the city. According to legend, if you accidentally step into one of the channels, you will end up marrying a local from Freiburg! Immerse yourself in the city’s history with a Freiburg Erleben tour, or simply enjoy a unique Bächle Picknick with your feet in the cool water.

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3. Freiburg: discover the medieval crafts quarter

Just outside the bustling Old Town lies the charming Schneckenvorstadt, where you will feel as though you have stepped back into the Middle Ages. This former quarter of tanners and stonemasons is now home to characteristic buildings housing small galleries and independent boutiques. The Fischerau, a cobbled street alongside the Gerber Canal, is particularly worth a visit and is affectionately known by locals as 'Little Venice'.

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4. Freiburg: visit the Schlossberg

Enjoy the pleasant climate in the city’s ‘green backyard’, the Schlossberg. From the central Münsterplatz, it takes half an hour to walk to the summit, where the iconic Schlossbergturm tower with its 153 steps awaits you. For a spectacular 360-degree view of the red roofs and the Vosges mountains, head to the Kanonenplatz. Do you want to skip the steep climb? Then take the Schlossbergbahn up from the Stadtgarten. Finish off your active afternoon at the Kastaniengarten Biergarten, where you can raise a glass to a successful day beneath the chestnut trees.

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5. Freiburg: visit a top-class museum

Freiburg is home to several renowned museums. Be sure to visit the Augustinermuseum, one of the most important museums in southern Germany. Housed in an impressive former monastery church on Augustinerplatz, its collection of art and cultural history spans from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period. The building itself is a masterpiece; in the high central nave, visitors can see the original sandstone sculptures from Freiburg Cathedral up close. From the upper-floor galleries, you can also examine the gargoyles that once hung high above the city on the cathedral.

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6. Mannheim: visit Germany’s largest Baroque palace

The centre of Mannheim is laid out according to a unique 17th-century grid plan called the Quadratestadt. Rather than using street names, you navigate using a chessboard pattern of blocks (such as A1 or P7). The absolute centrepiece is the Barockschloss Mannheim, one of Europe’s largest palaces. Together with the Jesuitenkirche and the Alte Sternwarte, it forms a harmonious historical ensemble. Be sure to walk up to the 60-metre-high Wasserturm on Friedrichsplatz. This square is one of Europe’s finest examples of Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, complete with fountains and arcades.

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7. Baden-Baden: immerse yourself in the historic thermal baths

For centuries, visitors have travelled to Baden-Baden to experience the healing properties of its twelve natural springs, which rise deep beneath the city. Experience the city's rich spa tradition at the majestic Friedrichsbad, which was built on the site of a Roman bathhouse dating back two thousand years. Alternatively, for a more modern wellness experience, visit the Caracalla Therme.

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8. Baden-Baden: follow in the footsteps of the European aristocracy

Baden-Baden is much more than just a spa town; it is a 19th-century 'cosmopolitan city' brimming with elegance. Take a stroll along the stately Lichtentaler Allee, a 3.5-kilometre park avenue running alongside the River Oos and flanked by imposing villas. A visit to the Casino Baden-Baden in the Kurhaus is a must — you will feel as though you are in a James Bond film, surrounded by crystal chandeliers. Would you rather get out into nature? Take the cable car to the top of Merkurberg for panoramic views of the city and the Black Forest. Enjoy a royal experience just a few hours from home.

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9. Stuttgart: stroll amongst romantic vineyards

For a surprisingly green city break, visit Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg. One of the city's absolute highlights is the Grabkapelle auf dem Württemberg, a monument to eternal love built by King Wilhelm I for his wife. From this mausoleum, you can enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding vineyards. Follow the nearly 40-kilometre-long Stuttgart Wine Trail, passing idyllic vineyards and the wine museum in Uhlbach along the way. Stop off at one of the authentic wine taverns along the way for a glass of local wine.

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10. Stuttgart: head for the heights in a television tower

Enjoy the stunning views from the 216-metre-high Fernsehturm Stuttgart. When it opened in 1956, it was the world’s first television tower to be constructed entirely from reinforced concrete. The observation platform is a popular attraction for visitors. From this great height, you can look out over the city and the winding Neckar Valley with its rolling hills. You can enjoy a drink and a snack in the Panorama Café.

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