A city break in Germany off the beaten track

When planning a city break in Germany, Berlin, Hamburg or Munich often come to mind, but it is precisely off the beaten track that you will find new and exciting things to discover. Kassel, Wiesbaden and Saarbrücken boast UNESCO World Heritage sites, Baroque water features, state-of-the-art cultural venues and vibrant festivals. The ICE train offers a comfortable and quick way to travel to Kassel, Wiesbaden and Saarbrücken.

1. Kassel: discover the spectacular Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List is no coincidence; it is the largest mountain park in Europe. You can spend hours wandering through its unique blend of terraced gardens, romantic waterfalls and impressive architecture.

2026 is a special year for art lovers to visit, as you will be able to see the exhibition Rembrandt 1632. Entstehung einer Marke at Schloss Wilhelmshöhe, which explores the early career of the Netherlands' most famous painter. Would you like to soak up some more culture afterwards? Then be sure to visit the Neue Galerie or the Fridericianum in the city centre.

_{©Kassel Marketing GmbH/Florian Trykowski}

2. Kassel: take your seat for a spectacular show

The famous Wasserspiele have delighted visitors to Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe since the 18th century. They still operate in the same way as they did three hundred years ago, using gravity alone to power the hydraulic waterworks. Without the use of pumps, water flows down from the statue of Hercules via a series of waterfalls, aqueducts, and fountains. The largest fountain shoots water up to 50 metres into the air.

Between 1 May and 3 October 2026, you can witness this impressive feat of hydraulic engineering in person daily from 14.30 hrs to 16.00 hrs. Additionally, the waterfalls are illuminated in an atmospheric display on a few evenings each year, ensuring a spectacular show.

_{©Kassel Marketing GmbH/Florian Trykowski}

3. Kassel: discover the flavours of the city in the Markthalle

Has all that exploring in the park made you hungry? A culinary journey of discovery awaits you at the historic Kasseler Markthalle, located in the heart of the city centre. Spread over two floors, you will find over seventy passionate stallholders offering the finest regional and international produce. From traditional local produce and organic delicacies to refined international specialities, here you can literally taste the city’s diversity. With its lively market atmosphere and beautiful historic setting, it is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing lunch or coffee break.

_{©Kassel Marketing GmbH/Paavo Blåfield}

4. Wiesbaden: step back in time to the era of emperors and kings

Situated between Frankfurt and Mainz, the capital of Hesse, Wiesbaden, welcomes visitors with its stately parks, historic villas and wide boulevards. As one of Europe’s oldest spa towns, the city was known in the 19th century as the 'Nice of the North'. Emperor Wilhelm II was a regular visitor and commissioned the impressive Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, an example of neo-Baroque architecture, to be built there in 1892. Today, visitors can enjoy opera, theatre and ballet performances here, as well as major international festivals such as the annual Maifestspiele. Another architectural gem is the Spielbank Wiesbaden casino, which is housed in the impressive Kurhaus building. This casino is one of the oldest in Germany, and as far back as the nineteenth century, royal guests and famous writers would gather beneath its impressive chandeliers to try their luck.

_{©Martin Kaufhold}

5. Wiesbaden: quench your cultural thirst

Just because Wiesbaden has a rich history does not mean the city stands still. Since 2024, visitors have been able to explore the Museum Reinhard Ernst. Here, you can explore an impressive collection of post-war art from Europe and America, with a particular focus on Japanese abstract works.

For something more edgy, head to the Slaughterhouse, a vibrant cultural hub offering everything from intimate poetry slams to heavy metal concerts. A surprise awaits at the Museum Wiesbaden. Did you know that Taylor Swift drew inspiration for her music video The Fate of Ophelia from a painting by Theodor Heyser in the museum's Jugendstil collection? This is a great example of how classical art continues to influence pop culture. Want to experience it all? The Culture Route 65 takes you past no fewer than two dozen museums and theatres in the city.

_{©Roger Richter}

6. Wiesbaden: treat yourself to handmade chocolates and sparkling wine

In an elegant city like Wiesbaden, even the simple pleasures of eating and drinking have been elevated to the level of an art form. Since 1957, Chocolateria Kunder on Wilhelmstraße has been tantalising the senses, with the aroma of freshly roasted cocoa and coffee greeting you as you enter. With over a hundred different chocolate specialities to choose from behind the counter, you can embark on a true taste adventure here.

As well as its sweet treats, Wiesbaden is also renowned for its refined sparkling wines. At the impressive Henkell Castle, home to one of Germany's most renowned sparkling wine brands, you can immerse yourself in the world of sparkling wine. During a guided tour, you will learn all about the traditional production methods and, of course, have the opportunity to sample the different cuvées in a regal setting.

_{©Peter Krausgrill}

7. Saarbrücken: unwind in green oases

Thanks to its location on the border with France and Luxembourg, Saarbrücken, the capital of the state of Saarland, has a unique international character. The city is also remarkably green, with short distances meaning you can find yourself surrounded by nature from the city centre in no time at all. The River Saar forms the city's blue heart, but the surrounding nature reserves are also well worth a visit. You can wander through the rolling hills of the Bliesgau UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which are full of orchards and wild orchids.

For a more unspoilt experience, visit the Urwald vor den Toren der Stadt. In this vast forest, nature has been left to its own devices for the past ten years.

_{©Visit Saarbrücken/A. Lombardozzi}

8. Saarbrücken: be inspired by powerful art

Just outside the city lies the Völklinger Hütte, a massive blast furnace complex that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Where chimneys once belched smoke, you can now stroll amongst rusty machinery slowly being overtaken by greenery. This unique venue now provides a stage for special exhibitions, such as X-RAY (until 16 August 2026), an exhibition at the intersection of science and art. The rest of the events calendar in Saarbrücken is equally impressive. From the Urban Art Biennale (10 May to 15 November 2026) to the Franco-German theatre festival Perspectives (21 to 23 May 2026): there is always something happening. Music lovers can indulge themselves at the STAGETOPIA festival (13-14 June 2026), the International Jazz Festival Saar (26-28 June 2026) or the spectacular Opernfestspiele am Saarpolygon(13–30 August 2026), where this year’s programme centres on the musical West Side Story.

_{©Oliver Dietze}

9. Saarbrücken: blend the historic with the modern

Anyone strolling through Saarbrücken will soon discover how seamlessly historical and modern elements blend here. Stately monuments such as Saarbrücken Castle and the Baroque Ludwigskerk recount the city’s history, while vibrant street art and alternative art projects can be found just around the corner. The best place to experience the city’s relaxed, almost French atmosphere is around St. Johanner Markt. The creative Nauwieser Quarter is also home to plenty of lively cafés and sunny terraces where you can enjoy a drink.

_{©Visit Saarbrücken/R. Christ}