Discover the Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Baden-Württemberg: A Guide to the Top Destinations

Baden-Württemberg ranks third in Germany: The federal state is in third place among the German federal states in terms of both population and area. Everything is possible on holiday: mountains meet lakes, towns meet villages, forests meet moors. Looking for ideas? We take you to the most beautiful places for a short break in Baden-Württemberg.

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Heidelberg

In the lovely Neckar Valley, Heidelberg is a wonderful holiday destination. The city is known for the oldest university in Germany and the pretty old town with the castle ruins. Heidelberg Castle was the residence of the Palatinate Electors until it was destroyed in the Palatinate War of Succession. Today, in its half-ruined state, it exudes a very special atmosphere.

Heidelberg is the perfect destination for a short break in southern Germany.

© Quelle: PantherMedia / Sergey Borisov

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Those who visit the castle have a unique view of Heidelberg and the Neckar valley. A guided tour is very worthwhile, with many explanations about the history of the castle and the electors and counts palatine. Other highlights in Heidelberg are the Karlstor, the Old Bridge and the Philosophenweg.

Freiburg in Breisgau

In the middle of the legendary Black Forest lies the idyllic city of Freiburg im Breisgau, which has a lot to offer: Freiburg is ideal for city travelers and nature fans. Because the forests in front of the city allow for great excursions into the countryside, while there is a lot of culture, art and lifestyle in the city.

Freiburg has picturesque “Gässle” and sights such as the Schwabentor and the Freiburg Minster.

© Quelle: IMAGO/imagebroker

Freiburg has an enchanting old town with picturesque “Gässle” and richly decorated house facades. Highlights are the Freiburg Minster and the Minster market, the historic department store, the Swabian and Martinstors and the view from the Schlossberg. But there is also a modern and future-oriented side: Freiburg is known for sustainability and is also often referred to as the “green city”.

Ulm

A particularly exciting pearl in Baden-Württemberg is Ulm. This is where a pretty medieval town meets picturesque half-timbered houses in the fishing district and a superlative at a proud height: Ulm has the largest evangelical church in Germany with the highest church tower in the world. The Ulm Minster rises to a height of 161.53 meters!

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Trademark in Ulm: Ulm Minster is the tallest church tower in the world.

© What: IMAGO/Alexander Rochau

The church was built in 1377, after which the work on the building was passed on for centuries and generations. Work on the tower was only completed in 1890. From the viewing platform you have a fantastic view over Ulm, the Danube landscape and as far as Bavaria.

constancy

In the extreme south of Baden-Württemberg, in the immediate vicinity of the Swiss border, Konstanz is a great destination for a short break. The colorful and popular student town is located directly on Lake Constance. In addition to walks along the water, the beautiful city center is particularly attractive. If you climb the cathedral tower, you have a great view over Konstanz.

In the student city of Konstanz there is an exciting mix of trends and traditions.

© Quelle: imago/sepp spiegl

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Because the city is young and home to many students, there is also a lot of lifestyle. Life takes place in numerous hip cafés, cool bars, unusual restaurants and individual shops. You shouldn’t miss a trip to the legendary flower island of Mainau.

Tübingen

In the middle of the Neckar valley lies the quaint university town of Tübingen, which enchants at every corner. The old town with its colorful houses is considered one of the most beautiful in Baden-Württemberg. The heart of Tübingen is the market square with its magnificent half-timbered houses and the historic town hall.

Tübingen is one of the most beautiful cities in Baden-Württemberg.

© Quelle: IMAGO/Val Thoermer

Another sight towers over the city: Hohentübingen Castle was built from the eleventh century and today houses a museum inside. From here you have a wonderful view over the city. The beauty of Tübingen can also be seen when you change your perspective and go onto the water: on a boat trip with a punt, you can sail along the Neckar front.

Stuttgart

Anyone traveling through Baden-Württemberg should definitely make a stop in the capital, Stuttgart. Located in a basin of the Neckar and distributed over the surrounding hills, the city is enchanting with its scenery alone. Although most buildings in the city center were completely destroyed in World War II, there are numerous sights. The New Palace is highly recommended. Together with the Schlossplatz and the Old Castle, this forms the center of the city.

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Towering proudly over the capital of Baden-Württemberg: the Stuttgart television tower.

© Source: IMAGO/Arnulf Hettrich

A highlight in the truest sense of the word is the Stuttgart television tower, which is 217 meters high. The television tower is enthroned on the summit of the Hoher Bopser and is a popular tourist destination. You should definitely head for the Instagram motif of Stuttgart: The Stuttgart City Library is one of the architectural highlights of the city and is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

Baden-Baden

The contrast to the capital of Baden-Württemberg lies on the western edge of the northern Black Forest in the valley of the Oos: Baden-Baden is known worldwide as a health resort and famous for its chic thermal baths and sophisticated flair. Celebrities from all over the world came here to unwind and to put health at the center of their vacation. Twelve springs in Baden-Baden have been transporting thermal water from over 2000 meters to the surface for many hundreds of years.

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A highlight in Baden-Baden: the 90 meter long “Trinkhalle” with the classical colonnade.

© Quelle: imago stock&people

The day-to-day spa life of yesteryear comes to life when you stroll through the Lichtentaler Allee. The avenue runs along the Oos for a distance of three kilometers, through the Kurpark and the city centre. A highlight is the 90 meter long “Trinkhalle” with the classical colonnade. The building was completed in 1842. Everything in the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden revolves around culture. More than 2500 spectators fit in the building.

Black Forest

When it comes to forests, there is of course no way around the Black Forest. The largest low mountain range in Germany with 11,100 square meters is located in the south-west. You’ve come to the right place if you like hiking. The highest mountain peaks are in the southern Black Forest with up to 1493 meters.

The Black Forest is the largest low mountain range in Germany.

© Source: imago images/schorsch

There are also several superlatives in the Black Forest: Germany’s highest waterfall is in the town of Triberg. The water falls here over seven steps and from a depth of 163 meters. Fun fact: Here you can marvel at another record, namely the world’s largest cuckoo clock. It has a 4.50 by 4.50 meter clockwork. The cuckoo weighs 150 kilos, the entire clock weighs six tons.

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Lake Constance

It is the largest lake in Germany – and offers numerous opportunities for short breaks on its shores. It is around 540 square kilometers in size, up to 63 kilometers long, up to 13 kilometers wide and up to 254 meters deep. Its shores have a total length of 273 kilometers. Almost two thirds of them are in Germany. The Lake Constance region is one of the main tourist attractions in Germany.

The German superlative when it comes to lakes: Lake Constance is up to 63 kilometers long!

© What: IMAGO/Alexander Rochau

Located in the border triangle of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Lake Constance actually consists of two lakes connected by the Seerhein: the upper lake with Obersee and Überlinger See and the south-western lower lake with Gnadensee, Zellersee and Untersee. Exciting: Where exactly the border runs is only regulated for the Seerhein and Untersee. From a water depth of 25 meters, the Obersee is managed as a joint dominion by all three states. This means that everyone has sovereign rights on the lake.

Swabian Alb

If you like to be active on holiday and want to be out and about in a beautiful mountain setting, the Swabian Alb is the place for you. In addition to the Black Forest and Lake Constance, the region is one of the main tourist attractions in south-west Germany. The proximity to cities such as Tübingen or Ehingen is also practical.

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Pure idyll: A Scottish highland cattle on a pasture in the Swabian Jura in Baden-Württemberg.

© Quelle: IMAGO/imagebroker

A holiday in the Swabian Alb is perfect for hiking and cycling, but also for climbing and skiing in winter. On the way in the low mountain range region, unique views of the Black Forest and the Alps and exciting paths through ravine forests, caves and wide landscapes open up.

Kurpfalz

The historic region of Electoral Palatinate can look back on a long history: the former electorate emerged from the Palatine County of Lorraine and had been owned by the Wittelsbach family since 1214. Today, the Electoral Palatinate refers to the Mannheim/Heidelberg region and the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. A great mix of history, culture and lifestyle awaits you on a short break.

In the Electoral Palatinate, vacationers can expect a mixture of history, culture and lifestyle.

© Quelle: imago stock&people

Because in the Electoral Palatinate, the past in the form of historic castles meets the full life of Mannheim and Heidelberg. Mannheim is considered the capital of pop culture! In total there are 230 museums, 110 theaters and countless concerts and festivals in the region. Another highlight are the small and wine towns in the region and the wine bars along the Wine Route.

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Odenwald

You will experience a break in the midst of beautiful nature when you set off for the Odenwald holiday region. The low mountain range is largely in Hesse, but also in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Whether on foot on hikes, by bike or on the way to monasteries, castles and palaces: there is a lot to experience in the Odenwald!

A mysterious place in southern Germany: the Felsenmeer in the Odenwald.

© Quelle: IMAGO/Zoonar

An absolute highlight is the Felsenmeer Odenwald, which is already in Hesse, about 20 kilometers from the border with Baden-Württemberg. A trip is worthwhile: Countless granite rocks extend over the 514 meter high Felsberg. The oldest rocks are believed to be over 500 million years old. A visit to the Odenwald open-air museum is also exciting, where you can see 20 historic buildings from different eras, and the various information centers in the Odenwald, where everything revolves around the geological condition and formation of this unique landscape.

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all top travel destinations at the Reisereporter.

Travel reporter

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