Do you have a list of places and countries you would like to visit as soon as possible? Baden-Baden should not be missing here. Imagine a place located in the heart of nature and offering peace, relaxation and entertainment at the same time. This is exactly what Baden-Baden is: the international spa and cultural city is beautifully situated at the foot of the Black Forest and enchants its visitors with its Mediterranean ambience and the cultural offerings of a large city. Lovers of nature and wellness feel just as at home here as gourmets, art lovers and connoisseurs of classical music. We take you on a mental journey through this charming Black Forest town.
There is a place in Germany where lemons ripen, where museums display contemporary art alongside timeless masterpieces, where the world's best orchestras come to play, where hotels and shops attract more people than anywhere else and where, it seems, bartenders collect the flower seeds in the park to create their exclusive cocktails. You guessed it: it's Baden-Baden. Between its glorious past, its very well preserved heritage and the beauty of its surrounding nature, the city has everything to seduce travellers in search of authenticity and peace. What makes this world's smallest city so attractive? Let's be clear: it always has been. Founded more than 2,000 years ago to ensure the well-being of all, Baden-Baden has, over the centuries, developed into a unique place that relaxes and stimulates in many different ways. These are the good reasons to stop for a few days on the other side of the Rhine, just a few kilometres from Strasbourg
Breathtaking nature
Baden-Baden is surrounded by gentle hills and vineyards, and the sun shines here more often than anywhere else in Germany. In short: here nature pampers you. Baden-Baden offers countless hiking trails with magnificent views, thrilling mountain bike trails, first-class golf courses, famous rose gardens and the Merkur hill for climbing and paragliding. The Merkur Hill is only a few steps away from the city centre; once you have reached the summit on foot or by funicular with the Merkurbergbahn, you have a unique view of the city and the region. But it is above all the nature in the middle of the city that makes it so beautiful. Like a green ribbon, Lichtentaler Allee runs through the city and connects luxurious hotels with museums, inviting you to stroll and relax. The nearby Black Forest gives the town its magnificent nature and the magnificent views of the mountains and the Rhine valley, creating its charm. And that's not all: the Panoramaweg Baden-Baden was named Germany's most beautiful hiking trail in 2020! The four 45 km-long stages around the city make this magnificent multi-day hike a real treat for hikers' hearts with its dreamy views and wide variety of scenery: the charming old town, steep cliffs with a magnificent view of a landscape gilded by autumn light, romantic waterfalls and picturesque orchards are all lasting memories for the senses.
Isolate and recharge your batteries
It was the Romans who discovered the healing powers of the twelve thermal springs in Baden-Baden and built the first thermal baths there. Today, visitors from all over the world enjoy moments of well-being in the modern Caracalla Spa and the historic Friedrichsbad Baths. With its large sauna area, outdoor pools and steam bath, the Caracalla Spa offers visitors the opportunity to relax on grey autumn days, when the thermal water flows into the various pools at temperatures between 18 and 38°C. In the historic Friedrichsbad Baths, Roman spa culture and Irish bathing tradition have been united for more than 140 years. The different temperatures and the thermal water enjoyed during the 17 stages of the journey have a beneficial effect on body and soul. The numerous wellness and spa hotels in Baden-Baden, with their wide range of individual treatments, also contribute to making Baden-Baden a well-known destination for wellness and relaxation. From five-star luxury hotels to family-run boutique hotels, there is something for everyone.
A wide range of cultural attractions
Baden-Baden offers not only a wide range of fitness, wellness and beauty facilities, but also an extraordinary cultural life, magnificent architecture, outstanding hotels and excellent gastronomy to help the body and mind re-centre themselves.
In Baden-Baden, the cultural offer allows you to admire, listen and dance in a Mediterranean atmosphere. And it is not for nothing that Baden-Baden is called the smallest city in the world: there is something extraordinary to be discovered on almost every street corner. Art lovers will be delighted by the countless exhibitions with a wide variety of themes. Internationally renowned artists, contemporary creations, art and technology or jewellery: there is a museum for every interest. The best known of these is the Frieder Burda Museum, designed by the famous New York architect Richard Meier, which brings together selected works of modern art in various exhibitions. The Fabergé Museum is also worth a visit: it is the first museum in the world dedicated to the works of the Russian jeweller Carl Fabergé. From the famous Easter eggs of the Tsar to jewellery and luxury everyday objects, the more than 700 exhibits will delight visitors. Opera, jazz and symphony concerts as well as the SWR 3 pop festival will delight music lovers of all kinds. The Festspielhaus Baden-Baden is the largest opera house in Germany and its extensive programme attracts an enthusiastic audience. The world's leading orchestras perform here non-stop.
The Kurhaus Baden-Baden, with its colonnades and stately rooms reminiscent of French castles, is home to the Baden-Baden Casino, where Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky once spent their evenings. Roulette, blackjack and poker are still played here today. In addition, the restaurant "The Grill" offers casino guests a fine gastronomic choice in an exclusive atmosphere.
A must for gourmets
Baden-Baden is good for body and soul: the city offers a varied and first-class cuisine. Whether modern and stylish or traditional, Baden-Baden's starred restaurants, international brasseries and wine cellars invite you to indulge your senses and charm you with their innovative culinary art, craftsmanship perfection and exceptional hospitality. There is something for every taste and every budget. The nearby Rebland is also part of this wide gastronomic offer: it is one of the most famous Riesling producing regions in Germany - a good deal for gourmets and lovers of good wine.
More information is available on the website of the tourist office.
