#14.6(498)
Baden-Baden
A spa town at the edge of the Black Forest with belle époque villas, the Friedrichsbad Roman-Irish baths and the Trinkhalle pump room.
A palatial affair
Things to do in Karlsruhe
The Fan City: a baroque palace, green parks and the Black Forest an hour away.
A palatial affair
In 1715 Margrave Karl Wilhelm built a palace and laid out 32 streets running from its tower like the ribs of a fan. Karlsruhe grew around that plan, which is why locals call it the Fan City. Today it is a green, flat and easy city to walk or cycle, with the palace gardens at its heart and the Black Forest, the Rhine and the French border all within an hour.
Top 5 attractions in Karlsruhe
#2
4.6(466)
Lake Mummelsee
The largest of the Black Forest's seven mountain lakes, on the Black Forest High Road and known for its white water lilies.
4.7(71)
Casino Baden-Baden
Gaming rooms inside the 19th-century Kurhaus, decorated with chandeliers in the style of a French palace.
4.8(212)
Karlsruhe Palace
The baroque palace the city was built around, home to the Baden State Museum and surrounded by gardens and fountains.
#5
4.5(138)
ZKM Center for Art and Media
A former munitions factory turned into one of Europe's leading museums of digital and interactive art.
Explore Karlsruhe by interest
Top activities in Karlsruhe
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Karlsruhe, Germany · 1.5 hours
Karlsruhe highlights: palace, squares and the Fan City
From €29 per person
Know before you go
When to visit
Karlsruhe is one of the sunniest cities in Germany. Summer is best for picnics on the palace lawns and for Das Fest, a four-day music festival in July. From late August to early September the Schlosslichtspiele light shows are projected onto the palace front, and in December the Christmas market fills the Marktplatz.
Getting around
The centre is flat and compact. The palace is about 20 minutes on foot from the main station, and Kaiserstraße, the main shopping street, is five minutes further. KVV trams cover the city and the region, and the KVV.nextbike bike share is the easiest way to reach the parks.
Traveller tips
On hot days, Europabad is one of the largest water parks in southern Germany. Baden-Baden is 20 minutes away by train, so a spa afternoon fits easily into a city stay. Most museums close on Monday.
People also ask
What are the top attractions in Karlsruhe?
Karlsruhe Palace and the Baden State Museum, the ZKM Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe Zoo and the Turmberg hill with its castle ruins and funicular.
What is the best time of year to visit Karlsruhe?
June to early September brings the warmest weather. The palace light festival runs from mid-August to mid-September, when hotels are busier and cost more.
What outdoor activities can I do in Karlsruhe?
Picnic in the palace park, cycle the signposted Naturradtour on a bike share, or head out to the Black Forest for hiking and cycling trails.
What local foods should I try?
Black Forest gateau, the cherry and chocolate cake from the hills nearby, and Maultaschen, Swabian pasta parcels filled with meat and spinach and served in broth.
How can I explore the Black Forest from Karlsruhe?
Baden-Baden is the easiest day trip by train. From there the Black Forest High Road leads past Mummelsee to the hiking trails of the northern Black Forest.
What is there for families?
Karlsruhe Zoo with its feeding times, the historic Turmbergbahn funicular, and the Natural History Museum on a rainy day.