Black Forest

Münsterplatz 1

The cathedral is Freiburg's biggest sight in the city, one of the oldest and most beautiful in all of Europe. The gargoyles are not to be missed - be sure to study every corner of the Munster.

1 Kaiserallee

James Bond-worthy cocktail club complete with gilt ceilings, 11 roulette tables and an outdoor baccarat terrace.

The Gothic cathedral in the middle of town was built around 1300 after a fire had destroyed most of the city. It is named after St. Fridolin, the patron of the city. The bones of St.

a 3 km uphill walk from the town center

A 12th-century castle ruin, one of the largest in Germany. The site includes ramparts and a museum. It is a 3 km uphill walk from the town center and offers views of the Rhine plain and the Vosges mountains.

A man-made lake and a popular escape from the urban housing estate of Betzenhausen. Complete with beer garden and a restaurant, Seepark is popular with families and those planning a walk around the stunning green-belt area.

Small canals crisscross the streets of the inner city. These canals were once meant as a way to fight fires in medieval Freiburg. The locals say that if you accidentally fall or step into one, you will marry a Freiburger.

One of two remaining old city gates. The gate is beautifully decorated, including with a large picture painted by Matthias Schwäri in 1572.

The other old city gate, which is well known locally for the McDonald's next door which has placed its logo on the gate.

Bad Säckingen is also known as the Trumpeter's city, because one of the most popular German author in the 19th century, Joseph Victor von Scheffel, wrote a book on a trumpeter and the story is set in Säckingen.

The bridge connecting the town to the small city of Stein in Switzerland is another main attraction. It is closed for cars (as is most of the inner city), so you can take a unhurried walk across to the other side of the River, enjoying the…

in the city centre· Pricey

Friedrichsbad is a beautiful temple to traditional bathing culture, built in 1877, complete with statues and decorative tiling and culminating in a circular central pool in an ornate domed hall.

Follow the steam rising off the outdoor pools to find this modern bathing complex· Cheap

Your ticket gets you into the pool area (where you'll find a cafe, several indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, waterfalls, water jets and so on) and the upstairs Roman Sauna Scape.

Take the Tram 2 then bus 21 to the Schauinsland cable car. At the top great views as far as the Swiss Alps await you. It doesn't run in bad weather. It's also possible to hike up Schauinsland from the start of the Schauinslandbahn Station.

· Cheap

1,192 m long funicular railway, which lifts people up to 370 m above sea level.

An observation tower at the Merkur (Großer Staufenberg) mountain, 668.3 m above sea level. There is a restaurant at the top station.

Uhlandplatz· Cheap

With a length of 738 m and an altitude difference of 80 m, it is the highest funicular railway in Baden-Württemberg with an altitude of 291 m above sea level.

Schwarzwaldhochstraße 2, 77889 Seebach· Moderate

The modern visitor center for the Black Forest National Park. It features a skywalk and a large interactive exhibition about the local ecosystem. Reachable by bus from Baiersbronn station.

Amongst mountain bikers, Freiburg is famous for being close to the Schwarzwald, but also for its own trails which have been installed and are maintained by an association. The first one starts very near the Rosskopf peak.

The footway starts close to Schwabentor

On the way up there is a beautiful square called "Kanonenplatz". The view there is nice, but it is still recommended to struggle a bit more uphill to reach the observation tower called the marker type=do name="Schloßbergturm" lat=47.99507…

A circular 5-km hiking route that connects several sites from the author's childhood. The trail leads from the market square up the surrounding hills, offering panoramic views of the town's timber-framed rooftops.

Schloßplatz 1

A cultural venue in a historic vaulted cellar run by a non-profit association. It hosts regular concerts, DJ nights, and open stage events. The drink menu includes a selection of cocktails and regional beverages.

in a timber-framed building on the market square

It serves regional beers from the Schönbuch brewery and classic Swabian dishes. The outdoor seating offers the best view of the town's historic center and is a prime spot for people-watching.

Close to Bertoldsbrunnen

A very interesting and cheap place to eat. During the day, various small stores from all around the world offer cheap but good dishes. Check out the Indian place. It has good curries.

in the same building as the Hermann Hesse Museum

This café offers a literary atmosphere with high-quality coffee, homemade cakes, and light regional lunches. The interior is decorated with references to Hesse's works.

Eschholzstraße 17

Restaurant/bar famous among students due to its very reasonable prices. It features a daily spaghetti bolognese special between 18:00-19:30:for a plate.

near the northern edge of the town center· Cheap

It serves Irish beers and whiskeys. The interior is decorated in a traditional pub style, and the venue frequently hosts live music performances and bar games.

Tram No. 1 to Römerhof or a scenic walk along the Dreisam river· Pricey

This hostel is at the foot of the black forest close to the stadium of the local soccer club SC Freiburg. Quite far away from the city and a youth hostel membership card is compulsory.

Lange Straße 93

Good quality rooms and better than typical breakfast buffet for a HI Express. A little out of the center of the town but convenient for getting to/from other locations in the area.

Kartäuserstraße 99

The owners are extremely friendly and helpful. They have a good knowledge of things to see in the city and local walks in the Black Forest.

Ludwig-Wilhelm-Platz 4

An establishment with over 130 years of history situated within a legendary park, a grand hotel of international reputation.

Kartäuserstraße 33· Moderate

You can cook in their kitchen, however they don't provide breakfast. You should also be prepared to pay in cash.

A few blocks away from the train station is a clean and very affordable stay. Breakfast included in every room. About an 8-minute walk from the city center.