black forest tourist guide

The Ultimate Black Forest Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Visit

Situated in the southwest corner of Germany, the Black Forest, or Schwarzwald in German, is renowned worldwide for its dark conifer forests, picturesque villages, hiking trails, and thermal spas. Steeped in mystery and myth, the Black Forest is a favored destination in Baden-Württemberg for many Germans when vacationing within their own country. Having visited Schwarzwald several times, I can vouch for its allure. There is a myriad of activities to enjoy in the Black Forest! I’ve compiled a Black Forest travel guide that includes everything you need to plan a trip to Schwarzwald, from crafting your own Black Forest itinerary to detailed descriptions of the region’s attractions and cultural sites.

The state of Baden-Württemberg is an ideal travel destination that caters to all interests. Many tourists and locals alike flock to the Black Forest to explore Schloss Hohenbaden , trek to the Triberg Waterfalls , and admire the half-timbered houses in Schiltach . Moreover, Schwarzwald offers an opportunity to breathe in fresh air, making it an excellent destination for outdoor adventures. For an authentic Black Forest experience and a chance to immerse yourself in local life, consider venturing off the beaten track.

The best part of visiting Schwarzwald is that you can’t go wrong with any itinerary because the Black Forest is an expansive area rich in tradition. Visiting the Black Forest is an essential component of any Southern Germany road trip and is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Baden-Württemberg. In this travel guide, you’ll also find my recommendations and tips for planning your Black Forest itinerary, serving as a starting point for organizing your trip to Schwarzwald. Let’s dive right in!

Where is the Black Forest in Germany?

The Black Forest region in Baden-Württemberg is known for the cuckoo clock, the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, and the highest non-Alpine Mountains in Germany . Extending for approximately 100 miles along the French border from Switzerland to Baden-Baden, the Black Forest is the hub of the country’s timber and woodworking industry. The Black Forest National Park features 11 moderate trails ranging from 3.9 to 20.8 miles, with around 250 different communities within theregional area.

Why is it Called the Black Forest?

Locally known as the Schwarzwald, the region evokes images of wizards, gnomes, and witches, resembling an enchanted forest from a fairy tale. The Black Forest is steeped in myths and legends, with tales suggesting that the dense canopy of evergreen trees was so thick that sunlight had difficulty reaching the forest floor. This led locals to refer to the forest as black.

A Brief History of the Black Forest Region

For instance, timber from the Black Forest was utilized to construct foundations for homes on the soft, sandy ground in the Netherlands . In the mid-18th and early 19th centuries, many farmers used the wood to craft intricate cuckoo clocks to supplement their income during the winter months. Today, local cuckoo clockmakers continue to uphold this rich cultural and historical heritage

Today, the Black Forest stands as one of the best-managed forests in Germany. Visitors may not immediately recognize this as they gaze upon the rolling green hills and dense woodlands. However, as they delve deeper into the national park, they can observe areas designated for forestry activities alongside sections where new planting is underway. In certain regions, rows of young plant seedlings are still visible.

Another notable feature of the Black Forest is its thermal spas. The Romans were the first to introduce bathing culture, with Europeans rediscovering the healing springs in the early 19th century. The natural hot springs in the northwestern corner of the Black Forest, including the spa town of Baden-Baden, attract spa enthusiasts from around the globe.

How to Get to the Black Forest

Flying to the black forest region.

If you’re traveling from the United States or Canada, Frankfurt serves as the main airport for this region. Trains operate between Freiburg (Breisgau) Hbf and Frankfurt (Main), as well as connecting Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, and Offenburg to major cities in Germany by rail.

When visiting the Black Forest using public transportation, some planning is necessary. If you arrive in major cities, consider using regional trains to reach the smaller towns on your Black Forest itinerary. For those interested in a scenic train journey through the Black Forest, obtaining a Konus card could be a smart choice. This guest card is valid during your stay for all local buses and trains, as well as trams and buses in Freiburg and Karlsruhe.

Driving in the Black Forest

Certainly, the most convenient way to explore the Black Forest is by car. With numerous rental companies operating in Germany, you can readily collect your vehicle at the airport upon arrival. If you’re journeying from Frankfurt, consider taking Autobahn A5, which traverses Offenburg along the western periphery of the Black Forest.

Alternatively, you can opt for Autobahn A81, which passes through the valley on the eastern side of the region. Both routes serve as excellent starting points for driving to any town within the region and are ideal choices if you’re considering a self-drive tour of the Black Forest.

When is the Best Time to Visit Black Forest

Schwarzwald is a breathtaking year-round destination that captivates the soul with its stunning landscape and natural beauty. Depending on your interests, the region provides fantastic opportunities for cross-country skiing, hiking, and biking.

For hiking enthusiasts, summer is the perfect time to visit . Spring arrives later at higher elevations, with hilltops in the Black Forest typically covered in snow in early March. To witness nature in full bloom, consider visiting in late April or early May.

During winter, Schwarzwald receives abundant snowfall. If you’re seeking winter activities in the Black Forest, the national park offers opportunities for cross-country and downhill skiing. You can also witness major sporting events like ski jumping, attend a dog sled race, or enjoy snowshoeing and snowboarding. Additionally, don’t miss the enchanting Christmas markets in picturesque towns during the holiday season

Where To Stay In The Black Forest, Germany

Baden-Baden: Schwarzwaldhotel Sonne Karlsruhe: Hotel Zum Ochsen Durlach Europa-Park: Hotel Bell Rock Freiburg: Hotel Schwarzwälder Hof Bad Teinach-Zavelstein: Hotel Berlins KroneLamm Triberg: Hotel Central Garni Feldberg: Hotel Schlehdorn Gengenbach: Die Reichsstadt Heidelberg: Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg Gernsbach: Schloss Eberstein Endingen: Zollhaus Lahr: Hotel Restaurant Adler Vogtsburg: Schwarzer Adler Estate Hotel

How to Explore the Black Forest

After my last three trips to the Black Forest, I figured out that the best way to explore is to set up a home base and explore from there. On my recent trip, I stayed in Kirchzarten, which is only a 10-minute drive from Freiburg. The town a number of reasonably-priced hotels as well as vacation rentals. However, if you’re interested in a more rustic experience, the concept of farm stays is quite popular here.

I crisscrossed Schwarzwald on my recent trips and there are still places I haven’t seen. To create a perfect Black Forest itinerary you’ll need first to narrow down the list of places you want to visit.

If you have more than a weekend, set aside some time for particular points of interest you’ll encounter along the way. But if you have set a specific time to leave the area try to plan more specifically for your days.

Keep in mind that wherever you go, you will likely come across a lot of charming places that deserve a stop.

When visiting the Black Forest, hiking its numerous trails is a must-do activity. Major cities like Baden-Baden, Freiburg, and Offenburg have local tourist offices where you can obtain maps and details about shorter routes.

To create your itinerary, start by selecting the area you want to explore and then choose your preferred route. Online planning tools can display all trails in the chosen region, some even highlighting specific attractions, accommodations, and trails leading to those points of interest.

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In the Black Forest, most routes are straightforward to follow, marked consistently with various color-coded markers. However, it’s common for a single route to be indicated by multiple colored markers.

Remember, there are yellow local trails (gelbe Raute), blue regional trails (blaue Raute), and red main trails (rote Raute). Notable trails include those running north-south and east-west, such as the Freiburg-Bodensee (Westweg) and Kaiserstuhl–Rhine Black Forest Trail.

Multi-day hiking trails are deeply ingrained in local culture, with plenty of inns and stops along the way. It’s entirely feasible to explore the Black Forest through hiking without the need for camping in a tent.

Moreover, the Black Forest offers a variety of theme trails for you to explore, each focusing on a specific aspect of the region. These trails range from pilgrimages to farm life experiences and cultural highlights to famous attractions. You can even embark on the schnapps trail, leading you through the forest past schnapps and wine fountains, offering a unique and flavorful experience.

Here are the Most Beautiful Tourist Routes in the Black Forest:

The Schwarzwaldhocstrasse , or the Black Forest High Road, is the oldest tourist route in the Black Forest. It covers high areas in the northern Black Forest, focusing on scenery and panoramic views.

The Badische Weinstrasse , or Baden Wine Route, travels through the winemaking region on the west side of the forest. The route includes numerous wineries and renowned restaurants.

The Schwarzwald-Bäderstraße , or Black Forest Spa Route, travels through some of the top spa towns in a region that is known for its phenomenal spa experiences.

The Klosterroute Nordschwarzwald , or Northern Black Forest Monastery Road, visits four spectacular historic monasteries, including the UNESCO World Heritage Maulbronn Monastery.

Other routes exclusive to the Black Forest include the Schwarzwald-Tälerstraße , and the Baden Spargelstraße, or Asparagus Route.

Tour routes running through the Black Forest, but not exclusive to it are:

• The German Framework Route , red line, featuring stunning half-timbered architecture across the region;
• The Hohenzollern Road , which follows the path of the Prussian royalty throughout Baden-Württemberg;
• Römerstraße Neckar-Alb-Aare , or Roman Road Neckar-Alb-Aare, traces Roman ruins throughout the area, with excavations and open air museums.

Things to Do in the Black Forest

Visit a castle.

While Schwarzwald is not particularly known for its castles or palaces, the region boasts some outstanding examples, ranging from functioning sites open for tours to mere ruins. Schloß Eberstein near Gernsbach, Karlsruhe Palace , Castle Hohengeroldseck just to name a few.

My American readers may be interested to find within the castle museum a letter penned by George Washington to a Hohenzollern descendant thanking him for his service in the American Revolutionary War.

Go To a Spa

Friedrichsbad and Caracalla in Baden-Baden, mineral thermal bath in Bad Teinach, Paracelsus-Thermae in Bad Liebenzell, and Palais Thermal in Bad Wildbad are among the best spas in the Black Forest region.

Since the Roman era, Schwarzwald has been known for its health retreats and spas. At first, Roman soldiers were sent to recuperate and “take the waters” here. Centuries later the Black Forest was frequented by royalty, the European nobility, and the world’s elite. It was the place to see and be seen both in the summer and in the winter and that feel has permeated the region as it is today.

With more than 400 ranking criteria to determine the overall quality of a spa, there are 17 different sites in the Black Forest to visit. With this in mind, pick a town with a name starting with the word “Bad” (bath) to get a quality spa experience.

Hike To Triberg Waterfall

Located in the town of Triberg, the Triberg Fall is one of the most scenic natural wonders in Schwarzwald. The trail begins right in town. It is well marked and you will need to pay a small entry fee to access the trail. You’ll climb from the foot to the top of the waterfalls on a winding path along the cascading falls, with lookout points to enjoy the view.

After a point, the trail branches off in three directions. The main trail loops back into the town. Don’t miss seeing Maria in der Tanne pilgrimage church along the route. The small baroque church is very unique to the Black Forest with an impressive altar and wonderful carved wood doors.

Enjoy The Rides At Europa Park

Europa Park sits in the town of Rust, some 50 minutes from Offenburg. This is Europe’s second most popular amusement park (after Disneyland Paris). Split into 15 country-themed areas, Europa Park features world-class rides in a setting that recreates highlights from around Europe . You can take a Poseidon Water roller coaster ride, have a lot of fun with Cassandra’s Curse – spinning-room dark ride, and check out Russia’s Mir space station. I particularly like Atlantica Super Splash that creates a refreshing spray and genuinely makes you feel like you left Germany!

Visit The Black Forest Open Air Museum

You can easily spend one full day there because the museum features an extensive collection of farmhouses ranging from 16th to the 18th centuries. In order to understand local life better, you can join guided tours both in German and English. From March to November there are activities and workshops like traditional baking and cooking, folklore, and craft demonstrations. This will be a fun-filled learning experience for kids. Check the timings before you go, so that you won’t miss anything.

Go To a Historic Mine

Did you know that there are amazing medieval mines beneath the Black Forest? In Schwarzwald extensive mining activities took place during the Middle Ages but today nearly all of the mines are closed to production. Several former mine sites have re-opened their doors to visitors after refurbishment.

So if you’re into the history of mining technology, you can choose any of the 12 mines in the Black Forest that offer tours ranging from 45 minutes to two and a half hours. Museums-Bergwerk Schauinsland, Mine ‘Frischglück’ in Neuenbürg, Mine ‘Finstergrund’ in Wieden, Mine ‘Teufelsgrund’ in Münstertal and some others offer scheduled tours.

Beautiful Places to Visit in the Black Forest

First things first, there are endless beautiful places to visit in the Black Forest. Every village and town here has unique aspects and something special to see. Wherever you go, you will always find something worthwhile along the way. However, when it comes to planning your own Black Forest travel itinerary, there are some extraordinary locations that you may want to visit in the first place.

Freiburg im Breisgau

With a charming medieval old town and dynamic café culture, Freiburg harmoniously combines the old and the new. The Munsterplatz , or cathedral square, is where the lively open-air market takes place on working days, great for people-watching. The atmospheric Freiburg Munster with its frightening and grotesque gargoyles is worth a visit too. The cathedral is home to the 750-year-old Hosanna bell , as well as the 116-m-high tower that offers scenic panoramic views of the town.

Another great thing to check out in Freiburg, especially for kids, is the Bächle ! These little cobbled water-filled gutters run through the city center. In the summer, waterways attract barefoot kids of all ages to play, splash and have a blast.

Set in the pine-forested Nagold valley, Calw has a reputation for being one of the forest’s prettiest towns. As the birthplace of German novelist, and Nobel Prize recipient Herman Hesse, there’s a museum dedicated to his works. Calw is another stop on the Timber Frame Road so you can expect to enjoy the peaceful and tranquil countryside.

Start exploring Calw with the picturesque market square. Surrounded by 18th-century half-timbered houses, Calw’s square offers a quintessential German experience – think cobbled streets, towering Gothic churches, and of course, delicious beer. The city owes its growth to tourism. Many flock here to see the ruins of Hirsau Monastery , stop by the Tannery Museum, the Monastery Hirsau Museum, and the Farmhouse Museum.

Bad Wildbad

Situated in the north of the forest, Bad Wildbad is a lovely riverfront town where you can take a river walk to try the Palais Thermal baths. The thing I love about Bad Wildbad is that the spa town is much cheaper than Baden-Baden. At the same time if offers amazing spa facilities, a wide range of treatments for health, entertaining cultural events, and cross-country trails on the Sommerberg and around. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a ride on the Sommerberg Funicular Railway, then take the Schwarzwald Treetop Walk .

Breisach am Rhein

The tiny town of Breisach sits on the German side of the Upper Rhine River in the immediate vicinity of Alsace. You can reach Breisach by rail from Freiburg in 30 minutes. Alternatively, there are trains to Breisach from Riegel am Kaiserstuhl, north of Freiburg. To the west, there is Colmar in France. Catch a bus at Breisach Bahnhof bus station to enjoy a 30-minute bus ride.

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Breisach, this charming town, was nearly obliterated during WWII but meticulously reconstructed in its original style. It stands as one of the most picturesque destinations in the Black Forest, deserving more frequent visits. A great way to begin your exploration of Breisach is by visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral , a majestic structure that dominates the cityscape.

Next, make sure to visit the Blue House , a memorial site honoring the history of the Jews of the Upper Rhine. Discover the secrets of the Radbrunnen Tower (Radbrunnenturm), which served as a town hall and medieval court torture chamber. If your schedule allows, consider crossing the river into France to witness the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site, the star-shaped Neuf-Brisach Citadel of the Sun King

Baiersbronn

This picturesque mountain resort comprises nine charming hamlets renowned as a hub of haute cuisine in Germany. It has gained culinary acclaim for the remarkable number of Michelin stars awarded to three local restaurants.

The striking ruins of All Saints’ Abbey (Kloster Allerheiligen) possess a haunting allure, set amidst a secluded backdrop with a tragic history. Established in 1192, the premises have endured destruction from fires in 1470, 1555, and ultimately by lightning in 1804. To the southwest of Baiersbronn, a scenic trail leads to the 40-meter tall Sankenbach Waterfalls (Sankenbach-Wasserfälle). Visitors can interact with a long wooden lever that enables them to adjust the waterfall’s flow volume

Nestled just a 20-minute train ride away from Offenburg, the town of Gengenbach is a picturesque delight with its narrow cobblestone streets, charming stone fountains, and half-timbered houses. Each corner of this chocolate box town exudes postcard-worthy charm, adorned with brightly painted shutters, flower boxes, and bronze lanterns.

Gengenbach is a highlight along the German Framework Road , resembling a scene from a fairy tale. For an unforgettable Christmas experience, be sure to visit Gengenbach in December. Leading up to Christmas, the town hall transforms into a grand Advent calendar, with each of its 24 large windows unveiling intricate scenes day by day.

In fact, Baden-Württemberg was one of the first areas in Europe to host Christmas markets. Gengenbach is a unique place to enjoy a traditional Christkindlesmarkt that isn’t ruined by commercialization or overrun by crowds. Also, don’t miss out on visiting Narrenmuseum Niggelturm, Löwenberg Museum in the former Patrician’s house, and the Rafting and Transport Museum in the former Warden’s House.

There is a number of vineyards surround much of Gengenbach, while hikes in the area range from about 1-13 miles. Shorter walks are available along some of the vineyards close to town. The paths won’t be actually winding through forests, but you’ll have incredible views of the area, as well as the town itself.

The Bottom Line

I hope my Black Forest travel guide has sparked your interest in visiting Schwarzwald soon. If you’re still seeking additional options to include in your itinerary, there are countless places worth exploring in this region. From castles and trails to museums and picturesque towns, the Black Forest offers a plethora of choices that are sure to delight you.

Schwarzwald is one of my favorite places in Germany, and I will definitely return. The question is, how many times.

Still have doubts about how to arrange a trip to the Black Forest, what to do, and where to stay? Don’t be shy, leave a question in the comments below. If you enjoy what I do, I would be grateful if you could click the affiliate links sprinkled throughout this page. This will help me with running MindTheTravel and writing great travel tips! Thank you for your support!

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My husband and I lived in Germany many years ago and this took me back. Thank you.

I would love to visit The Black Forest. Your article makes it look like a very interesting place to visit. Thanks for this.

Never knew it was known by Schwarzwald. Seems very exciting! Would love to visit it!

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Black Forest Travel Guide

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my  disclaimer policy.

Thinking about visiting Germany’s beautiful Black Forest? Keep reading this guide for an overview of what to do and see in the Black Forest area. Or dive into one of our more in-depth guides below.

What to Do and See in the Black Forest

Whether you’re into food, history, architecture, nature, art, or spontaneous adventures, you’ll find plenty to see and experience in and around the Black Forest! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Best Things to See and Do in the Black Forest

View our top recommendations!

Black Forest Accommodations

There are a lot of hotels and vacation rentals in the Black Forest region. You can stay in a city like Freiburg or Baden-Baden or you in small towns and villages like Triberg, Staufen, Haslach, Gengnenbach, etc. You can also rent apartments and vacation homes in the rural areas of the Black Forest. 

If you’re looking for an apartment in the Black Forest,  do a search on Booking.com . We’ve found several great apartments there (less than what we saw on Airbnb for the same apartment) and it’s SO nice to have all hotel and apartment reservations in one place.

Book your Black Forest accommodations in advance! They tend to fill quickly during peak travel times (summer, Christmas, etc.) so I recommend seeing  what’s open for your travel dates .

If you have our  Germany Travel Planner  you’ll find recommended hotels on our interactive planning map. Seeing where these hotels are in relation to the top sights makes it a lot easier to find the perfect place to stay.  If you don’t yet have it, click here to get access.

Best Hotels in the Black Forest

Book from a list of our top recommendations!

Black Forest Tours and Tickets

The Black Forest has many guided tours and special tickets to make your visit extra fun. Book in advance so you don’t have to scramble once you’re in town and potentially miss out on an activity or tour you’re looking forward to.

organized activities from our affiliates

Freiburg City Tour

Click here for price and availability.

From Colmar: 3 Villages in France, Switzerland, Germany Trip

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Europa Park

Germany’s largest theme park! Click here for tickets.

From Zurich to Black Forest Titisee and Rhine Falls

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Top sites of Baden-Baden City Tour

Know before you go.

Airport: Stuttgart International Airport (STR) Currency:  Euro Language:   The official language of Germany is German (Deutsch) Time zone:  Central European Time (CET / GMT+ 2 / 6 hours ahead of US EST) Germany Visa:  tourists from the US, Canada, and several other countries do not need a visa to visit Germany for under 90 days. Germany Electricity Socket:  Germany uses different voltage and sockets than in North America, the UK, and other parts of the world.  Read our guide to adapters and converters  so you can safely use your tech in Germany. Germany SIM card:  Read our guide here to SIM cards  and other ways to use your phone in Germany. Germany Car Rentals:  We find  great deals on rental cars here . You can also check out our scenic  Germany road trips article here.

Recommended Day Trips from the Black Forest

One of the best things about visiting the Black Forest is that you have countless day trip options. You can plan your own day trips for maximum flexibility or book guided tours for maximum relaxation and convenience. Here are some ideas to get your planning started.

Strasbourg, France

Zurich, Switzerland

Basel, Switzerland

Bad Wildbad

Colmar, France

Baden-Baden

Lake Titisee

Black forest travel faq, where is the black forest located.

The Black Forest is located in southwestern Germany. Stuttgart is to the north, Lake Constance (Bodensee) is to the east, Switzerland is to the south, and France is to the west.

Where do I Get That Map?

If you have our  Germany Travel Planner,  you’ll find recommended hotels on our interactive planning map. Seeing where these hotels are in relation to the top sights makes it a lot easier to find the perfect place to stay.  If you don’t have it yet, click here to get access.

What is the Black Forest Famous For?

The Black Forest is famous for traditional cuckoo clocks, Black Forest ham, Black Forest cake, stunning natural landscape including picturesque glacial lakes, waterfalls and mountain peaks, walking, hiking and biking trails, spa towns, quaint villages, bustling university towns, and, of course, a famous forest.

What is the Closest German City to the Black Forest?

The closest major German city is Stuttgart.

How Large is the Black Forest in Germany?

The Black Forest has an area of about 6,009 km2 (2,320 sq mi),

Why is the Black Forest Called the Black Forest?

It’s called the Black Forest because of the dense growth of conifer trees in the area that have a very dark green color, giving the illusion of a “black” forest.

How to Get to  the Black Forest?

You can reach the Black Forest by train or car. Trains will get you to many locations in the Black Forest but a car is better if you want to explore beyond the cities and main villages, get off the beaten path or visit the Black Forest National Park.

If you’re flying to Germany and then heading to the Black Forest, consider flying into Stuttgart, which is located just north of the Black Forest. You could also fly into nearby Strasbourg, France or Basel, Switzerland and then take the train or drive a rental car to the Black Forest.

How to Get Around the Black Forest?

You can get around by driving a rental car or taking trains. We like the freedom and flexibility you get with a car but taking the train is much cheaper.

We use  this site to find the best deals on rental cars  in Germany.

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As the setting of countless Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, the Black Forest happily plays up to its image as a land of cuckoo clocks, cherry gâteaux, outlandish traditional garb, hefty half-timbered farmhouses and hill upon hill of dark evergreen forest. But even brief exploration soon reveals more of the character of a region that’s part of the state of Baden-Württemburg but was shaped as much by its history as a long-disputed borderland between Germany, France and Switzerland – and where something of each is in evidence.

Baden-Baden

The kinzig and gutach valleys, the northern black forest, the southern black forest, the cuckoo clock.

Since Roman times this series of rounded granite summits, which topographically forms a counterpart to France’s Vosges on the other, western, side of the Rhine Valley, has been a border region. The Romans found it harsh and rather impenetrable and the region took centuries to populate and even then was considered an oddly backward part of Germany.

Inevitably the Black Forest first rose to commercial prominence for its timber, and forestry naturally spawned woodwork – giving farmers something to do in the winter – and so the famous cuckoo-clock industry, the associated precision engineering, and the manufacture of musical instruments followed. All these continue to provide jobs, though the regional mainstay is now tourism, which continues year-round thanks to skiing and spa facilities. So you won’t find yourself alone exploring this attractive region, but escaping the crowds at the various hotspots is easy, particularly if you’re keen to explore on foot or by bike.

Relative to its fame, the Black Forest region is not terribly big – about 150km long and maybe 50km wide – and so easily explored by car in just a few days, though of course that rather misses the chance to drop down a gear in one of Germany’s most treasured regions where good scenery is matched by many time-honoured traditions.

Dozens of attractive slow-paced small towns and villages make touring a delight, but perhaps the best way to explore is to base yourself in one of the two largest towns and strike out from there. The most genteel base is Baden-Baden , a grand old nineteenth-century spa town in the north that specializes in dignified recuperation and pampering.

Bad Wildbad, is another smaller, less expensive alternative in the Northern Black Forest , which is otherwise known for its attractive marked drives, particularly the scenic Schwarzwaldhochstrasse , or the Badische Weinstrasse , which travels the range’s foothills through wine country. Both drives can be used to access the attractive Kinzig Valley which, along with the adjoining Gutach Valley , is considered the most quintessential and traditional Black Forest area. South of here, the attractive and upbeat university town of Freiburg dominates. Exploring its usually sun-soaked narrow streets is fun, but its main attraction is as a handy base from which to explore the entire Southern Black Forest . Deep valleys are flanked by rounded peaks like the Feldberg that tops out at 1493m, and include many minor ski and lake resorts.

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Best of Germany

Germany has a lot to offer to visitors: history buffs will enjoy guided tours in Berlin and Dresden, children (and those at heart) will marvel at Schloss Neuschwanstein, scenery lovers will appreciate Rothenburg and the Black Forest. This trip truly has something for everybody!

The smart and dignified grande dame of German spas, BADEN-BADEN lies cradled in the palm of idyllic and gentle wooded hills, 42km south of Karlsruhe. In the nineteenth century this was the St Tropez of high society and something of this era’s privilege survives in the dusty elegance of its villas, hotels and boutiques and in the manicured gardens where well-groomed socialites promenade. The absence of any heavyweight sights, moreover, helps make it a near perfect setting for a recuperative weekend.

Brief history

Baden margraves built today’s thermal baths in 1810 around the same springs that once lured Roman bathers – in particular Emperor Caracalla – nearly two millennia earlier. The baths were a hit in nineteenth-century Germany, so architect Friedrich Weinbrenner designed a complementary Neoclassical spa quarter. Some thirty years later, dapper Parisian impresario Jacques Bénazet added a casino, catapulting Baden-Baden to an elite playground that lured an international who’s-who to play, promenade and soothe their rheumatic joints: Tolstoy, Strauss, Queen Victoria, Kaiser Wilhelm I, Dostoyevsky, Bismarck, Tchaikovsky, Brahms and the Vanderbilts all visited. More recent visitors have included Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Victoria Beckham. Mark Twain came too, but had mixed feelings, describing it as “an inane town, filled with sham and petty fraud and snobbery”. The town emerged unscathed from World War II and now effortlessly blends its halcyon days with modern-day pampering.

The high life: hot-air ballooning in Baden-Baden

As a premier magnet for the well-heeled, it’s maybe no surprise that Baden-Baden has Europe’s largest fleet of hot-air balloons. So if you’ve struck it lucky at the casino, you might like to splurge on a two-hour champagne breakfast flight along the Rhine Valley between the Black Forest and the Vosges for €253 per person with Ballooning 2000 (07223 600 02, ballooning2000.de ).

When to choose your hat carefully

Baden-Baden’s social highlight of the year is the August Iffezheim races , Germany’s Ascot, which has been going strong since 1858 and encompasses two events: the Frühjahrsmeeting over the last week of May; and the grander Grosse Woche in the last week in August, when the country’s elite dress to the nines and don flamboyant hats.

The Kinzig and Gutach valleys are quintessential Black Forest landscapes; they’re also the birthplace of many of its most eccentric folk costumes, and cuckoo clocks are sold here by the tonne. From Baden-Baden the region is most attractively accessed along the twisty and scenic Schwarzwaldhochstrasse , which leads to the northeastern end of the steep-sided and densely forested Kinzig Valley , the horseshoe-shaped hub of the Black Forest’s largest valley system, dotted with a series of picturesque small towns. Particularly appealing are the monastery and brewery town of Alpirsbach , and the quaint gathering of half-timbered houses at Schiltach . For generations this remote valley made its money logging and farming, and its modest and fairly sleepy communities celebrate this heritage with various evocative museums, including the open-air Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum , one of the region’s premier sights, just up the feeder valley of the River Gutach . This small stream is responsible for the broad 25km-long Gutach Valley, famous for its Bollenhut , a black hat with red pompoms worn as a traditional folk costume by women and reproduced in tourist literature throughout the region. Close to the head of the valley lies Triberg , the Black Forest’s most touristy town, packed with cuckoo-clock shops and coach parties and probably worth avoiding unless you’re after a chirping time-piece – in which case you’ll certainly want to visit the good, nearby clock museum at Furtwangen too.

The Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum

Just over 1km south of the Gutach’s confluence with the Kinzig lies the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum , an open-air museum focused on an old farm – the Vogtsbauernhof – that has been here since 1570. Its huge roof is typical of the local traditional building style and the sort of place that caused Jerome K. Jerome to comment: “The great charm about a Black Forest house is its sociability: the cows are in the next room, the horses are upstairs, the geese and ducks in the kitchen, while the pigs, children and chickens live all over the place.”

The 26 other buildings in the complex – which include a sawmill, granary, bakery, distillery, smithy and chapel – have been moved here from elsewhere to create a rather phoney little village. But great effort has gone into authentically furnishing them all and costumed guides doing craft demonstrations help bring the place alive and broaden the appeal.

From where it meets the Kinzig Valley, the Gutach Valley progressively narrows then climbs to a point some 1000m above sea level after 20km, where the air is so pure it once made the town of TRIBERG a health resort. But this was long ago, and today the town is obsessed with only one thing: the cuckoo clock. Thousands are on sale here and the tourist traffic the industry spawns can be nightmarish; but if you embrace the kitsch and are in the market for a clock, it can be fun.

The long, thin Marktplatz that follows the main road through town is its natural focus, with a large pilgrimage church, or Wallfahrtskirche, looming over it decked out in florid Baroque. But the busiest end of town is uphill from here at a bend in the main road, where clock shops are squeezed together. They’re an attraction in themselves (see The cuckoo clock), and certainly as well visited as the town’s two other main attractions nearby.

Though plenty of small towns and villages dot the Northern Black Forest, most are of little specific interest, though Bad Wildbad does offer an alternative spa town to Baden-Baden. Instead this region is best known for its scenic drives, including the Badische Weinstrasse , which travels through the strip of vineyards that line the Rhine Valley and is home to Europa-Park , Germany’s largest amusement-park. Just east, above the valley, another waymarked drive, the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse is considered the classic scenic drive in the Black Forest.

Europa-Park

Though not that well-known beyond Germany’s borders, the Europa-Park is one of Europe’s premier theme-parks and a sure-fire kid-pleaser, with about fifty rides in an area around the size of eighty football pitches and set amid a number of villages themed by European country. Located 35km north of Frieburg near the village of Rust, it’s particularly convenient for drivers heading between Strasbourg or Karlsruhe and the Swiss Alps.

The Badische Weinstrasse

The Badische Weinstrasse (Badische Wine Road), a 160km-long waymarked route that winds through the foothills of the Black Forest, cuts through vineyards and past ruined castles on its way from Baden-Baden to Freiburg. It’s an attractive alternative to the motorway corridor along the Rhine Valley for north- or south-bound travellers with time on their hands, and particularly those with an interest in sampling and buying fine wines.

The tiny town of Durbach , some 50km south of Baden-Baden along the Badische Weinstrasse , amid rolling vineyards and overlooked by the impressive Schloss Staufenberg , is a perfect stop and of particular interest to wine lovers for its excellent Durbacher Winzergenossenschaft (wine co-operative; Mon–Fri 8am–noon, Sat 9am–12.30pm), a shop with a great selection of distinguished and well-priced local wines that’s liberal with its samples. It’s signposted and just off the main road at the centre of Durbach.

The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse

There are various routes from Baden-Baden into the heart of the Black Forest, but the most attractive is probably the magnificent Schwarzwaldhochstrasse – the Black Forest Highway or B500 – which climbs from Baden-Baden through an idyllic combination of pines and meadows, valleys and peaks to Freudenstadt. The route may only be 60km long but it’s worth taking about half a day over the drive, allowing for time to break the journey at the various car parks, viewpoints and belvederes which dot the route to take in fine views of the Upper Rhine Valley and France’s Vosges. Allow time too for a couple of short worthwhile hikes, particularly the easy 1.5km loop around the touristy but pretty Mummelsee and a hike from the Allerheiligen monastery – signposted off the B500 6km to the south. From this impressive ruin of a Gothic Premonstratensian abbey, signs point along a path to an attractive waterfall a twenty-minute walk south.

South of Freiburg the Southern Black Forest gradually rises into a series of rounded and densely forested mountains that begins with the Schauinsland peak and includes the ski resorts of Todtnau and the Feldberg , the highest peak in the area. Only smaller settlements dot their slopes or huddle at the valley bottoms. The more densely wooded hills just south of here are also thinly populated, with the modest lakeside resort towns of Titisee , Schluchsee and small spa resort of St Blasien among the few exceptions. To the east of the area on the fringes of the Black Forest lies the Wutachschlucht , a deep overgrown gorge that’s popular for hiking; while to the west, where the land flattens around the Rhine and the French border, the prim spa-town of Badenweiler is a draw, as is the idyllic cluster of vineyard-draped hills called the Kaiserstuhl , sticking out in what’s an otherwise clear run up to the impressive Vosges mountains on the horizon.

At 1493m the Feldberg is the Black Forest’s highest summit, but it’s hardly a soaring peak. Instead its huge bulk rears into a bald, rather flat, treeless dome. Nevertheless, the area is protected as a nature reserve where wild flowers flourish as do unusual fauna like mountain hens and goat-like chamois. The scattered presence of traditional Black Forest farmhouses and the occasional alpine hut add to the charm. But most villages in the area exist to provide for the major regional downhill-skiing centre . The most convenient is the slope-side village of FELDBERG , little more than a group of roadside houses on a 1234m-high pass, but given its general lack of services and nightlife you might prefer to stay in the more well-rounded village of Altglashütten, in the valley 8km away.

Haus der Natur

In summer the main focus on the Feldberg is on the Haus der Natur visitor centre, which has various displays on natural history in German and is the start point for various hikes including the Feldberg-Steig , a highly recommended 12km loop that links five alpine huts around the upper reaches of the Feldberg. Much of it passes over open ground, offering open vistas which many other Black Forest hikes lack. In winter a good portion of this and other local trails form popular cross-country skiing routes.

Feldbergbahn

A short walk from the Haus der Natur lies the Feldbergbahn which, in winter, is part of a network of 28 ski lifts and covered by a day-pass. In summer it offers the chance of great views over the Alps without any legwork.

The Wutachschlucht

On the southeastern fringes of the Black Forest and hidden from view in the rolling landscape of farms and pastures lies the 33km-long Wutachschlucht , a deep gorge that’s been fed and shaped by the waters of the Titisee. The thickly forested and overgrown chasm with its stretches of craggy cliffs, churning waters and unspoilt, ancient forests has become a popular hike. Given that the walk is too long to do in a day, local buses operate to pick up and drop off hikers along the gorge route for a flat rate of €3 per day.

Several communities act as gateways to the valley, with the most practical being Löffingen – which is on the railway network (from Freiburg hourly; 1hr) – to the north of the Wutachschlucht and Bonndorf – an easy bus ride from Schluchsee – to the south. A popular quick taster of the canyon landscape is the feeder valley of the Lotenbachklamm, along which an easy and attractive hour-long, round-trip walk runs to the Schattenmühle , an old watermill and inn in the Wutach Valley. The Shattenmühle is also the ideal place to start a hike of the most stunning stretch of the Wutachschlucht. Take bus #7259 from Löffingen or #7344 from Bonndorf, to the Schattenmühle , or park there, then walk five hours east along the gorge to Wutachmühle, and take bus #7344 back to the start (9am–6pm hourly; 25min) or to Bonndorf.

The quiet little mountain town of TODTNAU , 32km southeast of Freiburg and 25km beyond the Schauinslandbahn, bustles with activity in winter when it becomes a gateway to a network of ski lifts around the Feldberg.

A ski lift up the Hasenhorn carries toboggans in winter and continues to attract a steady trickle of visitors in summer thanks to the presence of a 2.9km roller-coaster-cum-bobsleigh track and a couple of excellent downhill mountain-bike trails aimed at experienced riders who can buy or rent any equipment they need at the base-station shop.

Aside from skiing, Todtnau’s other great draw is a 97m-tall waterfall that cascades over several craggy rocks on the opposite (northern) side of the valley. To get there from town hike the signposted 2km trail from the church at the centre of Todtnau, or simply follow the much shorter trail from the car park on the hairpin of the L126 en route to Freiburg and Kirchzarten. The falls freeze in the winter to magical effect, but beware the slippery trails.

The origins of the cuckoo clock are uncertain. Though the first known description comes from Saxony in the mid-sixteenth century, it’s thought they were probably first made in Bohemia. Certainly it was only about a hundred years later – in the 1730s – that cuckoo clocks began to be made in the Black Forest, with Schönwald near Triberg being the site of the earliest workshops.

The quality of the craftsmanship and engineering quickly captured the imagination and the European market, and the cuckoo clock has roosted here ever since. Local shops sell a bewildering array, but as the over-eager shop assistants will inform you, it all boils down to three designs – the chalet , the hunting theme and the simple carved cuckoo . The technology in each is much the same, clocks with small pine cones dangling below them require daily winding while those with larger cones need only weekly attention.

There’s more labour-saving on hand, thanks to the digital revolution which hasn’t been allowed to bypass this traditional craft: some models are battery- and quartz-driven, and play recordings of an actual cuckoo on the hour; others are even light sensitive so both you and the bird can get some sleep. Prices vary according to the size of the clock. Good-sized clocks can be bought for under €100, but for a real talking-piece you’ll need to pay almost twice that – and some creations fetch thousands. The choice is overwhelming, competition keen and almost all shops offer shipping services. See also the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum.

One shop you might want to visit Uhren-Park (Schonachbach 27; uhren-park.de) on the main road 2.7km south of Triberg, which charges a €1.50 fee to see what it claims is the largest cuckoo clock in the world – though there’s a rival claimant on the other side of town. Easter to Oct Mon–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 10am–6pm; Nov to Easter Mon–Sat 9am–5.30pm, Sun 11am–5pm.

Top image: The Black Forest, Schwarzwald, Germany © Funny Solution Studio/Shutterstock

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Black Forest Highlands

Impressive natural landscapes characterise the region in the central Black Forest: Pristine forests, green pastures or crystal clear lakes and streams. You also find the yummy Black Forest cake here (and many other sweet delicacies), tasty ham, traditional farmhouses or mills and the famous cuckoo clocks. For centuries the Black Forest Highlands were a major center of clock making and the clocks were carried on frame backpacks and sold throughout Europe and further.  Now we are happy to welcome our guests from far away! Go on a refreshing boat trip on the glistening blue lake Titisee , hike up to the top of mountain Feldberg or enjoy a relaxing time with wellness or culinary delights.  

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A trip to the Black Forest Highlands, near France and Switzerland and just 30 kilometres east of Freiburg, leads into the most popular holiday region in the Black Forest. From cosy and traditional to fashionable and luxurious, from campsites to five star hotels: more than 2.600 hosts invite you to take a relaxing break in the Black Forest Highlands. 

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Fresh spring water, sparkling waterfalls and lots of bathing fun! In the summer months, the Black Forest Highlands region is a top destination for anyone who loves water! Boat tours on l ake Titisee and lake Schluchsee , hikes in the Wutach gorge or a visit to Todtnau waterfall -  we have put together these and more great excursion options for all of you! 

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It's cold outside, while inside the fire crackles in the tiled stove and people sit together, talking and laughing, enjoying their company. Winter is not just the cosiest time of the year but is also when you can experience many special moments outside: In addition to skiing fun in the ski areas or on the cross-country ski trail, you can also enjoy the impressive winter landscape on a winter hike or guided snowshoe tour. 

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The Perfect 3-Day Black Forest Itinerary

Last Updated on February 1, 2024

by Paola Drexler

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Even if you only have time for a 3-day Black Forest itinerary, there is no doubt that visiting this gorgeous corner of southwestern Germany is 100% worth it.

In German, the forest is called der Schwarzwald, which references the pine trees’ deep dark green colour, making the forest look almost black.

If you are a fan of the Brothers Grimm fairytales, Harry Potter or just love traditional German towns, this destination will deliver in making your wildest dreams come true.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in the Black Forest?

Since the forest’s region is so massive, you might be contemplating how many days to spend in the Black Forest.

Some people only take a day trip to get a quick feel for the area, but I would recommend spending at least 2 days in the Black Forest and even then you can expect your days to be packed and might not get to experience all of the attractions.

However, if you do have an extra day, you will find that 3 days in the Black Forest does give you more time to breathe and enjoy the scenic forest to the fullest. You can even venture outside the area to explore other nearby cities.

As you may well know, the Black Forest is located in Germany’s southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg, spanning the cities of Baden-Baden, Freiburg, Offenburg and Pforzheim. You will also find the Rhine River, which reaches other popular cities like Frankfurt and Heidelberg , in the south and west of the forest.

Although the forest is magical all year round, the best time to visit the Black Forest is during the warmer seasons to ensure you can do all the outdoor activities.

Getting To & Around the Black Forest

You will be happy to hear that it is quite easy to get to and around the Black Forest, whether your preferred mode of transportation is by car, train or other methods.

If you are flying in, you will find that the closest airport depends on where you start your journey. For example, near the French/Swiss/German three-way border, you will have the Basel Airport which has great access from big cities like Frankfurt , Amsterdam and London .

You can also find the smaller Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport on the western side of the forest. The third and probably best option is the Stuttgart Airport, which is the largest of the three and also serves some discount airline carriers.  

For those who wish to plan your Black Forest travel itinerary by car, you can rent one at the airport or other available locations, just be sure to reserve in advance.

It’s also a great idea if you want to go beyond the Black Forest and embark on a greater Germany road trip. You can browse rental car options here .

Although exploring by car might be a convenient option, you can also complete your Black Forest trip by train. You can take a direct train from many of Germany’s major cities and it’s also quite accessible from neighbouring countries.

With train routes running alongside the forest, you can explore the different areas on foot and hop on The Black Forest Railway or other railway links to get around the grand forest. You can view schedules here.

Travellers on holiday can receive a free KONUS Guest Card at most resorts, just be sure to register with your host beforehand. This card allows for unlimited access to public transportation in the area.

If you are not eligible for a KONUS card, you can also purchase a SchwarzwaldCard that not only provides bus and train rides but also gives you access to 200 attractions. With this card, you can choose any three days to use it which is perfect for your 3 days in the Black Forest.

3-Day Black Forest Itinerary

Often, when people imagine a traditional German trip, they might think of the wooden half-timbered houses, giant cuckoo clocks and neverending lush green forest.

All of that, including cute red hats, delicious meat cuts, Black Forest cake and so much more can be found in this incredible area. If you are in search of something mystical, you will be sure to find it – whether it be through the magical food or sights.

Day 1 – Klotser Maulbronn, Calw & Baden-Baden

You will begin your journey just outside of Pforzheim, the city that is nicknamed “Goldstadt” or “Golden City.” Should a start in the south be more convenient (e.g. by flying into Basel airport), you can simply reverse the order of the days. Should you have more time at the beginning, consider a visit to Schloss Karlsruhe before beginning, especially if you love grand baroque palaces.

Kloster Maulbronn and Calw

Just a twenty-minute drive from Pforzheim, you will come across Maulbronn where you can visit a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site and well-preserved monastery from 1147 known as Kloster Maulbronn or Maulbronn Monastery.

Over the years it has seen its fair share of success and hardship, but today you can find the town’s police station, town hall and other offices on the grounds. 

Make your way down to Pforzheim, where its watchmaking and jewellery history is rich since these businesses date back to 1767.

Now that you are officially in the Black Forest, you will travel deeper into the forest until you reach Calw, which is a tiny town in the northern part of the forest. Here you can see some of the most beautiful medieval houses framed with timber that look just like what you would imagine a typical Black Forest village to look like.

Treetop Walk

Your next stop, at the Treetop Walk, will give you a lovely walkway where you will have the tops of the evergreen trees at eye level and you will see the forest from above. This is more than a typical hiking trail, it’s truly an experience.

The walkway will lead you to the observation tower where you will have a great view of the Black Forest and feel closer to nature than ever.

Baden-Baden Spas and Wine Route

After your treetop adventures, it’s time to head to Baden-Baden where you will get a chance to enjoy the calm side of the forest. If you have ever wondered what it was like to pamper yourself with a relaxing day at a spa during your trip to the Black Forest, well then you can find that out here.

You will also see that although Baden is the name of the region, the word also translates to bathing and the area takes its name seriously.

Baden-Baden is a great place to end your first day. You can check with your accommodations whether they have a spa you can enjoy or you can book a time with a spa nearby, like Caracalla Therme, to take a drink from the Fountain of Youth and enjoy a thermal bath. The town is famous for its thermal water springs which have attracted visitors for centuries.

However, before calling it a day you can indulge a bit more at the Baden Wine Route. Here you can learn all about the vineyards and delicious wine growing in the area. With most vineyards offering wine tastings, you can find out what wine in this part of Germany is all about.

Alternatively, you can end your day exploring more nature in the area, including the lovely Lake Mummelsee and the nearby Allerheiligen Waterfalls.

Day 2 – Freiburg & Titisee

On the second day of your Black Forest road trip itinerary , you will drive south, passing the town of Gengenbach. Depending on the time of year you are visiting the area, you might be able to catch the town’s Fasnacht or carnival festivities where people celebrate with parades and wear costumes.

Black Forest Open Air Museum

The next stop is the Black Forest Open Air Museum in Gutach, where you will learn the history of the town’s iconic wooden farmhouses dating back to the 16th century.

In the immersive experience, you will also get a taste of what life was like in the Black Forest. When you are done at the museum, get back into your car or get the next train towards Freiburg am Breisgau.

Freiburg Cathedral

Once you reach Freiburg, you will follow the alluring church bell chimes beaconing you to the Freiburg Cathedral. To match the mystical and gothic atmosphere enjoy a great view of the city and forest from the top of the cathedral.

During the winter in December, you can find joyous Christmas markets to add some extra magic to your trip. If you are visiting in February you can enjoy the town’s carnival or if you go a few months later you can experience the fun wine festivals.

Just outside of Freiburg, you can also find the Schauinsland cable car which will give you incredible views of the mountains and the forest.

Titisee-Neustadt and Lake

After Freiburg, you will head southeast to discover the stunning Titisee-Neustadt area. On the way to Titisee, you will drive by the Ravenna Gorge, which is a valley carved by the Ravenna River where you will see an extraordinary bridge.

You will continue down the Black Forest route until you come across a charming town with all the authentic Cuckoo clocks you have heard of, along with the region’s most mouthwatering cheese and meat cuts in the shops lining the lake in the city centre of Titisee-Neustadt.

No matter the time of year, you can enjoy the glorious Lake Titisee and the various activities surrounding it. In the warm times, you can swim in it, picnic near the shore or stroll around. In colder times, if the lake freezes, you can even ice skate on it.

You will end your second day strolling the street of Titisee-Neustadt, exploring the region’s delicacies and perhaps enjoying some local schnapps. Or, if you’re still keen to see more incredible nature, head to the nearby Feldberg to enjoy some gorgeous mountain scenery.

Day 3 – Triberg Waterfalls, Burg Huhenzollern, Europa Park & More

To end your 3 days in this enchanted forest with a bang, you will have a few options to choose from. There are plenty of activities to do in the forest for those who enjoy hiking, roaming the wildlife park and outdoor fun things but there are also many day trip adventures nearby.

Triberg Waterfalls

For travellers looking to spend more time in nature, you can head north from Titisee to Triberg to continue your Black Forest road trip.

In the middle of the forest, after a leisurely hike, you will come across the Triberg Waterfalls. If the weather allows it when you reach the falls, you can reward yourself with a refreshing dip into the water and enjoy the impressive waterfalls.

Burg Huhenzollern

After Triberg, just about an hour northeast you will find the magnificent Huhenzollern Castle which comes straight out of a fairytale and is a fantastic place to visit when planning to explore the Black Forest.

While this castle is extremely impressive, you will find it interesting to learn that there were actually two other castles built on Mount Huhenzollern before the current castle. The construction of the first castle dates back to the 11th century and reconstruction for the third castle started around 1850.

Visitors can now tour the castle and imagine themselves as royalty when strolling the rooms and grounds.

Danube River Source

From Titisee, you can travel 30 minutes east to the Danube River in Donaueschingen. The river flows through 10 countries and has become a significant landmark in European history.

If you wish to continue exploring Germany or other countries, you can easily do so on a river cruise on the Danube.

In Donaueschingen, you will also find what is known as the source of the Danube as well as the Fürstenberg brewery.

Europa Park

For those with kids or who are young at heart, you can spend the day in Rust at the amusement park Europa Park.

The theme park is the largest in Germany and after Disneyland Paris the second most popular in Europe. The diverse themes within the park are meant to give most European countries a representation.

No matter where your third day takes you, you will be sure to have a great last day in German’s wonderful Black Forest.

If you’re not interested in the theme park, then consider heading to the gorgeous town of Schiltach, located on the Kinzig River. This is a charming medieval town to visit in the Black Forest.

Where to Stay in the Black Forest

Huber’s Hotel – This 3-star hotel in Baden-Baden is an excellent base for mid-range travellers in the Black Forest. They have single and double rooms on offer, parking is included on-site and there is breakfast available in the mornings.

Hotel Rebenhof – Located about 10 kilometres from the centre of Baden-Baden and overlooking the beautiful wine region, this luxe hotel is an excellent base for those looking for a high-end escape in the Black Forest. They have countless lovely rooms on offer and a number of wonderful amenities to ensure you have the perfect stay.

limehome Baden-Baden Bäderstraße – If you’d like to return to your own apartment after a long day of exploring the Black Forest region, then you’re sure to love this aparthotel in Baden-Baden. They have a range of flats on offer that are fully furnished with everything you may need.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Black Forest hotels!

The Black Forest is sure to enchant all those who get to visit. Now that you’ve planned out what to do in this beautiful area, you can sit back and enjoy the soothing sounds of the Cuckoo clocks while digging into a delicious cherry torte in the mystifying forest.

Are you planning to visit the Black Forest? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Frankfurt Itinerary

About Paola Drexler

Paola is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the state of Arizona in the USA, she lived in Germany before moving to the United Kingdom. Paola loves spending her free time travelling in Europe and sometimes ever further afield.

Hi Paola, Could you tell us the best place to stay in the black forest where they make cookoo clocks, we would like to get one for our 50th anniversary, l have checked the clocks on line but would prefer to see them working. l can not walk very far at a time so would prefer to be in the area and check out all the stores

hello Paola, we will be in Vishofen and have 4 days to explore on our own after that. We would like to see picturesque scenery and small towns, not really interested in large cities. The romantic road? the Black Forest? someplace else? Are either of those possible in 4 days by car? Should we take a train to get closer, then rent a car? We need to end up near an international airport to fly to or towards the USA on the 5th day. I wish we knew someone personally that has been to this part of the world, but we do not. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Betsy

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The Essential Guide to the Black Forest

Baden-württemberg’s black forest measures 124 miles from top to bottom, stretching magnificently from the spa town of baden-baden to the border of switzerland. one of germany’s most stunning natural landscapes, it’s been a popular leisure destination since the 19th century, especially among german and european nobility—and has served as the source of many a german fairy tale. in addition to 18,000 miles of hiking trails, which can also be used in winter for cross-country skiing, the area offers cycling routes and pristine lakes, plus top-notch spas, museums, and other cultural delights..

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Our Black Forest Road Trip: A 2-Day Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Our recent Black Forest road trip was one of the highlights of our travels in Germany ! This destination had been on our travel bucket list ever since we first caught a glimpse of the Black Forest on a short visit to Freiburg. We knew we wanted to come back to explore, and we finally made it…several years later. 

If you’re looking for deep, dark forests that look like the perfect setting for a Grimm fairy tale, hiking trails that weave their way past creeks and waterfalls, and charming lakeside towns with half-timbered houses , then the Black Forest is the place for you!

This is a destination with a strong focus on nature and the outdoors, and I would say the Black Forest is also best done as a road trip since that gives you the flexibility and mobility to explore at your own pace and enjoy the scenery along the way . 

So, without further ado, here’s our 2-day itinerary for a magical Black Forest road trip!

Ultimate Black Forest Road Trip Itinerary

Stay at hofgut sternen.

Before we dive into our Black Forest itinerary, I want to let you know where we stayed, because this place is a destination in and of itself. We spent 2 nights at Hofgut Sternen , located in what’s known as The Black Forest Village resort complex. 

This is a historical hotel that has welcomed many famous guests including Marie Antoinette – you can see a mural painted on the exterior of the hotel that depicts her arrival after a long journey . Her visit would have been in May 1770 when she was on her way to Paris to marry King Louis XVI, and she would have arrived with an entire entourage made up of 21 state coaches, 36 carriages and 450 horses.

Other famous guests at this hotel have included German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the French Emperor Napoleon III, and the English novelist Anthony Trollope. So, it’s fair to say you’re in good company if you stay here!

There is also quite a bit to see and do within the Black Forest Village. For starters, you have the Ravenna bridge, which runs directly behind the hotel. This is a railway viaduct that crosses the Ravenna Gorge at a height of 58 meters (you can see the trains go by every few minutes!)

Just behind the bridge, there’s a hiking trail through the woods and it’s what Black Forest dreams are made of! You have a meandering trail through thick forest, a babbling brook flowing across moss-covered stones, fallen logs on a bed of crunchy leaves and squishy pine needles, and a beautiful canopy through which sun rays beam down. The Black Forest is a hiker’s paradise with something new at every turn!

Another popular attraction at Hofgut Sternen is the giant cuckoo clock. This is the largest clock in the entire Black Forest Highlands complete with life-sized dancing figures that emerge on the hour. If you want to take a cuckoo clock back home as a souvenir, you’re in luck because Hofgut Sternen has a shop that sells cuckoo clocks in all shapes and sizes.

And if cuckoo clocks aren’t your thing, there is a glassblowing workshop on site, as well as a shop selling Sternen glass. So as you can see, there’s plenty to do at this Black Forest Village resort!

Take a boat trip on Titisee

One of the towns we visited during our road trip through the Black Forest was Titisee, a small town that sits on the edge of Lake Titisee.

Since Lake Titisee is the main attraction, we joined a boat tour with Drubba Bootsvermietung & Rundfahrten and travelled aboard their ship, Titus, which is a replica of a Roman galley. Local legend says the lake was named after General Titus Flavius Vespasianus, who was Roman Emperor around 69-79 AD. He is said to have camped around this lake during one of his military campaigns, so he called it Titunsee, which today is Titisee.

How much of this is true and how much is myth that has been embellished over the millennia, nobody knows. But regardless, it is a cool spot to visit!

While we were in Titisee, we also ate at Café Seeblick, a relaxed cafe with an outdoor terrace and lake views. Here we tried their süßer Flammkuchen . This is a German-style thin crust pizza and we ordered the dessert version with apples, sultanas and cinnamon. This was my first time trying a sweet dessert pizza, and it won’t be my last!

Hire a row boat in Schluchsee

Another place we really enjoyed on our Black Forest road trip was the town of Schluchsee which sits on the edge of a lake by the same name. This is the largest lake in the Black Forest and also the highest reservoir in Germany .

We enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the lakeside path, and that eventually led us to a boat rental area on the beach. There were row boats, paddle boats, electric boats – you name it!

It was such a beautiful day and the water was so calm that we decided to take out a row boat. It was a really fun experience and a nice way to take in the scenery . I would highly recommend doing so for anyone visiting Schluchsee!

Spend the day in Sankt Blasien

The next stop on our Black Forest road trip itinerary was the town of Sankt Blasien. This is actually a popular health resort town with thermal baths, sauna gardens, and spa facilities. However, since we were only there for the day, we prioritized visiting St. Blasien Cathedral .

The cathedral is dedicated to St. Blasius, the early Christian bishop and martyr, who is also the patron saint of the town of Sankt Blasien in the Black Forest.

What makes this cathedral special is that its early classical cupola is the largest of its kind north of the Alps . It is 36 metres wide, 62 metres high, and a true work of art. The interior is also stark white with very minimal colour in the dome, and the windows along the cupola allow a lot of natural light in.

After visiting the cathedral, we walked over to Dom-Hotel St. Blasien just across the square, where we enjoyed a really nice lunch. Sam ordered the Maultaschen , which is a Swabian dish consisting of sheets of dough filled with minced meat. These were served in der Brühe , so they were simmered in a broth and served like a soup with bits of bacon.

Meanwhile, I ordered the Gulaschsuppe , or Hungarian goulash soup. I opted for a slightly smaller dish because I was really interested in the desserts. And as you know, when you come to the Black Forest, you have to order the Black Forest Cake!

Known as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte , this is a chocolate sponge cake with a cherry filling, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Simply marvellous!

And if I can recommend one more thing to try, it would be the Johannisbeereschorle . This was my first time trying currant or gooseberry juice, and I ordered it as a Schorle , so diluted with carbonated water. It was really nice!

Enjoy nature in Menzenschwand

Now let’s talk about beautiful nature spots! Our Black Forest road trip also included a visit to Menzenschwand and what drew us here were the hiking trails.

For anyone interested in a short hike with big rewards, I would say Menzenschwander Waterfall is it!

You can drive right up to the parking lot across from Albhof am Wasserfall and you’ll be up at the waterfall in less than 5 minutes. Alternatively, if you can handle about 30 minutes on foot, you can park at Parkplatz Menzenschwand Hinterdorf and enjoy a scenic walk through a glacier-carved valley.

The hiking trail follows a stream which flows through the gorge and then cascades down the rocks. It’s a beautiful walk that offers plenty of shade and the path meanders down stairs and across a wooden bridge.

Admire the views atop Feldberg 

Standing at 1,493 metres, Feldberg is the highest mountain peak in the Black Forest, as well as the state of Baden-Württemberg, and that also makes it the highest mountain peak outside of the German Alps!

In the winter, this is a popular ski resort area, and in the summertime, it’s a nice hiking destination with plenty of trails to choose from.

We decided to take the Feldbergbahn cable car to the top for a scenic view of the Black Forest, and we were in for a treat because it turns out you can even see the Alps from here! I almost couldn’t believe my eyes – at first, I thought I was looking at clouds – but lo and behold, there were snow-capped mountains off on the horizon.

Once you get off at the upper station which sits at an altitude of 1,450 meters, it’s a short walk to the Feldberg Tower viewing platform. We even got to see cows grazing along the way.

Lastly, as a tip, don’t forget to check when the last cable car goes down. We barely caught the last one with minutes to spare, and if you miss it, you’re hiking down!

And that concludes our short but action-packed 2-day road trip in Germany’s Black Forest! I hope this gave you a few ideas of some things to do and places to visit on your own travels. 

We then continued onwards to Freiburg for 48 hours if you want to read more about our trip.

This trip was made possible in partnership with the German National Tourist Board.

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Black Forest Guide: Planning Your Trip

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The Black Forest, or Schwarzwald , is where German fairy tales are born. This länder (state) of Baden-Württemberg was the home of the Brothers Grimm and its fantastical forest (the largest nature reserve in Germany) and charming half-timbered villages are a top destination .

Get inspired to star in your very own storybook adventure with our guide to planning a trip to the Black Forest.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit: The Black Forest is a year-round destination with distinct seasons . It gets the most sunshine in Germany and late summer the ideal time to visit with its many wine festivals. In winter , there is also a lot of Christmas cheer with the many markets like Gengenbach with the world's largest advent calendar house.
• Language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Getting Around: Whether you experience the area by car or by train, with a hiking stick, or on cross-country skis, the journey is half the attraction of the Black Forest. It has renowned scenic routes like portions of the Wine Road , Fairy Tale Road , and the German Clock Road.
• Travel Tip: For many visitors, quintessential elements of a trip to the Black Forest are a souvenir cuckoo clock and the decadent Black Forest cake.

Top Destinations in the Black Forest

This region is full of charming destinations from small medieval towns to bustling student cities. Popular locations within the region include: Gengenbach, Wutach Gorge, Pforzheim, Haslach, Staufen, Schiltach, Schwäbische Alb, Titisee, and Triberg Waterfalls. Here are our top Black Forest highlights:

• Schwarzwald Nationalpark : If you want the forest, the Black Forest National Park includes 40 square miles of trees, lakes, and picture-perfect views.
• Freiburg : A delightful university town built around the münster (cathedral), this town largely survived WWII. Buildings look like they are ripped straight out of the fairy tales like the 16th-century Kaufhaus and medieval village life still rules with a vibrant daily market.
• Baden-Baden : One of the oldest spa towns in Europe , Baden-Baden has been a luxury destination since Roman times with its casino, horse racing, and fine restaurants.
• Europa-Park : Germany’s largest theme park is brimming with mini-foreign lands filled with dozens of hair-raising roller coasters, water rides, live entertainment, and accommodations for the whole family.

What to Eat and Drink in the Black Forest

You can expect German classics like sausage and potatoes piled high, but there are also local specialties you shouldn't miss out on.

The plentiful lakes mean trout is popular, while the forest promises bountiful schwein (pork). Maultaschen , similar to large ravioli, can be filled with almost anything and are served simply with butter and onions or in a soup. Spätzle (egg noodles usually topped with cheese and onions) is another delicious option.

On the wine route, a strausswirtschaft (owner-run wine tavern) is the ideal place for a rustic lunch or dinner. They are only open in the high season of late summer and early fall and offer their own wines with simple, local cuisine. As for the wines, expect rieslings, traminers, spätburgunders, and pinot gris.

Finish a meal with a decadent slice of Schwarzwalder kirschtorte , known in English as Black Forest cake. Sponge layers are moistened with kirsch (cherry schnapps), inter-laid with cream and cherries, then topped with dark chocolate shavings.

Where to Stay in the Black Forest

The Black Forest is filled with quaint pensions (B&Bs). Staying at one will save you money and provide beautiful country settings, but are best if you are driving a car .

If you are in search of luxury, Baden-Baden is where you should look. Its many spas are often located in an equally high-service hotel. Pforzheim and Freudenstadt are also luxurious spa towns.

Student-friendly Freiburg is a great destination for budget travelers. Or along with a great meal, some strausswirtschaft may offer a few rooms. Wherever you go, look for signs mentioning " Zimmer Frei " (free room).

Getting to the Black Forest

The Black Forest is tucked into the southwest corner of the country and is well-connected by roadways and train rails. Cities like Baden-Baden and Freiburg are easily reached by public transport, but to get off the beaten path or travel in the off-season, traveling by car is much easier.

The biggest airport is the Frankfurt International Airport , located about 2 hours north (90 minutes by train) of the Black Forest on A5. The smaller airport at Karlsruhe-Baden Baden, Stuttgart, or international airports at Basel-Mulhouse and Zurich may be closer, depending on your destination.

Once within the region, the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse (Black Forest High Road) is one of the best known themed drives in Germany with well-marked stops. It is on the B500 federal highway and continues for 60km from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt. The A5/E35 motorway is the quickest way to cut through the Black Forest.

There are also some old-world tourist railway lines with traditional and chugging steam engines. The Waldenburg-Liestal route takes a hair-raising path through a narrow gorge, while the Ettlingen-Bad Herrenalb meanders through the forest.

Money-Saving Tips for the Black Forest

• In Germany, it pays to plan ahead. The farther in advance you can book flights, train tickets, rental cars, bus tickets, and accommodations, the cheaper they will be.
• The SchwarzwaldCard provides free admission to more than 100 attractions in the Black Forest. Museums, tourist transport like cruises, and spas are all discounted. The card is valid for three days from early April to November . It can be purchased at most tourist offices.
• The Upper Rhine Museums Pass offers discounts to more than 150 museums, castles, and gardens. It is valid for four days in a month or can be purchased as an annual pass.
• Deutsche Bahn's Baden-Württemberg-Ticket is the best way to travel around the area by train. It is just 21 euros for up to five people to travel in the region in one day (from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m, Monday to Friday, or at any time on weekends).
• Many of the cities offer their own discount cards, so if you are spending time in places like Freiburg consider offers like the 3-day WelcomeKarte which provides free transport and discounts.

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16 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in the Black Forest

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Mar 30, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The very name Black Forest conjures up images of deep woodlands, traditional deep-roofed farmhouses, cuckoo clocks, and half-timbered villages that look as though they'd stepped out of a book of fairy tales. And, of course the famous Black Forest cherry cake. And you'll find all of these in the rolling landscapes of Baden-Württemberg in Germany's southwestern corner.

The heart of the Black Forest extends southward from Pfortzheim and Baden-Baden, roughly paralleling the Rhine Valley to the lakes near the Swiss border, and its rural farmland, forests, and picturesque villages are connected by roads that climb and curve through a never-ending series of photo-worthy views. Amid these appealing landscapes, you'll find lots to see and do in the Black Forest.

The region itself, with its traditions and unique way of life, is a major tourist attraction. The area most popular with tourists, and where you'll find some of the most beautiful places to visit in the Black Forest, is the stretch along the 150-kilometer-long Black Forest Railway (Schwarzwaldbahn), and Triberg with its famous waterfalls. The southern Black Forest is dominated by the 1,493-meter-high Feldberg, and to the south are the lakes of Titisee and Schulsee, popular family holiday areas with swimming and water sports.

Plan your trip to this beautiful region with our list of the top attractions and places to visit in the Black Forest.

1. Exploring the Black Forest by Car

2. freiburg im breisgau münster and old town, 3. baden-baden spas and gardens, 4. triberg waterfalls, 5. schiltach, 6. black forest open air museum, 7. kloster maulbronn, 8. gengenbach, 9. lake titisee, 10. the augustinermuseum, freiburg, 11. fine dining in baiersbronn, 12. ravenna gorge, 13. black forest christmas markets, 14. black forest cuckoo clocks, 15. europapark, 16. donaueschingen and the source of the danube, organized black forest tours, map of attractions & places to visit in the black forest.

To find some of the best places to visit in the Black Forest, you should explore its countryside by car, following one of the several designated tourism routes. The most popular of these is the Black Forest Ridgeway (Schwarzwald-Hochstrasse), a spectacular route following hill crests through magnificent coniferous forests from Baden-Baden along the Hornisgrinde to the Kniebis plateau at Freudenstadt. The route continues southward from Triberg to Waldshut .

The Black Forest Valley Road (Schwarzwald-Tälerstrasse) begins farther north at Rastatt, home to the sumptuous Schloss Favorite, a former summer residence and pleasure palace for Margravine Sibylla Augusta of Baden-Baden, with the largest collection of early Meissen porcelain in the world. The road follows the Murg valley, past the imposing Schwarzenbach Dam and continuing to Freudenstadt, where it meets the Black Forest Ridgeway. Spa-goers should follow the Black Forest Spa Route (Schwarzwald-Bäderstrasse), a 270-kilometer-long loop of spas, including Baden-Baden, between Pforzheim and Freudenstadt.

One of the great masterpieces of Gothic architecture in Germany, Freiburg im Breisgau Münster was built between the 13th and 16th centuries and is known for its beautiful interior and artworks. Highlights are the 14th-century stained glass in the aisles and the early 16 th -century altarpieces, the one in the University Chapel by Hans Holbein the Younger. The stiff climb up the 116-meter-high tower, built in 1330, is rewarded with sweeping views across the rooftops of the old town center.

Surrounding Münsterplatz , well-preserved old buildings include the arcaded red Merchants' Hall (Kaufhaus) dating from 1532, with stepped gables and oriel windows. Other highlights of the old town include the old Martinstor (St. Martin's Gate); the 13th-century Schwabentor , with its wall paintings and dioramas; the Late Gothic House of the Whale (Haus zum Walfisch); and the Gothic St. Martin's Church , with a beautifully restored interior and cloister. For a bird's-eye view of the Munster and old town, ride the Schlossbergbahn funicular railway to the 456-meter Schlossberg to look down from the Kanonenplatz.

Address: Münsterplatz, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau

The mineral spas that have made Baden-Baden a popular place to visit since Roman times are the focal point of this beautiful old city at the edge of the Rhine Valley. The elegant 19th-century Friedrichsbad and the modern Caracalla Baths sit side by side, and from the beautifully groomed Kurpark (Spa Gardens) the lovely Lichtentaler Allee follows the Oos river for more than two kilometers of arboretum and gardens. The highlight is a rose garden with 400 different varieties, along with pools, fountains, and an Art Nouveau pavilion. Baden-Baden is at the start of the Schwarzwald-Hochstrasse tourist route.

Badenweiler , another spa town farther south in the Black Forest, is not as well known, but is also very beautiful, sitting on a terrace more than 200 meters above the Rhine. Its Kurpark is filled with subtropical plants, and the 11 th -century Schlossberg castle ruins command views across the Rhine valley.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Baden-Baden

A walking path climbs through the steep Triberg forest, stopping at seven different viewpoints overlooking the river as it plunges down 163 meters from pool to pool in a constant white froth. The succession of cascades and waterfalls creates an ever-changing set of views as you climb, and it's worth going all the way to the wooden bridge at the top for the views down into the rocky ravine. The falls are lighted at night, accessible all year, and are a spectacular cascade of ice in the depth of winter.

Another of the interesting places to visit in Triberg is the Black Forest Museum (Schwarzwaldmuseum), with displays focusing on the region's unique traditions and handcrafts.

Without doubt one of the prettiest towns in the Black Forest, Schiltach has been the home of craftsmen and tanners since at least the 13 th century. Surrounded by woodlands and located at the junction of three rivers, it was a natural to become the Black Forest's center for timber rafting. The riverside location was well-suited to tanning hides, and the oldest part of Schiltach, outside the town walls, is made up of closely set timber-framed houses of tanners.

The sloping triangular Marktplatz is surrounded by more half-timbered houses, and it's here that you'll find two of the town's free museums, Museum am Markt and the Apothecary Museum. The Schüttesäge Museum centers on the work at the former sawmill, in operation from 1491 until 1931, with an undershot water wheel more than seven meters in diameter. But the biggest attraction for tourists is the town itself, so be sure to spend some time here on a walking tour.

As you travel through the region, you are sure to see a number of the typical multi-storied farmhouses, with their giant sloping roofs and overhanging eves. To learn more about these, as well as to tour one from its ground-floor barn to its rows of food drying under the attic rafters, stop at the Black Forest Open Air Museum. The focal point of the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum is the Vogtsbauernhof , a traditional self-contained farmstead dating from the 1600s.

The farmhouse and its cottages and outbuildings were brought here from their original sites, and together form a typical Black Forest farming hamlet. Here, you can get a close-up view of farming and building techniques, such as thatching a roof and making cheese, as well as home skills such as weaving and wood-fire cooking. Many of the hands-on programs are suitable for children, and free guided tours in the summer are in English. The on-site café serves traditional Black Forest specialties.

Address: Wählerbrücke 1, Gutach

At the northern edge of the Black Forest in the little town of Maulbronn, stands the Cistercian abbey of Kloster Maulbronn, which was founded in 1147. Its stone and half-timbered buildings comprise one of the most beautiful and best preserved of the surviving German monasteries, and Kloster Maulbronn has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most outstanding of its many highlights is the porch of the church, known as the Paradise, a masterpiece of the early Gothic style, with cross-ribbed vaults; the beautiful pine and wrought-iron doors are the oldest known in Germany. Be sure to also see the delicate fountain house, with its three-tiered fountain, and the richly carved stalls in the monks' choir.

Address: Klosterhof 5, Maulbronn

Official site: https://www.kloster-maulbronn.de/en/home

The town of Gengenbach sits at the western edge of the Black Forest, its charming Altstadt of stone towers and half-timbered houses gathered around a market square. Forming one side of the square is the 200-year-old façade of the town hall, which is best known for it important role in Gengenbach's Christmas Market .

For 24 days in December, the town hall becomes a giant Advent calendar, with each of its 24 large windows opening in turn to reveal an elaborate scene. Beyond the usual Christmas motifs, these are based on annual themes often suggested by works of great artists or by literature. At 6pm each afternoon, it seems as though the entire town population is in the square to see the window revealed.

You may notice whimsical statues throughout the town, portraying jesters and fanciful figures; you can learn more about these at the Fools Museum Niggelturm , located in a historic tower. Here, you'll see Fasnacht figures, masks, and costumes used during the pre-Lenten carnival celebrations. These Fasnacht hijinks are traditional in other parts of Germany as well but are particularly strong in this region and reach their highlight here. Climb to the top floor of the 136-meter tower for views of the town and surrounding fruit orchards.

The highest lake in the Black Forest, Titisee is one of the most popular places for families, with a wide range of entertainment possibilities. Its shores are a pleasant mix of forests and lodgings, so while there are plenty of places to stay, the lake retains its natural landscape. The Seestraße in Titisee-Neustadt is a promenade, where you can stroll between the shore and a selection of shops and cafes (a good place to stop and sample Black Forest cherry cake). Or take a 90-minute hike on the trail around the lake.

You can bike along the Bähnle-Radweg path or rent nearly any kind of small boat from motorboats to kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and pedal boats. The lake is a bit chilly for most swimmers, but the Badeparadies Schwarzwald is a water park with themed saunas, a spa, waterslides, and 18 pools surrounded by live palm trees.

Housed in the former monastery of Augustinian Hermits, the Augustinermuseum is a bright and lively place filled with artistic and historical treasures of the Black Forest and Upper Rhine regions. No dim showcases here; the building was brilliantly adapted by architect Christoph Mäckler, so the collections are displayed in well-lighted galleries that encourage viewing from different angles.

Specialties are works from the Middle Ages through the Baroque period, along with 19 th -century paintings. Medieval wood sculptures, panel paintings, and original stone figures and stained glass windows from the Munster are highlights.

Address: Augustinerplatz, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau

Official site: www.freiburg.de/pb/,Len/237748.html

The nine scenic hamlets that make up the little town of Baiersbronn have gained fame in culinary circles for the remarkable number of Michelin stars awarded to three local restaurants. These three restaurants account for a total of eight stars: three to the Schwarzwaldstube in Hotel Traube Tonbach , three to the Restaurant Bareiss , and two to the Restaurant Schlossberg .

Between meals in these bastions of fine dining, tourists will find other attractions and things to do. The atmospheric ruins of the Kloster Allerheiligen , the Monastery of All Saints, are made even more haunting by their secluded setting and unfortunate history. Since its founding in 1192, the monastery has been destroyed repeatedly by fires — in 1470, in 1555, and finally by lightning in 1804. Southwest of Baiersbronn a wooded path leads to the 60-meter Sankenbach Waterfalls .

Also known as Devil's Valley, the nine-kilometer stretch of road between Freiburg and Hinterzarten descends precipitously into a narrow gorge surrounded by thickly forested and very steep hillsides. The scene is rendered all the more foreboding by the soaring stone arches of a viaduct that hovers 190 feet overhead, carrying the Devil's Valley Railway .

At the bottom of the winding road is the welcoming sight of the Hofgut Sternen , a historic hotel whose former guests included Marie Antoinette as she traveled through here on her way to become Queen of France. In the complex of traditional Black Forest buildings surrounding the inn are a glassblowing studio and a cuckoo clock shop ; you can watch craftsmen working in both of these.

A path leads farther down the valley to the historic St. Oswald's Chapel , the area's first church, built in 1148. For four weekends in December, the steep hillside beneath the stone arches of the viaduct is the site of the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market , one of the hidden gems of the Black Forest.

December is magical in the Black Forest, when most larger towns have a Christmas market aglow with twinkling lights, and filled with booths selling gifts, holiday decorations, and an array of tempting foods. Some have carousels or other rides for children, and some have kiosks where they can make candles or cookies for gifts.

In Gengenbach , already a fairy-tale village of half-timbered houses, the town hall becomes a giant Advent calendar, a new window opening each evening at 6 to reveal a magical scene. The streets of Freiburg's old center are festooned with tiny twinkling lights, under which cabins sell spicy gingerbread, loaves of fruit-filled stollen, candied fruits, and jelly-filled doughnuts.

Esslingen's medieval center of tall half-timbered houses are the setting for an authentic medieval market, the Mittelaltermarkt . Torches and lanterns light the tents, bread and other foods are cooked over wood fires, jugglers and flame-walkers perform, and craftspeople work with hand tools. Everyone is in period costume, and only crafts and foods authentic to the Middle Ages are sold. It's like stepping back seven centuries.

Read More: Top-Rated Christmas Markets in Germany

The most enduring — and endearing — example of Black Forest folk art carries a long tradition of fine craftsmanship as well. Their story begins in the 1600s, when poor farmers made additional income by creating woodcarvings from the readily abundant local trees. They carved elaborate clocks with moving figures, and as metal clockworks were expensive, they made these from wood, too. The region soon became known for its meticulously crafted and beautifully carved clocks, and their signature feature, whatever their size or complexity, was the little bird that popped out and said "cuckoo" on the hour.

Among the most popular things to do in the Black Forest is visit a shop where they make the famous cuckoo clocks . Even if you don't plan to bring one home as a souvenir, it is fascinating to see the variety and complexity of these animated clocks, and watch as skilled craftsmen create them. You can see them being made in workshops at Hofgut Sternen in the Ravenna Gorge, in the village of Triberg, and at several other shops.

Not far from Triberg, in Schonach, clockmaker Josef Dold created the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock , which was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records . Its face covers the front of a typical Black Forest house, and inside you can watch the operation of the giant works, which are all carved from wood. A shop in Triberg has since created an even larger one, but you shouldn't miss the opportunity to step inside a house that's a real cuckoo clock!

More than 100 shows and attractions, including themed areas representing 15 different European countries make up Germany's largest theme park . Costumed characters engage with visitors throughout these and the three fantasy-themed areas.

Kids love the Elf Ride, and in Pirates of Batavia, they can search for the mystical Dagger of Batavia on an underground boat ride through an exotic fantasy city. Thrill-seekers can test their courage on a progression of 13 roller coasters. The most hair-raising is the Blue Fire Megacoaster , accelerating from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in only 2.5 seconds and whirring within inches of cliff edges.

Address: Europa-Park-Straße 2, Rust, Germany

Official site: https://www.europapark.de/en

The exact source of the Danube River still gives rise to controversy, although it has been "officially" decided by the government of the state of Baden-Württemberg that only the Donabauch spring in Donaueschingen, where the Brigach River begins, can claim to be the source. Previously, the town of Furtwangen claimed it, based on the fact that the Breg, the larger of the two streams that join to form the Danube, begins there at the Bregtal spring.

You can visit the Donabauch spring, suitably enshrined in elaborate iron grill and stonework in the Schlosspark in Donaueschingen, on the eastern fringe of the Black Forest. Schloss Donaueschingen features sumptuous state apartments full of tapestries and period furniture, a Court Library of medieval manuscripts, and a collection of works by 15 th- and 16 th -century Swabian painters.

If you are staying in Frankfurt or Zurich, you can easily visit the Black Forest on an organized day tour. These tours focus on particular highlights of the region and include an expert guide and driver, saving you the time and stress of finding your way between the top sites.

From Frankfurt

• The 10-hour Black Forest and Strasbourg Day Trip from Frankfurt visits two beautiful countries in one day. Travel via air-conditioned coach to the famous spa town of Baden-Baden, at the edge of the Black Forest. Once you arrive, you can explore the top attractions on a guided walking tour and learn about the thermal baths. Then cross over the border to France to visit the Alsatian city of Strasbourg, with its UNESCO-listed old town and magnificent cathedral. The tour also includes a ride along the city's picturesque canals.
• On the 11-hour Black Forest and Baden-Baden Day Trip from Frankfurt , you'll visit all the same attractions in Baden-Baden before continuing on your comfortable air-conditioned coach for a scenic ride through the Black Forest to the lovely Mummelsee, a popular lake near Seebach.

From Zurich:

• The seven-hour Black Forest and Rhine Falls Day Trip from Zurich includes regional culinary and cultural delights, as well as plenty of natural beauty. Hop aboard a luxury coach to visit the town of Titisee-Neustadt, in Germany's Black Forest. Here, you can see how cuckoo clocks are made and try some of the region's famous Black Forest cake. A boat ride on picturesque Lake Titisee is optional. On the return trip, you can admire the tumultuous Rhine Falls, thundering 23 meters into the river below, with plenty of free time for photos.

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Places to Visit near the Black Forest: Several exciting cities surround the Black Forest. The closest is Stuttgart with its excellent art and automobile museums. It's only a short trip to the north to visit the attractions of historic Heidelberg , and just on the other side of the Rhine River Valley from the spa town of Baden-Baden, you can visit the tourist attractions of Strasbourg, in France.

Places to Visit in Switzerland : The southern Black Forest lies almost on the Swiss border. Our pages on the top-rated tourist attractions in Zürich and top-rated day trips from Zurich can help you navigate the city and discover more places to visit in Switzerland .

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Black Forest

Activities in the Black Forest

Attractions in the black forest.

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Sehr schöne Wanderung auf zumeist einsamen Naturwegen durch Reben und Wald.

Eine familienfreundliche Wanderung hauptsächlich auf Forstwegen mit einigen schönen Pfaden. Vor allem am Ende der Tour werden wir für die Mühen mit ...

Circular hiking trail from Bad Teichnach to Zavelstein.

Erlebnisreiche, kulturell und landschaftlich abwechslungsreiche Tour mit Bergbahnfahrt, herrlichen Wanderwegen, Felsen, Aussichtspunkten und ...

Eine Tour, wie sie im Buche steht! Man kennt den Schwarzwald mit seinen Tannen und Fichten - tauche auf dieser Tour ein in die leuchtend grünen ...

Die aussichtsreiche Tour führt durch mystische Wälder, vorbei an Streuobstwiesen und verträumten Fachwerkhäusern. Die Anstrengungen werden mit ...

Natur pur gibt es auf der offiziell ersten Etappe der Jubiläumswanderung des Landkreises Calw zu entdecken. Die Wolfschlucht mit ihrem schon ...

Discover the region

The Black Forest stretches over 150 km from north to south and reaches a width of 30 to 50 km. From the Kraichgau in the north to the Hochrhein in the south, from the Upper Rhine Plain in the west to the Gäu, Baar and hill country west of the Klettgau in the east, the mountains offer a wide range of landscapes and places worth seeing. The Feldberg, the highest mountain in the Black Forest, reaches a height of 1493 m, closely followed by the Herzogenhorn at 1415 m and the Belchen at 1414 m.

The Black Forest is mostly divided into North and South, the South is also often called the High Black Forest – here you can find the highest mountains of the low mountain range. With two large nature parks, a national park, a biosphere reserve as well as numerous smaller nature reserves, the Black Forest is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the wonderful nature and the diverse flora and fauna.

In addition to the varied landscape, the Black Forest also offers the opportunity to discover a culture all its own and to follow the traces of history. The Ice Age has left its traces, which can be found in various places: Carso lakes, rocks and block heaps bear witness to a long history. The culture in the Black Forest is characterized by rafting and charcoal making, clock production and glassblowing. Visitor mines bring mining closer and of course forestry is also practiced. In addition to the Black Forest traditional costume with the famous Bollenhut and the tasty Black Forest Cherry Cake, there are other regional traditions to discover.

If you want to be active on the road, the Black Forest is the right place for you. The huge network of hiking trails with varied routes – from challenging climbs and wildly romantic tours to leisurely paths – is just right for a holiday on foot. Cyclists will be delighted with various round tours and long-distance cycle paths such as the nature park cycle path and numerous signposted mountain bike routes.

Trip planning

• Webcam · The Black Forest Baiersbronn › West
• Webcam · The Black Forest Seebach › South: Mummelsee
• Webcam · The Black Forest Hausach › West: Hechtsberg
• Webcam · The Black Forest Biederbach › South-East: Gasthaus Sonnhalde
• Webcam · The Black Forest Gemarkung Oberried: Skilift Stollenbach
• Webcam · The Black Forest Bad Wildbad
• Webcam · The Black Forest Todtnau: Nordic-Arena Notschrei - Notschrei
• Webcam · The Black Forest Elzach › South: Startplatz Gschasi
• Webcam · The Black Forest Todtmoos: Kurpark
• Webcam · The Black Forest Seebach: Skilift Seibelseckle
• Webcam · The Black Forest Munstertal › South-East: Heidstein
• Webcam · The Black Forest Seelbach: Ortenau Blick auf den Klosterplatz: Blick auf den Klosterplatz von - Ortenau

Destinations in the Black Forest

Nature regions.

• Nature park Nature park · Baden-Wurttemberg Schwarzwald Mitte/Nord
• Nature park Nature park · Baden-Wurttemberg Naturpark Südschwarzwald
• UNESCO Biosphere reserve UNESCO Biosphere reserve · Baden-Wurttemberg Black Forest biosphere area
• National park National park · Baden-Wurttemberg Schwarzwald

Black Forest

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 Cities, towns and villages
• 2.2 Other destinations
• 3.1 By plane
• 4 Get around
• 12 Stay safe

The Black Forest [dead link] ( German : Schwarzwald ) is located in the southwest corner of Germany in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg , which contains the namesake low, forested mountain range and warm, sunny lowlands at its foot. It is known as one of Germany's most beautiful and favourite destinations. There is both nature and history to be found, and thanks to unique climatic conditions in the middle of the European landmass, those can be enjoyed year-round with some of the warmest temperatures in Germany.

Understand [ edit ]

This ancient forest is famous for its legends and the black fir trees that dot the landscape. While not particularly high, the mountains offer a wonderful place to go hiking or mountain biking. There are a few skiing resorts as well offering average but crowded conditions. Better to head south to the Alps if you are a serious skier or boarder. The Black Forest is a mountainous terrain at about 200–1,500 m (660–4,920 ft) above sea level, the highest point being the Feldberg (the field mountain ) at 1,493 m (4,898 ft). The region managed by the Black Forest Tourism Board extends beyond the mountains and includes attractions like the Europa-Park and the Kaiserstuhl hills in the Upper Rhine Plain as well as the surrounding cities.

The region is famous for its cuckoo clocks, watchmaking, skiing and hiking . There is a large high-tech light engineering industry in the region stemming from the silver-mining and watchmaking days.

The most important destination in the Schwarzwald is called, interestingly, Titisee , which is a medium-sized lake with associated tourist village ( Titisee-Neustadt ) and hotels, with very nice views and generally very relaxed and healthy activities. From here it is a short journey to Lake Constance and the city of Konstanz , or to see the Rhein Waterfall at Neuhausen in Switzerland .

Destinations [ edit ]

Cities, towns and villages [ edit ].

• 48.761944 8.240833 1 Baden-Baden - world famous spa town
• 47.553333 7.947222 2 Bad Säckingen
• 48.750278 8.550556 3 Bad Wildbad
• 48.505833 8.371111 4 Baiersbronn - famous for hiking and Michelin star rated restaurants
• 47.819444 8.343056 5 Bonndorf im Schwarzwald - famous for its Shrovetide museum
• 48.714444 8.7375 6 Calw
• 48.121389 7.849167 7 Emmendingen
• 47.995 7.85 8 Freiburg - considered the "Jewel of the Black Forest"
• 48.404167 8.015278 9 Gengenbach
• 47.6975 7.933611 10 Gersbach
• 47.753889 8.169444 11 Häusern
• 48.571111 7.808889 12 Kehl
• 47.565556 8.064722 13 Laufenburg
• 47.615556 7.661389 14 Lörrach
• 48.470833 7.940833 15 Offenburg - the capital of the wine region Ortenau
• 48.895 8.705 16 Pforzheim - the "Gateway to Black Forest"
• 48.857222 8.203056 17 Rastatt
• 48.168056 8.624722 18 Rottweil - the oldest town in Baden-Württemberg, famous for its colorful carneval festival
• 48.290556 8.344722 19 Schiltach
• 48.104722 8.202778 20 Schönwald Im Schwarzwald - where the cuckoo clock was invented in 1737
• 47.912222 8.214722 21 Titisee-Neustadt
• 48.130833 8.231667 22 Triberg Im Schwarzwald
• 48.060278 8.458611 23 Villingen-Schwenningen - traditional stronghold of the Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht
• 47.594722 7.610833 24 Weil am Rhein

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 48.268333 7.720833 1 Europa Park — a theme park, the largest in Germany, and the second most popular in Europe, following Disneyland Paris

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

The only airport with scheduled services in the Black Forest region is the Baden-Airpark ( FKB  IATA ) near Baden-Baden . Other airports in neighbouring regions include:

• Euroairport between Basel , Switzerland and Mulhouse , France (multiple IATA codes including ( EAP  IATA ) - officially also serving Freiburg in the Black Forest but, in reality, 70 km (43 mi) away
• Bodensee-Airport of Friedrichshafen ,
• Stuttgart Airport , ( STR  IATA ) with a number of domestic and international connections within Europe
• Frankfurt Airport , ( FRA  IATA ) a major international and intercontinental hub, with good fast train connections
• Zurich Airport ( ZRH  IATA ) in Switzerland , also well-served and well-connected

Get around [ edit ]

The region is covered by regional trains and buses. As they can be infrequent, it is better to check the departure times in advance (e. g. through bahn.de or some public transport apps).

If you stay in a guest house or a hotel, you will often be offered a free "Gästekarte" (guest card), called KONUS [dead link] . It allows you to go around freely in many local trains and buses (which do not include the express trains "IC/EC" and the high speed trains "ICE"). It is valid during your whole stay, from you arrival and including the day of your check-in, so it allows visiting the region by going from one accommodation to another without paying any transportation ticket. It includes the following zones (a map is available through the link above):

• Tarifverbund Ortenau
• Regio-Verkehrsverbund Freiburg
• Regio-Verkehrsverbund Lörrach [dead link]
• Waldshuter Tarifverbund
• Verkehrsverbund Schwarzwald-Baar
• Verkehrsverbund Rottweil [dead link]
• Verkehrsgemeinschaft Freudenstadt
• Verkehrsgesellschaft Bäderkreis Calw
• Parts of Karlsruher Verkehrsverbund

You will only need to show it with a photo ID to the driver or the train staff.

See [ edit ]

• The city of Freiburg , a historic university city, well known as the driest, warmest, sunniest part of Germany.
• Drive on the Schwarzwaldhochstraße , a scenic road which runs through the Black Forest between Freudenstadt and Baden-Baden.
• Visit the Mummelsee, a small lake along the Hochstraße
• The Deutsches Uhrenmuseum at Furtwangen along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße , the biggest collection of Black Forest and Cuckoo clocks.
• The extraordinarily well-preserved medieval Cistercian monastery Kloster Maulbronn near Pforzheim is a UNESCO World Heritage site

Do [ edit ]

• Water sports
• High altitude lake diving
• Skiing & snowboarding (December to March in the higher regions)
• Mountain biking
• Paragliding
• Visit a medieval mine ("Schaubergwerk")

Buy [ edit ]

• Buy authentic "Schwarzwälder Kuckucksuhren".

Talk [ edit ]

Most Germans have learned some English at school, so you should be able to get by. Due to the closeness of France and the long-standing German-French treaty of friendship, French is widely taught in secondary schools, but outcomes vary widely. Tourism industry businesses like Europapark that attract significant numbers of French people will however cater to French speakers as best they can, including a Bastille Day parade. An advertisement campaign ("Wir können alles außer Hochdeutsch") poked fun at the propensity of Baden Württemberger to speak with a strong dialect, but standard German will be understood and is taught in schools.

Eat [ edit ]

The food tends to be wholesome, heavy dishes and lots of cakes, biscuits, meats and gravies. Perhaps the most internationally renowned is the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte , the Black Forest gateau, a moist chocolate cake with fermented cherries and a hearty dose of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Eating out in nice restaurants can be expensive, with a meal for two cost ranging from €40 to €150 including drinks. Village inns tend to be cheaper than their counterparts in towns and cities. But bargains can be found, with many Kebab and Turkish-style pizzerias offering items under €5. Or shop at the local grocery store for fresh baguettes, meat, and cheese. Groceries are inexpensive, with a variety of fruit juices available at a reasonable price (there are cherry, apple, grape, orange, banana, even sauerkraut juice in nice tetrapak containers, a liter is under €1). In the south Schwarzwald, look for stores Lidl, Aldi, and Pennymarkt for the best food values.

The Black Forest area has a number awarded restaurants with the small village of Baiersbronn having Germany's highest density of star rated restaurants. Other notable restaurants can be found in Bühl and Freiburg .

Drink [ edit ]

Some of Germany's best beers and wines are produced in the region. Beer is one of Germany's top drinks and is spread widely in the Black Forest as well. Some of the most common beers are from Rothaus and Alpirsbacher .

Sleep [ edit ]

Accommodation in the main tourist areas may be cheaper than many of the quaint smaller towns and villages. For a nice hut at a reasonable price, look for a privately-operated Gasthaus, which can be found in villages throughout the area. There are many pleasant surprises waiting, often with excellent home-cooked food and special service, often provided by the family living there for many generations. Ask at the local Tourist Bureau for a list, often with prices. Sometimes the Tourist office will even call to ask availability.

Gasthaus rooms may be found for as low as €20 for one person, up to €70 for a double room/two persons. Reservations may be needed during festivals or summer near tourist locations. Mid-price Hotels begin at €50-100 a night per double room, with lots of availability in the mid and expensive categories.

The Black Forest area has some of the best hiking options, with well-marked trails, and maps available from the tourist offices. Some Germans even spend a week or two hiking with their backpack, with primitive lodging available in small cabins along the trails (must be reserved in advance through the Forstamt office).

Stay safe [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

• Bertha Benz Memorial Route - follow the tracks of the world's first return car journey back in 1888 from Pforzheim in the Black Forest to Mannheim
• Schwaben cultural region and enjoy some Spätzle egg noodles in this picturesque adjoining region that joins Baden-Württemberg with Bavaria .

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Black Forest

The Black Forest is a large scenic area in Southwestern Germany, in the state of Baden – Wurttemberg. It is full of trees, mountains, valleys and lakes just waiting to be explored, experienced and photographed. The vast and alluring nature park stretches from the town of Baden-Baden to the Swiss border, and from the Rhine almost as far as Lake Constance.

What to see

With so many beautiful things to see and exciting things to do, it is difficult to know where to start. The Black Forest is the most charming region in the whole of Germany, and whether you love mountain peaks, lush valleys, breathtaking views, ample vineyards, or enchanting forests, there is something for everyone in this incredible unspoilt landscape.

Towns and Cities

There are dozens of attractive villages, towns and cities to explore throughout the region. The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, with its air of genteel glamour has an idiosyncratic allure, a study of rejuvenation and indulgence. The historic Roman Friedrichsbad and the Caracalla baths have pools and sauna cabins set among the pines. The peaceful streets are lined with high-class shops and cosy cafés.

Bad Wildbad is smaller and less expensive than Baden-Baden. It is located along the foothills of the mountain range and is known for its spectacular scenery.

Triberg is the cuckoo clock capital of the north, and is famous for the country’s highest waterfalls. The Black Forest Museum can be found directly below the entrance to the waterfalls.

The university town of Tubingen, with its narrow alleys and pointed gables, is a pretty medieval place with cafes, wine taverns, shops and restaurants. Take a boat trip in a traditional Stocherkahn along the Nektar River to enjoy the magnificent vistas.

Further south is the beautiful university town of Freiburg, with wisteria clad streets in summer, and Christmas markets in winter. Visit the Munster. Dating from the 13th century, it is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Germany.  Walk along the wooded foothills of the Schwarzwald, or take a cable car up the Schauinsland to see the incredible view across the mountains.  While exploring the pretty narrow streets is pleasant, this is also a great base for discovering the region with its deep valleys surrounded by rounded peaks and small ski and lake resorts.

Freudenstadt, with the largest market square in Germany, is framed by beautiful historic buildings, housing quirky arcades and quaint, galleried shops.

Cirque Lakes

The deep and mysterious cirque lakes, often called “the dark eyes of the black forest”, are found in bowl-shaped valleys formed by glacial or fluvial erosion. The Mummelsee is a legendary lake on the southwestern slope of the Hornisgrinde, the highest mountain in the northern part of the Back Forest. According to legend, mermaids and nymphs are said to live in the lake.

Lake Titisee, another glacial lake is located in the south of the Black Forest region. It was formed during the last ice age and is perfect for swimming and sailing.

The beautiful Lake Constance is the largest lake in Germany, and is bordered by Austria and Switzerland.  It is girdled with castles, medieval towns and attractive villages. Nearby Mainau Island is a popular tourist attraction with beautiful parks and gardens.

Hiking and Cycling

A short walk or bike ride from the towns and villages, you will find peaceful countryside dotted with traditional farmhouses in clearings in the thick forests. The area has plenty of well-signposted footpaths and cycle routes. Invest in an inexpensive tourist map of the area which shows all the attractions, such as castles, waterfalls and hostels as well as the paths and cycle routes.

Living History Museum

Between Hausach and Gutach is an open-air living history museum based around an old farm that has existed since 1570. Other historic buildings such as a bakery, distillery and granary have been transported here to create the museum. It explores the cultural heritage of the region and preserves historic artefacts.

Cuckoo Clocks

The Black Forest has a long tradition of cuckoo clock manufacture. In Schonach, you will find the world’s biggest cuckoo clock which is built into a small house in the town. The region is also home to what is considered Europe’s best clock museum. The German Clock Museum in Furtwangen shows the development of time-telling from the Dark Ages, right up to the present. The House of 1000 Clocks is located in Gremmelsbach near Triberg, and sells traditional cuckoo clocks along with more modern designs.

Best time to visit

Although the Black Forest is a ‘year round’ destination, it is mainly visited by tourists during the summer months. If you want to vacation during a quieter season, spring is ideal with its mild climate. Summer is a great time if you enjoy spending most of your day outdoors. Days are hot and evenings pleasantly warm. Late autumn is cooler with warm, showery weather. During this season, the Germans host their wine and harvest festivals. It is also still a good time for mountain biking, or Nordic walking. Expect snow during the winter. If you enjoy winter sports such as downhill, cross-country or ski jumping, as well as dog sledding and snowboarding, this is the best time for you. The snow transforms the scenery into a magical, glistening landscape.

Where to Stay

The Black Forest is dotted with hotels, guesthouses, bed & breakfast establishments, pensions and vineyard or farm accommodation. The region is extremely popular during the summer, so be sure to make reservations well in advance. In small towns, some hotels close for a month during winter so be sure to check ahead. More information can be found at http://www.blackforest-tourism.com.

Public transport

One of the best ways to explore the Black Forest is by train. The line from Donaueschingen to Offenburg travels through the forest, and offers outstanding views.  A Lander ticket is valid for 24 hours and allows you to travel anywhere within a single region. A first-class Lander ticket may work out cheaper than a number of second-class fares. If you are cycling, there are normally carriages that accommodate bicycles. Timetables and fares can be checked at https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml.

The bus system is partially owned by the German Railways, making it easy to travel throughout the region. Bus stops are usually near the train stations. Tourist travel passes allow travel within a 35 mile radius. For more information, go to https://.sudwesthaus.de.

Shopping areas

Most towns and villages have small boutiques and souvenir shops as well as cafes, taverns and restaurants. You can also buy local produce from the farmers’ markets.

Typical regional food

Schwarzwalder Schinken is a variety of smoked ham that is only produced in the Black Forest region. The village of Musbach, near Freudenstadt, has one of the leading smokehouses in the area. If you are looking for Black Forest ham, this is the place to go.

Enjoying the culinary delights the Black Forest has to offer doesn’t  have to mean dining in expensive restaurants. Eating in a local gasthaus is all part of the experience, and countryside restaurants have excellent chefs. The menu of a village guest house may have a surprising selection of culinary treats such as goose liver, venison, poppy seed cake, Gugelhupf, and of course, the famous Black Forest Gateau.

The Black Forest has a variety of bars, taverns, clubs and discos, where you can party or dance the night away. There are also cinemas, theatres and casinos.

Off the beaten path

Going off the beaten track really gives you an insight into the culture and customs of a place. Try staying on a working farm. Accommodation is reasonably priced and food is usually good. But be warned, they are very popular, so book well in advance.

Visiting during the grape harvest?  Seek out local vineyard owners who open their homes to paying guests and serve dishes from their own-reared livestock, accompanied by delicious local wines.

English speakers may be difficult to find when travelling off the beaten track. Hire a local guide to help you. Experiencing the unique cultural aspects of the region will enhance your enjoyment and knowledge of the locality.

For something a little different, why not try a Brothers Grimm tour?  The Black Forest is said to have provided the inspiration for many of the stories they produced. Hanau near Frankfurt, is the birthplace of Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm, who collated the fairytales. In the pretty town of Steinau, the house to which Jacob and Wilhelm moved when they were young is now a museum, and is open to the public. In Kassel, where they spent most of their lives, the museum holds a copy of the fairytales, personally annotated by the brothers.

There is a “Snow White’s house”, in the quaint village of Bergfreiheit, above the spa town of Bad Wildungen. The main downstairs room has seven dwarf-style hats and little beds. There is a plaque in the upstairs room that tells the story of Margaretha von Waldeck, a local girl whose stepmother forced her to move abroad.  She was allegedly poisoned and died in 1554 at the age of 21. Nearby there is a copper mine that was worked by hand for 450 years. Miners were employed from all over Germany, with the promise of paying no taxes and being allowed to hunt whatever they wished. Only short, strong men were engaged to work in the mine giving rise to the legend of the dwarves.

From a high window in a tower of the Trendelburg Hotel, hangs a long tress of blonde hair representing Rapunzel. Sababurg Castle, the imagined residence of Sleeping Beauty, has a spinning wheel halfway up the spiral staircase.

In the town of Hamelin, pavement rat markers and pretty half-timbered houses, set the scene for the tale of the Pied Piper.

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Top 100 most delicious German meals

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The best things to eat and drink in Germany

Apr 28, 2024 • 11 min read

From Currywurst and Döner in Berlin to beer and pork in Bavaria, here are the best things to eat and drink in Germany © Nikada / Getty Images

Sausages with sauerkraut. Dumplings as big as snowballs. Schnitzels the size of boots. Pretzels bigger than your head. And foaming tankards of Bier – glorious Bier !

German food brings a blizzard of clichés. Some are warranted, some not. Yes, this country does still have a taste for piggy parts, potatoes and liter mugs of foaming beer. But the food scene has exploded all over the country in recent years. Menus are getting lighter, brighter and more creative. Tastes are changing.

While those good old-fashioned beer hall classics never go out of fashion, you’re now just as likely to find street food riffing creatively on world flavors and chefs shooting for Michelin stars with ingenious takes on vegetarian and vegan ingredients that sing of the seasons. And long before local sourcing became a buzzword, the Germans had embraced the joys of regional organic produce. Pretty much every town has a Bauernmarkt (farmers market) and Biomarkt (organic supermarket), where you can pick up picnic fixings, from local fruit and veg to cheese, wurst, fish and home-grown wine.

Loosen a belt notch and read on for our favorite things to eat and drink in  Germany .

Munch a Currywurst in Berlin

Curried sausage? You bet. You’ll find this smoky, mildly spicy street snack all over Germany, but it was born in  Berlin in 1949 when a bored Imbiss (fast-food kiosk) owner called Herta Heuwer decided to go wild and add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and a dash of curry powder to her bratwurst. And hey presto, the Currywurst was born. Sliced into bite-sized pieces, swimming in sauce and dusted with curry powder, this is now a cult snack, served mit  or ohne  (with or without) its crunchy casing, often with a side of mayo-doused Pommes (fries).

Where to try it : Join the snaking queue for a classic Currywurst at curb-side  Curry 36 on Mehringdamm, which has been frying ‘em up since 1981 and also knocks out veggie and organic versions. Or swing over to  Konnopke's Imbiss , in the same spot below the elevated U-Bahn tracks since 1930. Here the "secret" sauce comes in four heats – from mild to wild.

Dig into Labskaus in Hamburg

No dish better sums up the seafaring spirit of Germany’s maritime north than Labskaus , minced corned beef, mashed potato and beets, served with a fried egg and gherkins and sometimes with a herring casually plonked on the side. Bright red because of the beets, this is the dish that sailors once rustled up on their fishing vessels when they spent long weeks and months at sea. Its spiritual home is Hamburg , but you’ll also find it in other northern towns and cities like  Bremen and  Lübeck .

Once considered the humble food of the poor, Labskaus has been poshed up lately and now even appears on swanky restaurant menus. If you believe the locals, it is brilliant hangover food – plenty of salt, plenty of fat and not too hard to chew.

Where to try it : Right in the heart of Hamburg’s Altstadt,  Laufauf draws a loyal crowd with its solid menu of traditional food, including excellent Labskaus. Or for a touch of glamor try it at  Deichgraf .

Dive into a creamy dessert cake in the Black Forest

Ask any local: the best Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte , or Black Forest cherry gateau, is the one their Mama (mother) or Oma (grandmother) makes – fresh from the oven, a great dumpy mess of cream and chocolate shavings, as unhealthy and delicious as you like. And that’s because those dodgy 1970s takes on this classic sweet got it all wrong – this cake doesn’t just need to look pretty, it needs to taste of a loving, generous home. Get it right and it’s a masterpiece: layers of light chocolate sponge perfumed with local Kirschwasser (cherry brandy), whipped cream and sour cherries all wrapped up in more cream and shaved chocolate. It’s a dessert to dive into.

Where to try it : You can eat Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte the world over, but it never tastes quite like the real deal found in the deep, dark Black Forest , which spreads a fir blanket across southwestern Germany. Rivals for the gateau crown are many, but you’d be hard pushed to find better than at old-school  Café König in the ritzy spa town of Baden-Baden . Others rave about the one at  Café Goldene Krone , a women’s cooperative cafe in the pretty village of St Märgen, topped off by a baroque pilgrimage church. For all-out indulgence, visit Todtnauberg in mid-April for the annual  Black Forest Cake Festival .

Ready to plan your trip to Germany? Here's our guide to the top places to visit

Bite into a Döner in Berlin

Almost every late-night party in Berlin winds up at a Döner Kebab (doner kebab) stand, where a hunk of juicy meat turns on a spit. And that’s all thanks to Kadir Nurman, the Turkish immigrant who had the brainwave to stuff a pitta pocket with spit-roasted lamb, salad and garlicky yogurt sauce back in 1972. The city has never looked back and the Döner  still dominates German street food today. And if you don’t fancy the meaty version, many Imbiss  (snack bar) serve vegetarian alternatives.

Where to try it : The longer the queue, the better the Döner , or so say Berliners. Well worth the wait is Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap next to Mehringdamm U-Bahn Station. Or for a more central pick, try  Rosenthaler Grill and Schlemmerbuffet .  Vöner in Friedrichshain wins the vegan Döner award for its spit-roasted blend of wheat protein, vegetables and herbs.

Go for a fish feast in Northern Germany

Wash up on the bright, breezy, dune-buckled coast of the North Sea and Baltic in Northern Germany and you’re in for a fishy treat. For a briny burst of the sea, try dishes like Matjes (herring), Rollmops (pickled herring), Rotbarsch (like whiting), Nordseekrabben (tiny North Sea shrimps) and Hamburg’s much-loved Aalsuppe , sweet and sour eel and vegetable soup with spices and fruits like prunes, apples and pears. But the ultimate snack on the hoof has to be the Fischbrötchen (a roll stuffed with fish – usually herring – onions, pickles and creamy horseradish or cocktail sauce).

Where to try it:  Hamburg is rammed with fish vendors, but standing head and shoulders above most is  Brücke 10 , where you can nosh on Matjes (brined herring) or a bulging shrimp sandwich. In List harbor,  Gosch is a Sylt institution, with outstanding smoked fish and the Fischbrötchen of dreams.

Discover a world of wurst

When you start talking about Germany’s best wurst (sausages), things swiftly get personal and heated. They are from Bavaria . No, Frankfurt . Hang on, what about Thuringia? The smell of bratwurst sizzling on the grill, the sharp, sweet hit of Senf , the casual blob of kraut on the side – all yours for a fistful of change.

Grilled, boiled, baked and fried, served at an Imbiss or in a beer hall or garden, the humble sausage is so sacred here that you’ll hear parents telling their children to eat every last bite, as if it were a vitamin-packed superfood. There’s the ubiquitous bratwurst, the Blutwurst (blood sausage), the Bockwurst (ground veal and pork with paprika, marjoram, chives and parsley), the Weisswurst (parboiled veal and bacon sausage flavored with parsley, mace and cardamom) and a million others besides.

Where to try it:  Competition is hot, but Nuremberg ’s Rotbratwurst (finger-sized pork sausages flavored with mace, pepper and marjoram) are arguably among Germany’s finest, especially when seared over a flaming beech-wood grill at the  Bratwurstglöcklein . Munich claims its veal Weisswurst is better still. Take the lead of locals and gobble one for breakfast at the  Viktualienmarkt . Thuringia’s pork-and-veal bratwurst stays true to a recipe dating from 1404. The ones sizzled over a smoky grill at Erfurt’s  Faustfood are legend.

Don't miss Germany's best activities

Eat pork in Bavaria

When many folk think of German food, they are actually thinking of Bavarian food – of the oompah-pah-fuelled, Lederhosen-clad feasts of Oktoberfest and dishes that have all the makings of a raucous medieval banquet. All of Germany likes a bit of pork, but the Bavarians are mad about it, eating every part of the pig. Cue the nose-to-tail beer hall classics: humongous schnitzels, pounded, breaded and fried to golden perfection, Schweinbraten (roast pork) with lashings of sauerkraut and tennis ball-sized Knödel (dumplings), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Rippchen (ribs), Züngerl (tongue), Wammerl (belly) and Eisbein (salted ham hock).

Where to try it : Go for an all-out meat feast under the frescoed vaults of the  Ratskeller deep in the basement of the city hall on Marienplatz in the heart of Munich .

Devour pasta in Swabia

In the Swabian region of Baden-Württemberg in Germany's southwest, locals are crazy about pasta-style dishes, which are heavier and eggier (leaning more towards dumplings) than what you’ll find in Italy, but tasty nonetheless. Top billing goes to Spätzle, stubby egg noodles, served as a side with Zwiebelrostbraten (roast beef with onions and gravy) or as a main as Käsespätzle, with loads of gooey cheese and fried onions . But keep an eye out too for Maultaschen , giant ravioli-like pasta pockets stuffed with meat, spinach, onions and herbs, and Schupfnudeln , finger-sized potato dumplings.

Where to try it: Any good old-fashioned tavern will do, but among our favorites are the  Gerberhaus , full of beamed, rustic warmth, in the canal-woven heart of  Ulm , and Maultaschen heaven  Mauganeschtle in Tübingen.

Vegetarians and vegans might be surprised by the range of non-meat options

Germany was once a culinary wasteland for vegetarians and vegans – but no more. In cities up and down the country, you’ll find cafes and restaurants with chefs riffing creatively on shoots and roots and where veggies take center stage. Even Imbiss  serve non-meat treats – from falafel to veggie sausages and kebabs. In rural areas, things can be more challenging, but you’ll always find a couple of vegetarian options on menus – potato- and pasta-based dishes are good bets.

In Berlin, gourmet vegetarian and vegan restaurants are popping up quicker than mushrooms after a rainstorm, with the likes of cool Schöneberg bistro  Bonvivant , pairing cocktails with season-spun vegetables. Organic kohlrabi with pine, elder and black apple? Bring it on. In the Scheunenviertel, climate-neutral  Kopps treats vegans to plant-based fine dining, teasing extraordinary flavors out of vegetables in wonders like chestnut with currant wood and truffle. While over at Checkpoint Charlie , Berlin-born wunderkind Tim Raue brings a pinch of Asian spice to the equation in vegan tasting menus.

Never one to miss a culinary trick, Munich has  Prinz Myshkin , dishing up imaginative vegan and vegetarian cuisine in a slickly revamped, minimalist-chic vaulted space.

Bring on the beer

"Hopfen und Malz – Gott erhalt's!" ("Hops and malt are in God's hands") goes the saying and indeed few things raise German passions like beer, where you’ll be told flat out – no arguments – that the country makes the world’s best. The logic is irrefutable: the beer here owes its "secret" to the 1516 Reinheitsgebot (purity law) passed in Bavaria, which stipulated that breweries use just four ingredients – malt, yeast, hops and water. Brewing here goes back to Germanic tribes, and later monks, so it follows a hallowed tradition. And indeed beer is brewed, consumed and celebrated here with a near-religious fervor, not least at the world's biggest beer festival, Oktoberfest.

Once you get into the nitty-gritty, you open up an entire world. Pils (Pilsner), a bottom-fermented pale lager, with a pronounced hop flavor and creamy head, and Helles (pale lager), slightly sweet and with strong malt aromas, are universally adored. But each region has its own treasures: Düsseldorf’s Altbier (dark, full beer with malted barley), Berlin’s cool, fruity, colorful Weisse , laced with raspberry or woodruff syrup, and Cologne’s hoppy, top-fermented Kölsch , served in small glasses (0.2L) called Stangen (literally "sticks").

Where to try it:  Bavaria’s cloudy, amber-hued Weissbier (wheat beer) never tastes more refreshing than in a chestnut tree-shaded beer garden on a summer day (the  Augustiner Keller is a good ‘un) or when swinging your tankard to oompah-pah at Oktoberfest. Dunkles (dark lager) is more full-bodied with strong malty aromas.

Keen to go to Oktoberfest? Here's our guide for first-time visitors

Five more dishes worth trying

• Handkäs mit Musik (hand cheese with music): Frankfurt’s pongy sour-milk cheese, rolled by hand and marinated in oil and vinegar with onions. A sure-fire recipe for flatulence – hence the music!
• Himmel und Erde (heaven and earth): Rhineland fave, with mashed potatoes and stewed apples, served with black pudding – or potato-based Klösse dumplings.
• Saumagen: Rhineland-Palatinate brings you stuffed pig stomach (reminiscent of haggis). Eat it with sauerkraut and sautéed potatoes.
• Königsberger Klopse: A rich Prussian dish of veal dumplings in creamy caper sauce.
• Mecklenburger Rippenbraten: North coast specialty of rolled pork filled with lemons, apples, plums and raisins.

A year in food

March to May Germans go nuts for asparagus during Spargelzeit (asparagus season). Bärlauch (wild garlic) is bountiful and Baltic towns celebrate the humble herring.

June to August Pfifferlinge (chanterelle mushrooms) and a feast of forest berries trumpet summer’s arrival. Beer gardens brim with people lapping up the warm weather, and folksy wine festivals are in full swing.

September to October Autumn days are rich and earthy, with game, wild mushrooms and pumpkins aplenty. At Oktoberfest in September, 5.7 million partygoers wash down entire farms of pigs, oxen and chickens with Mass (liters) of beer.

December ’Tis the season for gingerbread, stollen and Glühwein (mulled wine) at Christmas.

This article was first published Oct 12, 2020 and updated Apr 28, 2024.

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