Location: Baden-Baden
Top Things to do in Baden-Baden
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Baden-Baden, Baden-Wurttemberg
Nestled at the foot of the Black Forest in South Germany, Baden-Baden is a chic destination for those who fancy a dip in its famous salt- and radon-rich thermal hot springs. The town has been a popular destination for so long that it's starting to show its age, but not to worry. It's still very classy, picturesque and well-maintained. (The Dame Julie Andrews of German spa towns, if you will.) Sporty types will find an abundance of opportunities to enjoy golf, tennis, horseback riding and skiing nearby in winter.
Restaurants in Baden-Baden
1. Panoramaweg
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
40km hiking trail round Baden-Baden
Reviewed By flutterby_dee
We did this hike in October, and with the leaves starting to turn the forest was stunningly beautiful. We were prepared for rainy weather, given the time of year (not ideal - we were planning around a work conference so not much flexibility with dates), but were very lucky and had spectacular weather! As well as forest, the hike takes you through villages, farmyards, orchards and fields, all while the birds are chirping and you may hear the chime of churchbells in the distance. The hike itself involves some ascending, but is not at all difficult, with the track easy to walk on. Our only difficulty was that the signs did not match the map we had for part of stage 1, and in fact the signage seemed to indicate we should walk through the Neues schloss, which was closed - we followed the map from there and did not have any troubles; I would therefore suggest that a map is a necessity, and perhaps stopping at the tourist office beforehand so your map is up-to-date would be a worthwhile use of time. We did stages 1-3 on day 1, overnighting in Geroldsau, and completed stages 4-5 on day 2, walking to and from Bernharduskirche from the centre of Baden Baden at either end of the hike, but you can do as many stages as you like, starting at any point, as there is bus transport to all stages.
2. Lichtentaler Allee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,405 reviews
This beautiful park is home to the town's famous casino.
Reviewed By pauldY2197UW - Miamiville, United States
We had the good fortune to book an Airbnb for the entire month of September right by Lichtentaler Allee. We LOVED walking into the city along this beautiful path/ parkway. Along the way there was a gazebos, dahlia garden, incredible, stately rose garden, statues, a fountain, magnificent mansions, museums, old trees, a large meadow, a small canal/river full of ducks, clay tennis courts with an adjoining Italian cafe that we really liked. It was quiet and safe. We walked into town probably a dozen times. Sometimes in the early morning, sometimes late at night. There were always others around on foot or on bikes, even occasionally in carriages. We ALWAYS felt safe and serene. We could have driven and parked in Baden-Baden but we always chose to walk, even if we were tired from a day’s exploring. It was that enjoyable. It was THE PERFECT LOCATION for an extended stay and visit to Schwarzwald and Alsace. I would do it again in a minute!
3. Hohenbaden Old Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By Steveage - Rexburg, United States
The upper castle was built by the by Margrave Hermann II around the year 1100. Under Margrave Bernhard I of Baden (1372-1431) was the Gothic lower castle, which was extended by Margrave James I (1431-1453). It's a little walk from the parking lot, it's a slight uphill, but literally 5 minutes and you're in the castle. When we were there, no one else was, 8:00 PM on a Thursday evening. The restaurant at the base of the castle had people in it. We loved roaming around and imagining how it must have been in medieval times. Keep wandering too, you can go all the way to the top tower with unbelievably gorgeous views. This place was free and it was unforgettable. Lots of scaffolding and reconstruction work was happening when we were there in late June of 2019.
4. Goenneranlage
5. Rosengarten auf dem Beutig
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By SaharKattan
The garden is within a beautiful park that has few amazing Hotels overlooking this wonderful area,with a river running through it, to enjoy all this there are plenty of benches and chairs to sit around and enjoy the surrounding.
6. Stiftskirche Baden-Baden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By Steveage - Rexburg, United States
There are lots of little, beautiful things in this town. This church is actually a main reason to visit Baden-Baden. An Imperial document from 987 provides the first proof of this church. The west tower of the church dates from the first half of the 13th century. The appearance of the church has changed several times due to alterations and the destruction from the town fire of 1689. The church's remarkable interior today includes a sacramental house from around 1490 and a crucifix by the important sculptor Niclaus Gerhaert von Leyden from 1467. There’s a pretty sandstone sculpture from 1490, of Saint Christopher holding Jesus on his shoulder. Comparing German churches to Italian, the German churches are positively drab! This one does have some nice art in it though.
7. Geroldsau Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By amandamG3153XF - Austin, United States
This waterfall is by no means gigantic. However, the walk there is quiet and you are surrounded by breathtaking nature as the noises of every day life quickly fade. It's an easy enough walk for anyone to do and worth the trip.
8. Equipage Tanzbar im Kurhaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
9. Weingut Naegelsfoerst
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By 793deidrab
My husband and I came here on a Monday at about noon. At first we were the only people tasting but soon more people arrived. The wines are great, Patrick and the winemaker were very informative. You can tell that they are passionate about what they are doing. They spoke English and we did not have a tasting reservation. We just took our chances and it worked out. The wines are AMAZING. I like crisp, not sweet wines and this is exactly what most of their wines were. Wide selection too for a small wine maker. The grounds are stunning. It’s a interesting drive up to the top of hill but Google Maps had no problem getting us there. Highly recommend stopping in, tasting and buying some wine. The pricing is great. You won’t be disappointed.
10. Pump Room (Trinkhalle)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 240 reviews
Built between 1839 and 1842, this 300-feet-long pump room features fourteen frescoes depicting legends about Baden-Baden. Inside the Trinkhalle you can sample fresh water from the Friedrichsquelle.
