Location: Baden-Baden
Top Things to do in Baden-Baden
What to do and see in Baden-Baden, Baden-Wurttemberg: The Best Things to do
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. Festspielhaus Baden-Baden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 187 reviews
The town's popular 19th-century performance hall has served as the home to the same acting troupe since 1918.
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. Museum Frieder Burda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 466 reviews
The New York architect Richard Meier described Museum Frieder Burda in Baden-Baden, which opened in October 2004, as a “jewel in the park”. Along the famous Lichtentaler Allee, he created a unique architecture that is bathed in light, in which the interior and exterior, contemporary art and romantic park landscape are in constant dialogue. Spread over four levels, Museum Frieder Burda presents artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries in changing exhibitions. These focus, on the one hand, on themes and artists relevant to the collection, for example, Pablo Picasso, Max Beckmann or Sigmar Polke. On the other hand, they also present current contemporary positions such as those of Andreas Gursky, JR and Katharina Grosse. The museum is funded by Stiftung Frieder Burda, a foundation with full legal capacity under Germany’s Civil Code.
Reviewed By CelineBrussels - Germany, null
The museum is beautiful, modern and has received award in its architecture. It is white and with glass with lots of lights located next to the beautiful park in the centre. It is just 2 or 3 minutes walk from the town centre and shops. At the time when we visited, there were a few temporary high quality exhibitions so there was no space for the permanent collections. The main exhibition was Karin Kneffel who is the top student of Gerhard Richter. The exhibition was absolutely brilliant. The shop was very nice and sells high quality goods. There is a coffee shop and through the other end of the coffee shop is another museum, Staatliche Kunsthalle which unfortunately we did not have time to visit. We enjoy this museum and the temporary exhibitions very much.
4. 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.
5. MerkurBergbahn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 659 reviews
Reviewed By LisaEmery - London, United Kingdom
The ride on the funicular railway is fabulous, the views from the top of Merkur are stunning, nice cafe at the top for a beer and snacks (or a meal). This is a Baden-Baden must do. Can't recommend highly enough. You can get the bus from town, or its about a half hour walk (very hilly on the way there, lovely walk back though!)
6. 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.
7. Merkur Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 436 reviews
Reviewed By suziQEssex
We went to the Merkur on our first day in Baden Baden for a week after travelling nearly 500 miles through France and Germany on a motorcycle . It was a sunday afternoon and exceptionally busy. We had a great journey up the funicular railway which was so quaint and fun ! We arrived at the Merkur to meet lovely views and spent the afternoon watching the paragliders soaring through the air in a cloudless blue sky - magical !! The area around the Merkur is full of interesting biking and hike trails - there are also facilities for picnics and bbqs . We initially took the walking route from Baden Baden on our first trip and despite a few wrong turns which meant gawping at the stunning properties that surround the area got there easily . We loved the Merkur so much we went back - this time by bus from outside the Playhouse in Baden Baden which is very easy to find. We spent our last day in Germany watching the sun go down and strolling back to town . Fabulous !!
8. 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.
9. Casino Baden-Baden Spielbank
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 860 reviews
This famous casino has been servicing crowds of vacationing tourists since 1821.
Reviewed By RWmDean - Austin, United States
Beautiful casino in an old-world style. Easy to see James Bond here. Great people watching. Roulette is the game of choice with blackjack as well.
10. Mummelsee
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 680 reviews
Reviewed By 910lauriel - Plymouth, United States
There’s a nice little gift shop there. The hotel has a restaurant and café (which wasn’t open during our visit). The gift shop has a nice selection of baked good – the pretzels were the best we’ve ever had. The 15-20 min walk around the lake includes statues with fables from the area too.
