Bordering France and Switzerland, this southern German state is filled with fairy tale castles, picturesque villages, and the iconic Black Forest. Neighboring Bavaria might be a bigger household name, but Baden-Württemberg still holds its own as a vacation spot. Top things to do include visiting the quaint castle town of Heidelberg; admiring the Baroque palace of Ludwigsburg; and exploring the state’s underrated capital of Stuttgart. It’s Germany at its most German—even the cuckoo clock heralds from here.
Nature is king here in Baden-Württemberg—the late spring and summer months (May through September) are ideal for exploring this rural stretch of Germany. That’s also when you’ll find the biggest crowds in the hot spot of Heidelberg, which hosts the Heidelberg Castle Festival each June and July. Winter has its distinctive charm, as it’s when Germany’s Christmas markets dole out hot wine. Plus, you can always warm up in one of the state’s natural hot springs.
Deutsche Bahn trains not only link major cities such as Freiburg, Stuttgart, and Heidelberg, but regional links operate throughout much of the German countryside as well. If you know you’ll be hopping multiple trains, then consider investing in the Konus Karte—an unlimited transport pass that lets you forgo paying individual fares for each ride. And, as you’d expect in a region home to the Porsche and the Mercedes Benz headquarters, the roads here are excellent.
You can’t come to Baden-Württemberg without spending some serious time in the Black Forest. Whether you’re looking to hike, ski, photograph centuries-old architecture, or just indulge in the region’s namesake chocolate cake, then look no further than Black Forest National Park. A couple of standout destinations include the roaring Triberg Waterfalls and the postcard-perfect town of Schiltach at the eastern edge of the forest—famous for its half-timbered houses.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +49 | Language(s) German | Attractions 19 | Tours 202 | Reviews 1,553 |
While you might be more familiar with guten tag (good day), people in the south speak differently to their northern neighbors. A more common greeting in Baden-Württemberg is grüß Gott. Taken literally, this means “great God.” But it really just means hello. Otherwise, hallo (hello) works just fine.
...MoreTraditional dishes in Baden-Württemberg are rich and hearty—befitting for a region known for its hills, villages, and forests. Don’t leave without trying a plate of linsen mit spätzle (boiled egg noodles with brown lentils), a Swabian bread pudding known as ofenschlupfer, a glass of cherry brandy, and, of course, a slice of Black Forest cake.
...MoreIn contrast to the richness of the local cuisine, breakfast in southern Germany is a fairly modest affair. Expect bread or toast with fresh berry jam from the region, paired with hot tea or coffee. But don’t worry, you’re just saving room for lunch.
...MoreYes. While the capital Stuttgart has more of a modern and industrial feel, the state is best known for its natural splendor. Make the most of your time in the Black Forest region with a hike through the woods. If trekking isn’t your thing, you can easily get around by car or train.
...MoreThe Black Forest region is home to hundreds of local animal species—but that doesn’t mean you’ll catch a glimpse of them all. Though when it comes to wolves and wild boar, you’re probably better off not seeing them. The forest also shelters foxes, deer, the Alpine chamois, birds of prey, and owls, among many other critters.
...MoreThat depends. Most of Baden-Württemberg belongs to the historic cultural region known as Swabia, one of Germany’s five medieval stem duchies, or “tribes.” People belonging to Swabia are known as Swabians. But other residents of Baden-Württemberg are Badener, a name used to describe people from the historic Baden region.
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