This enchanting region of southwest Germany, famous for inspiring fairytales like Hansel and Gretel, offers rugged mountains, charming villages, and thrilling attractions.
Here are the top sights you can’t miss in Germany’s iconic Black Forest:
Black Forest National Park
A visit to Germany’s Black Forest region would be incomplete without exploring the national park. It spans nearly 25,000 acres of untamed wilderness, which you can see on various walking paths and scenic roads.
From lush valleys to towering mountain peaks and roaring waterfalls, there’s much natural beauty in Black Forest National Park. Watch for falcons, owls, deer, and boar while hiking or driving through the rural landscape.
Hohenzollern Castle
Hohenzollern is among the most beautiful castles in Germany. This mountaintop fortress will transport you back in time, making you feel like royalty.
It was built in the 19th century by the King of Prussia and displays fascinating artifacts, like the Crown of Wilhelm II and a letter from President George Washington. You’ll be captivated by the magical castle while strolling the grounds on a self-guided tour.
Gengenbach
Step into a real-life fairytale at Gengenbach, a scenic town on the Black Forest’s western edge. Gengenbach features charming 14th-century architecture and is famously home to the world’s largest advent calendar.
Every holiday season, Gengenbach transforms into a magical Christmas destination with twinkling lights and decorated trees. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll fall in love with its quaint atmosphere.
Triberg Waterfalls
The Triberg Waterfalls are the tallest of their kind in Germany. They cascade over 500 feet down a series of steps, creating an enchanting scene. These falls are easily accessible, making them the perfect place to snap photos and enjoy nature during your Black Forest getaway.
Black Forest Open Air Museum
Dive into the past at the Black Forest Open Air Museum. This fascinating historical site features multiple centuries-old buildings that visitors can walk through.
The museum sits on a former farm and still boasts the original farmhouse built there in 1612. Other homes, gardens, mills, and storage facilities are also on display, so expect to spend several hours wandering the property.
Baden-Baden Thermal Baths
Unwind at one of the many thermal baths located throughout Baden-Baden. The town has been a popular resort destination for centuries thanks to its natural hot springs. Caracalla Spa and Friedrichsbad Baden-Baden are the most famous thermal baths for relaxing in luxury.
Titisee-Neustadt
Titisee-Neustadt, a lakefront town in the southern Black Forest region, is a must-see. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from boating on Lake Titisee to shopping for cuckoo clocks and spending a day at the Badeparadies Schwarzwald waterpark. It’s a fantastic getaway spot for families eager to reconnect with nature and create lifelong memories.
Europa-Park
Enjoy thrilling rides and family-friendly attractions at Europa-Park, one of Europe’s most-visited theme parks. The massive park comprises 20 themed areas, over 100 interactive shows, 14 roller coasters, 50 dining options, and six hotels.
Visitors of all ages can join the fun with the park’s European and fantasy-inspired activities. You could spend an entire day at Europa-Park and still not see everything it has to offer.
Schwarzwald Hochstrasse
Take a scenic drive along Schwarzwald Hochstrasse, Germany’s oldest road. Known as the Black Forest High Road, it spans nearly 40 miles between Freudenstadt and Baden-Baden. The route passes by various valleys, mountains, and lakes, offering stunning views around every corner.
Freiburg im Breisgau
For picturesque sightseeing in the Black Forest, Freiburg im Breisgau is hard to beat. Tourists flock there for its medieval landmarks, wineries, and scenic bike paths.
Freiburg combines old-world traditions with modern innovation and sustainability, earning its nickname of the Green City. Highlights of the 11th-century town include the historic Freiburger Münster cathedral and Martinstor city gate.
Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald
Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald will elevate your Black Forest vacation to new heights—literally. This unique attraction consists of an exciting trail through the treetops.
The path has informational signs for guests to learn about the local environment, observation areas, and kid-friendly playgrounds. Visiting Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald will deepen your appreciation and give you a new perspective on this stunning region of Germany.
Schluchsee
Don’t miss your chance to see the Black Forest’s largest lake. Schluchsee is over 26 square miles, offering endless boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities.
There are plenty of things to do on land, as well. You can walk along a trail that encircles Schluchsee or explore the local town sharing the same name.
Calw
Calw is an essential stop during your trip to the Black Forest. It’s a relatively small town, with around 24,000 residents, but full of charm.
Spend an afternoon wandering the streets and admiring the timber homes and businesses that line the central square. Literary enthusiasts will also enjoy visiting the Hermann Hesse Museum, which is dedicated to the Nobel Prize-winning author born in Calw.
Baden Wine Route
The Baden Wine Route leads travelers over 300 miles through one of Germany’s largest winemaking regions. Baden has many exceptional vineyards, and the Wine Route highlights some of the best, like Weingut Zähringer and Weingut Kopp.
You’ll encounter idyllic villages, meadows, castles, and monasteries during the journey. In addition to sampling wine, be sure to savor a meal at one of Baden-Württemberg’s 76 restaurants that have been awarded Michelin stars.
Escape the crowds in these German cities
While towns like Berlin and Munich are worth seeing, they’re typically overrun with tourists. For a more authentic travel experience, head to these off-the-beaten-path cities throughout Germany.
18 Underrated Cities in Germany to Visit Before Crowds Do
Plan the German vacation of a lifetime
Deciding what to do on your trip to Germany can feel overwhelming. These unique activity ideas will help you plan the perfect itinerary.
16 Unforgettable Things to Do in Germany
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
