Car Rental - Kaiserslautern

A look around the city’s impressive Palatinate Gallery of Art (Museum Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern) is a great way to spend a few hours. Focusing on German art from the 19th century through to the present day, it has numerous works by impressionist painters such as Max Liebermann, Lovis Corinth and Max Slevogt, as well as sculptures and contemporary art from Georg Baselitz, Franz Bernhard and Eberhard Bosslet, among many others. The 19^th century neo-renaissance building is a stately work of art in itself. Another fine museum is the Theodor Zink Museum. This beautiful 19th century building is home to an intriguing collection of art and artifacts from the local area dating back to the Stone Age.

Lovers of architecture will find much to appreciate in the city. Drive here in your holiday car rental and start by searching out the 19th-century Fruchthalle (Fruit Hall), which was inspired by Florence’s Palazzo Medici in Florence. Then there’s the fabulous Gothic Collegiate Church (Stiftskirche), one of the most important and striking in the region.

Opposite Kaiserslautern’s 1960’s City Hall (Rathaus) are the ruins of Barbarossa’s 12th century Imperial Palace, later covered over by Count Palatine, Johann Casimir’s 16th century castle. Little survives, but the ruins can be visited on an organized tour from the tourist office.

If the weather’s nice, be sure to take a stroll around the city’s blissfully peaceful Japanese Garden, one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The best time to go is early spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

Kaiserslautern is surrounded by the vast Palatinate Forest, the largest wooded area in Germany. You can take a break from diving your rental car and throw yourself into the outdoor action. Enjoy the wild beauty of the forest in the Pfälzerwald Nature Park to the east of the city. Here you’ll find thousands of miles of trails, rare plants and animals, as well as panoramic views, castles and ancient ruins. The park also offers a range of outdoor activities such as swimming in natural pools, cycle paths to explore, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. If you want to trek one of the many trails, pick up a map at the city’s tourist information office.

Perched on a hill overlooking the city is the impressive Fritz-Walter Stadium, home to the local soccer team, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, one of Germany’s most successful clubs and winners of four Bundesliga titles. Come to watch a game if you’re in town on a match day, or just enjoy a tour of the stadium and get a behind-the-scenes look at this famous old club.