Once the playground of the Romans, Baden-Baden now attracts visitors from all across the globe thanks to its enchanting setting and famed waters. Rolling hills surround the city, providing a glorious backdrop whatever the season.
Past visitors to the area include Tolstoy, Queen Victoria and Barack Obama and, once you arrive, you’ll soon understand the town’s attraction. Turreted villas, grand buildings and enthralling museums are just some of the highlights.
Bathing in Baden-Baden
Follow in the footsteps of the Romans and treat yourself to some well-deserved relaxation with a thermal bath experience. You’ll find a plenty of different bathing spots to choose from across the town, but the 19th-century Friedrichsbad is the most attractive for a first-time visitor. Situated at the bottom of the old town, you’ll enjoy a fusion of both Roman and Irish bathing traditions in the mosaic-tiled chambers.
Caracalla Spa can be found on Roemerplatz. Book a spot in advance and be prepared to be surrounded by steamy hot water from the moment you step inside. With twelve hot springs and thermal waters that rise from 2,000 meters below, you’re sure to have an unforgettable bathing experience.
Many spa users bathe in the Baden-Baden waters to attempt to alleviate a range of illnesses, or to simply unwind. So, whether it’s bubbly hot tubs, waterfalls or soothing massage jets, the Caracalla thermal bath is ready to soothe your body and soul.
Baden-Baden’s beauty
If you can look beyond the crystal waters of the thermal spas, you’ll see that Baden-Baden was left untouched during World War II, so the town center has retained much of its character.
The Lichtentaler Allee runs through a pretty park with an opulent rose garden, cascading willow trees and ornate bridges. Watch out for cyclists and joggers as you amble through a town garden that is hundreds of years old, taking in the arboretum and dahlia garden.
Other cultural attractions include Brahms House, where you can see the original living room of classical musician Johannes Brahms. While the Badeviertel area in the city's bath quarter is a fantastic place to go shopping for boutique gifts. Head to the Fabergé Museum to see over 1000 items from the collection of Alexander Ivanov. There are rare items here, including a birch egg adorned with diamonds and gold that was made for Tsar Nicholas II.
Day trips from Baden-Baden
Europa Park, Germany’s biggest theme park, is just one hour to the south of Baden-Baden via the A5. In addition to thrilling coasters, the park even boasts a virtual reality rollercoaster, the world’s first. There are rides for all ages, taking in white-knuckle thrills and gentler family fare.
Make your way north along the B500 and E35 to Karlsruhe, a city with a unique layout, with 32 streets radiating out from the baroque Schloss like the spokes of a wheel. Within this friendly, student-heavy city you’ll find a 12th century monastery and, at the Kunsthalle, a wonderful selection of French Impressionism from the likes of Renoir, among fine pieces from across Europe.
Baden-Baden has an incredible range of spas and forest villages to explore on vacation. So, whether you want to stay close to the thermal waters or go hiking in the Black Forest, renting a car is an excellent way to explore this whimsical part of Germany.