Baden-Baden’s green and blooming calling card
A city where history meets luxury
Nestled to the north of Germany’s beautiful Black Forest lies the small and impressively cosmopolitan city of Baden-Baden. Founded over 2,000 years ago by the Romans, who discovered the benefits of the local natural thermal springs, the city has since become an iconic oasis for wellness, culture, nature and culinary excitement. Named in 2021 a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe, this little gem is a haven of tranquillity where nature takes the limelight. Known as the green city of short distances, Baden-Baden is a perfect destination any time of year, but amazing during a spring break.
Naturally beautiful
For a breath of fresh air, stroll through the numerous well- maintained parks and gardens, home to some of the most exotic flowering plants and trees. The city centre is a car-free zone, and everything is reachable on foot. Over the centuries, Baden-Baden’s green and blooming visiting card became famous worldwide for its abundance of flowers and trees.
The Gönneranlage, a park with 400 types of roses located on River Oos, was founded by a wealthy German coffee magnate in the early 20th century who wanted to gift his wife an entire rose garden. The Gönneranlage and the Rose Society Garden make Baden-Baden a rose capital. Here, on the low-lying slopes of the Beutig mountain, the paths, flowerbeds and meadows are all covered with arches of countless colourful blooming roses everywhere the eye can see. No wonder the World Federation of Rose Societies awarded this garden the Award of Garden Excellence.
If you have time for only one stroll, don’t miss the Lichtentaler Allee, a magnificent 3-kilometre- long avenue of lime trees, oaks and tulip trees, chestnuts, plane trees and alders as well as an abundance of rhododendrons and azaleas. In spring, crocuses, narcissi and wild tulips form a vibrantly coloured carpet at the foot of the trees. You can glide along this park in a horse carriage to add some extra flair to your Baden-Baden experience.
Act naturally
Today, the Lichtentaler Allee is a masterpiece made of trees, fountains and flowers, all lavishly framed by the most iconic Belle Époque monuments. The long avenue also serves as a green runway for art and culture. Built by the famed New York architect Richard Meier, the walls of the Museum Frieder Burda were already adorned with legendary works of renowned international artists like Picasso, Gerhard Richter and Neo Rauch. The museum exhibits their works in rotation, so make sure you don’t miss the current one.
Stroll along the neo-baroque theatre, the world-famous Kurhaus, which is the city’s hot spot for social gatherings and the Casino past the impressive Trinkhalle (pump room) and you will arrive at the Festival Hall, Europe’s second-largest opera and concert hall, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. From international operas to ballet shows, artist performances and music concerts, a wide range of world- renowned performers showcase here, each performance is presented at the highest level. Every Easter, the Festival Hall collaborates with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra to produce its very own opera, a must-watch event. Don’t miss the additional anniversary events, festivals or performances this year and celebrate the best music with the Festival Hall.
Natural springs
Baden-Baden’s hot thermal springs – not only a rite of passage, but also very relaxing – are its raison d’être. The nearly 800,000 litres of warming waters of these springs, at temperatures up to 68 degrees, work wonders on your body and soul. This is what the Romans discovered some 2000 years ago, when they founded the first public baths in Baden-Baden to improve the well-being of others. Nestled in architectural masterpieces and providing the best possible service, the expansive Caracalla Spa and the traditional Friedrichsbad are perfect spots for a pampering session. With more than 43,000 square feet of bathing and wellness space, the Caracalla Spa creates an exceptional ambience for relaxation in the thermal spring waters. Opened in 1877, the historic Friedrichsbad looks back on 145 years of bathing history and brings traditional Roman bathing culture and Irish hot-air bathing to the modern day. Wellness of the highest quality. From soap brush massages to spacious saunas, these splendid spas offer world-class treatments using mineral-rich water that bubbles up from twelve springs rooted deep below the earth.
Naturally active
Situated on the foothills of the mystical Black Forest, Baden-Baden is a great destination for long walks and hiking tours. The most beautiful view and the best spot for lovely sunsets is offered at Merkur Mountain – the city’s highest point. A funicular railway brings you up the peak in just a few minutes.
Also, the city is the gateway to the Black Forest Scenic Route, which leads to the Black Forest National Park and impresses you with beautiful nature and splendid views over the mountains and the Rhine Valley. The scenic countryside surrounding the city of Baden-Baden and the rolling hills of the nearby Rebland are perfect for mountain or e-bike tours.
Naturally good
The Rebland is the local wine mecca right outside Baden-Baden and is blessed with countless sun-drenched vineyards producing delicious bottles of Riesling. Wine lovers rejoice! Delicious local food on offer here is a perfect accompaniment to the Riesling as gastronomy abounds in Baden-Baden. With a wide range of regional and international cuisines, delicious food is always around the corner. From world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Maltes Hidden Kitchen and Le Jardin de France, to charismatic local taverns, diners are spoilt for choice. The Baden-Baden Wine & Gourmet Festival by falstaff in May will attract fine food aficionados from around the world for a long weekend of indulgence, masterclasses with Michelin-starred chefs and delightful degustation of food and wine. Baden-Baden is enchanting, exuding class and sophistication at every turn. For every piece of modern luxury, there is an equally charming reminder of the city’s ancient history. Baden-Baden is a must-see for any traveller.
