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Table of Contents:
How to get to Baden-Baden from Baden-Baden/Karlsruhe Airport
How to get to Baden-Baden from Stuttgart
How to get to Baden-Baden from Frankfurt
What to see & do in Baden-Baden
Alley Lichtenthaler & Monastery Lichtental
Merkur Mountain (with funicular)
I have been to Baden Baden and, in short, I can say that this city looks absolutely charming and has lots of things to do and lots of places to see. Besides, it is a decent thermal resort with great opportunities for relaxing. Another advantage of the resort is it doesn`t matter when you come here, because thermal spas are available all year round. Based on my experience, plus some research, I created a post about visiting Baden Baden in Germany.
When to travel to Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a well-known spa resort in Germany, once famous for its hot springs of mineral water that is beneficial to health. The city is located in the west of the Baden-Wurttemberg region, Germany, in a picturesque place on the slopes of the Black Forest. You can travel to the resort all year round.
✓ Winters are mild and almost snowless here. In winter it`s an especial pleasure to swim in the hot springs’ pools, to take jacuzzi baths and to warm your body in the different types of saunas.
✓ Springs in Baden-Baden are full of colors. It usually starts to blossom in mid-March. It`s time to mix outdoor walks, city excursions and spa care.
✓ Summers at the resort are not super-hot. It`s usually warm and sunny, sometimes a bit rainy. It` s right time to visit Baden-Baden rose garden to smell all the different sorts of royal roses. Beautiful pieces of architecture are also waiting for you, so don`t hesitate to stroll around the city – you can find a lot of them. My summer experience of visiting Baden Baden was absolutely positive and I got a lot of impressions!
✓ Autumn in Baden-Baden has its own charm. Yellow, red and green colors make your stay here bright and cheerful. The weather is becoming a bit rainier, but sunny days are also common. It`s time to visit different interesting museums and, surely, take spa care after seeing attractions.
How to get to Baden-Baden
Where do you fly to get to Baden-Baden? You can get to Baden-Baden by direct flights (there is an airport of Baden-Baden/Karlsruhe), as well as by flights to neighboring Stuttgart or Frankfurt. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service.
How to get to Baden-Baden from Baden-Baden/Karlsruhe Airport
Upon your arrival at the airport, the city center of Baden-Baden can be reached by public transport (by bus) or by car. Public transport runs throughout the day, except at nights.
By bus: to leave the airport by bus, just exit the arrival terminal and walk to the bus stop, located against entry/exit doors. Here you can catch a bus (you need a bus No. 285). A ticket machine is situated in front of the terminal. Based on my research, buses run daily at:
✓6.40, ✓7.40, ✓8.43, ✓9.43, ✓10.43, ✓11.43, ✓12.43, ✓13.43, ✓14.43, ✓15.48, ✓16.48, ✓17.43, ✓18.43, ✓19.43, ✓20.39
Buses run from the airport to Baden-Baden train station via the city center. Approximate duration of a bus ride is 25-30 minutes; The changes in the bus timetable can be checked at the Airport Official Website.
By taxi: you can find a taxi car upon arrival, or book a car transfer in advance via the different booking services, for instance, at the international services of Kiwitaxi or Intui.Travel or other similar ones. In that case a taxi car will have already been waiting for you for the time of your arrival.
◊Additionally, you can book a child car seat or booster if you travel with kids. Maximum waiting time at the point of arrival varies from 60 to 90 minutes after the landing. Approximate duration of a taxi ride is 20 minutes.
How to get to Baden-Baden from Stuttgart
Stuttgart is located about 110 km east of Baden-Baden. On average, to get to Baden-Baden from Stuttgart by train, you need about 2 hours; by car – a little over an hour. Based on my experience, it is quite easy and fast to get to Baden Baden from Stuttgart.
By train: To get to Baden-Baden from Stuttgart by train, you need to take the S2 and S3 trains from Stuttgart Airport and get to Stuttgart Central Station (trains run from 5 am to midnight, travel time is about 30 minutes).
⇒Further, from the Stuttgart railway station you need to take a train to the Baden-Baden railway station (most often with a short change in Karlsruhe, but sometimes direct trains also operate).
⇒Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Baden-Baden can be purchased online or at the ticket office of the Stuttgart railway station. I use Raileurope regularly to check out the current train timetable throughout the whole of Europe. It is very convenient in my opinion, because I can compare different routes, duration of the train journey and many other parameters.
⇒Travel time is from 1,5 to 2 hours, depending on the chosen type of train and on the duration of a change in Karlsruhe, if any.
By taxi: As you have probably noticed, trains from Stuttgart Airport do not operate at night, they start running from 5 o`clock in the morning. Thus, it turns out that in the period from midnight to 5 am, the only way to get from Stuttgart Airport to your destination is by car.
◊You can order a taxi at the information desk in the airport terminal upon arrival, or in advance via the different booking services such as Kiwitaxi or Intui.Travel services and many others. Transfer services can also be useful if you arrive with a lot of luggage.
By renting a car: Another popular way to travel between cities in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental office in Stuttgart. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Stuttgart is connected with Baden-Baden by highway № A8 and A5 (see on the map).
How to get to Baden-Baden from Frankfurt
The distance between Frankfurt to Baden-Baden is about 175 km. Based on my experience, Frankfurt Airport is the most remote from Baden-Baden compared to Stuttgart Airport and Baden-Baden/Karlsruhe airport, however, the frequency of flights at the Frankfurt airport is the highest. You can get from Frankfurt to Baden-Baden by public transport or taxi or rented car.
By train: Frankfurt Airport has a railway station right inside it (on the ground floor), i.e. no need to travel from the airport to the railway station. There are 2 stations at the airport – from Regionalbahnhof trains depart to the city center, from the Fernbahnhof trains depart to the different cities of Germany, including Baden-Baden. Direct trains run several times a day, travel time to Baden-Baden resort is about 1.5 hours.
⇒Most often, to get to Baden-Baden, you need to make a small change in Karlsruhe or Mannheim, while the duration of the change does not significantly affect the overall duration of the trip. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Baden-Baden can be purchased online or at the ticket office of the Frankfurt railway station.
⇒When searching for tickets online, do not confuse the name of the Frankfurt railway stations. In addition to the Regionalbahnhof and Fernbahnhof, located in the airport building, there is also the Hauptbahnhof central station, located in the city itself. A useful tip: By the way, direct trains to Baden-Baden run more frequently from the Hauptbahnhof central station. Alternatively, you can get from the airport to the central railway station and then go to Baden-Baden.
By taxi: Despite the fact that trains from Frankfurt to Baden-Baden run regularly and the journey itself does not take much time, tourists sometimes need to book a transfer (taxi) service, especially if they have a lot of luggage or travel with kids. You can book a taxi at the airport information desk, or in advance via the different booking services such as Kiwitaxi service, Intui.Travel service, etc. The travel time is approx. 1.5 hours. Based on my research, these online services have a lot of positive reviews that is why I can recommend them. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
By renting a car: Another popular way to travel between cities in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental office in Frankfurt. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. I travelled a lot via autobahns in Germany so I can confirm they are pretty much comfortable and it is often the fastest way to get to the desired destination. Frankfurt and Baden-Baden are connected by highway № A5 (see on the map).
Where to stay in Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is not a large city. Its population is about 55 000 people. I did some research and I can say that tourists can find a lot of different accommodation options to stay here. Travellers, for instance, can stay in the hotels, guest houses or apartments for renting. In Baden-Baden you can find both well-known world chain hotels and cozy local mini-hotels.
Dorint Maison Messmer Baden-Baden 5* – you can find only a few 5-star hotels in Baden-Baden, and Dorint Maison Messmer Baden-Baden is one of them. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city next to the Kurpark (thermal spa area). An advantage of the hotel is that it has its own thermal area, which includes a swimming pool, a beauty salon and a gym. There are also several restaurants and a bar on site. The types of rooms vary from standard to deluxe. The standard equipment of the room includes a balcony or terrace, air conditioning, bathrobe, minibar, desk, telephone, radio, satellite TV, internet, hair dryer, double bed, bath and toilet. Depending on the chosen type of room, breakfasts can be included in the room rate, or be extra-paid (if desired). According to guests, the hotel has an excellent location and service;
Aqua Aurelia Suitenhotel an den Thermen 4 * – The hotel is located relatively close to the main resort facilities – the Kurhaus spa area and the Caracalla thermal baths (within walking distance). At the same time, the hotel also offers different types of spa services such as massage and beauty treatment to their guests. In addition, hotel services include underground parking, using a business room (if needed), a 24-hour reception desk, and a restaurant. Buffet breakfasts are included in the room rate, or are paid additionally (optional) depending on the selected room type. The rooms have a balcony or terrace, air conditioning, automatic blinds, internet access, satellite TV, telephone, mini-bar, bathrooms with bathtubs or showers and floor heating. Within walking distance, you can find the city center with its main attractions, that is why the hotel gets excellent guest rates for its location;
Hotel am Sophienpark 4* – The Hotel am Sophienpark is located in a large green park with its calm and relaxed aura. At the same time, the main attractions of Baden-Baden, including the theater, the Lichtentaler allee, the art gallery, the F. Burda Museum, the casino, numerous shops, as well as the Caracalla and Friedrichsbad baths, are within walking distance from the hotel. The hotel has an outdoor sun terrace overlooking the park, a cafe-bar, a breakfast area on the second floor, a tour desk and luggage storage. The hotel includes 73 rooms of different categories: business, comfort, family rooms, superiors and suites. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, telephone, safe, free Wi-Fi, balconies with a view on the park, and well-equipped bathrooms. Buffet breakfasts are included in the room rate. In addition, free tea, coffee, mineral water and sweets are available for guests in the hotel lobby. Travelers regularly give excellent reviews of the hotel for its location, clean rooms and quality of breakfast served.
Huber`s Hotel 3* is a family-type hotel located in the very center of Baden-Baden. Despite the central location, the hotel is situated on a quiet street without much noise. At the same time, the main sights of the city are within walking distance from the hotel. There are only 25 rooms in the hotel; all of them are equipped with shower, toilet, hairdryer, mini-bar, satellite TV, telephone, wireless internet. The hotel has both single rooms and double standard or superior rooms. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast (breakfast included in the room rate). The hotel has a parking area and a restaurant. The restaurant serves dishes from local fresh products.
What to see & do in Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is one of the most famous spa resorts not only in the region of Baden-Wurttemberg, but in the whole of Germany. Baden-Baden, due to its mineral springs, is considered to be a thermal resort. Several large thermal areas are located here, as well as many private clinics specializing in spa treatment and rehabilitation. I visited some thermal spa complexes here and can definitely recommend such a nice activity to try.
Like me, you may also be interested in local architecture which has Medieval features and local museums with its treasure collections. I can also give an advice to visit the Old and New castles near Baden-Baden, to lift a cable car in order to see the Merkur mountain and, if you have an extra-time, to travel to Baden wine road, to the Black Forest National Park and to the picturesque lake of Mummelsee.
The Baths of Caracalla is considered to be one of the largest thermal spa centers in Baden-Baden; it occupies the area of 900 square meters and includes 7 types of pools and the same number of sauna types, also inhalation baths, solariums, waterfalls, massage showers etc. There are 12 mineral springs on the territory of the spa. The water temperature in the main pool is +34 C, while in the outdoor pools the temperature is +38 C, which is why swimming here is considered to be comfortable even during the winters. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:
- The Baths of Caracalla spa center is open daily, seven days a week, from 8 am to 10 pm.
- The cost of visiting varies. It is possible to purchase tickets for 1.5 hours, for 2 hours, for 3 hours or for the whole day.
- You can also purchase a voucher for 10 visits if you plan to visit the thermal spa more than once.
- The cost of the cheapest one-time ticket for an hour and a half visit starts from 19 euros.
- You can buy entry tickets directly at the thermae or in advance on the official website.
- When visiting, you must have a bathing suit, slippers, towels. The maximum depth of the pools is 1.35 meters.
The Friedrichsbad thermal spa is a Roman-Irish baths, which are considered to be the oldest in Europe (late 19th century) and have preserved Roman and Irish bathing traditions. You can find here saunas and baths of various temperatures, thermal pools, hot tubs and much more. It is believed that in order for the body to be completely renewed, it is necessary to go through 17 stages of relaxation, which the Friedrichsbad thermal spa offers.
Take a note! It is customary to visit the Friedrichsbad thermal baths without bathing clothes (textile-free mixed-sex areas).
- Thermae Friedrichsbad is open to visitors from 9 am to 10 pm.
- The cost of a visit starts from 35 euros.
- You can buy entry tickets directly at the thermae or in advance on the official website.
- Sheets, slippers and foam cleaners are provided at the thermae.
Alley Lichtenthaler & Monastery Lichtental
Lichtentaler Allee is the main promenade of the city, which passes by almost all the iconic sights of Baden-Baden. The alley stretched from the City theater to the monastery square, where the ancient Lichtental monastery is located. The alley turned as much as 350 years old, centuries-old trees grow along its sides. The alley is situated along the local Oos River and passes by the City museum and the Frieder Burda Museum, as well as the other famous attractions of Baden-Baden.
The monastery is located at the end of the Lichtentaler allee; it was built at the end of the 13th century. Since then, the building has been perfectly preserved, due to the fact that during the Second World War there were almost no bomb attacks in Baden-Württemberg compared to other regions of Germany. Inside the abbey you can find a small museum, where you can see various works of art – paintings, porcelain, clocks and even original pieces of furniture.
Trinkhalle is a 90-meter drinking pavilion where you can freely taste the local mineral water. The pavilion consists of galleries and columns, richly decorated with frescoes, where the Black Forest fairy tales are depicted. It is said that the famous fairy tale writers – Grimm Brothers – drew their stories from local Black Forest legends and stories. The drinking pavilion is located in a green park near the Kurhaus.
- The pavilion is open daily from 10 am
- Mineral water can be poured in your own container or in containers bought here
- Keep in mind that the mineral water has useful effects that can be evaporated within a few minutes after bottling.
The Rose Garden is one of the best park areas in Baden-Baden. The Baden rose garden is just over 30 years old, but it is already one of the ten best rose gardens in Europe. The park is located a little away from the main street of the resort; here you can find many alleys, fountains, sculptures and, of course, collections of roses of all colors and stripes. I can say that I absolutely fell in love with the garden when I visited it for the first time. A variety of species amazed me and I wanted to take a photo of each of the flowers!
In the evenings (at 21.00) the illumination turns on in the park and gives the place a holiday vibe. The park is open daily until midnight.
The Museum of Art of Carl Faberge doesn’t tell only about the life and work of the great architect, but also shows a collection of art pieces, consisting of more than 3,000 items. The collection contains imperial Easter eggs, the “Rothschild” Faberge egg, miniatures, cigarette cases, metal, copper and brass items.
- The doors of the museum are open daily from 11 am to 18 pm.
- The cost of an adult entrance ticket is 24 euros.
- The location of the museum is on Sofienstrasse, not far from the thermal center of Caracalla.
The Frieder Burda Museum has a collection of German artists’ art works, which provides an opportunity to get to know German art more precisely. You can find fine art, graphics, and sculptures here. Most of the works are devoted to German expressionism. There are also works by Pablo Picasso in the collection.
- The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily except Mondays.
- The museum is located in the Kurpark towards the Lichtenthaler alley.
The Kurhaus, or resort house, is a local entertainment center that hosts various cultural events and music concerts. Inside the building you can find the famous Baden Casino, one of the most aristocratic and beautiful casinos in the world. Once the Kurhaus served as a venue for balls of the local aristocracy, today the place is quite modern and democratic; in the evenings, many different music festivals are held in the Kurhaus garden.The Kurhaus is situated in a city park, opposite the Lichtental alley.
The theater of Baden-Baden was built in an architectural manner of the Paris Opera, its facades are made in an elegant neo-baroque style. The Baden Theater is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. The cost of visiting the theater is quite affordable, but be aware that all the plays are performed in German. The theater season begins in mid-September. I didn`t see the performance when I visited Baden Baden, but, in my opinion, the facades of the building are gorgeous and it is definitely worth seeing the theatre at least outside.
The old castle called Hohenbaden, or upper Baden is situated near Baden-Baden and has ruins which are more than 900 years old. The interior decoration has not been preserved over the years, but the walls of the castle are in good condition, and most importantly, fascinating views of the surroundings open up from its top.
- Visiting the castle is free
- opening hours are from 10 am to 10 pm
- there is a free parking area
The new castle is also located near Baden-Baden, but today this building is occupied by a hotel, so it can be viewed only from the outside.
Merkur Mountain (with funicular)
Another attraction located near Baden-Baden is the Merkur Mountain. Its height is about 670 meters. You don’t have to climb this height on your own, because there is a funicular here. After some research, I discovered the following practical information:
- The funicular runs from 10 am to 10 pm, every 15 minutes.
- At the top of the mountain, you will find breathtaking views of the surroundings and a local restaurant.
- You can go down the mountain along numerous hiking trails, which also offer stunning panoramas.
The Baden Wine Road, or the Baden Wine Route, lies near Baden-Baden, leading along the slopes of the Black Forest, where white grape grows and you can taste the the local wines (Muller-Thurgau, Riesling, Gutedel, Gewurztraminer, Weissburgunder, Silvaner). In fact, the wine road also extends beyond the Baden-Baden suburbs throughout the Baden-Wurttemberg region. A useful tip: If desired, you can continue the trip along the “wine” trail both north towards Heidelberg and south towards the Swabian Wine Road including Trollinger, Schwarzriesling, Lemberger and others wine sorts.
The Black Forest is the main reason why ecotourism lovers come to Baden-Wurttemberg. This unique area is located on the slopes of the mountains. Today, most of the Black Forest has become a National Park, which is designed to protect the natural heritage of the region. At the same time, the territory is as friendly as possible to hikers, there are many trails where you can climb the mountains and see the region almost from a bird’s eye view. I was crossing over the Black Forest only by car, but I was amazed by its truly inspiring views.
Lake Mummelsee is a small “pearl” in Black Forest and is located near the settlements of Ruestein and Unterstmatt. The place has beautiful panoramic views, you can come here both for one day or spend more time. You can find a hotel on the lake to stay longer. There is a legend among the locals that mermaids frolic in the lake on a full moon. That is why many visitors stay overnight on the lake to check whether this is true or fiction.
◊After some research, I discovered that there is a hotel called Berghotel Mummelsee on the lake shore.
This hotel is extremely popular during the summer season, so it is better to book rooms in advance. The hotel offers spa and sauna services, free Wi-Fi and free private parking. The rooms are equipped with a TV, a bathroom; breakfast is included in the price.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
The first photo above the article: Jorge Franganillo
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…