Things to do in Freiburg and surrounds

Freiburg im Breisgau (is the correct German name) is a city in Baden-Württemberg Germany. It’s a small city with a population of about 220,000. Freiburg is located in the Southwest of Germany and sits close to the borders of both France and Switzerland.

Freiburg is one of the best places to visit in Germany in the summer with its great climate, food, wine, attractions and proximity for some amazing day trips. Let’s explore some great things to do in Freiburg, Germany and its surrounding areas.

Freiburg’s location has made it the centre of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest. Freiburg was founded by Konrad and Duke Berthold III of Zähringen in 1120 as a free market town.

This is where Freiburg gets its name which translates to “free (or independent) town”. Freiburg’s history has ebbed and flowed with the times in Europe, from a town dominated by Nobles who relied on the silver mines in the 13th Century to a town that refocused itself in the 15th century to a centre of learning.

As a base for Catholicism in the 15th century, to forgettable activities such as witch burning and being caught in the thirty-year war. Throughout history, Freiburg has been controlled and influenced by Austrians, the French, the Swedish, the Spanish, and various German independent states at times.

Freiburg was heavily bombed during World War II. A large portion of the city centre was destroyed, with the notable exception of the Münster, which was only lightly damaged. Thankfully after the war, Freiburg was rebuilt on its medieval plan into the beautiful city that we see today. Let us explore some Freiburg tourist attractions

Freiburg is a university town which gives it a young, cosmopolitan and energetic feel. Freiburg University is the fifth-oldest university in Germany, with a long tradition of teaching the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

Named as one of the elite universities of Germany by academics, political representatives and the media, the University of Freiburg stands among Europe’s top research and teaching institutions.

Today Freiburg is the model of a green city. Freiburg started as far back as the late 70s incorporating sustainable practices that today position it as a leader in this approach.

Freiburg promotes itself as a Green city—especially in the areas of transportation, energy, waste management, land conservation, and green economics—and the city has won various national and international environmental awards. Sitting in one of the green spaces would be one of the most relaxing things to do in Freiburg on a beautiful day.

Know before you go! Our top Freiburg travel tips

Today Freiburg is located in the heart of the major Baden wine-growing region and serves as the location for tourists exploring the Black Forest. Freiburg’s location is adjacent to the Alsace Region of France with towns such as Colmar and Strasbourg making it an unbelievable location to base yourself to explore this region of Europe.

Where to stay in Freiburg, Germany

You’ll never be short of options for your accommodation in Freiburg. In Freiburg, you find a range of hotels, apartments and hostels. You will be sure to be able to find something to fit singles, couples, families and groups on every budget. If you’re not keen on any of our picks below or have specific needs, we recommend using Hotels.com and Agoda to find the best prices in the Freiburg city centre near the historical merchant’s hall

Hotels in Freiburg generally start from around $147 a night for a double room 3star and increase incrementally as the luxury rating rises towards the 5-star average price of $379.00.

Luxury: A fine dining restaurant, free internet access, an indoor pool and a well-equipped gym are offered at the luxury hotel Colombi Hotel. Just a 5-minute walk takes you to Freiburg Main Station and the shopping area of Freiburg city centre.

Mid Price: This 3-star-superior hotel enjoys a quiet central location, only 3 minute walk from Freiburg’s historical Old Town district. Each room in the Stadthotel Freiburg Kolping Hotel includes a flat-screen satellite TV, telephone, safe, minibar and a private bathroom with rain shower and hairdryer

Budget:  B&B Freiburg-Nord offers free Wi-Fi and free parking, cable TV, a desk and a private bathroom with shower. Located on the edge of Freiburg the city can be easily reached in a few minutes.  It is an ideal base for exploring the Black Forest.

Freiburg apartment alternative for your stay

If you prefer a home away from home-style accommodation in Freiburg then an apartment is the best choice for you. There are so many options for singles, families and budget-friendly options as well. Search here for the best apartments in Freiburg

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Freiburg Black Forest location

Freiburg in itself is located in the Black Forest. Freiburg is situated on the western edge of the Black Forest. People often refer to Freiburg as the capital of the Black Forest. From an elevated location in the City of Freiburg, look left, or right and you will see the Black Forest. In any case, Freiburg is the best base for making journeys into the Black Forest

How to get to Freiburg

• Freiburg is serviced by Europa Airport in Basel Switzerland and Strasbourg Airport in France. Freiburg is easily reached within 45 minutes from both airports. Major airlines and budget airlines service both airports.
  • You can book an airport transfer from Basel and Strasbourg airport to your hotel.

• You get to Freiburg by train. Freiburg is connected by the TGV with Paris in a little over 3 hours. Freiburg is an Intercity Express (IEC) station between Frankfurt and Basel, it is readily accessible by rail from all directions. Check train prices to Freiburg today

• Freiburg lies on the A5 Frankfurt am Main – Basel motorway, which runs north-south from Frankfurt through the Rhine Valley and all the way to Milan. You can drive to Freiburg in under 1 hour from both Basel and Strasbourg Check rental car prices here.

• Freiburg can be reached directly from 146 different destinations in Europe with Flixbus. A Bus to and from Freiburg starts at € 3,99. Freiburgs bus station is located next to the main train station in the centre of the city.

How to get around Freiburg

Freiburg has an extensive integrated network of trams, buses, and commuter-rail lines such as the Breisgau S-Bahn. The region’s 17 transportation companies have joined together to create a system in which one ticket will get you anywhere in the region.

For more information, including maps and timetables, see the VAG transit site or the RVF regional transportation authority’s Web pages.

Although bikes aren’t allowed in the pedestrian zone, they’re useful for getting around the city as there is more than 450 km (300 miles) of bike paths outside the Altstadt.

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Things to do in Freiburg City – Freiburg Minster

The most famous Freiburg tourist attraction is the Minster (cathedral or Munster in German) began construction around the year 1200. The Minster was partly built on the foundations of an original church that had been there from the beginning of Freiburg, in 1120.

The Freiburg Munster has the only remaining church tower in Germany with gothic architecture that was completed in the Middle Ages (1330) and survived to the present day.

The Freiburg Cathedral survived the bombing raids of November 1944, which destroyed all of the houses on the west and north side of the market. The 116-meter high cathedral has 16 bells the oldest dating back to 1258.

The inside features some nice chapels and stained glass windows. Tours up the belfry tower are not possible at the moment as the tower is closed for renovation but once it is completed it should be on your list of things to do in Freiburg. Don’t forget to admire the adjacent Merchants Hall.

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Minster market of Freiburg

Minster Square or Munsterplatz is in the central district of Freiburg is the area surrounding the Freiburger Minster. The square was once a cemetery in the 15th century but has been used as a market area since.

The Münstermarkt (Minster Market) is a large outdoor collection of local farmers and craftsmen selling their local produce and crafts. You will find on most days over 100 stalls at the market. The market is open from 8:00 to 13:00  Monday to Saturday. Visiting the market is one of the best things to do in Freiburg im Breisgau.

Saturday is the best day to visit the market as you will find extra market stalls on the weekend. One thing is for sure any product you buy is local as only local growers can sell their wares at the Minster market. This space quickly turns into the Freiburg Christmas market in December. The Freiburg Christmas markets are not to be missed.

We experienced the Freiburg Christmas market in December of 2016 and enjoyed the mulled wine, food and products on sale it was one of the best places to visit in Freiburg.

Rathausplatz

The old and new town hall of Freiburg is located on Rathausplatz in the Freiburg city centre. The old town hall dates to the 13th century while the new town hall dates from the 15th century. The old town hall was mostly destroyed in a WW2 bombing raid, with only the facade remaining. Along with the Old Town Hall, and the two renaissance burgher houses, the Whale House is one of the top historical buildings in the city.

The Freiburg tourist information office is now located on the ground floor of the new town hall, town hall square. Call in and ask for your free tourist map of Freiburg.

Seepark in Freiburg

The Seepark is the most popular green space in Freiburg. The park area is about 35 hectares and offers numerous opportunities for recreation and relaxation for both young and old.

The large lake invites you to walk around it and enjoy the peace and relaxation. Use the park benches for a rest or just to admire the scenery. On hot days swimming is allowed to cool you off. These days it is one of the top Freiburg attractions for both visitors and locals alike.

You can hire paddle boats and check out the surroundings of the lake from the water. The Japanese garden will inspire you while the sounds of the created waterfall will soothe you.

The kids can play on the adventure playground or play mini-golf. Maybe take a frisbee or football? There is a beer garden that serves beer and food, a great place to relax on warm summer days. Visiting the Seepark on a hot day would be one of the top things to do in Freiburg.

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Schlossberg

Schlossberg is a hill that overlooks the city of Freiburg. In the middle ages, the hill was fortified to help protect Freiburg from any potential invaders. The local nobility built their first fortified castle nearly 1,000 years ago, giving the Schlossberg its name (in English castle hill).

One of the main draws now is the Schlossbergbahn, a funicular railway that opened in 2008 and lifts you from the foot of the hill to the top in three minutes flat. The view as you rise above the city in the cable car is quite breathtaking. Besides the ruins and traces of their former importance, you can find the Schlossbergturm tower, a 35-meter-high observation tower, walking paths, lookout points and a beer garden.

See the city gates

 The city gates should be on everyone’s list of the top things to do in Freiburg. Similar to a lot of medieval European cities Freiburg was once an enclosed city with protecting walls surrounding it. The most famous, and probably impressive gate in my opinion is Martinstor (Martin’s Gate in English).

This impressive-looking gate in the city centre is sullied by a McDonald’s sign and was the location of witches being burnt in the 15th century. The Schwabentor was built in the middle of the 13th century, search out and find St. George the dragon slayer, patron saint of Freiburg, who is emblazoned on the gate’s exterior wall.

Freiburg Messe

The Freiburg Messe is a convention centre and concert hall rolled into one. You will find something on most weeks at Messe Freiburg. You will find food, car, caravans and animal conventions just to name a few.

The concert hall features shows for all types of artists from classical events to the yearly Voice Germany concert tour. You can reach Freiburg Messe on tram line 4. You can search for upcoming events on the Messe Freiburg website

Watch SC Freiburg play football

On the edge of the city is Europa Park Stadion. This stadium holds 34,000 people. The stadium is packed week in and week out during the German Bundesliga season when FC Freiburg play. The passionate support from Freiburg Im Breisgau.

FC Freiburg are grafters always trying and playing on a modest budget and sitting mid to low table position. The atmosphere at Europa Park Stadion is worth the ticket price alone. Grab yourself a sausage and a beer and enjoy the game.

What to do in Freiburg – See the Bachle

One of the unique features of Freiburg along with the remaining Freiburg city gates is the Bachle. The Freiburg Bächle are small water-filled runnels or channels that run along the streets in Freiburg. They are supplied with water by the Dreisam River which runs through Freiburg. You will find The Freiburg Bächle in most streets and alleyways of the old city. It truly is a feature I have never come across anywhere else in the world.

The legend goes if you fall into the Bachle you will marry a Freiburger. It is believed the Bachle has been in existence since the 1100’s first as irrigation channels for farmlands then as a drinking water system and now to transport rainwater out of the town. The water seems to keep the streets cool on hot days and certainly entertains kids.

Our kids loved jumping over them and fighting the desire to paddle in them, after all, it was winter, very cold and it would not have been one of the best things to do in Freiburg at that time! It was like a game to the kids with every corner we approached where would the water channels head.

Museums to visit in Freiburg im Breisgau

Augustiner Museum: This museum is housed in a former monastery and church of the Augustinian monks. This museum is home to an art and cultural collection from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era.

There is a focus on the stone original figures, glass windows of the Freiburg Minster, and medieval wood sculpture. This makes the museum an important culturally significant thing to do around Freiburg.

For more information visit the Augustiner Museum website

Archaeological Collection of the University of Freiburg: The archaeological collection has over 650 original pieces of history on display from more than 2,500 years of Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquity.

The pieces are aged from the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. To the 5th century AD. This is a must-see of Freiburg attractions for history lovers.

For more information visit the Website

Go bike riding in Freiburg

Freiburg bike riding is a popular activity in and around the city. Bike riding allows you to experience your location either in town or out in the surrounding areas. Freiburg being a green city is full of bike riders and biking trails for you. Some of the most popular bike trails are along the Dreisamtal cycle path, a Freiburg city bike tour or even biking to a nearby town like Bad Kissingen on the Swiss border. You will find over 150 bike rides and trails around Freiburg im Breisgau

What to do in Freiburg with kids

Freiburg is a brilliant city and very family-friendly. Freiburg with kids is a great destination in itself and also for making it your home base as you explore the Black Forest with kids or the Alsace region in France.

Mundenhof

The Mundenhof is the largest animal enclosure in Baden-Württemberg. Domestic and livestock breeds from all over the world live in the 38 hectares of paddocks. The Mundenhof is free to visit but a donation is welcome for the upkeep of this amazing place.

There is a small aquarium to see reef fish and reptiles such as snakes and lizards. The Kontiki (Contact-Animal-Child) is the nature education facility at the Mundenhof. At the Kontiki, kids can experience the feeding and behaviour of the animals close up. There is a restaurant on-site to grab a bite to eat, an ice cream or a beer.

Schauinsland

Located a 20 minute’s drive from Freiburg is Schauinsland

The Schauinsland Gondola is Germany’s longest cable car, (3.6 km) It brings you up to the top of the 1284-meter-high Schauinsland for a gorgeous panoramic view of Freiburg. The trip to the top takes 20 minutes and is one of the best things to do in Freiburg for kids. At the top of the mountain, there are activities for the whole family.

These include:

The Mine Tour: The mine has over 100 km of tunnels on 22 levels. The mine was developed over the last 800 years to mine silver, lead and zinc. There are 3 different tours of different lengths depending on age and height. The basic tour for any age runs for 45 minutes.

Schniederlihof

The Schniederlihof Museum offers a deep glimpse into the Black Forest’s history. This museum shows you what life was like on the mountain for the early pioneers of the Freiburg region. The Schniederlihof building was built in the 15th century.

Scooting:

For kids and adults over 12, you can ride a scooter down specially-made paths from the top of the Schauinsland to the base of the mountain. The 8 km track down the hill will take you around 1 hour.

You will be given instructions and fitted with safety equipment for the trip. This would have to be one of the most exciting things to do in Freiburg for the whole family!

All this and more are available on the mountain. Throw in Mountain biking and hiking in the summer months and cross-country skiing, sledging and snowboarding in the winter there is a never-ending list of Freiburg things to do.

Freiburger Puppenbühne

Freiburger Puppenbühne is a puppet theatre. The Theatre puts on shows featuring classic hand puppet plays. The sort of thing that kids love. When visiting Freiburg with kids this attraction offers wonderful entertainment for the whole family. The shows are performed on the first Sunday of every month and every Wednesday during the months of October through April.

Check out this page for the Puppet Show Schedule for Freiburg with kids.

Wakepark Tunisee

Just on the outskirts of the city of Freiburg is Wakepark Tunisee. The Wakepark Freiburg offers water skiing fun for beginners, advanced and professionals. The Lake Tunisee site has 8 different ramps and rails for fun water adventure.

You can rent a complete set of equipment from us. Optionally for up to 2 hours or for the whole day, that is entirely up to you. We provide you with a pair of skis, a kneeboard, a life jacket and a helmet. New to the park is standup paddle boarding which is something the whole family can do.

Places to visit near Freiburg

After you have finished visiting all the Freiburg Tourism sites, you may want to make a day trip from Freiburg. The location of Freiburg Germany means day trips to the Black Forest even France and Switzerland are easily doable. In this section of the article, we will explore some great day trips from Freiburg Germany.

Staufen

Staufen Germany these days is a small town with a population of a little over 7000. Staufen is one of these fairy tale picture-perfect towns with winding streets and cobblestones.

Shops selling local wines, beers and crafts in all directions and archways leading into secluded little courts. Staufen Germany is stunning. Home to the world-famous Shladerer distillery. Schladerer makes one of the most well-known brands of schnapps on the market.

The Staufen Castle (or Staufen Burg) sits 300 meters above the town. The Staufen Burg was most likely built in the 11th century and some say even earlier there was a Roman tower in this position.

There is a tower at the north-western corner that can still be climbed to give superb views across the Rhine Valley towards France and the Vosges mountains some 30km (50 miles) to the west.

Distance from the greater Freiburg area to Staufen: 25 minutes / 19 Kilometers

Badischer Winzerkeller

The distance from Freiburg to Badischer Winzerkeller is 25 minutes / 30.4 kilometres

For all of us who love good wine whether it be red, white or sparkling you have certainly come to the right region of the world. Badischer Winzerkeller is a co-operative that produces, bottles and markets the wines of the region bringing together the grapes from many small wine-growing plots in South Baden.

 Badischer Winzerkeller markets its wine under many different brands including Martin Schongauer, Castle Munzingen, Baden Trocken and more. We took a guided tour that lasts 2.5, that is available daily in the am and pm.

The tour starts off with a short film before you enter the factory and see the wine being made, stored and bottled. The highlight of the tour for the kids anyway was a small train ride that takes you underground past all the cellars and brings you out in a big storage room.

Here you will see massive wine barrels that each small vineyard used to use to store their wine over the last few centuries. At the conclusion, you get to sit down with your expert guide and open a few bottles for tasting.

Your guide will talk you through each bottle and tell you about its smells and tastes. The kids had an orange juice but they really enjoyed the tour as well. Badischer Winzerkeller is located in Breisach am Rhein

Titisee near Freiburg Black Forest

Titisee – Neustadt is one of the most popular Freiburg Black Forest day trips. Titisee is in the municipality in the district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald. It is made up of the six communities of Neustadt, Langenordnach, Rudenberg, Titisee, Schwärzenbach and Waldau Deep.

We visited Titisee in the Black Forest. It’s your typical town built on tourism. You will find shops selling cuckoo clocks and souvenirs, you will find cafes selling black forest cake and coffee. In the summer you can go swimming, hire paddle boats or go on a cruise on the lake.

You can relax at one of the many waterfront establishments, have a meal and try the local wine and beer. Titisee is marketed as a wellness centre with a number of spa-type hotels offering packages.

A trip on the Black Forest railway from Freiburg will take you past fairytale houses and amazing scenery before arriving at Titisee. A little further away is Heidelberg. There are plenty of amazing things to do in Heidelberg Germany

Freiburg Black Forest travel tip: From Titisee take the panorama bus to Triberg

Book your stay in Titisee Black Forest today with TRIP ADVISOR ⇐

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Things to do in Freiburg Black Forest – Rothaus Brewery

Distance from Freiburg to Rothaus Brewery is approximately 1 hour 12 minutes/65 kilometres

Located in the Black Forest is Rothaus Brewery. This local Black Forest brewery is widely popular in Baden Wurttemberg. We went on a tour of the brewery with our kids in tow.

The tour started with a video about Rothaus beer and brewery history followed by a tour of the factory. We were shown where the beer was made and bottled. The girls found the packing line very interesting with the bottles flying along with belts being labelled and put into boxes.

At the end of the tour, you were able to sample some Rothaus beer and have a pretzel. There is a Rothaus shop where you can buy souvenirs, we walked away with a T-shirt. and a tote bag.

There is also a traditional restaurant located onsite where you can eat and drink more Rothaus beer if you like! We settled for a coffee and some Black Forest cake in the Black Forest!

Day trips from Freiburg

Europa Park

Distance from Freiburg to Europa Park is 25 minutes / 38 kilometres.

Germany’s biggest leisure park is located just up the road from Freiburg in Rust Germany. There are 14 themed areas of Europa Park featuring different aspects such as architecture, vegetation and culinary highlights typical of the different areas in Europe.

The kids will love this place actually so did the adults, you could easily spend a few days here. For the thrill-seeker, you will find over 100 thrilling attractions and many fascinating shows to watch.

We watched a medieval jousting show and it was amazing. Much like Disneyland, there is accommodation at Europa Park. You can choose from five hotels or the adventure camp resort. We stayed in a tippee at the camp resort, cooked our own bbq and went for a few drinks in the saloon.

It was amazing especially for me as I always loved western movies as a kid. There is also a campground for caravans and a campsite for tents. If you have plenty of time in Freiburg we highly recommend a day trip to Europa Park as one of the best things to do in Freiburg.

Konstance, Germany

Konstanz much like Freiburg is a university city with approximately 83,000 inhabitants located at the western end of Lake Constance in the south of Germany. Lake Constance holidays are very popular in the summer months and its Christmas market in winter is well known throughout the region.

Konstanz played a big part in religious history as the only town north of the Alps to hold a papal conclave. It was held to elect a pope in the middle ages. Konstanz has a history dating back to the stone age and Romans.

Konstanz’s old town is rather large considering the size of the town with the highlights being the Cathedral and the Town Hall. The town hall is unique as it is painted with frescos.

The frescoes painted in 1864 show scenes and people from the city’s history. The cathedral as we see it today started construction in 1020. In 1955 Pope Pius XII raised the Cathedral to a papal Basilica Minor.

Being located on the lake, water sports such as swimming and boating are very popular as the local sea life aquarium for kids. We attended the Christmas market and found it to be one of the best we attended in Germany.

Nearby Konstanz you will find 2 UNESCO world heritage sights:

Distance from Freiburg to Konstanz: 125 kilometres / 1 hour 37 minutes

Monastic Island of Reichenau, Germany

Three Romanesque churches located on an island in Lake Constance are considered a perfect example of Early Medieval architecture in Central Europe. The interior of these churches has been meticulously restored. The interior showcases murals from the 10th and 11th centuries.

Lake Dwelling Museum, Unteruhldingen, Germany

The oldest open-air stone-age museum in Europe. At this site, you will find 23 reconstructed pile dwellings from the Stone Age and Bronze Age. As I mentioned earlier the history of this area dates back thousands of years.

You can walk a Stone Age circuit for families and view exhibitions with original pile dwelling finds. There is a multimedia show called ARCHAEORAMA that explains the history and significance of the site.

Chateau Haut Konigsburg, France

Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg sits upon its mountain at an altitude of 800 meters like a king overlooking his kingdom. This occupier had a 270-degree view over all his lands and can see any challengers coming from kilometres away. The afforded view reaches as far as the Black Forest in Baden Wattenberg Germany.

These days all that is surveyed is tourists streaming up the roads of the Vosges Mountains that lead to Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg. Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg through the centuries has fallen under the banner of the Habsburgs and Wilhelm II the last of the German Emperors.

We opted for a self-guided tour with an audio guide so we could explore at our own pace. You will see some amazing decorated rooms, armoury and learn about the history of the castle. Koenigsbourg has 3 levels to explore on your self-guided tour. Take your time to stroll the castle some of the views are amazing.

We took 2 plus hours to wander the castle but much longer could be spent without time restrictions. The castle has a restaurant, souvenir shop and toilets on site. Visit Koenigsbourg visit Alsace France. 

Distance from Freiburg to Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg 1 hour / 65.7 Kilometers

Kaysersberg, France

Kayserberg is located between Colmar and Ribeauville. Kayserberg is generally considered to be one of the most attractive small towns in the Alsace region. For us, this was my favourite town in the region.

The ruins of Chateau de Kaysersbergs sit on a hill on the outskirts overlooking this amazing little town. The chateau was built in the 13th century when an important trade route used to pass through this valley. This route has been protected since Roman times. You can walk up to the ruins for an amazing view of the area.

The town sits in a valley with hills full of grapes raising around it. The Weiss River runs through the town. You cross over the river on a beautiful 16th-century stone bridge which adds more charm to this already mesmerising picturesque town.

Make sure you have plenty of room left on your SD card for pictures here. The main street is full of amazing colourful wood and stone houses dating back to the 16th century.

The Keysersberg Christmas markets rank among the most popular in Alsace. Kaysersberg features on the Alsace Wine Route. The wine route plays a big part in Alsace tourism.

The wine route is popular with many tourists as it passes through many picturesque villages and vineyards that cover the hills of this region of France. And yes do buy the wine and local produce you won’t be sorry.

Distance from Freiburg to Kaysersberg 1 hour 3 minutes / 64.4 Kilometers

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Basel, Switzerland

Basel is in Switzerland but lies in the meeting of the German-French and Swiss borders. The Rhine River runs directly through the middle of town. There are plenty of things to do in Basel.

Basel is a town of Museums and bridges. You will find over 40 museums in the city and 6 bridges that span the Danube River.  Some of the best museums include topics like history, The Basel Jews, toys and contemporary art.

Basel is one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland. The Basel old town features cobblestones and historic landmarks such as the large market square with its one-of-a-kind decorated red sandstone town hall and the late Romanesque-Gothic cathedral.

If the Romans are your thing you will find some impressive ruins at nearby Augusta Raurica. For the kids, you will find the Basel Zoo featuring 600 animal species housed in eleven hectares of grounds in the heart of the city.

Basel’s central location to Freiburg and other towns such as Colmar and Zurich makes it an ideal place to visit.

Basel Travel Tip: As Switzerland is not in the European Union carry your passport with you. The prices in Switzerland are also way more expensive than in Germany or neighbouring France.

Distance from Freiburg to Basel 52 minutes / 75 kilometres

Traditional foods in Freiburg Germany

Traditional foods in the Freiburg area are greatly influenced by both Germans and French cuisine. You are most likely to find any number of the dishes below served in Freiburg im Breisgau restaurants

• Brezeln: pretzels.

• Spätzle: egg noodles.

• Kässpätzle: like macaroni cheese.

• Fellchen: a white lake fish from Lake Constance.

• Flammkuchen: a quiche-like onion and bacon tart.

• Maultaschen: Swabian ravioli, filled with minced meat, onions, and spinach.

• Ofenschlupfer: apple pie.
• Rostbraten: steak and onions, with a red wine sauce.

Where to eat in Freiburg

There are many Freiburg Restaurants, Breweries and Gasthaus to eat at while visiting the City. Restaurants in Freiburg include many international restaurants and traditional German establishments. Below you will find a few places we have eaten at and can recommend while staying in Freiburg

Martinsbrau: The Martin’s Bräu brewery is located in the heart of the Freiburg old town at Martinstor under the Freiburg market hall. This Freiburg beer brewery has been pumping out beers since 1989. At Martinsbrau you can expect hearty German cuisines such as Pork Knuckle, Sausages, chicken and regionally influenced cuisine.

The beers available are brewed on the premises and served fresh. For a bit of novelty try their banana Weissbier it is amazing! The food on the menu changes to suit the season as does your seating options from inside in front of the fire in winter to outside in the summer months on the terrace. Martinsbrau is at the top of our list of things to do in Freiburg when we return next time. If you like beer houses Hausbrauerei Feierling is another great option

Martinsbrau Freiburg address: Kaiser-Joseph-Straße 237, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

Restaurant Dimitra:  Dimitra is a family-owned restaurant serving amazing Greek food. We attended with friends who regularly eat here and were greeted warmly by the staff. We had some amazing tzatziki dip with some bread followed by grigios which melted in your mouth.

You will find many freshly made traditional Mediterranean dishes on the menu. There was both inside and outside eating area depending on which season you visited. Dimitra is a great place to eat in Freiburg

Restaurant Dimitra Freiburg address: Stühlingerstraße 34, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

Markthalle

Located in the city centre of Freiburg is Markthalle. This market hall is an indoor food court, similar to the type you find in shopping malls. All different types of international food are served here. Each stall offers a different nationality of food. Italian, Persian, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, German and more are available.

At night there will sometimes be music played and alcohol served to make it a pleasant atmosphere to spend some time in. Never again will you need to ask where should I eat in Freiburg.

Markthalle Freiburg address: Grünwälderstraße 4, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

Pinocchio Italian Restaurant

Pinocchio Italian Restaurant is located out of the city centre in the suburbs of Freiburg. It is well worth the travel to experience some of the finest Italian food in the Freiburg. They make great traditional pizzas and pasta dishes. The signature dish is the Pinocchio, it’s like a calzone but longer and thinner. Think of a French breadstick stuffed with your favourite Italian foods and baked like a pizza. All this is accompanied by a nice glass of red.

You can find Pinocchio’s of Freiburg at St. Georgen-Str 10 79111 Freiburg im Breisgau Above the Opel dealership.

Freiburg holds the “top position” in Germany when it comes to both sunshine and warmth. The winters can be cold, foggy and snowy. We have visited Freiburg in both seasons and can attest to the warmth and cold of Freiburg Germany weather. This type of weather means great options for things to do in Freiburg with both summer and winter sports

What to do in Freiburg in bad weather

Like all cities, the weather can turn bad at any time. Freiburg suffered through cold and foggy winters and even rainy days in summer. It’s important there are things to do in Freiburg in bad weather.

Cinemas in Freiburg – Freiburg has a large number of cinemas for you to choose from showing the latest blockbusters in a wide range of languages.

Some of these cinemas include (please click for the current program)

• aka Filmclub
• Cinemaxx
• Harmonie
• Kandelhof

10-pin bowling in Freiburg – Bowling is the favourite of couples, families and friends on wet days. Freiburg 10 pin bowling scene happens at a few good Bowling alleys around town. Check out the lanes listed below

• Bowling Park Freiburg
• Bowling Centre Kingpin

Escape rooms in Freiburg Germany- For those who don’t know an escape room, also known as an “escape game”, is a mental and physical adventure-based game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategy to win and escape the room. You will find some great escape rooms in Freiburg. Check the listing below

• ilocked Freiburg
• FREXIT
• Jailbreak escape room

Places to stay in Freiburg

At the top of the article, we suggested some Freiburg accommodation choices. If you are looking for a wider variety of choices please find below an interactive map from Booking.com for you to find your perfect stay in Freiburg.

Booking.com

Tourist Information Freiburg

Tourist info Freiburg can be found here online. Once in the city, you can visit the Freiburg tourist information office at  Rathausgasse 2-4, in Freiburg. You can also email them at touristik@fwtm.de and they will have even more tips for your Freiburg itinerary. In my opinion, Freiburg is a must-visit city in Germany.

The Freiburg Tourist Information Centre is located in the Old Town Hall at  Rathausgasse 33, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.  The Tourist Information Centre Freiburg is open 7 days a week. Times vary and can be checked by visiting the website 

We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has encouraged you to visit Freiburg City and make it a base for exploring the Black Forest and Alsace region. We are sure you will enjoy your time and find many things to do in Freiburg. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Germany click through to our Germany Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.

We will be back to Freiburg again in the future that’s for sure and we will share so much more of our adventures there with you. Who knows we may find even more amazing things to do in Freiburg next time!

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Some more travel inspiration for your trip to Germany

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