Black Forest

Travel Guide
Old Town featuring a river or creek
Discover time-honored traditions in this fairytale-like forest, where decadent spa villages and cuckoo-clock workshops sit amid the romantic evergreen hills.

The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is one of Germany’s most picturesque regions, its dense pinewoods enveloping rounded granite summits from the Rhine River to Switzerland’s Alpine foothills. The Black Forest has charmed its visitors for centuries, from the Romans who first bathed in its springs 2,000 years ago to the 19th-century nobility that flocked to the woodland getaway. Wander through these magical woods to find relaxing spa resorts, vineyards and undulating hillsides steeped in elaborate tradition.

The genteel spa town of Baden-Baden is one of the region’s best-known destinations, where you can join a list of visitors that includes kings, queens, emperors and composers. Enjoy a pampered holiday or explore some of the town’s surrounding hiking, biking and cross-country skiing trails. Grab a kayak and explore some of the Black Forest’s waterways. Visit the Northern Black Forest to check out some of the region’s scenic drives and traverse rolling hills strung with picturesque vineyards. If you’d prefer not to drive, take a ride on Baden’s Rebenbummler vineyard train.

If you are looking for the Black Forest that appears to be straight out of a Grimm Brothers fairytale, make your way to the Kinzig and Gutach valleys. Toward the south of the region, visit the lively university city of Freiburg. Spend some time exploring its bustling streets or plan your adventure in the mysterious Southern Black Forest. This dramatic landscape is characterized by deep valleys and soaring summits, such as the curved peak of Feldberg. In this region, you’ll find several ski resorts, scenic lakes and Germany’s largest waterfall.

Join a river cruise along the Rhine at any time of the year and take in beautiful views of the forest-fringed banks. Other year-round attractions in the Black Forest include visiting the workshops of woodcarver artisans and experiencing the region’s cuisine. Try cherry gateaux, cured hams and grilled wurst.

The Black Forest is situated within the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Reach the Black Forest by car or by train to one of its major towns. Baden-Baden, in the region’s north, is less than 90 minutes from Stuttgart by car and by train. For rejuvenation and relaxation, the Black Forest is a destination for all seasons.

Where to stay in Black Forest

Trinkhalle featuring a park

Baden Baden Old Town

5/5(54 area reviews)

Baden Baden Old Town is known for its relaxing spas, and you can plan a trip to Friedrichsbad and Faberge Museum while you're in town.

Baden Baden Old Town

Gengenbach Old Town

While visiting Gengenbach Old Town, you might make a stop by sights like Gengenbach Town Hall and Upper Gate Tower.

Gengenbach Old Town
Default Image

Geroldsau

While there might not be top attractions in Geroldsau, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Geroldsau Waterfall and Lichtentaler Allee Park.

Geroldsau
FourSide Hotel Freiburg
FourSide Hotel Freiburg
Elisabeth-Geissler-Ruckmich-Straße 10, Freiburg im Breisgau
The price is ¥10,851 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
¥10,851
per night
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this hotel in Freiburg im Breisgau. Enjoy breakfast, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (307 reviews)
"Very cute hotel. Nice and clean. Beautiful bathroom and rooms. Nice bar downstairs. Walk to many restaurants and supermarket."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

FourSide Hotel Freiburg
Novotel Freiburg am Konzerthaus
Novotel Freiburg am Konzerthaus
4 out of 5
Konrad Adenauer Platz 2, Freiburg im Breisgau, BW
The price is ¥13,735 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
¥13,735
per night
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Freiburg im Breisgau. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Hotel has perfect location. It is 10 minutes walk from the old town. Restaurants are just around the corner. In addition, there is a railway station just across from the hotel. Room was clean with an and amazing view. Customer service at the reception was very friendly and very helpful. We spent ..."

Reviewed on Sep 2, 2023

Novotel Freiburg am Konzerthaus
MOXY Rust
MOXY Rust
3.5 out of 5
Jakob-Schneider-Strasse 2, Rust
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥14,682 per night from Apr 18 to Apr 19
¥14,682
per night
Apr 18 - Apr 19
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rust. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (435 reviews)
Would definitely recommend
"All round excellent stay! Perfect location for Europa park and Rulantica. Secure parking available, very modern and clean from the reception/bar area to the rooms. All staff very friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2023

MOXY Rust
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aparthotel Adagio Access Freiburg
Aparthotel Adagio Access Freiburg
Eugen Martin Strasse 1, Freiburg im Breisgau
Stay at this aparthotel in Freiburg im Breisgau. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (143 reviews)
"Amazing hotel we have used one like this before and so good to be able to cook and have a fridge room size amazing bathroom so good and all so clean and very good staff on arrival would recommend to all to use this hotel so close to team and a big supermarket that you can get everything from fresh ..."

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Access Freiburg
CLOUD No7 STUDIOS
CLOUD No7 STUDIOS
Karlstraße 11, Tuebingen, BW
Stay at this aparthotel in Tuebingen. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and concierge services. Popular attractions Hoelderlin Tower and St. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (38 reviews)
Beautiful Apartment Hotel
"Beautiful studio apartment close to Old Town and Neckar Bridge. It was very modern, clean, with a small kitchen and lots of storage. This hotel was within walking distance to stores, restaurants and bars. Around the corner from train station and bus terminal. I would definitely stay there again."

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2023

CLOUD No7 STUDIOS
Relax Pension Feldberg im Schwarzwald mit Restaurant Schmidt's Heimatküche
Relax Pension Feldberg im Schwarzwald mit Restaurant Schmidt's Heimatküche
Feldberg (Schwarzwald)
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Feldberg. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Lake Titisee and Badeparadies Schwarzwald ...
Relax Pension Feldberg im Schwarzwald mit Restaurant Schmidt's Heimatküche
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Black Forest