Karlsruhe

Travel Guide
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Possessing a layout that some say inspired Washington DC and an Egyptian style pyramid, Germany’s Karlsruhe is full of surprises. 

Karlsruhe is an ideal central stop on a European vacation. Located in the southwestern corner of Germany, this city appeals to visitors for its blend of modern and traditional qualities. 

An intellectual city by nature, Karlsruhe houses Germany’s oldest technological university. It also recently adopted the SmarterCity Initiative, marking the metropolis as a leader in environmental efficiency and self-sustainability for urban areas. 

Its science-driven personality is tempered by a thriving arts scene. Be sure to explore the Center for Art and Media, which holds both the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Media Museum, the world’s first completely interactive museum. Your visit will not be complete without checking out the Karlsruhe Pyramid, an Egyptian-style crypt that is the tomb site of Margrave Charles III William, the city’s founder.  

Karlsruhe itself has an artistic layout, and is rumored to have provided the inspiration for Washington DC. Relatively new by German standards, the city was founded in 1715 and features a central palace with streets fanning outward in a circular shape. Despite its young age, the city holds an important place in German history. The country’s first Parliament was erected here. A memorial park honors the city’s Jewish population that was devastated during World War II. 

Treat your palate to a variety of traditional and ethnic dishes, courtesy of the diverse offering of restaurants throughout the city. Karlsruhe also abounds with beer gardens and pubs. During the summer, both the Medieval Festival and Das Fest, a music fair, fill the streets with activity. The Botanical Gardens and Palace Gardens provide a stunning setting to enjoy the outdoor charm of this German city. If you want to mix rural exploration with your urban experience, the Palatinate Forest, Black Forest, and Vosges Mountains are close enough for a day trip. 

Less than half an hour from the French border, Karlsruhe is also equidistant between Luxembourg and Zurich. This makes it an ideal central point to make your home base while exploring Europe’s distinctive cities. The Baden Airpark is twenty-five miles outside the Karlsruhe and has flights to and from the continent’s major destinations. Regular buses, trains and well-maintained highways make Karlsruhe easily accessible by all modes of transportation. 

Where to stay in Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe which includes art and interior views

Karlsruhe City Centre

4/5(28 area reviews)

The museums and gardens are just a few things visitors like about Karlsruhe City Centre. Messe Karlsruhe and Karlsruhe Palace are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Ettlinger Tor U-Bahn or Ettlinger Tor Tram Stop to get around the larger area.

Karlsruhe City Centre
Gardens of Karlsruhe Palace, Germany
#GreatOutdoors

Innenstadt-West

Get to know Innenstadt-West and its many features like its museums and gardens. You might want to explore sights like Karlsruhe Palace and Prince Max Palace, and you can jump on the metro at Marktplatz (Kaiserstraße U) Tram Stop or Karlstor/Bundesgerichtshof Tram Stop to get around the city.

Innenstadt-West
ACHAT Hotel Karlsruhe City
ACHAT Hotel Karlsruhe City
4 out of 5
Mendelssohnplatz, Karlsruhe, BW
The price is ¥10,710 per night from May 24 to May 25
¥10,710
per night
May 24 - May 25
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Karlsruhe. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (544 reviews)
"Welcoming staff, clean bedroom , comfortable bed …a longer stay would have been great"

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2024

ACHAT Hotel Karlsruhe City
the niu Wave
the niu Wave
Ostring 6a, Karlsruhe, BW
The price is ¥10,741 per night from May 17 to May 18
¥10,741
per night
May 17 - May 18
Stay at this hotel in Karlsruhe. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Botanical Garden and BBBank Wildpark are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (22 reviews)
"Klein aber nützlich"

Reviewed on Apr 28, 2024

the niu Wave
acora Karlsruhe Zentrum Living the City
acora Karlsruhe Zentrum Living the City
3 out of 5
Sophienstr. 69-71, Karlsruhe
The price is ¥11,974 per night from May 24 to May 25
¥11,974
per night
May 24 - May 25
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Karlsruhe. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions ZKM and Prince Max Palace are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (376 reviews)
Great facility and location
"Great room with a view of the city. Perfect location for exploring the city center and museums."

Reviewed on Mar 7, 2024

acora Karlsruhe Zentrum Living the City
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.
Charmantes Studio-apartment im Herzen von Karlsruhe
Charmantes Studio-apartment im Herzen von Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe
Stay at this apartment in Karlsruhe. Popular attractions BBBank Wildpark and Prince Max Palace are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Schöner Kurztrip
"Hat alles Perfekt geklappt!"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Charmantes Studio-apartment im Herzen von Karlsruhe
ANA Living Karlsruhe by Arthotel ANA
ANA Living Karlsruhe by Arthotel ANA
Bahnhofstraße 15A, Karlsruhe
Stay at this aparthotel in Karlsruhe. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Karlsruhe Zoo and Messe Karlsruhe ...
9/10 Wonderful! (62 reviews)
"Everything was perfect, the Lange room, comfortable beds, great location between Hbf and the center. However, the air-conditioning was not regulated, it was too hot in the room. There is no shampoo or shower gel but the hand soap(!) in the shower. The breakfast at 9:50 was empty (should be till 11:00) ..."

Reviewed on Dec 10, 2023

ANA Living Karlsruhe by Arthotel ANA
Nice rooms in a very quiet area
Nice rooms in a very quiet area
Grötzingen
Stay at this apartment in Karlsruhe. Enjoy free WiFi and balconies. Popular attractions Turmberg Terrace and Botanical Garden are located nearby.
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
Ersatzwohnung
"Ich war in einer großen Ersatzwohnung, die Ganna mir angeboten hatte, weil das eigentliche Appartement, das ich gebucht hatte, noch vermietet war. Da es eine sehr kurzfristige Lösung war, war natürlich noch nicht alles fertig eingerichtet, aber ich habe mich trotzdem wohlgefühlt."

Reviewed on Feb 19, 2024

Nice rooms in a very quiet area
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

Reviews of Karlsruhe

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
6
" "5 - Excellent 20.689655172413794%
4 - Good
17
" "4 - Good 58.62068965517241%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 20.689655172413794%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Dmitry
Aug 18, 2019

A very comfortable and friendly city where you can reach almost any place by walking enjoying jugendstil and classic architecture or green parks.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 26, 2019

A major subway construction project will make this a more beautiful city but at the moment it’s quite torn up. That said, we had a wonderful time.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 26, 2019

I came to Karlsruhe to visit with a family member who was ill in hospital. I did not, unfortunately, have time to visit too many places around the city.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Apr 28, 2019

Love the city. Has plenty of restaurants and is full of life. Nice to get around walking or on a bike.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Apr 19, 2019

Castle is beautiful

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 24, 2018

Much less hectic than larger cities.

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