Baden-Baden Tourist Attractions

Museum Frieder Burda

The gallery, situated on the town’s famous avenue, the Lichtentaler Allee, housing the Museum Frieder Burda, is a sparkling jewel in the Baden-Baden crown. The building itself is outstanding; a naturally lit museum, designed by the famous New York architect, Richard Meier. And the collection within also hosts its fair share of masterpieces, among the 500 paintings, sketches, sculptures and objects, which trace the history of art over the past 100 years.

A part of the collection focuses on Classical Modern art, with works by German expressionists such as Max Beckmann, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and August Macke. There is also a selection of late works by Pablo Picasso. American abstract expressionism is also featured with action paintings by Jackson Pollock, and meditative works by Clyfford Still and Mark Rothko. The core of the collection, however, centers around German post war artists, such as Georg Baselitz, Sigmar Polke and Gerhard Richter.

Museum of 19th Century Art &Technology (LA8)

The Museum devotes its activities to the close interaction between art and technology in the 19th century, based on a concept that is unique among German museums. The Museum forms part of the Culture Centre LA8, also opened by the GRENKE Foundation in March 2009 in the historical property on the so-called Museum Mile, or Lichtentaler Allee. The main building was carefully restored and a new one added to accommodate, in a state-of-the art museum infrastructure, the Museum für Kunst und Technik des 19. Jahrhunderts.

Brahms' House

Step inside the Blue Room, the original living room of Johannes Brahms, and soak up the very special atmosphere, which the room holds. In this house, known as Lichtental No. 8, there really is an air of creativity, as it was here, between 1865-1874, that Brahms spent his summer months and wrote many of his world famous compositions. Every two years, the Baden-Baden Brahms Society organizes the Brahms Days: a series of performances and events that once again fill the town’s concert halls with the sounds of his compositions.

Fabergé Museum

The Fabergé Museum is the first of its kind to devote itself to the life’s work of Carl Fabergé. The complete spectrum of his work is represented in this unique collection beginning with the famous imperial Easter eggs for the Tsar’s family through to the exquisite pieces of jewellery and high quality everyday items from the time of the First World War. The museum also takes you on a fascinating journey through the ‘golden age’ of craftsmanship towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.

Roman Bath Ruins

Museum of Ancient Bathing Culture. Even the Romans appreciated the relaxing effects of Baden-Baden's thermal spring water. Now you can admire their masterwork by visiting the 2000 year old bath ruins, which are one of the countries oldest and best kept examples. Experience at close range the sheer magnitude of their work and marvel at their achievement. The Roman bath ruins are to be found underneath the Römerplatz. You can enter the museum via the Steinstraße, or the Friedrichsbad underground car park.

Friedrichsbad - The Roman-Irish Bath

"After 10 minutes you forget time, after 20 minutes the world" Where exactly? By an unforgettable visit to the Friedrichsbad! Discover the fascinating world of the Friedrichsbad – a temple to the art of bathing. Situated at the foot of the Altstadt, a combination of Roman and Irish bathing traditions have been enjoyed here for the past 125 years. And it’s not simply the baths that work wonders. Even the elaborate frescoes, that decorate the awe-inspiring central dome, provide a sensory treat for body and soul. Let yourself be spellbound by the charm of the Friedrichsbad and revel in an atmosphere that has, for so many visitors, been a magical source of inspiration.

Iffezheim Racecourse

Race Fever in Iffezheim A magical atmosphere, neck and neck racing, nail-biting suspense and the most glamorous and craziest hats you've ever seen. That’s what awaits you the next time you visit the international racecourse in Iffezheim. Each year, you have three chances to join other race-goers in experiencing the heart beating thrill of international horse racing. Three times a year, all eyes in the horse racing world are focused on Baden-Baden. The racing calendar starts with the Spring Meeting (May), followed by the Grand Festival Week (end of August/start of September) and rounded off by the Sales & Racing Festival (October).

Altes Schloss

For all castle fanatics amongst you, the Hohenbaden Castle, built in 1102, and known locally as the Altes Schloss (Old Castle), is an absolute must! It was home from the 11th - 15th century to the Margraves of Baden. Try tracing their steps around this fascinating ruin. Discover dark, secret dungeons and tackle the winding staircases all the way up to the lookout point. Your reward, once here, will be a magnificent view of Baden-Baden, the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley.

Stourdza Chapel

What you will discover amidst the magnificent trees on the rolling slopes of the Michaelsberg, is, quite simply, a little gem. The Stourdza Chapel (1863-1866), a creation of Munich’s renowned master builder, Leo von Klenzes, was built in honor of the House of Stourdza, Moldavia’s last ruling family. From here, the view of the town is breathtaking, but it is even more spectacular in the springtime, when Baden-Baden’s Mediterranean-like charm is in full bloom.

Russian Church

A glistening golden dome is the hallmark of this Byzantine-styled church, which should definitely be included on your tour of the town. Vladimir Potemkin and Bernhard Belzer built this spectacular structure between 1880 – 1882. Its interior was based on the designs of the master painter Grigor Grigorijewitsch and, as you will see, is liberally decorated with religious frescoes. Sample a piece of living Russian history in Baden-Baden.

Baden-Baden Christmas Market

Surrounded by the mountains of the Black Forest, visitors to Baden-Baden’s traditional Christmas market, this year with a number of new attractions, will experience the feeling of strolling through a scene from a winter fairy tale. The enchanting atmosphere begins at the start of the world-famous Lichtentaler Allee: flickering candles and lights in front of the Kurhaus and festively decorated stands next to the exclusive boutiques in the Kurhaus Colonnade while in the air the aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread will follow you around as you amble past the wooden yuletide cabins. One of the region’s largest and prettiest Christmas markets, it will be inviting visitors this year to browse, buy and marvel until 30th December.

Theater

The Baden-Baden Theater – a fascinating building from all angles. From the outside, it enchants with its Belle Epoch exterior, similar to that of the Paris Opera, while on the inside, it enthralls with its modern, contrasting performances, which rekindle the times when the town truly was the ‘Summer Capital of Europe’. The Theater’s new manageress, Nicola May, has put together a season’s program of plays and works that will appeal to all theatrical tastes.

Baden-Baden Philharmonic

What began in November 1854 as an entertaining ‘Winter Orchestra’ is, nowadays, one of Germany’s leading musical companies. From Johann Strauss to Johannes Brahms, Wilhelm Furtwängler and Benjamin Gigli, Placido Domingo and Flamenco star Nina Corti – all have performed with the Baden-Baden Philharmonic and all with tremendous success.

Casino

"The most beautiful casino in the world", was how Marlene Dietrich described Germany's oldest casino. See for yourself, it's true what she said. What could be better than to round off the day, in style, in the magnificent surroundings of the Baden-Baden Casino. You will be amazed at its extravagant interior and gripped by the thrilling suspense as you tempt fortune. With a history dating back over 250 years and fashioned on the lines of French royal palaces, the Baden-Baden Casino is, and always has been, a temple to the alluring game of chance. What was in the last century a social rendezvous for nobles and the elite, nowadays opens its doors to all of Baden-Baden’s guests.

International Classic Car Meeting Baden-Baden

Since 1976, Baden-Baden has been the meeting place for classic car friends and automobile enthusiasts from all over Europe. For instance, at the annual Classic Car meeting from July 08 - 10, a bustling and nostalgic garden party between Kurpark and Lichtentaler Allee, with over three hundred chrome sparkling classic cars in the spotlight. This highly traditional open-air session is far from old hat - as the newest hat creations from Baden-Baden hat designer Olivier Maugé demonstrate during the fashion show at the Trinkhalle on Saturday.

The Kurgarten (Spa Garden)

Whatever your reason for visiting Baden-Baden - whether for its sports facilities, lovely scenery, or splendid spas - a good place to begin your adventure is in the trendy Kurgarten or Spa Garden. The hub of the town's cultural life, Kurgarten is surrounded by many of Baden-Baden's best attractions and is where you'll find numerous boutiques, galleries, cafés, and restaurants. It's also where many events and festivals are held, including concerts in the Bandshell, as well as pop festivals and a Christmas Market. Also here is the spectacular Kurhaus, Baden-Baden's oldest and best-known resort establishment, built between 1821-24 in the style of a French chateau. The pleasant gardens in Kurpark are also worth a visit and include interesting buildings such as the Trinkhalle or Pump Room and the Greek-Romanian Chapel built in 1863-66 with its interesting tombs.

Lichtentaler Allee

Lovely Lichtentaler Allee, a park and arboretum in the heart of Baden-Baden, is one of the prettiest places in a very pretty city. A highlight is its nearly two-and-half-kilometer-long avenue on the west bank of the Oos river. Following an old footpath dating back to the mid-17th-century, it's a delightful place for a stroll, boasting more than 300 varieties of trees such as chestnuts, magnolias, limes, oaks, and maples. Other highlights include the Gönneranlage, a lovely Art Nouveau garden with more than 400 different types of roses; the Cistercian Abbey of Lichtental, founded in 1245 and home to the Princes' Chapel; and the interesting Museum of 19th Century Art and Technology with exhibits focusing on the life of Berlin painter Lesser Ury.

Caracalla Baths

This modern 4,000-square-meter bathing and therapy center boasts two circular pools and a large central fountain. All told, the spa is fed by 12 natural springs rising up more than 1,900 meters from under the Florentiner Mountain at temperatures of 69°C. Other features include hot and cold rock grottos, whirlpools, swimming pools, saunas, and water jets. Another excellent spa attraction is Friedrichsbad, the Roman-Irish Bath attached to Caracalla Baths with its luxurious 17-step spa treatment program in a beautiful 170-year-old Roman-style setting.

Old Town

The densely packed old town of Baden-Baden has many worthwhile sites. Wandering the town's quaint alleys and laneways is a perfect way to explore its Baroque-influenced architecture, as well as its many small jewelry and antique shops, galleries, and cafés. Other highlights include the Gothic Stiftskirche containing the tomb of Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm, known as Türkenlouis, who died here in 1707, and a sandstone crucifix dating from 1467.

The Opera House (Festspielhaus)

Festspielhaus Baden-Baden is widely known throughout Germany, not just for its size - at 2,500 seats, it's the country's largest opera house - but for its eclectic programming. Built in 1998, this marvelously designed concert hall hosts numerous performances from September through July, including many world premier operas, and is a regular stop for highly-acclaimed orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic, as well as the top orchestras from Britain and North America. Frequently ranking as one of the best such facilities in Europe (and often boasting sell out performances), the Festspielhaus remains one of the biggest draws to Baden-Baden and is often included in tour packages and excursions.

The Baden-Baden Museum

An excellent place to spend a few hours learning about the town's fascinating and rich past, the Baden-Baden Museum (Stadtmuseum) includes impressive displays and exhibits dealing with Roman interest in the area through to the 19th century. Numerous artifacts relating to its reputation as a health spa are included among its collections, as well as a display of large stone monuments, artwork, and sculptures. It's also home to a fine collection of antique toys and games.

New Castle (Neues Schloss)

In the Florentine mountains on the edge of the Black Forest, Baden-Baden's historic New Castle (Neues Schloss) was built by Margrave Christoph I in 1479 and was occasionally used as a residence by the former grand-ducal family. Purchased by a private group in 2010, it's currently under development as a luxury hotel under the Hyatt name. Once it's reopened, it will certainly be worth a visit for its interesting architecture and fine views.