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City in Hesse, Germany
Photo: Stephen Salomons, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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This is the most beautiful part of Darmstadt. There is also a small park, an art museum and a Russian-style chapel there. In 1899 Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig invited seven artists to come to Darmstadt and, thus, the Artists’ Colony Mathildenhöhe was founded. The first of four large art exhibitions took place in 1901. The artists presented their ideas of a new living and working world. They designed a colony, the focal point of which is the Studio House, the Ernst Ludwig House. Since 1990 it houses the Artists’ Colony Museum. In 2021 Mathildenhöhe was listed as a world heritage site.
Rose heights
A park in the east of Darmstadt, just around the corner from the Ostbahnhof (east railway station). Don't miss out on the rose garden!
Darmstadt's landmark, a statue on a huge sandstone column in the city centre. When you visit Darmstadt, you can't miss it. On the first Saturday of every month (and during special events) it is open for the public, meaning that you can climb the column (through a stair located on the inside) and get a beautiful view over Darmstadt. It is located at Luisenplatz.
Located at Marktplatz.
Forest Spiral
The huge Hundertwasser house was finished in 2000. It is a wonderful example for the colourful architectural designs of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the famous Austrian architect and painter. The residential building has an interesting spiral shape, "green roof", and of its 1048 windows, no two are the same.
It is a hilltop castle near Darmstadt in Mühltal. The castle was first mentioned in the records in the year 948, and initial construction of the castle ruins remaining today began in the 13th century. The 14th and 15th centuries saw expansion, followed by construction of reinforcements in the 16th. It was owned by the Barons von Frankenstein who owned most of the surrounding land until 1662, when the Baron of that time sold the property to the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. There have been claims that the castle may have inspired the Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein. While Shelley is known to have travelled through this area in 1814, historical scholars believe that she did not visit this castle. There are special dinners for Halloween and for other occasions. It is also possible to hike up to the castle.
A nice baroque garden with several fountains is in the south of Darmstadt in the heart of Bessungen. In the summer people are playing boule or just relaxing in the grass.
Railway Museum
Railway museum operated by volunteers. Various special events through the year. During special events you might get a chance to ride to and from central station on a historic train.
exhibit of the Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection was set up by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine
A nice walk up the hill south of the Bessungen neighbourhood; the hill offers one of the best views over the city; there is also a small place for food and drinks (Ludwigsklause).
Relax in the pool, sauna, and spa and enjoy the art nouveau atmosphere. Influenced by the late Jugendstil, the former “Central Bath” was built in 1909. In 2007 it was renovated to become a wellness centre.
A small zoo hosting 700 animals of 150 species.
Tours for individuals and the general public (only via pre-registration) take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tours for individuals available only via pre-registration at Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt Marketing GmbH. Tickets can be obtained on the homepage of Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt Marketing GmbH under the section "Stadtführungen" or at the Darmstadt Shop, Luisenplatz 5.
Der Feurige Elias (The Fiery Elias) is a steam-powered train that runs through the streets of Darmstadt on the tracks of the Darmstadt tram system. (Before electrification, many tram systems used steam locomotives of which Elias is one of the survivors.) Elias makes 4 round trips mostly on Sundays in June and September. The June trips are along the Bergstraße from tram stop Darmstadt-Eberstadt Frankenstein. The September trips are to Griesheim from a downtown location between the Schloß and the Kongresszentrum. This info is of 2014. Consult the web site for dates, times and changes in itinerary.
The Jazzinstitut sponsored by the city of Darmstadt, harbours one of Europe's largest public jazz collections, including books, journals, recordings and photos. They also organize concerts.
Held once a year at the end of June/beginning of July. The festival occupies the whole inner city for 4–5 days. It is the largest "Inner City Festival" of Germany.
An annual music festival (usually in May) in the city centre. Free entry.
One of the best poetry slam series in the country, in the 'Centralstation Darmstadt' on irregular dates. Check out calendar for dates and tickets.
Open-air film festival with short films from all over the world. Bring warm clothes, screenings go on till 03:00 and August nights can be pretty cold.
Street theatre festival in August.
Wilhelminenstraße 31. Local food and beer, steaks; country style interior and a small, cosy beer garden in summer. Maybe here the best Schweinshaxe (Pork knuckle/shanks) of Hessen with beer sauce, two dumplings and raw sauerkraut.
City Center, Grafenstraße 31. Good vegetarian food: Indian curries, pasta, soups, salads; selfservice style, menu changes every day, international travellers welcome.
City Center near Schloss, Landwehrstraße 13. Vegetarian and vegan dishes, mostly organic and fair trade ingredients. Sometimes there are political-cultural events happening, also you can play some boardgames. As the restaurant 1st rather small, it is recommended to order a table in advance. [0]6151 / 66 02 760
Kasinostraße 69. Old Chinese restaurant (since 1974); good sushi: Sushi-Flatrate served as running sushi, delicious Chinese restaurant HotPot, Steamboat (minimum 3 people) and many more classical Chinese dishes.
Fresh German cuisine with Mediterranean flair.
64293
Best Worscht in Town
Currywurst prepared to your specification. Select the flavour of the curry and how spicy you want your sausage to be. Request intensity levels C and above at your own risk, C is really hot and the scale goes on to F. They will warn you and they mean it. Talkative staff.
Persian-oriental food, rather on the expensive side, but offering delicious in a fitting atmosphere
The kitchen is Indian, German and Italian. The restaurant is located in the middle of a garden and has a beautiful covered terrace.
Nieder-Ramstädter-Str.3. A smaller traditional brewery. It has its own tavern, where you can drink the freshly brewed beer, and eat typical local foods. It is in the Nieder-Ramstädter-Straße 3, and can easily be reached by tram or by foot from the city centre. The beer is also available for sale in bottles or barrels. Many locals believe that this is the best beer available in Darmstadt.
A tavern in the city centre, at the market place, brew their own beer, which is very tasty. The tavern is in the cellar vault of an older building and has a nice, traditional atmosphere. Everyday (only in winter) between 17:30 and 18:30 there is the "Schoppestund" It's a happy hour where you can get a freshly brewed beer or dark beer for €1.50. It's definitely worth a try.
The largest in Darmstadt, brews the "Darmstädter" Bier, which is available in many restaurants and taverns in Darmstadt.
A nice café, popular among locals especially for breakfast (as well as for a nice café in the sun during afternoon).
A nice café and bar with a short but very tasteful menu (changing daily) situated at the little artificial lake "Wood".
a nice café also offering small dishes.
Nice café in a quiet area next to the city centre. The seating inside and outside is nice designed. One of the best coffee in town served with some vegan cakes.
Café operated by students. Economic with nice ambient inside
The place to be. The Centralstation is a concert hall, club and lounge during the night and a café and restaurant during the day. Has many events going on.
Carree 4. Nightclub, crowd is mainly in its twenties, house music. Only open Friday & Saturday 22:00-06:00.
Non-profit bar and disco run by university students in the dungeons of the Darmstadt Castle.
Alternative centre for cheap drinks, music and concerts.
The largest Irish pub in Darmstadt, with live music on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Also Quiz Night on Tuesday and Karaoke on Thursday. Half-price pizzas everyday until 20:00, and Fridays and Saturday cocktails are buy 1 get 1 free.
Large shopping mall out of town, free parking. In an area with several other large shops including furniture, home wares & pet store.
Designer clothes.
By plane
Darmstadt is about 20 minutes by road from Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
By car
The freeways A5 and A67 go by to the eastern end of Darmstadt. Follow the signs to Darmstadt/Griesheim onto the very short A672, which merges into the B26 towards Darmstadt.
Darmstadt's public transport is part of the greater Rhine Main area network Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV). Darmstadt and its surroundings are designated as tariff area 40.
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