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City in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Photo: user:joergens.mi, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in the southwest of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, at the edge of the Black Forest on the Dreisam river. As of 2024, with a population of approximately 237,000, it is known for its high number of sunshine hours compared to other German cities.
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Münster Unserer Lieben Frau
The cathedral is Freiburg's biggest sight in the city, one of the oldest and most beautiful in all of Europe. The gargoyles are not to be missed - be sure to study every corner of the Munster. Make the effort to climb to the top of the tower for the fabulous views (€5) - the entrance is to the side and the cashier is at the top of about 200 stairs. Guided tours are offered, but check the website for more details (also check to see when the cathedral is closed to the public). M-F mornings until 13:00 and Sa until 13:30, there is a market on the square surrounding the church. Visit on Saturday morning, as it then will be the biggest and nicest. Vendors are pleasant and sell local produce and goods. Buy a Bratwurst mit Brötchen (Bratwurst in a bun) or Currywurst for around €3.50. It will be an inexpensive, authentic, and delicious lunch or snack.
Small canals crisscross the streets of the inner city. These canals were once meant as a way to fight fires in medieval Freiburg. The locals say that if you accidentally fall or step into one, you will marry a Freiburger.
One of two remaining old city gates. The gate is beautifully decorated, including with a large picture painted by Matthias Schwäri in 1572.
The other old city gate, which is well known locally for the McDonald's next door which has placed its logo on the gate.
Historisches Kaufhaus
Located on the square surrounding the Muenster.
It has the tourist information desk.
A man-made lake and a popular escape from the urban housing estate of Betzenhausen. Complete with beer garden and a restaurant, Seepark is popular with families and those planning a walk around the stunning green-belt area.
Botanischer Garten
In the north of Freiburg, in the district of Gundelfingen, the ruins of the old ancestral castle of the Zähringen family (Freiburg was founded by Konrad von Zähringen) can be found in the forest. There is a restaurant in the immediate vicinity.
The visual art and sculpture collection includes works by Lucas Cranach the Elder, Anselm Feuerbach, Hans Baldung Grien, Matthias Grünewald, the Master of the Housebook, Hans Thoma, and Franz Xaver Winterhalter. There is also a sculpture hall with four-metre-high stone prophets from Freiburg Cathedral, a church organ from Welte & Sons with an exterior from the 1730s, and a library of art and cultural history. Free for students.
Museum of Modern Art
The palace that hosts this museum was built in 1861. It displays archaeological finds from the region.
Museum of City History
Museum of Natural History
Tin Figure Museum
A small museum inside the Scwabentor Gate showing off impressive historical tin figure dioramas.
On the way up there is a beautiful square called "Kanonenplatz". The view there is nice, but it is still recommended to struggle a bit more uphill to reach the observation tower called the "Schloßbergturm". It takes about 15 minutes from the old city and offers you an amazing view of the Black Forest, Freiburg, the Kaiserstuhl and the Vosges mountain range in France.
Another way to get to the top of Schlossberg is to ride this mountain funicular.
Take the Tram 2 then bus 21 to the Schauinsland cable car. At the top great views as far as the Swiss Alps await you. It doesn't run in bad weather. It's also possible to hike up Schauinsland from the start of the Schauinslandbahn Station. But make sure that the weather is forecasted to be good, and allow 3 to 5 hours for the uphill climb, and around 1 to 2 hours for climbing down.
Try the organic house beer at Feierling, an amazing fresh Inselhopf only available there. It's €2.90 for a small glass (0.3 L), and one can also purchase a 2L bottle for €10, which is €5 to fill at any time; you can take it home and bring it back as often as you want. The beer garden is nice in summer, and when the weather is good hundreds of people gather in nearby Augustinerplatz (many with the 2L bottles) to drink and socialize.
Amongst mountain bikers, Freiburg is famous for being close to the Schwarzwald, but also for its own trails which have been installed and are maintained by an association. The first one starts very near the Rosskopf peak. Further information on the association's website.
They play soccer in Bundesliga, the top tier. Their home ground Europa Park Stadium (capacity 34,700) is 5 km south of city centre. The women's team play in their top tier at Dreisamstadion.
Tantra massages, coaching and workshops for women, men and couples. Amakido's bodywork is based on the acceptance of all human aspects, as well as the affirmation of sensuality and sexuality as a life force. The Amakido team does not offer sexual services.
A very interesting and cheap place to eat. During the day, various small stores from all around the world offer cheap but good dishes. Check out the Indian place. It has good curries.
This pub/restaurant has seen generations of students drink, eat, dance and flirt. A real institution in the city. Super cheap and delicious German cuisine.
Restaurant/bar famous among students due to its very reasonable prices. It features a daily spaghetti bolognese special between 18:00-19:30: €3.50 for a plate.
An Italian restaurant.
Italian cuisine
A very popular place with locals in Freiburg, located at Siegesdenkmal.
located near the university has good Turkish Döner, and an excellent vegetarian selection.
UC Café
Flammkuchen (tarte flambée) and currywurst
This restaurant servers organic and vegetarian dishes in a nice location. In the summer you can sit on a calm hidden square next to the ancient monastery Adelhausen.
A charming, cosy restaurant whose specialty is the potato... imagine it in many wholesome yet creative forms; they are all good. There's a particularly wonderful ambience in winter when it's freezing outside. Prices are fair and service is excellent.
Claims to have 300 varieties of schnitzels, which each come with a small salad and choice of side dishes.
Restaurant, café and bar with regional cuisine specializing in "Flammkuchen". The location is a listed building with a spacious terrace on the square of the university. As a sports bar with big screen, the Mehlwaage is a meeting place for soccer-fans (home team: SC Freiburg). In the evening the well-stocked bar impresses with a variety of different gins, cocktails and beers, which are also available pitchers.
Bar serving burgers, currywurst, etc with vegan and vegetarian options
Freiburg's only restaurant with a Michelin star.
A beer garden, which lies perched on the slope of the Schlossberg, overlooking both the city and the valley leading into the Black Forest. On nice summer days, this is the best location to relax over a cool beer, and enjoying the views of the Munster, the old city gates and the inner city. Additionally, in good weather conditions you can see as far as the Vosges, a mountain range in France. To get there, head to the Schwabentor, one of the old city gates, then cross the bridge on its left and head up the mountain a bit.
Is one of Freiburg's most popular spots, featuring the best in live music, both international and local. There is something to suit everyone, from classical to reggae to cabaret. The regular theme nights are also a hit: "Funky Dance Night" and "Sister Zone" (women only) are favorites, not to mention the 1960s, 80s and 90s nights.
A good Irish pub that was the first Irish pub to open in Freiburg in 1990. O'Kelly's is a cozy, typically Irish pub with low ceilings, a warm atmosphere, and fresh, homemade Irish and German food. Live music can be enjoyed F-Sa evenings and all major sporting events are shown on the big screens, from Irish TV and German TV. Every M night at 21:00 there is the O'Kelly's Pub Quiz, run by Moe, that includes a multimedia round on the big screens. Teams come back week after week and fight hard to win free booze. They also show NFL and NCAA games on Saturdays and Sundays.
The owners are extremely friendly and helpful. They have a good knowledge of things to see in the city and local walks in the Black Forest.
Very friendly young couple running the campground in the Black Forest and close to the city.
You can cook in their kitchen, however they don't provide breakfast. You should also be prepared to pay in cash.
Reasonable prices, but really far away from the city center.
This hostel is at the foot of the black forest close to the stadium of the local soccer club SC Freiburg. Quite far away from the city and a youth hostel membership card is compulsory.
A few blocks away from the train station is a clean and very affordable stay. Breakfast included in every room. About an 8-minute walk from the city center.
10 minutes by car from the old town and Muenster Cathedral, the city centre, the main station and the pictorial Glottertal. The nearest bus stop is only 50m from the guesthouse. The rooms are tastefully and individually furnished and all of them are equipped with shower/WC, cable-television, wireless-lan and telephone. Some rooms also have a balcony. They offer a delicious breakfast buffet with regional ingredients. You get a nice doubleroom for €45/person/night incl. breakfast.
Ecological hotel whose electricity is generated from solar panels and wind turbines, while their heat is from sustainable woodchips furnace. It is a pleasant family-run hotel.
The most luxurious hotel and only five-star in Freiburg. It is situated on the edge of the town centre and overlooks Colombi Park. It is a short walk from the main railway station and features a renowned restaurant.
The hotel offers 98 rooms & suites, a mineral thermal bath on 6,000 m², medical beauty & wellness, a fitness centre on 1,200 m².
Minster square
At the foot of the 'Münster' (Minster cathedral) is where Freiburgers buy their locally produced flowers, fruit and vegetables as well as enjoy a traditional 'wurst' (German sausage) as a snack. Every weekday (until early afternoon) and Saturday morning, the Münsterplatz is a bustling market of commerce.
potato market
A couple of stalls selling alternative hippie-style clothing, jewellery and accessories every weekday morning.
By train
The Freiburg Hauptbahnhof (QFB) is close to the inner city. Frequent connections run to the north towards Frankfurt and south to Basel, with fast ICE trains leaving in each direction each hour.
By car
Freiburg is connected to the German highway system via the A5, running along the Rhine Valley from south to north, starting at the Swiss border.
By bus
Freiburg is served by Flixbus.
The best way to get around Freiburg is by public transit and walking. Freiburg has an excellent, but slightly expensive, bus and tram (Straßenbahn) system.
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