Spring in Freiburg

Spring is one of the best times for a city break in Freiburg. The temperatures can start to get pleasantly warm in Germany’s sunniest city. The following are a few suggestions for discovering and exploring different aspects of this 900-year-old city.

On and around the Schlossberg mountain

The Schlossberg mountain is a mostly tree-covered outcrop rising up not far from the old town of Freiburg and affording wonderful views over the whole city and the Rhine valley.

There are various themed trails revealing either lovely aspects of nature or traces of a chequered history. You can climb the Schlossberg mountain by foot from the pedestrian bridge at the Swabian Gate. Alternatively, you can take the more leisurely option of the cable car from the Stadtgarten to the ‘Dattler’ restaurant.

You could even make your own little pilgrimage along the 14.1 km hiking trail to the Saint Ottilia Chapel. It was built in 679 AD, in honour of Saint Ottilia who, as legend has it, found her last place of refuge in a cave underneath it. The interesting hiking trail starts at the Stadtgarten, with numerous information boards and interactive stations providing information on the natural history of the Schlossberg and its history as a fortress.

The 4.4 km tour of the fortress is a trip back in time through the history of the Schlossberg. It follows a path through the former fortress complex from the site of the lower castle through the Schlossberg tower to the upper castle.

The 2.4 km Mez’sche trail is short but very informative. It is an adventurous loop around the Schlossberg’s vineyard garden, through Kanonenplatz to Ludwigshöhe, once the site of the original motte and bailey castle.

There is also a leisurely and wheelchair-friendly 1.4 km stroll with views over Freiburg. It leads from the ‘Dattler’ restaurant on the Schlossberg, through Kanonenplatz and along the Burghaldenring.

A glimpse of some of the loveliest parts of Freiburg

The old town of Freiburg, with its medieval houses, pretty little streets and the famous Freiburg Minster on the market square, is undoubtedly the main attraction for visitors to the city. But there are lots of places to explore away from the old town to get a feel for the particular charms of some of the city districts.

Freiburg’s most popular residential area, the Wiehre, is full of art-nouveau flair and creative young ideas. The imposing villas and townhouses, charming shops, cafés and restaurants are huddled tightly together, reflecting a refreshingly relaxed way of life. There are lots of different impressions and foodie delights among the 3.7 km walk starting at the Martinstor city gate in the old town.

The district of Herdern, once a separate wine-making village, now reflects both the boom times of the late 19th century and something of the village idyll. The 3.5 km walk begins at Karlsplatz, leading through pretty streets to Alt-Herdern, where, to this day, life still revolves around the church square. The path is lined with lovely gardens and grand villas dating back to the late 19th century.

The Freiburg district of Stühlinger is a fashionable quarter with real artistic flair. It is colourful, multi-cultural and relaxed, with original shops, artwork and cult bars which are perfect for a browse or a drink or two. The 2.8 km discovery tour starts at the concert hall.

Wonderfully romantic countryside and the splashing of the river form the backdrop to the 4.6 km circular path along the Dreisam, which flows through the centre of Freiburg. The route starts at the Swabian Gate in the old town, leads through the district of Oberau and includes some lovely relaxing moments.

A fun way to explore: the Freiburg city rally

Visitors wishing to explore Freiburg on their own can enjoy the specially developed city rally, which comes in flyer form. They have to use a map to find 15 stations and then answer puzzle questions, which can be solved using the information boards, looking in the right place or just asking a local. It’s a win on a number of levels: the city rally is a great way to explore the best sights and squares, including the Minster in the old town of Freiburg. The flyer is available from the tourist information office in the Old Town Hall.

Take part or watch: the Freiburg Marathon

Running season will be starting soon in Freiburg. On 26 March 2023, up to 13,000 runners will take part in the popular Freiburg Marathon. The marathon route, which covers the same loop twice, could almost be designed as a sightseeing tour, leading through the old town and various other parts of the city. There are other competitions as well, including the half-marathon, the marathon relay and the 10 km AOK health run. The atmosphere along the route is always amazing, with numerous bands adding to the relaxed mood with reggae, rock, pop and classical music.

On 25 and 26 March, the ‘FIT’N’RUN’ sports fair will also be taking place in Freiburg, with more than 50 exhibitors showcasing their leisure and endurance sports products at the Freiburg exhibition centre.

With some 230,000 inhabitants, Freiburg offers really relaxed city life and a natural balance for ambitious people. The city has all the variety you could ever want: outdoor activities, a rich cultural heritage and lots of popular pubs and restaurants. Freiburg is all about freedom and individuality, whether on the Schlossberg, at the weekly market or on a stroll around the city.

For more information on Freiburg, please visit https://visit.freiburg.de/en or contact Christina Zimmer.

How to get to Freiburg
Freiburg is the capital of the Black Forest in the south of Germany. Freiburg is 7.5 hours from London via Paris on the Eurostar, TGV and ICE.