Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Freiburg, Germany. While many travel blogs will tell you all the fun things to do in Freiburg, Germany, we want to be sure you know what you should NOT do when you plan a Freiburg trip.
Don’t Fall in the Bächle
The biggest danger when you visit Freiburg is the Bächle. These are like little gutter streams running along the streets of Freiburg. In some places, they are shallow and narrow, while in other places they are deeper and wide. Just as it’s easy to trip on a curb when walking, it’s pretty easy to fall in the Bächle when visiting Freiburg. Watch your step! Legend has it that you’ll marry a local if you fall in!
Don’t Leave the Kids at Home
Freiburg is a great destination to bring the whole family. Our boys have been to Freiburg many times because it’s perfect for little kids. Street vendors sell little wooden boats to float in the Bächle, and there are tons of kid-friendly activities around town and in the surrounding Black Forest.
Don’t Think You Have to Climb Schlossberg
Schlossberg (translates as Castle Hill) is a hill overlooking Freiburg, and there’s a great beer garden and a viewing tower at the top. But don’t think you have to climb the hill. There’s a funicular and an elevator that will take you to or near the top of the hill.
Don’t Forget Good Walking Shoes
Freiburg is surrounded by the Black Forest, with endless hiking opportunities. If you want to enjoy some of the hikes, make sure you have some hiking boots or at least some good walking shoes so you can hit the trails. You can hire a guide if you’d like, but as long as you have good shoes, snacks, and water, you should be ok to just go hiking on your own.
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Don’t Expect a Lot of Non-German Tourists
Freiburg is a ways off the beaten path for most international tourists. It is a tourist town, but mostly for Germans away on a weekend holiday. Switzerland and France are nearby, so you may also see some travelers from those regions, but we have never seen an abundance of foreign tourists like you might expect in other cities.
Don’t Worry About Getting Around
While I recommend staying in downtown Freiburg, you don’t have to. There are buses and trams that will bring you to the city center, and it’s really easy to get around the entire area. Freiburg also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding region. Strasbourg, France is about an hour away by train. Basel, Switzerland is also an easy day trip from Freiburg.
Just note: if you take the train into Freiburg, you’ll see a church with two towers that looks like it might be the historic downtown. It’s not; go the other way!
Don’t Miss the Top Sights of Freiburg
Freiburg is a perfectly sized city for exploring, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the architecture and sights. After many trips to Freiburg, this is my list of can’t-miss things to see in Freiburg:
- Münster is the main cathedral in Old Town. Not only is it beautiful inside and out, but it also makes a great escape from the heat, sun, rain, or snow as you tour Freiburg.
- Admire the architecture around Cathedral Square or Munsterplatz; there are some amazing buildings to see and it’s a great place to grab a beer or a bite to eat
- The Augustiner Museum has a great collection of medieval art
- The City Towers of Schwabentor and Martinstor both give the city a historic look, even though Martinstor has a McDonald’s built into the ground level.
- The Seepark is a great little aquarium that is perfect for families visiting Freiburg.
- Take the Cable Car to the Black Forest
- Come for the wine festivals! Freiburg is more known for wine than beer, and they have some really fun festivals to celebrate the grape harvest.
Start planning your trip with help from the Freiburg Tourism Center!
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Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Freiburg! It is truly a fairytale village of Germany that also happens to be Jocelyn’s favorite village in Germany! It’s easy to get to, and it’s easy to get around and it’s the sunniest place in Germany. With so many great day trips from Freiburg, it also makes a great home base for exploring the larger Alsace region of Germany.
Want more tips for traveling in Germany? Check out some of our other blog posts: