Se hva du kan gjøre og oppleve i Northern Black Forest

In spite of its French name, La Casserole serves not only European food, but also authentic regional dishes and wine. The must-try is the "flammkuchen", the Badisch variant of pizza.

Tucked-away in one of Baden-Baden's cobbled streets, this restaurant and wine-cellar serves local cuisine and wine at affordable prices. What is more, it was featured in the Michelin guide for 2019. During summer you can enjoy your meal in the gracious courtyard.

Leo's Restaurant, Café and Wine Bar is an elegant and exclusive place offering Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of Baden-Baden.

Rive Gauche Brasserie is located along the scenic Lichtentaler Allee. This elegant restaurant serves authentic French cuisine in a beautiful setting surrounded by nature.

This hotel restaurant is located in a historic castle that also hosts the renowned Hoepfner brewery. They serve regional dishes with a particular attention for seasonal ingredients. You can accompany your meal with a glass of wine from their fine selection or, of course, with some speciality beer.

Enjoy local food and local beer in one of Karlsruhe’s youngest breweries. Gulasch soup, spätzle, schnitzel and sausages are only a few of the items you'll find on the menu, which also includes international dishes like pizza and burgers. The Badisch Brauhaus has four floors with a restaurant, a cocktail bar, several event location and a beer garden.

Inside the Schlosshotel Karlsruhe you can experience fine dining at the restaurant Schwarzwaldstube. Only serving high-class regional and seasonal cuisine. With your food, you can have a glass of fine wine from Germany.

Restaurant EigenArt is a small restaurant with a modern ambiance and housed in a well-kept old townhouse near the market. On the menu you will find German-Mediterranean cuisine with an eye for seasonal ingredients. The wine list features mainly regional wines.

Kaffeehaus in Baden-Baden offers speciality coffees roasted in-house, first-class Danish teas and a wide selection of homemade cakes and other sweet treats. Five days a week, you can eat lunch at their fine restaurant Maltes Hidden Kitchen.

At this traditional café you can enjoy your coffee, the cakes, the excellent food and confectionery specialities in the elegant interior, or, if the weather is good, on the outdoor terrace.

In Café Vollmer in the Baden-Baden vineyards (Rebland region) you can find mouth-watering homemade cakes, pralines and petit fours to enjoy with a hot beverage.

The large courtyard of Café Palaver is one of the sunniest spots in Karlsruhe. Breakfast is served all day, and the homemade cakes will sweeten even the most strenuous afternoon. The lunch menu changes often, but the prices remain always affordable.

At this stylish café they serve several breakfast options, sandwiches, salads and daily specials. Max owes its name to its location, namely the beautiful Prinz-Max-Palais. If the weather permits, you can sit in the back garden. At night, the café turns into a lively bar with occasional live music.

In this cozy café and pastry shop you can enjoy a fine selection of cakes and patisserie. Croissants, macarons and chocolates are only a few of the sweet treats awaiting you here.

In the Kurhaus Baden-Baden, near the famous casino, you will find the dance, music and cocktail bar Equipage. Whether you're simply looking for somewhere to enjoy a drink, or would like to really let your hair down, Equipage is the centre of Baden-Baden's nightlife and is therefore the place to go.

This bar has a modern interior and a summer beer garden. They offer snacks, draft beers, local and international wines, as well as a selection of 22 whiskeys and 69 cocktails. If you're lucky, you might step in during a live game, a tasting days or even a party.

Basement club where you can really get crazy on the dancefloor. Saturdays are for the good old mixed-music fun and Wednesday is student party night.

Marktlücke is a centrally-located, eclectic venue. They offer quality pub food, crazy parties and cultural events. Every day they have special offers on certain drinks and every weekend they host DJ sets form 11pm until dawn.

This modern department store in the city centre offers fashion for everyone. In addition to the extended clothing offer of Modewagener, at the Wagener Galerie you'll also find stationery, beauty products, homeware, footwear and accessories.

Hussel is the sweetest shop in Baden-Baden. Enter this small world made of chocolates, pralines, bon bons and delicious gift ideas. It will be hard to come out of the shop empty-handed.

The Kurhaus Kolonnaded are 19th-century arcades designed after the Parisian ones of the time. Take a stroll and browse through the 20 small shops located here for some first-class shopping in a beautiful environment. Some of the things you will find here are designer clothes, fine jewellery, porcelains and confectionery.

Passing by Stephanplatz in the morning, you are likely to find a local market taking place. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday you'll see stands selling fresh regional products, while on Saturday it's the turn of the Karlsruhe's flea Market, where you'll be able to find good deals for original souvenirs.

The Ettlinger Tor shopping centre houses 130 shops, cafes and restaurants across an area of 33,000 sq m (336,000 sq ft). It is an extension of the adjacent pedestrian area and whatever it is you’re looking for, you’re almost certain to find it here. The unique brightly lit indoor boulevard boasts three lavish levels, offering a variety of fashion and beauty outlets, the latest trends and accessories, bookshops and consumer electronics.

The Post Galerie is housed in the former Karlsruhe post office and is considered one of the most beautiful shopping galleries in Germany. Bright, spacious, modern and well maintained, it is the region’s most beloved and unique shopping mall, featuring over 60 different specialist shops, retailers and restaurants, as well as a fitness centre. Some brands you might recognise here are Decathlon, Primark and TK Maxx.

Designed as a conversation house by Friedrich Weinbrenner in the 19th century, this building nowadays offers several representative rooms and halls for events, galas, concerts and lectures, as well as a café and a bar. In the Kurhaus, you will also find Germany's oldest casino, defined "the most beautiful casino in the world" by Marlene Dietrich.

Situated 410m above sea level and visible from afar, the Hohenbaden Castle, or Old Castle, is the perfect destination if you're in the mood for a hike. The path to reach it is quite steep, but the view from the top is very rewarding. Also, the castle is free to visit.

Between 1865 and 1874, the German pianist Johannes Brahms used to spend his summers in Baden-Baden, where today you can visit the house where he stayed and created some of his famous compositions. The house hosts permanent exhibition about Brahm's life curated by the Baden-Baden Brahms Society.

If the world of Fabergé fascinates you, don't miss a visit to this museum, where you can learn more about the special craftsmanship of the late 19th and early 20th century. The vaste collection includes several of the famous imperial Easter eggs, precious jewellery and luxury items for everyday use like cigarette cases.

The Merkur Mountain is the highest point in the Baden-Baden area, and reaching it is an adventure in itself, as you can use Germany's longest funicular railway to reach the top. Of course, you can also choose to hike if you feel like it. Once you arrive, you'll find a barbecue and picnic area to rest as well as a viewing platform, a restaurant and a playground for children.

The Fettquelle is a thermal fountain and a popular sight in Baden-Baden. It is located in the Römerplatz, near Friedrichsbad. Drinking some water from the fountain is said to have curative effects, and since it is free it might be worth to try.

The Stiftkirche is Baden-Baden's Gothic collegiate church, towering the town from the Florentinerberg hill. The church, dating back to the 15th century, contains the tombs of the margraves of Baden and several works of sacred art.

With a world acclaimed acoustics, the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden is Europe’s second largest concert and opera hall, offering over 300 top class musical performances every year. You can check the program at the website below.

For more than 350 years the park and garden “Lichtentaler Allee” has been Baden-Baden’s green and blooming heart. Famous throughout the world, it has an overwhelming abundance of flowers and trees and is considered a fine example of garden art. It is framed by beautiful belle époque monuments, like the historic Pump Room, the world-famous Kurhaus, as well as fascinating museums and the over 760 years old Cistercian cloister of Lichtenthal Monastery.

The main thermal baths in Baden-Baden are Caracalla Spa and Friedrichsbad. Here you can relax between marble columns and immerse yourself in tempting turquoise blue pools. Baden-Bade's thermal waters will regenerate both your body and your soul, guaranteeing a unique feeling of well-being. Don't miss trying the Roman-styled sauna at Caracalla Spa and the Roman-Irish baths at Friedrichsbad. Close to the thermal baths, you can also visit to the Roman bath ruins, which include a museum and exhibition area with video animations of the ancient baths. Caracalla Spa Hours: 8am-10pm Phone: +49 0 7221 275940 Friedrichsbad Hours: 9am-10pm Phone: +49 0 7221275920 Roman bath ruins Hours: March-November daily, 11am-12pm and 3pm-4pm Phone +49 0 722127 5934

This award-winning museum was designed by the American star architect Richard Meier for the personal art collection of Frieder Burda. The museum also hots special exhibitions, always with an emphasis on classical modernism and contemporary art.

This museum houses Germany’s largest collection of media art, divided between the Museum for Contemporary Art and the Media Museum, which is the world’s first and only museum for interactive art.

Karlsruhe’s Baroque palace forms the centre of the city’s fan-like pattern, from which boulevards extend like the spokes of a wheel. Formerly home to the blue-blooded leaders of Karlsruhe, the palace now houses the Badische Landesmuseum, which exhibits regional artefacts from prehistoric to present times. After your visit to the museum, go for a stroll in the palace’s sweeping gardens to see the exotic trees planted here, as well as many statues from different epochs. On warm days you’ll find plenty of Karlsruhe’s inhabitants sharing picnics on the grass, playing badminton or going for walks.

Just a few steps from Karlsruhe Palace, you can find the early 19th-century "Marktplatz". In the centre stands the main symbol of the city, a brick pyramid that protects Margrave Karl Wilhelm’s crypt. The stone sarcophagus containing the ashes of Karl Wilhelm is still inside the pyramid, but it is not open to the public. On one side of the square, you can see the Evangelical Church, built between 1807 and 1816 in a classical style by the architect Friedrich Weinbrenner. Its big bell tower is almost 62 meters high and was a personal request from grand duke Karl-Friedrich.

At the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe you’ll find an impressive collection of German paintings from the 13th century up until the present, with a particular focus on 19th century art, along with works by famous artists like Rembrandt, Gauguin, and Monet.

This is one of Germany’s oldest zoos and is now home to more than 4,000 animals of about 250 species, which you can admire in their spacious, nature-like designed habitats. The zoo also features several areas dedicated to relax and picnics. Do not miss the exotic house and the Japanese garden, complete with a Shinto shrine and a Japanese pagoda.

Ride Germany’s oldest operating funicular railway up a mountain in the suburb of Durlach. At the top, you will find the ruins of an 11th-century castle and fantastic views across the town of Durlach and the thick woodlands beyond.

The Badisches Staatstheater serves as the Karlsruhe's main venue for theatre, opera, ballet and concerts, hosting over 1000 performances per year. For tickets and programs, visit the website below.

Strasbourg is a romantic French town with a unique charm made of small shops, typical architecture, cosy cafés and bistros. Strasbourg also has over 350 historic monuments. Seeing all of them in one day might be impossible, but it's certainly worth it to try and see as many as you can. The town is easily reachable from Baden-Baden and Karlsruhe by train (www.bahn.de/en) or Flixbus (www.flixbus.com).

This museum attracts people of all ages with its wide variety of exhibitions. Here you will find 30 aquariums displaying the underwater world, an exhibition that shows life in prehistoric times, one about African habitats, one on the realm of minerals, and much much more.

Europabad is a modern water park where the whole family can enjoy themselves. Here you'll find spa facilities, the slide AquaRocket, the over 170-metre family slide, the white-water rapids and many other exciting attractions. For sun-lovers, there are also an outdoor pool and a beach bar.

The Günther-Klotz-Anlage is a lovely open area, named after a former city mayor called Günther Klotz. The river Alb flows through the park and here you will find facilities like spacious playgrounds and sunbathing areas, as well as several ponds, boat rental, a basketball and a volleyball court. Overall, the Günther-Klotz-Anlage is an ideal city park where you can relax and unwind.

The Botanical Gardens of Karlsruhe host over 20 rare species of trees from various continents, as well as numerous greenhouses with tropical plants and conservatories with cacti and succulents.

The Northern Black Forest features beautiful hiking trails dotted with historical sites and offering breath-taking views. One of Germany‘s highest rated premium trails is the 110 kilometer long Murgleiter, running from Bad Rotenfels to the Schliffkopf peak near Baiersbronn. In alternative to the Murgleiter or as a continuation of it, you can go on a hiking adventure on the famous Westweg, the Black Forest's oldest trail, which goes from Pforzheim to Basel and crosses the Rastatt District for its 2nd and 3rd stages.

Many scenic cycle routes cross the Rastatt district, such as the 130 km long PAMINA Rhine Park route, the Hofladentour and the Tour der Murg, which follows the course of the eponymous river. Visit the website below for more information about these cycling routes of the Murg Valley.

The Black Forest National Park was founded in 2014 as the first national park in Baden-Württemberg. It is located inside the Central/North Black Forest Nature Park and is divided into two parts, the northern part being situated in the Rastatt district. The park covers an area of 10,062 hectares and extends along the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse between Plättig and Alexanderschanze. Much of the park’s wildlife is allowed to evolve freely, without human influence. Here, natural evolution takes precedence over exploitation, and visitors to the park get the unique opportunity to experience the transformation up close.

This huge nature reserve is a paradise for all those who wish to experience wildlife in its natural surroundings - all year round. The main purpose of the Central/North Black Forest Nature Park is to preserve the beautiful and pristine landscape and to enable tourists and locals to discover the Black Forest in an ecofriendly way.

An entire region as museum: this is the idea behind the PAMINA Rhine Park. It is neither a nature reserve nor an open air museum, it's a cross-border project along the river Rhine. The picturesque alluvial landscapes between Karlsruhe and the southern Rastatt district are the main showpiece. Further attractions include ten themed museums, two conservation centers and numerous other interesting sites along the way. The area can be explored on foot or by bike, and covers 850 km sq. In Rastatt, you can find information about the PAMINA Rhine Park at the Riedmuseum.

The baroque palace in Rastatt was modeled on Versailles and was the first of its kind to be built in Germany. Most of the impressive building has been preserved in its original state and is an authentic and unique example of an early 18th century princely residence. The palace includes also two museums: the Military History museum and the Memorial to Freedom Movements in German History.

For more than half a century, the Unimog was an exciting part of the history of utility vehicles. In Gaggenau, where the Unimog was manufactured for more than 50 years, the Unimog Museum invites young and old to see and discover what the vehicle was all about. Enjoy the interactive exhibition of the Unimog, from the prototypes to the new generation, including cutaway models and vehicle parts, photos, films and stories. You can also book a guided tour and experience the uniqueness of the Unimog sitting in the passenger seat.

Theater excitement under an open sky awaits visitors in Ötigheim. During the summer months, Germany‘s biggest open-air stage attracts theatre and music lovers from all over the country. Some 4,000 spectators can enjoy the performances in beautiful natural surroundings while seated comfortably and sheltered from the rain. For information about the program and the tickets, check out the website below (available only in German).

Kaltenbronn is characterised by an unspoiled landscape with high moors and forest moors, as well as rare flora and fauna. Thanks to the extensive hiking trail network and the plank paths over the moors, the site has become a favorite destination in the Black Forest region. In winter, the area transforms into a popular ski resort. Moreover, the information center in Kaltenbronn hosts an interactive exhibition about the area that fascinates young and old.

The Rastatt district includes part of the Ortenau Wine Trail, 100 kilometers of vineyards and wine makers. It goes without saying that the area lends itself to hiking and wine tasting. The trail goes from Gernsbach to Diersburg, passing by castles, palaces and beautiful landscapes. Parallel to the Ortenau Wine Trail runs the Baden Wine Route, offering more tasting opportunities and scenic views. Typical wines of the region are Müller-Thurgau, Riesling and Pinot Noir. Baden Wine Route: Address Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH, Heinrich-von-Stephan-Straße 8b, 79100 Freiburg Phone +49 761 8964688 Web www.badische-weinstrasse.de Email [email protected] Ortenau Wine Trail:

In the 12the century, the Windeck lords built a castle on a hill southeast of Bühl to serve as lodgings, fortress and symbol of their claim to power. Because of the cold wind, the inhabitants nicknamed their new home "Wind-Eck" ("wind corner“). The castle is now in ruin but it remains an impressive sight to visit. From its tower, open between April and November, one can enjoy beautiful views of the countryside.

The Schwarzach Cathedral, or Münster Swarzach, is located in Rheinmünster and is one of the great artistic treasures of Baden-Württemberg. Characterised by baroque farm buildings and a splendid monastic gate, it was the cathedral of a former Benedictine abbey and it dates back to the 9th century. After a devastating fire in 1299, the monastery was soon restored and the new building solemnly consecrated in 1302. The consecration, called "Schwarzacher Kirwe“, is celebrated each year on the third Tuesday in October. The Schwarzach Cathedral is now a popular venue for concerts, offering top-class artists, excellent acoustics and an extraordinary atmosphere.

The most famous scenic road in the Black Forest is the Schwarwaldhochstrasse, which stretches from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt (highway B500). On a clear day, the road commands fabulous views over the Rhine plain and the Vosges mountain range. One of the most popular stops along the way is the Mummelsee, a glacial cirque lake providing endless opportunities for outdoor activities.

The “pearl of the Murg Valley”, as Gernsbach is also known, has an eventful past. Imposing monuments in the historic center bear witness to the wealth of long gone days, when the Murg raftmen drove the oak logs over the Murg and the Rhine all the way to Rotterdam. Charming half-timbered houses, sparkling fountains, the ancient walls and the old town hall, with cafés all around, make a visit well worthwhile. Gernsbach is also a hikers' paradise, featuring the Gernsbacher Runde, a circular route running some 42 kilometers long around the town, and the Gernsbacher Sagenweg (Legend path), a pleasure hike of about 5 km that will fascinate young and old with its stories.

Located inside the North/Central Black Forest Nature Park and built between 1922 and 1926, the reservoir between the Schwarzwaldhochstraβe and the Murg valley is the largest lake in the northern and central Black Forest. The water is directed to the power plant in Forbach (Rudolf-Fettweiswerk/EnBW) to generate electricity. The 400-meter long gravity dam is still considered today as a pioneering achievement in German barrage construction. Because of its idyllic surroundings, the lake with boat rental is a favorite destination in the northern Black Forest.

Three times a year, the racing festivals in Iffezheim transform the idyllic town into an exciting venue. The horse races are a charming mix of elegant flair and funfair, thrilling bets and relaxation in beautiful surroundings. Edouard Bénazet, the founder of the world-renowned Casino Baden-Baden, inaugurated the racecourse in 1858. The course is one of the most attractive and well kept in the world.

Despite its span of 37,8 meters only, the roofed cantilever bridge in Forbach is one of the longest of its kind in Europe. The wooden bridge is practicable and looks much today as it did in 1778. It was damaged after WWII, then moved in 1954-55 and rebuilt following the original drawings.

Mehliskopf mountain rises above the Schwarzwaldhochstraße. At its summit stands an observation tower with a breathtaking panoramic outlook. Nearby you can find ski pistes and a recreation and sports center boasting a year-round bobsleigh run as wells as an adventure playground, a climbing garden and downhill carting in the summer.

Rastatt Favorite Palace, or Schloss Favorite, is a 18th-century Baroque palace just outside Rastatt city centre. It is the only surviving "porcelain palace" in Germany, hosting a vast collection of Chinese porcelains. You can take a guided tour of the premises, but note that it will be in German.

Germany can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

Summer is the best season to see the Black Forest Region at its best, but it's also quite busy. Spring and autumn still offer acceptable temperatures and beautiful landscapes, but be prepared for some rain. Of course, winter is the ideal time to visit if you're into winter sports. Remember to bring very warm clothes, as in this period of the year can be quite cold.

The Baden-Airpark - Airport Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden (FKB) - is situated in the Upper Rhine Valley, approximately 30 kilometres south of Karlsruhe, 10 kilometres from Baden-Baden, Bühl and Rastatt, and in close proximity to the A5 motorway as well as the B36 and B500 main roads. Parking facilities, car rental and taxis are all available at the airport. In addition to the car, you can also reach the airport by bus and train. For more information, check the dedicated section at the website below.

There are taxi stands at the train station, the palace and many other locations throughout the city. The number for the centralized taxi cab agency is: +49 (0)721 944 144 The Black Forest Region is served by several taxi companies with stands near train stations and at other locations. Taxi Holl www.taxi-holl.de +49 07221 55 5 55 (Baden-Baden) +49 07222 19 410 (Rastatt) Taxi Ahmed (Rastatt, Kuppenheim, Gaggenau) www.taxi-ahmed.de/en +49 7222 935 935 Taxi-Funk-Zentrale (Karlsruhe) www.taxi-zentrale-karlsruhe.de +49 0721-944 144

The KONUS Guest Card offers free travel on both trains and buses in over 140 cities and communities of the Black Forest Region. For more information, visit www.blackforest-tourism.com/info/KONUS The KONUS Guest Card is not valid in the city of Karlsruhe. The local transport system is operated by KVV: www.kvv.de/en It needs to be said that the train is the best and most scenic way to travel through the region. You can find timetables and fares at www.bahn.com/en

To find a post office you should look for the yellow "Deutsche Post" sign. You can buy stamps from some kiosks and at post offices. For sending postcards and letters you can use the yellow public mail boxes.

For pharmacies look out for the red "Aphoteke" sign. The usual opening hours are from 9am to 6.30pm. Germany has an alternating after-hours service and the number of the current after-hours pharmacy can be found on every pharmacy door. The same applies to weekend openings.

Country code: +49 Area code: 0721

230 V/50 Hz Germany uses type E power outlets, which require plugs that have two round prongs.