Freiburg, Germany - A Medieval City With a Forward-Looking Outlook

Freiburg in Germany, known for its medieval and Renaissance architecture, also features modern trends: it boasts solar energy companies as their headquarters and has implemented sustainable development practices into city plans. One way to explore the city is using their efficient bus system. One ticket covers both S-Bahn and bus travel, making this an affordable way of exploring your destination city.

Interesting Facts

Freiburg is a major university city known for its progressive outlook. Home to one of Germany's premier solar-energy research facilities and many cutting edge sustainable development strategies implemented throughout, Freiburg stands as an inspiring model. A green, livable place, it boasts attractive medieval and Renaissance architecture as well as some of Germany's most creative urban planning practices. As one of Freiburg's more distinctive experiences, visiting its unique urban streams, can be one of its best attractions. These miniature rivers run through the center of town from Dreisam river diverted outward, providing a pleasant walk. Legend holds that if you fall into one, you will eventually meet a Freiburger to marry!

City residents pride themselves on living green lives. Green City's reputation can be seen through its vast network of bike paths and use of solar panels on private buildings. They aim to become carbon-neutral by 2050; many projects have already been implemented to reduce emissions including construction, energy use, private households transport forestry nature conservation waste management projects. As part of its sustainability initiative, this city promotes walking and cycling and employs a tram system.

Freiburg Cathedral, built beginning in the 13th Century and completed 300 years later, stands out as an incredible sight in Freiburg and can be admired from any viewpoint. It is considered amongst one of the world's most stunning structures, boasting 418 stone figures carved onto its tympanum and archivolts alone! Freiburg offers many exciting activities to visitors, one is exploring its old city walls and gates. One such gate is the Schwabentor dating from the 13th Century, decorated with St. George the dragon-slayer as patron saint of Freiburg city. Another popular gate to see is Martinstor built during 14th Century town gates which features Zinnfigurenklause museum that showcases tiny figures depicting noteworthy events of Freiburg history.

Things to do in Freiburg

Freiburg is a charming, walkable city that features some must-see sites, with the Freiburg Cathedral as the centerpiece. This massive Gothic structure towers over Munsterplatz square. Also, worth seeing are the city walls and Freiburger Bachle - tiny water rills running along many streets of its old town and offering visitors an easy way to gain an understanding of this vibrant place. This provides another easy way of experiencing this charming place, perhaps you may even get lucky enough to stumble across one filled with spring water flowing freely!

There's much to do within the city itself and also in the Black Forest nearby. Hiking and biking are popular summer activities, while winter sports enthusiasts will find this region incredibly welcoming. Additionally, numerous festivals take place throughout the year: Christmas Market is always popular during November/December, while Munsterplatz hosts its wine fair annually.

The Saxony-Anhalt State Museum is another must-visit attraction, housing an impressive collection of art and history, as well as boasting an attractive courtyard garden and café. If traveling with kids, Freiburger Puppenbuhne puppet theater provides classic hand puppet plays performances for them to enjoy.

An equally enjoyable activity is exploring the historic cemetery. While you might not associate cemeteries as tourist activities, touring them can actually be pretty fascinating, over 2.65 hectares cover this cemetery that features tombs from medieval Europe as well as some with intricately carved tombstones.

The Schlossberg hill that towers over the city is another top attraction, originally used as a fortified castle to defend against invaders and provide incredible panoramic views over its surroundings. Visitors can climb to its summit for impressive panoramic vistas over its surroundings.

Visit Freiburg's Munsterplatz market on any weekend to make the most of your weekend stay in this beautiful city. Here, you can buy fresh produce, cheese, bread, flowers and flowers as well as enjoy local beer or wine samples at one of several stalls and restaurants located at this market.

Alternatively, Freiburg provides plenty of active ways to experience its beauty: hiking tours offered through AllTrails or Komoot are ideal. There are several fantastic trails nearby which you can do as day trips from Freiburg. Furthermore, Freiburg serves as an ideal home base from which you can visit Titisee Lake in the Black Forest, spa towns like Baden-Baden or Kaiserstuhl wine region for excursions.

The Black Forest

If you're visiting Freiburg, there are a few must-see sights. One such site is Freiburg Cathedral, constructed in the 14th century and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another must see sight is the Old Town Hall, which resembles a medieval castle with half-timbered walls and Gothic windows that will take your breath away. Swimming in the Dreisam River runs directly through the city center, and is popular amongst locals during summer; you may catch sight of them relaxing by Kronenbrucke bridge soaking up some sun! Other ways of enjoying outdoor activity exist as well, hiking is popular thanks to apps like All Trails and Komoot; you could also go skating! One of the best activities in the Black Forest is taking a hike through Ravenna Gorge and Bridge. This breathtaking area is filled with special rock formations that create a dramatic scene. If hiking isn't your thing, a Flixbus bus offers shuttle services directly to its entrance for a small fee.

Take a guided tour to experience Freiburg in all its glory! Group guided tours provide an exciting way to uncover locations you might otherwise never discover on your own, while learning more about its history and heritage. If walking is your preference, the city center can easily be explored on foot. To save money and maximize savings, you could purchase a tourist card that includes transportation for the day; alternatively, you could also utilize public transit such as trams. Freiburg boasts several parks for residents to take advantage of, such as Seepark. This expansive space includes Japanese Gardens, waterfalls, temples and small bridges. Furthermore, visitors can visit Black Forest Open Air Museum which features a traditional self-contained farmhouse dating back to the 1600s, perfect for exploring! If you want a wonderful view, head up the Schlossberg hill, which overlooks the city. Climb your way up or take the funicular (Schlossbergbahn) or cable car instead for an incredible vantage point of all of Düsseldorf!

The famous Christmas Market

Freiburg's Christmas Market offers a magical experience where charming historic streets come to life with sparkling lights and the scent of warm mulled wine. Over 130 attractively decorated wooden stalls can be found dotted throughout the old town, including Rathausplatz and Unterlindenplatz - offering handcrafted goods as well as special Christmas presents. Popular items amongst the crowds at these stalls include nutcrackers and intricately carved wooden figurines that make great ornaments or collectibles, while beautiful candles and candleholders come in all sizes and shapes to complete the ensemble. Take home some traditional German delicacies like Lebkuchen, Stollen and marzipan as souvenirs of your visit! Plus, please remember Glühwein: the local mulled wine made with red or white wine, spices and citrus fruits; there is even an alcohol-free version called Kinderpunsch for those who don't drink.

At the market, there are plenty of fun activities. One stall offers the opportunity to "chisel" out your gemstone, great fun for kids and adults alike! For something a bit more hands-on, why not participate in a candle workshop, where an experienced staffer will lead you in creating personalized candles? Also, a wonderful thing to do in the old town, is taking time to admire its beautiful Neoclassical and Gothic architecture. Visit Rathausplatz where the New and Old Town Halls stand, as well as the tourist information office. The Old Town Hall was completed in the 1550s using two Renaissance burgher houses joined. The cathedral should also be visited; its gargoyles serve to divert water away from it. Strolling through charming squares illuminated with twinkling Christmas lights is an idyllic way to relax, so indulge in local delicacies and sample mulled wine at cozy stalls. Or if you want a bit of an adrenaline rush, take a Ferris wheel rid, at Kartoffelmarkt there's a wooden antique 12 meter-tall ferris wheel which spins 8 times per minute!