25 Aug 2015
SouthWest Germany: Germany's most popular holiday destination?
It's official: SouthWest Germany is the home of the country's most popular visitor attraction! Europa-Park took the top spot in the survey to find Germany's 100 most popular attraction. This is the fourth year that the German National Tourist Board has run the online poll, with visitors from some 40 countries giving their views. And not only did SouthWest Germany take No l, four more attractions in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg placed in the top 11.
No 1: Europa-Park
Recently voted the world's No 1 theme park, Europa-Park celebrates its 40th birthday this year. With more than 100 attractions and shows, the park is popular for short breaks – and is easy to get to from the UK. In its 13 European-themed areas, there are also five 4-star themed hotels. Highlights this autumn include a month-long celebration of Halloween (Sept 26 to Nov 08), and a lively build up to Christmas, with snowy events indoors and out.
No 4: Heidelberg Castle and the Old Town of Heidelberg
One of Europe's most romantic cities inspired poets and musicians back in the 19th century. Today, the ruins of Heidelberg Castle still cast a spell over visitors. Below, the Old Town has cobbled streets, ancient taverns – and students from Germany's oldest university. Ride the funicular cable car to the summit of the Königstuhl mountain; take a cruise on the River Neckar.
No 7: The Lake Constance region
With snow-capped peaks to the south and orchard-covered slopes to the north, Lake Constance is one of Europe's most beautiful lakes. Must-see attractions include the flower-filled gardens of Mainau Island, the lively town of Konstanz, medieval Meersburg Castle and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Unteruhldingen, where the Pfahlbau Lake Dwelling Museum recreates the wooden huts that were built over the water 6,000 years ago by the lake's first inhabitants.
No 10: The Romantic Road
Part of the Romantic Road cuts through SouthWest Germany. Along this 275 mile/440km driving route are magnificent stately homes, splendid palaces and half-timbered medieval houses. In SouthWest Germany, for example, Bad Mergentheim has a handsome old square, a castle housing a museum about medieval knights and four soothing natural hot springs. You can also cycle or hike along the route.
No 11: Nature reserves in the Black Forest
With its dense forest and open meadowland, its villages and farms, the Black Forest is one vast, unspoiled beauty spot. It is so special that an area was set aside as a National Park last year. Drive or cycle, hike or ride a horse; see how a cuckoo clock is made; eat Black Forest gateau and drink schnapps made from local wild cherries.
More Top 100 hits
SouthWest Germany boasts even more entries in the Top 100:
- Ulm Minster, with the world's tallest spire (530 ft/161.5 m)
- Freiburg Minster, with the “most beautiful spire in Christendom”
- UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Maulbronn, the best conserved medieval monastery north of the Alps
- Grand palaces and castles, including Hohenzollern, Ludwigsburg and the fairy-tale Lichtenstein Castle
- Baden-Baden's natural thermal spas and the nearby Titisee Lake in the Black Forest.
More detailed information on SouthWest Germany is available on our website www.tourism-bw.com
Or, please get in touch with us directly:
State Tourist Board Baden-Württemberg
Esslinger Strasse 8
70182 Stuttgart, Germany
