Baden Baden hotels

Hotels in Baden Baden

Its very name translates as ‘baths' – and Baden-Baden's therapeutic hot springs have been renowned since Roman times. Welling up from a depth of 2,000 metres, the springs feed 12 thermal spas in the German town, which became popular in the 19th century and was visited by Queen Victoria. The water reaches temperatures of up to 68°C and is used to treat conditions from cardiovascular problems and respiratory ailments, to rheumatism and joint complaints.

Nestling in the foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the River Oos, Baden-Baden is also a ski resort in winter. Golf, tennis, hiking and mountain climbing are all popular here. Book one of our Baden-Baden hotels and experience its charm for yourself.

Castle

Baden-Baden has two castles: the Hohenbaden Castle or Old Castle, and the New Castle, both of which were home to the town's rulers, known as margraves. The Old Castle was built in 1102 and is now a ruin, but still has spooky dungeons and winding staircases up to the lookout point, which offers magnificent views. The castle is free to visit, and guided tours are available. The New Castle, which sits atop the Florentinerberg hill, isn't open to the public, and its entire contents were sold by Sotheby's in an auction in 1995. You can still enjoy lovely views from the terrace in front of it though. At the foot of the hill are the remains of the town's Roman baths, which you can explore through a guided tour or on your own with an audio guide.

Casino

The magnificently gilded casino, designed to resemble a French palace, was at least as much a favourite with the rich and famous in the 19th century as the thermal springs. Housed in the elegant Kurhaus concert and events hall, the casino and its rooms are open for guided tours each morning, and the garden is also worth a visit.

Lichtentaler Allee

This famous riverside boulevard, perfect for jogging, cycling or strolling, is really a park and arboretum. Lined with elegant mansions, it is home to around 300 types of plant, including azaleas, chestnuts, dahlias, gingkos, limes, magnolias, maples, oaks and sycamores. It also houses the Frieder Burda Museum, whose modern art collection comprises some 500 paintings, sketches, sculptures and objects from 1900 onwards, including works by Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.

A few minutes' drive from the town is the Black Forest National Park, whose hundreds of hectares of woodland you can explore alone or through a guided walk. Even the drive there offers excellent views of the Rhine Valley and the Vosges mountains. You can also get there on the 245 bus.

Merkur mountain

The walk up to the top of the 2,191-foot Merkur mountain, Baden Baden's highest point, is a delightful trek through lush countryside. But if you don't fancy the exertion, you can take the funicular railway, a tourist attraction in itself, which will whisk you up in less than five minutes. The railway is open between 10am and 10pm. There's a restaurant at the top, as well as a lawn and a playground, and the panoramic views from here are incredible. You can even take a tandem flight on a paraglider for an unsurpassable vista.