I want to go to the black forest. From what I can tell Heidelberg, Rothenberg, Friburg might be the most interesting places to stay. I thought I would go to Heidelberg and Rottenburg for 2 nights a piece. Is this plenty of time? Also is there any other towns in that area, big or small that I should see?
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
Rothenburg is amazing - but not in the Black Forest. 2 nights is enough. Rothenburg is incredibly overtouristed, however. See nearby Bamberg and Nuremberg too if you have time.
People will disagree but I'm not a fan of Heidelberg - it's a nice place but overall not much nicer than your average sort of place in Germany, really. It's not really in the BF either. The BF is really about mountain villages, hiking, mountainbiking, etc. Some BF towns that really are interesting for you to check out:
Schiltach - Freudenstadt - Rottweil - Titisee-Neustadt (very nice scenery, touristy though) - Löffingen - Triberg (maybe the most well-known, but very touristy.)
Freiburg: a big city really and not really in the forest. It has a nice pedestrian zone but to me it's a lot like Heidelberg - not all that.
NOTE: If you stay in some of the smaller BF villages like Schiltach or Löffingen you can get a free pass to use the trains in the BF at no cost. It's called the Konus Karte and you get it from your hotel, B&B, or hostel.
Posted by
Phila, Pa USA
144 posts
As noted, neither Rothenburg nor Heidelberg are in the Black Forest, but if you are flying via Frankfurt, then you can definitely see both places either before or after you head south to the Black Forest area. Heidelberg is right on the way, and Rothenburg is only a couple hours east. Don't miss them ! Both towns are among my favorites in Germany. I have been to both multiple times, and would enjoy a visit every single time i go to Germany. They are different, but both are very atmospheric, and not to be missed ....just follow Rick Steves advise for Rothenburg, especially .... enjoy it best early in the day, or late in the afternoon/ early evening after the bus tour groups have left ..... it gets mighty crowded mid-day in the summertime. However, you do NOT need two nites a piece .... you can see everything in Rothenburg in one day without rushing, and the same goes for Heidelberg ..... neither place is that big.
As for other towns in the area: If you are driving, I recommend stopping @ the town of Bad WImpfen, just north of Heilbronn .... It's along the Neckar River & not too far from Heidelberg. It's small, but full of curved cobblestone streets, some VERY old houses, a famous tower, and witches ! At Eberbach, you can take a ride on a boat on the Neckar if it's summertime & nice weather. South of there, you could stop and see the castle @ Ludwigsburg, or visit Tubingen, another very attractive university-town like Heidelberg. Stuttgart is also right on the way to or from Freiburg in the Black Forest. This is a big city, with plenty to see and do there, including a car museum (Mercedes Benz).