If you're planning a trip to Germany, be sure to include Karlsruhe in your itinerary. It's a vibrant city with plenty of things to see and do.
With over 50 museums, theaters and galleries, the cultural landscape in Karlsruhe is a kaleidoscope of arts, culture and history. You'll also find a plethora of traditional and international cuisine to explore.
The Palace
A seat for the princes and grand dukes of Baden, Karlsruhe’s flamboyant baroque palace was built between 1715 and 1718. Today, it’s the main museum of the Badische Landesmuseum and a must-see for anyone visiting this city.
The Palace is the centre of Karlsruhe’s urban layout, with 32 streets radiating out from it like spokes on a wheel or ribs on a fan, giving the town its nickname “fan city” (Facherstadt). Visit the palace to explore its lavish interiors and the Ducal Collection of paintings, tapestries and regal artefacts.
You can also climb the tower of The Palace as part of your museum tour and enjoy a breathtaking view over Karlsruhe. Or head to the botanical garden, renowned for its exotic plants from middle latitudes.
Butanisher Garten
If you want to see a botanical garden, then the Butanisher Garten is definitely worth visiting. It’s a beautiful garden that is located to the west of Karlsruhe Palace.
It was created by Karl Christian Gmelin on orders from Charles III William, Margrave of Baden-Durlach in the early 18th century. The Orangery, Palm House (Palmenhaus) and other buildings were rebuilt in the middle of the 19th century by the architect Heinrich Hubsch.
It’s a popular attraction for families and offers a lot of opportunities to spend a day out. Among the highlights are the state art gallery, the orangery and the plant houses.
ZKM
With stunning neoclassical monuments, historic squares and lively shopping streets Karlsruhe offers the perfect mix of culture and leisure. And with over 50 museums, theaters and galleries to drench you in history and arts, there's something for everyone!
One of the city's many highlights is the ZKM (Center for Art and Media Technology). Its interactive art center has an extensive collection and a mission to carry on classical arts into the digital age.
The ZKM's 15,000 m2 exhibition spaces present approaches and themes of contemporary art as well as artists who are almost forgotten. They also showcase artworks in all media and genres.
The ZKM is a unique cultural institution in the world. It was founded in 1989 with the aim of carrying on the classical arts into the digital age.
Turmberg
Karlsruhe is a vibrant city in southwestern Germany known for its innovative urban landscape, rich cultural scene and historic landmarks. Rent an e-scooter from Voi to explore the city's stunning parks, cutting-edge museums and lively shopping districts at your own pace.
- Among the most popular attractions in the city is Turmberg, which features a tower that offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. You can hike up the hill on your own or take a funicular railway to the top.
- A visit to Turmberg is a must-do for any visitor to Karlsruhe. This 256-metre-high mountain is a prominent landmark in the Durlach district and is the highest point in the city.
- The Turmbergbahn, the oldest funicular railway in Germany, has been climbing the 256-metre-high hill since 1888. You can also climb the 528-step 'Hexenstaffele' to reach the top of the mountain directly and get a full view of Karlsruhe and Durlach.
