Idyllic landscapes and picturesque villages…the Black Forest is as enchanting in real life as it is in fairytales (minus the witches)! It’s no wonder the stories of Snow White, Hansel and Gretl, and Sleeping Beauty were set in this region. Covering the southwestern region of Germany, the Black Forest is a highly sought out destination for those who love the outdoors. You’ll find ample amounts of biking, hiking, and swimming spots to venture to in the warmer months. During the colder months, the vast hills make it a scenic area for skiing. For those who are not as outdoorsy, there’s plenty of other opportunities to relax in town, visit museums, go to the thermal baths, seek out the best bakeries and more! For the best experience, set aside a week or so to see everything the Black Forest has to offer. I’ve compiled a list of several of the best places to visit in the Black Forest that are accessible by car, train, and even by hiking!
Triberg
Triberg is a wonderful place to spend the day. Hike to the beautiful Triberg Waterfalls. If you have a few extra euros, you can buy some peanuts on the trail to feed the squirrels! Visit the Schwarzwald Museum to learn all about the history and culture of the Black Forest region and then head over to the House of 1000 clocks for the perfect souvenir!
World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock
Thanks to the abundance of Linden trees in the region, cuckoo clocks have been handcrafted in the Black Forest for centuries! It only makes sense that you can find the world’s largest clock here too! After snapping a picture out front, you can head inside to see the mechanisms of how it works! You’ll find a large selection of ornately crafted cuckoo clocks inside the shop here as well, the most beautiful (and expensive) I have ever seen!
Freiburg im Breisgau
Located in the southwestern part of the Black Forest, Freiburg im Breisgau is the biggest city in the region and a prominent university town. In the old town you will find an impressive gothic cathedral offering amazing views of the area. There is no shortage of great eateries and shops with all things black forest. The mixture of old and new architecture makes Freiburg the perfect place to wander around.
Bregquelle
Whether you hike, bike, or drive here, the views on your way here are nothing short of idyllic. The Bregquelle is to be the beginning of the Danube River! It is incredible to stand at the beginning of the tiny trickling stream that ends up being the second largest river in Europe! The Bregquelle is quite serene and a beautiful landmark that is not to be missed. It is also a very popular spot for hikers passing through.
Titisee
Lake Titisee is a popular holiday spot for Germans with its charming lakeside hotels, restaurants, and shops. In the warmer months, Titisee is a great place to lounge around on the beach, grab an ice cream, and go for a swim in the lake! It’s a little slice of paradise!
Europa Park
Over in the town of Rust, there’s fun waiting for people of ages at Europa Park! At first glance, one might think you’re at Epcot in the US thanks to the huge geodesic sphere at the entrance. Europa Park consists of different themed areas representing 15 European countries, from Greece to Iceland to Italy! The theming is top notch and unlike Epcot, the rides are 100 times more thrilling!
Gutach
Gutach is a small borough of the Black Forest housing the popular Black Forest Open Air Museum. Here you can take a step back in time as you wander through what life was like in the Black Forest centuries ago. Walk through authentic houses, say hi to all the farm animals, and speak with people dressed in traditional regional attire. You can even take part in family workshops and go home with your own hand-crafted souvenir! There are many guesthouses in Gutach to stay at if you choose. There’s even a rodelbahn right next to the museum that only costs a couple euros per ride!
Linachtalsperre
This is not your typical tourist attraction. The Linachtalsperre is an impressive dam you can visit and marvel at all the engineering that had to go into this massive project. If this doesn’t sound exciting to you, believe me when I say it didn’t to me either until my dad and I visited and it was so much cooler than I would have expected! The dam holds back the Linach river and this spot is actually quite popular for locals of neighboring villages to walk around and swim in! If you are looking for off the beaten path things to do in the Black Forest, put this at the top of your list! Plus, the nearest neighboring town of Vöhrenbach is a great place to stay.
Black Forest Villages
While it’s hard to go wrong simply stopping in any German town in the Black Forest, some may offer more than others. If you love the traditional German village feel and look, check out Calw and Schiltach, my favorite picturesque town centers in the Black Forest. With a variety of affordable guesthouses to choose from and bakeries to try, villages like these are the perfect place to stay the night or refuel with a pastry as you make your way through the Black Forest.
Bonus! Schwarzwäldertorte
Where better to enjoy a piece of Black Forest cake than in the Black forest itself! You will have no trouble finding the signature Schwarzwäldertorte on the menus of any cafe in the region! Happy Travels!
