Are you looking for a unique corner of Germany to explore, near recreational and cultural hot spots but without tourist congestion? The city of Karlsruhe is the place for you.

Karlsruhe lies in the heart of Europe, at the foot of the Black Forest and next to the Rhine River. Located in the economic powerhouse of the state of Baden-Württemberg, Karlsruhe’s human scale makes this medium-sized city a pleasure to discover. 

Founded only 300 years ago by Margrave Karl-Wilhelm, the city’s plan resembles Paris, with streets laid out in rays, like a fan, from the central point of the count’s palace. The renowned 18^th century city planner L’Enfant liked Karlsruhe’s design so much, he incorporated its elements into his plan for Washington, D.C.

Karlsruhe’s best street is the long and straight Kaiserstraße. Lined with shops, fountains, restaurants,  and Germany’s famous Konditorei pastry shops, the street has a bustling energy that you can observe from an outdoor café while sipping a cup of robust Tchibo coffee. The street opens onto the Marktplatz, or square, where you will see Margrave Karl’s brown brick pyramid tomb. The count named the city “Karl’s peace” after falling asleep in the local forest and dreaming of this new, elegant urban center based on French rationalism. However, the square offers little time for rest, as it is the location for weekday farmers’ markets, and weekend festivals in the summer, complete with lively bands and plenty of good local Moninger beer.

A trip to Karlsruhe should include a visit to the Biergarten of the Moninger Brauerei. This tasty brew is made nowhere else in the world except Karlsruhe. The garden’s large, tree-filled yard with comfortable picnic benches is the perfect place for a sunny afternoon drinking a pilsner with the local people, and sampling regional dishes.

For other activities, visit the Karlsruhe zoo, the Tiergarten, which cares for over 1,000 animals from all around the world. Or take a slow boat ride around the lagoon of the prize-winning City Garden. Ride Germany’s oldest funicular railway up the Turmberg for a panoramic view of the city.

Getting around Karlsruhe is no problem, even if you don’t have a car. The city boasts a state-of-the-art transit system, with quiet and safe trams whose tracks reach all the way to the French border. If you’re driving, Karlsruhe is well-connected to major Autobahn routes that can take you for day trips to the nearby cities of Heidelberg and Freiburg, or a relaxing tour through the Black Forest or along the Rhine River’s vineyards. You can even reach France in under half an hour, and explore neat Alsatian villages, or go all the way to Strasbourg.

If you prefer to bicycle, Karlsruhe is a cyclist’s joy. Segregated lanes for cyclists make getting around the city easy and safe, while paths into nearby forests take you to neighboring villages, where you can hop on a commuter train for the ride back if you wish.

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