We are THE SÜDENYour Travel Destination for Endless Variety

Colourful Travel Experiences

Feel the Past. Come into the Now.

You can stroll through historic towns and take a bike ride in the countryside. Discover a new monumental castle, old monastery or magnificent garden every day. Taste a new delicious local specialty and good wine. In Southwest Germany, there are still areas where everything seems like it used to be, as well as places of the future. And yet, Southwest Germany has a number of things in common: characteristics that make each region wonderful in its own right.

Southwest Germany

At a Glance

The 11 Faces of Baden-Württemberg

Each region is one of a kind: Black Forest, Swabian Alb, Lake Constance, Stuttgart Region, Upper Swabia, Heilbronn Country, Hohenlohe, Kraichgau-Stromberg, Electoral Palatinate, Odenwald Forest, and Tauber Valley.

A Packed Program of Activities

Exciting theme parks, Europe’s largest outlet center, world-renowned castles and fortresses, natural wonders, design and science museums, glamorous water worlds, and prehistoric villages – what’s your pick?

Step into History

Southwest Germany preserves its rich history in sites like Heidelberg Castle, Hohenzollern Castle, and Maulbronn Monastery, as well as prehistoric locations like the Pile Dwellings of Unteruhldingen or the Limes, the Roman border fortification.

Each Region a Jewel

Baden-Württemberg and its Regions

You’ve heard of the Black Forest, Lake Constance, and Stuttgart – but have you explored the hidden gems of Southwest Germany’s lesser-known regions? They’ll make you want to start packing your bags.

Black Forest

Solitary forests, deep gorges, wild waterfalls, secluded alpine lakes – the Black Forest is more than Cuckoo Clocks, Bollenhüte, and the world-famous Black Forest gateau. Despite its name, the Black Forest is anything but dark. Look beyond the clichés, and you’ll discover a vibrant holiday destination, complete with award-winning gin and sun-kissed wines. One thing remains true: it’s undeniably romantic.
www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info

Stuttgart Region

Visit world-class museums, go cycling, relax in mineral-rich hot pools, or indulge in gourmet dining. Venture beyond Stuttgart’s city center to Esslingen, a medieval gem with 1,200 years of history, or Ludwigsburg, home to Germany’s largest baroque palace. In and around the capital of Baden-Württemberg, you’ll uncover countless wonders.
www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en

View over steep slopes where wine is grown. A river flows through the valley.

Lake Constance

Swim, sail, and surf – Lake Constance is the place to be if water is your element. But the locals know a thing or two about air, too: After all, the Zeppelin made aviation history here. Want to travel even further back in time? Journey to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, all the way to 4300 BC, and explore the prehistoric Pile Dwellings of Unteruhldingen.
www.bodensee.eu/en

View over an old town with a church tower, situated at a lake.

Swabian Alb

Jurassic Park, for real – but without the dinosaurs. This region is home to the Lion Man, an ancient sculpture estimated to be 40,000 years old. Today, you can visit fairy-tale castles and medieval landmarks strung together like pearls, explore underground caves, or relax in thermal baths. Bargain hunters will love Europe’s largest outlet mall, and beer lovers can follow the Beer Trail in Ehingen. The Swabian Alb is a true insider tip waiting to be discovered.
www.swabianalb.info

Upper Swabia

In Upper Swabia, you can recharge your energy in the many wellness and spa facilities. Enjoy the enchanting alpine panorama, the idyllic lakes in the high moors, and the unique nature reserves that you can explore by bike or on foot. Be sure to make a stop along the 500 km Upper Swabian Baroque Route, where the many monumental Baroque buildings will leave you in awe.
www.oberschwaben-tourismus.de/en

The Federseesteg in Bad Buchau in the sunshine

Electoral Palatinate

The Electoral Palatine region is made for gentle adventures: boat trips along the Rhine and Neckar, cycling through asparagus fields, enjoying a glass of wine in the taverns along the Wine Route, discovering stunning graffiti and vibrant pop culture in Mannheim. And of course, the world-famous Heidelberg Castle, Mannheim Baroque Palace, and Schwetzingen Palace invite you to step into the opulent life of the Middle Ages.
www.deinefreizeit.com

The Old Bridge above the Neckar River in Heidelberg. Heidelberg Castle can be seen in the background.

Heilbronn Country

Vineyards as far as the eye can see. Garden landscapes that soothe the soul. Impressive castle structures. In between, Experimenta, the largest science center in southern Germany, featuring 150 interactive exhibits on science and technology across 6,500 square meters. This is Heilbronn Country – where contrasts attract you.
www.heilbronnerland.de

The sun is shining between two rows of vines. The grapes on the vines are already ripe for harvesting.

Hohenlohe

Hohenlohe offers a rich variety: from first-class hotels and cozy country inns to farm stays and lakeside campgrounds. Enjoy nature and culture, sports, and marvelous concerts during the Hohenlohe Cultural Summer. If you're a foodie, you'll love the region’s unique specialties: Boeuf de Hohenlohe and the Schwäbisch-Hällische Landschwein, once on the brink of extinction in the 1980s and now rediscovered. Also, the region’s apple cider and pear sparkling wine are a must-try.
www.hohenlohe.de

View from a monastery complex to a village surrounded by forest.

Kraichgau-Stromberg

Welcome to the “Land of 1,000 Hills.” A hike or bike tour in the Kraichgau-Stromberg region is the finest way to gain elevation. For those eager to switch from the present to the Middle Ages, a visit to the Garden Hall and the opulent rooms of Bruchsal Palace or the unique UNESCO-listed Maulbronn Abbey is the perfect journey back in time. Past and present are just a few kilometers apart.
www.kraichgau-stromberg.de/

View of the Kraichgau wine region as the sun sets low. The view stretches into the distance. The sun is in the centre. You can see winding paths through the vineyard.

Odenwald Forest

Relaxation, indulgence, and culture – in the Odenwald, you can enjoy all three at once: explore the vast Eberstadt Stalactite Cave, the Odenwald Open-Air Museum, Neuburg Castle, or take the legendary Neckarsteig trail, where you’ll pass one castle after another and picturesque towns. You might even follow in Mark Twain’s footsteps, discovering forested landscapes, traditional orchards, and the culinary delights he raved about. Or visit the German Raptor Research Center at Guttenberg Castle. The modern side of the Odenwald is also well-represented at the Technik Museum Sinsheim, where you can immerse yourself in milestones of technological history.
www.tg-odenwald.de

Panoramic view of a lake. The hill is wooded on one side, with fields on the other. The sky is very cloudy.

Tauber Valley

Known as the "Liebliches Taubertal", the “lovely” Tauber Valley is a charming region full of culinary, cultural, and scenic highlights. Cycle, hike, or visit the diverse wildlife park in Bad Mergentheim, home to brown bears, lynx, and wolves. The Tauber Valley is also home to a fairy-tale destination: the magnificent Renaissance Weikersheim Palace with its Baroque garden, which still looks as it did in the 18th century.
www.liebliches-taubertal.de