Blooming Gardens in Baden-Württemberg

In spring, parks and gardens burst into fresh shades of green and vibrant blooms. These green oases are the perfect places to get close to nature, enjoy the fresh air and stay active outdoors. They offer the ultimate escape from everyday life, moments of pure enjoyment for body, mind and soul. Here, you can unwind, take a deep breath and recharge your batteries.

We present eight blooming and particularly beautiful oases in Baden-Württemberg.

After the cold days of winter, the sun’s warming rays herald the awakening of nature – and the arrival of the Gönninger Tulpenblüte, Gönningen’s annual celebration of tulips in bloom. Today, more than 100,000 tulips and daffodils delight flower lovers from near and far.

In the 19th century, the small village of Gönningen at the foot of the Swabian Alb became renowned far beyond the region for its seed trade. The most beautiful tulips bloomed in the cemetery, even attracting a visit from the Queen of Württemberg. Petra Durst-Benning’s historical novel The Seed Woman inspired the local community to revive the tradition of the Gönninger Tulpenblüte. The two main events are the first Tulip Sunday, featuring a spring and arts and crafts market, and the second Tulip Sunday, which includes a gathering at Fetzer’s tulip field.

The Ostalb district’s blooming oases offer spectacular displays of nature throughout the year. Here, you can leave the everyday behind, while colourful flowers and lush green gardens invite you to relax and enjoy the fresh air.

In some of the castle and monastery gardens, visitors can follow in the footsteps of history. Why not combine your tour with some of the region’s best-known attractions? These include Wallerstein Gardens at Baldern Castle. The Weleda Medicinal Herb Garden in Schwäbisch Gmünd and the landscape park with its water lily pond at Fachsenfeld Castle are also well worth visiting. Our hidden gems include the flourishing monastery garden in Lorch and the baroque rose garden at Ellwangen Castle. Hohenstadt is home to Europe’s oldest baroque hedge garden.

The Alb Valley in the Northern Black Forest is home to a truly special place: the Jansen family’s rhododendron park. The flowering season begins in mid-May, when more than 100 varieties of rhododendron create a spectacular display. Thousands of large orange, red, pink and white flowers burst into bloom, while a delicate fragrance fills the air as you stroll through the park. Some of the shrubs grow to several metres in height.

The rhododendron park is open from March to October, from 10 am to 6 pm, and is closed on Wednesdays. During the flowering season, visitors are also welcome on Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is free for children aged ten and under. During the flowering season, adults can enjoy this little paradise for a small admission fee of €5.

Waiblingen’s medieval old town offers two green oases for anyone seeking peace and relaxation. The beds of the medicinal herb garden are home to numerous healing plants. Benches in the sunshine invite visitors to linger. Those in the know consider it Waiblingen’s most romantic spot. Opposite lies the idyllic parish garden, enchanting visitors with delicate blossoms and secluded arbours.

Nearby, Talaue park nestles against the medieval old town. This green riverside park is shaped by the course of the Rems River. Erleninsel island is perfect for a picnic beneath blossoming fruit trees, while the Remsterrassen riverside terraces are a lovely place to soak up the spring sunshine.

The beer garden on Schwaneninsel island, set beneath shady chestnut trees, is a popular meeting place. Canoes and stand-up paddleboards can be hired here in summer – ideal for exploring the Rems River around the old town.

The health resort of Bad Mergentheim knows just what body, mind and soul need. Its magnificent parks offer visitors plenty of opportunities to relax. The spa park and castle park are filled with glorious flowers, while birdsong and the sound of water features are a treat for the ears. Steeped in history, the town has a very special charm. Its old town was shaped by the Teutonic Order, and the magnificent Mergentheim Residential Palace stands at its heart. Numerous cafés and attractive squares invite visitors to linger, while a varied range of outdoor activities helps restore balance to body and mind. Bad Mergentheim is also home to one of Europe’s most species-rich wildlife parks.

The vibrant spa also reveived a special accolade from the state of Baden-Württemberg: Bad Mergentheim will host the State Garden Show in 2034. This is also an incentive for the town to show its best side even now. Get a first taste and discover springtime in Bad Mergentheim.

The Stauferland region in Baden-Württemberg lies between Stuttgart, the Swabian Forest, the Ries and the Swabian Alb. Considered a heartland of medieval history, it is a wonderful destination for the whole family, with mysterious castles waiting to be discovered. The Gartenträume Stauferland garden network turns a holiday close to home into a dream getaway, striking a balance between nature and living history.
At Filseck Castle, children can imagine themselves as royalty. Katzenstein Castle and Weissenstein Castle inspire dreams of knights and chivalry. Himmelsgarten Family Park in Schwäbisch Gmünd offers a large water playground, small-animal enclosures and miniature golf for a relaxing day out. Brenzpark in Heidenheim also provides idyllic retreats for anyone looking to unwind.

Covering more than 40 hectares, Bad Krozingen’s spa park is the green heart of the town. Designed in the style of an English landscape garden, it is particularly colourful in spring and summer. Numerous paths wind through mature trees and alongside the Neumagen River. Many of the trees have small information panels displaying their Latin and common names. Benches along the way invite visitors to pause and relax, while flower beds create a colourful feast for the senses.
The two floral peacocks in front of the Kurhaus, the park’s event venue, are its best-known landmark. Other highlights include the rose beds and fragrant herb garden. Active visitors can practise their swing on the practice golf course, while food lovers can enjoy culinary delights at the Kurhaus after a stroll. The park’s swimming lake and bathing platform add the perfect holiday feeling.

Überlingen boasts an abundance of gardens that are unique in the Lake Constance region, which spans four countries. Its spa garden, villa gardens and municipal garden are continually evolving. In 2021, Überlingen hosted the first Baden-Württemberg State Garden Show to be held on Lake Constance, continuing the town’s long tradition as a garden city.

Lovingly tended gardens, historic parks with some remarkably old trees, an extensive cactus collection and fascinating rock formations offer wonderful retreats for anyone seeking relaxation. Not to be missed are the lush traditional meadow orchards, which provide valuable habitats for many animals.