Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany: travel guide
Sunny university town of water channels and the Black Forest's doorstep
Germany's sunniest city and gateway to the Black Forest.
About Freiburg im Breisgau
Freiburg is a university city in the far south-west of Germany, set at the edge of the Black Forest and known for its sunny climate and its green outlook. The old town is a network of cobbled lanes, with small water channels called Bächle running along the pavements.
Things to do in Freiburg include climbing the Gothic Münster tower, browsing the daily market on the cathedral square, taking the cable car up the Schlossberg for views over the Rhine plain and walking or cycling into the forest. The surrounding wine hills and the nearby French border add to its range.
Freiburg suits walkers, cyclists and anyone who likes a relaxed, student-flavoured town. Late spring to early autumn is best for the outdoors.
- Country
- Germany
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Berlin
- Nearest airport
- BSL
Last updated
Plan a Freiburg im Breisgau trip
Top places to visit in Freiburg im Breisgau
Freiburg Münster (Cathedral)
Gothic cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
One of Germany's most beautiful Gothic cathedrals — the only medieval German church tower completed before the Reformation, its 116-metre perforated sandstone spire considered by Burckhardt to be the most beautiful tower in Christendom.…
Schlossberg Freiburg
castle hill and forest park · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The forested 456-metre hill rising directly above Freiburg's old town — accessible on foot via the Schlossberg steps (20 min) or by cable car (Schlossbergbahn, 4 min, EUR 4.50 one-way). The main terrace offers the definitive panoramic view…
Bächle Channels & Münstermarkt
historic water channels and market · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Freiburg's most distinctive street feature — a network of 16 km of narrow open water channels (Bächle) running through the cobblestoned old-town streets, fed from the Dreisam river, originally built in the 12th century for fire suppression…
Freiburg Black Forest Day
forest-region · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip to the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) — the spectacular forest region with the Titisee and Schluchsee lakes, the historic Hofgut Sternen waterfall, and the iconic German Romantic landscape.
Freiburg Colmar Day Trip
alsatian-town · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Freiburg to Colmar (Alsace, France) — the spectacular medieval Alsatian town with the famous Little Venice canal quarter, the half-timbered houses, and the Unterlinden Museum with Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece.
Freiburg Titisee Lake Day
glacial-lake · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip to Titisee Lake — the spectacular Black Forest glacial lake, with the famous boat trips, the historic Hofgut Sternen, the cuckoo clock shops, and the iconic German alpine lake experience.
Freiburg Triberg Waterfalls
german-waterfalls · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The Triberg Waterfalls — Germany's highest waterfalls (163m), with the spectacular cascading drop through the Black Forest, the historic walking trails, and the iconic Schwarzwald landscape.
Freiburg Christmas Market
christmas-market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Freiburg Christmas Market — the magical festive market in the historic Münsterplatz, with the wooden chalets surrounding the Cathedral, the famous Glühwein, and the Black Forest Christmas atmosphere.
Freiburg Münsterplatz Market
daily-market · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The Münsterplatz Daily Market — Freiburg's spectacular daily food and craft market around the Cathedral, with the local Black Forest produce, the Bratwurst stands, and the daily Freiburg life since the Middle Ages.
Freiburg Bächle Streams
water-streams · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The Freiburg Bächle — the spectacular medieval water streams running through the cobblestone streets (12km), a unique 13th-century invention, with the local legend that stepping in marries you to a Freiburger.
Freiburg Augustinerplatz Square
student-square · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Augustinerplatz — Freiburg's spectacular historic square, with the lively summer evening gatherings of students and locals, the historic Augustinian monastery, and the iconic local atmosphere.
Freiburg Black Forest Cuckoo
cuckoo-clock · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Freiburg to the Black Forest cuckoo clock makers — visiting the historic Triberg workshops (the largest cuckoo clock in the world), the famous Schwarzwälder craftsmen, and the iconic Black Forest heritage.
Things to do
- Black Forest Half-Day Guided Hike from Freiburg Activity · 5 h · from EUR 29 per person
Where to stay in Freiburg im Breisgau
- Altstadt (Münster Quarter) about EUR 115 per night
The compact, highly walkable old town of Freiburg — a 15-minute walk covers the Münster, the Schlossberg, the Bächle channels and the best restaurants. The only logical base for a Freiburg visit.
Hotels
- Hotel Colombi Freiburg 5-star · EUR 220 to EUR 750 per night
- Black Forest Hostel Freiburg 2-star · EUR 22 to EUR 80 per night
- Hotel Zum Roten Bären Freiburg 3-star · EUR 110 to EUR 210 per night
Where to eat
- Hausbrauerei Feierling German, Swabian, Craft Beer · about EUR 20 per person
- Wolfshöhle New German, Black Forest · about EUR 89 per person
Getting to Freiburg im Breisgau
Airport: Freiburg im Breisgau (BSL)
Getting around
- Tram
- Walking
More in Germany
Frequently asked questions about Freiburg im Breisgau
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Freiburg im Breisgau?
- The highest-rated places in our Freiburg im Breisgau guide are Freiburg Black Forest Day, Freiburg Colmar Day Trip, Freiburg Münster (Cathedral), Schlossberg Freiburg, Freiburg Titisee Lake Day.
- Where should I stay in Freiburg im Breisgau?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Freiburg im Breisgau: Altstadt (Münster Quarter).
- How do I get around Freiburg im Breisgau?
- Ways to get around Freiburg im Breisgau covered in our guide: Tram, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Freiburg im Breisgau?
- The nearest airport to Freiburg im Breisgau has the code BSL.