Travel Guide Wiesbaden

Wiesbaden is a charming town in Hesse in the West of Germany with its healing springs from Roman times. On the shore of the Rhine, Wiesbaden is located inside the lovely hills where you can also find vineyards and castles. It is the leading location of the river boats which people often prefer to visit its renovated neo-classical center with Kurhaus, casino and city palace. Plan your trip to the historic spa town of Wiesbaden, the oldest one in Europe. Keep reading our travel guide Wiesbaden before planning your next trip.

Planning Your Trip to Wiesbaden

If you are planning to visit Wiesbaden with your family or friends, here are some things to know:

Best Time to Visit: 

Wiesbaden has specific seasons, and hence, any time of the year is suitable for a trip. As “The Nice of the North” we have the best weather in the suitable season months of May and October which are also less expensive and traffic-free. And if you don’t mind a crowd, come at Christmas to enjoy the many German Christmas markets and holiday cheer or you can get your trip scheduled in August for wine week, Rheingauer Weinwoche.

Language: German, in addition to some people who speak English.

Currency: Euro

Getting Around: Wiesbaden’s Central area is navigable on foot, with good links to the greater Germany via RMV, trains, and highways.

Travel Tip: A trip to Wiesbaden will not be considered as complete without the visit to the spa. Treat yourself!

Things to Do in Wiesbaden

The pure city of Wiesbaden held out mostly undamaged WWII maintaining its beautiful old town center. Yet beneath that, the city is actually much older than that, even known by the Romans as “Aquis Mattiacis” and well-known even then on account of its healing springs. undefined

Kurhaus and Kurpark: 

It was erected in 1907 and was the oldest and the most luxurious venue in the Rhine Valley. The Kurhaus is a fabulous ensemble of gorgeous ballrooms, cozy little bars and the old famous casino. The Kurpark is idyllic green bowling lawn with fountains and pools.

Spas: 

In the most ancient spa town in Europe there are at least 14 springs and many spas where you can revitalize your body and spirit. Aukammtal caters for the elite, Kochbrunnen is definitely the most famous with a strong sulfur smell, and Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme is a traditional bathhouse from the 1900s.

Palaces: 

Wiesbaden is famous for its City Palace in the central area to the magnificent baroque Biebrich Palace to entertainment areas such as the Hessian State Theatre where Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann, and Richard Strauss performed.

Biebrich Palace

Biebrich Palace is one of the most significant baroque palaces on the banks of the Rhine. Standing in front of the spectacular palace with its red and white facade, I can hardly believe that this complex was created initially as a garden house for Prince Georg August.

Ring Church

The neo-Gothic Ringkirche, constructed in 1894, and its twin spires visible from miles away, is one of Wiesbaden’s symbols.

Market Church

The main neo-Gothic tower of the Market Church stands high above the other houses in the old town and this literally is the main highlight of a visit to Hesse’s capital Wiesbaden. Constructed between 1853 and 1862 as the Nassau State Cathedral the Market Church is being used now as the main Protestant church.

The Nerobergbahn

The funicular, built in 1888, runs from the Nerotal to the Neroberg in Wiesbaden. Besides being the last river-load and rack-and-pinion railway in Germany, it is also listed as a monument. Nevertheless, it does not limit its service as it does most of its operations for a long time.

Kaiser-Friedrich Therme

Everyone who steps in the Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme in Wiesbaden feels like they are back in an ancient period. It is constructed in the style that met all the requirements for a unique bathing ambience in the Roman period. 

The Russian Orthodox Church

Wiesbaden has continuously been a place of interest for all Russian immigrants arriving to the capital of Hesse for different reasons and influence it greatly. The House of Nassau and Russian Tsar being closely related played a big part in this. 

Mountain Church

The Bergkirche (Mountain Church) of Wiesbaden, which is the capital of the state of Hesse, is situated in the Bergviertel (Mountain Quarter) district and is very popular among visitors.

Old city hall

It is that old – the “Old Town Hall” of Wiesbaden. It is the oldest building in town and dates back to 1610. Originally, the Old Town Hall was built in the Italian Renaissance style, many of which have been destroyed by later corrections.

Hessian State Theatre

Wiesbaden, the capital city of Hesse, is a multifaceted cultural hotspot of the Rhine-Main area. The castle was one of the first spas to develop a cultural infrastructure in the beginning of 19th century, offering guests from the nobility, politics and other VIPs exclusive hours of leisure.

Heidenmauer and Roman Gate

The Roman monument that is said to have been erected during the time of the Emperor Valentinian as cited by Emil Ritterling from Wiesbaden but according to the scientific chronology can now be dated back to around 130 years before Emperor Valentinian is situated in the city centre of Wiesbaden.

City Palace Hessian Parliament

During a visit to Wiesbaden you have the opportunity to explore the eventful history of an impressive architectural monument: At one time, the city palace in the market square belonged to the dukes of Nassau. The castle has been the parliament of the Hessian state since 1946.

Neroberg

The 245-metre steep Neroberg is Wiesbaden’s local mountain and the city’s inner core. It is a must see for every tourist who comes to this city and offers not only a breathtaking view of Wiesbaden but also fun for the whole family.

What to Eat and Drink in Wiesbaden

Wiesbaden’s food culture is intimately related to the sprawling vineyards that frame the city. Tourists can sample different locally produced wines with each dish and German classics such as sausage and potatoes. You might come across excellent sauces with neighbors such as Belgium and if you get boring out of tradition there will be an array of international foods for you to find.

Wine enthusiasts should have their trip planned for late summer because in that period, there are a lot of festivals and events that showcase wines. The best of these is the weeklong Rheingauer Weinwoche, which takes place in August. That is when more than 120 food stalls with local products and wines occupy the city center. In any part of the year, there are many shops like Weinhaus Kögler, which offer a chance to buy the best of local wine-growers, and the surrounding region of Rhine-Hessen.

Day Trips and Excursions from Wiesbaden

Here are the best day trips for travelers:

Rheingau Wine Region Exploration

Wine lovers, rejoice! A short drive from Wiesbaden is Rheingau Wine Region where you will find vineyards, wineries and picturesque villages. Sample the local Rieslings, catch a glimpse of the majestic Rhine River, and clink glasses to a memorable day.

Mainz: City of History

For history lovers, the place to be in Mainz, a city rich in the thousands of years of culture and charm, is obviously. Discover its ancient cobblestone streets, visit the striking Mainz Cathedral, and get to know the city’s eventful history by visiting its museums and galleries. 

Restaurants in Wiesbaden

Weinkeller altes Rathaus: Situated in the old city hall this restaurant offers all the traditional Bavarian food.

Restaurant Orangerie: Take your dining trip to the next level at Hotel Nassuer Hoff. Stylish enough for a formal dinner, it can be a daily indulgence as well.

Webers Wikinger: Classic German food in the traditional setting.

Brahaus Castle: This modern brewery on the way between Wiesbaden and Mainz has traditional German cuisine, including a beer garden and festival.

Die Chocolateria Kunder is a 120-year-old confectionery in Wiesbaden that is dedicated to those with a sweet tooth. You can also purchase kaffee und kuchen at Café Maldaner, the only Austrian coffeehouse outside of Austria.

Accommodation in Wiesbaden

There is a youth hostel as well as several affordable hotels around the train station in Wiesbaden. Therefore, this is the place with sophistication and style. Whichever corner you pick from the Historische Fünfeck (historical pentagon), the old town is in a walking distance.

Hotel Nassaurhof: It was built in the early 19th century and overlook the famous Kurhaus. Its rooftop thermal pool is unique and the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the city is located here, Restaurant ENTE.

Hotel Klemm: This boutique hotel is modern and sophisticated. All rooms are distinctive, and service is great.

Conclusion

Mainz is like a book of life, in whose pages you can read the history of the city, and the stories that tell about the city. Either you want to sunbathe in its spa, enjoy the vibrant arts scene, or just walk through the beautiful streets, Wiesbaden gives a memorable experience to every traveler. This city in Germany, stands out for its genuine hospitality and indefatigable character!