Things to Do in Freiburg: Hidden Gems & Insider Tips from a Local

Tips and Info for a Trip to Freiburg

Before we get to our interview, here’s the most important info to help you plan your visit to Freiburg.

Location

Freiburg is a city in southwestern Germany — more specifically, it sits right on the western edge of the Black Forest.

France is only about half an hour away by car.

And other beautiful cities like Hegau and Constance on Lake Constance, or Zurich in Switzerland, are within reach in under two hours.

Our Hotel Picks

Here are our hotel recommendations in Freiburg for every budget:

Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips

Our Expert

Hey, I’m Niklas — a student and hobbyist landscape photographer living just a few minutes from Germany’s warmest city.

When I’m not out exploring the historic center or the surrounding area, I write on my blog fotografie-spüren.

Freiburg in Three Words

1. Different
2. (mostly) warm
3. symBadisch

Why You Should Go!

Because it’s the warmest city in Ger… wait, we’ve already covered that.

Because Freiburg is simply a great mix of everything: not too big, not too small; not too modern, not too old-fashioned; not too urban, not too rural; not too cold, not too warm…

Unique to Freiburg

Bächle! Freiburg is famous for its Bächle — small water channels that run through the old quarter and many other streets. They’re perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.

But watch out: legend has it that anyone who falls into a Bächle will have to marry a Freiburger.

Things to Do in Freiburg

Must-Sees

This is both simple and very predictable: first up is the Münster and Münsterplatz.

Anyone who thinks of Freiburg will immediately picture the Freiburg Münster — and honestly, it’s absolutely worth a visit (even if it’s almost always surrounded by scaffolding).

After that, a bit of exercise doesn’t hurt: head up to the Schlossberg, which offers the best view of Freiburg.

You can get to the top in just a few minutes, and it’s especially gorgeous around sunset.

Finally, make your way to the Platz der alten Synagoge. As the name suggests, this somewhat controversial square is quite new and designed in a very modern style.

There are wooden seating areas, trees, fountains, and a memorial fountain — though it’s usually taken over by playing children.

In the evening, you also get a lovely view of the University Library and the theater reflected in the water. The atmosphere on the square is seriously great, especially in summer.

Tip from 22places: A short guided city tour is almost always worth it. Your local guide can show you a few hidden spots and share lesser-known facts about the sights.

Tour of Freiburg: Gässle, Bächle, and the Freiburg Münster

When It Rains

You can always duck inside the Münster, and of course there’s no rain in there. The old town also has some great shops to browse on a rainy stroll through the city.

That said, Freiburg is one of the warmest cities in Germany — it really doesn’t rain all that much here!

With Kids

Especially in summer, there’s so much to do: the Bächle, the fountains, the Münstermarkt, getting ice cream — you can easily spend a lovely afternoon that way.

But the area around Freiburg is really fantastic with kids too: you can reach loads of great attractions outside the city in no time — the Schauinsland as the “local mountain,” complete with a mine, and the outdoor escape room are just two of the many great things you can do with kids in and around Freiburg.

Great Day Trip Ideas

• Schauinsland: Head up here to soak in the landscape and especially the panorama over Freiburg.
• Dreisamtal: Easy cycling, a quick return to Freiburg, lots of charming villages, ice cream stops, or simply a great Baden-style dinner in the evening.
• Schluchsee: Venture a bit farther out — the large Schluchsee is perfect for boating, swimming, splashing around, and completely unwinding.
• Kaiserstuhl: Leisurely hikes and walks among the vineyards — naturally also perfect for a traditional Baden-style meal.
• Black Forest: There are so many great things to see in the Black Forest. There’s really no way to single out just one thing. It’s totally worth just hopping in the car or on the train and exploring on your own — you’ll always stumble across a beautiful little off-the-beaten-path spot.

For Relaxation

• In the city: the Dreisam river. It gets busy in summer too, but it’s still a lovely spot.
• Near the city: the Dreisamtal. Cycle leisurely through fields and meadows and enjoy the beautiful views.
• Further afield: the Black Forest in general. It’s hard to give one specific recommendation — just head out and explore. One really pleasant hike, for example, leads through the Ravennaschlucht gorge.

Best Viewpoint

The best vantage point is the Schlossberg, ideally at sunset: the atmosphere is fantastic and the view is arguably the most beautiful — though also the most classic — in Freiburg. After just a few minutes of climbing, you’re rewarded with an almost 180-degree panorama.

Best Photo Spot

Neuer Platz der alten Synagoge (at night): Reflections of the University Library and the theater in the fountain make for great long-exposure shots. Also really striking in black and white.

Fischerau (daytime, evening, night): Stroll and shoot — street photography by the water, right in the middle of old-town atmosphere.

Schlossberg (at sunset): The classic Freiburg vista. The sun sets behind the city, so make sure to stay up there from before until after sunset.

Münsterplatz (daytime, evening, night): There’s always something going on here. Whether it’s street, portrait, architecture, or cityscape photography — there’s the right subject for everyone. And usually plenty of people. That’s why evening or nighttime is a great option — add a long exposure and the illuminated buildings look even more magnificent.

And just head out and discover the many little alleyways Freiburg has to offer.

There are also some seriously great photo spots outside Freiburg:

Ravennaschlucht: Small and large waterfalls, bridges, streams, and pure nature.

Schluchsee: Especially at sunrise, a fantastic spot when everything is still quiet.

Texaspass: A winding road in the Kaiserstuhl that runs between the vines. Just wait for cars (or bring someone along to drive) and use a long exposure to capture light trails.

Wutachschlucht: Waterfalls, narrow little paths, and streams.

Krai Woog Gumpen: A waterfall with a large pool — especially captivating in autumn with leaves in the foreground.

Feldsee: Head up to the Feldberg in the evening for sunset or in the morning for sunrise, with a view down to the Feldsee below. Or simply walk to the lake and hope for fog for that atmospheric shot.

Craziest Activity

Not necessarily in Freiburg itself, but nearby: if you’re in the area, you probably won’t want to skip a visit to Europa-Park.

Best Event of the Year

Freiburg has such a great mix of everything that it’s hard to pick just one event. If pushed, I’d go with the annual ZMF (Zelt Musik Festival) at Mundenhof.

Food and Drink in Freiburg

Culinary Specialty

A classic Münster Wurst on Münsterplatz is simply part of the experience. You can even get a non-meat version, though that’s no longer the original.

Also typical of the Baden region is Wurstsalat with Brägele and Bibbeleskäs.

Best Burger

FreiBurger serves up big, delicious burgers in a tiny, authentic spot.

Best Ice Cream

The best ice cream in Freiburg can be found at Eiscafe Mona Lisa at Bertoldsbrunnen in the city center.

Best Breakfast

We’d recommend a stroll through the Münstermarkt and putting together your own breakfast from the many regional treats on offer.

Favorite Restaurants

Hotel Gasthaus Schützen: Solid Baden cuisine, no-frills, generous portions, fair prices.

St. Barbara (Littenweiler): This place serves Baden-style tapas. You order lots of small portions — best enjoyed with a group of friends. All the tapas are traditional Baden dishes.

Gasthaus Birke (Kirchzarten-Burg): In Niklas’s opinion, the best Schnitzel and Cordon Bleu in Freiburg.

Favorite Bars

Maria Bar: A classic bar that’s especially popular with students.

Café Atlantik: Authentic, quirky, alternative — with events like poetry slam nights.

Hausbrauerei Feierling: The name says it all — a proper brewpub.

Best Food at 2 in the Morning

Honestly, we’ll have to pass on this one. We’d love to hear your tips in the comments though!

Where to Stay in Freiburg

Favorite Hotel

The Designhotel Am Stadtgarten is stylish and upscale, all at a really solid price-to-value ratio. On top of that, it’s very centrally located.

Good and Affordable Accommodation

Who really needs to spend the night in Freiburg — the temperatures stay genuinely pleasant well into the night! But seriously: for more affordable lodging than a hotel, Freiburg has plenty of small guesthouses: find affordable places to stay in Freiburg.