In a nutshell
- In this interview, Moni — a true Ulm native — answers 22 questions about visiting Ulm and Neu-Ulm as part of our Heimatliebe series. She shares her best insider tips for things to do in Ulm, from top sights and hotels to restaurants and local secrets.
- When you visit Ulm, you actually step into two German states. Ulm itself is in Baden-Württemberg, while Neu-Ulm across the Danube belongs to Bavaria.
- The tallest church steeple in the world is right here in Ulm. Climb Ulm Minster’s 768 steps and you’re rewarded with a sweeping view over both cities — and on a clear day, all the way to the Alps.
- The Fishermen’s Quarter, with its half-timbered houses, charming alleyways, and lively restaurants, is one of the most atmospheric old quarters in southern Germany — don’t miss it.
Tips and Info for a Trip to Ulm
Before we get to our interview, here’s the most important information you need before visiting Ulm.
Where is Ulm located in Germany?
Ulm is located in southern Germany in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The smaller city of Neu-Ulm sits on the other side of the Danube — and that puts it in a different state entirely: Bavaria.
The university city is 77 kilometers (as the crow flies) from Stuttgart. It takes about 1.5 hours by car to reach the Bavarian state capital Munich, and you can get to Augsburg in just an hour.
If you’re drawn to nature, a day trip to the beautiful Allgäu region is a great option — you can get there in just an hour by car.
Our Hotel Recommendations for Ulm
Here are our hotel picks in Ulm for every budget:
Travel Guides for Ulm
Want even more information for your trip to Ulm and the surrounding area? These guides are worth checking out:
111 Places in Ulm That You Shouldn’t Miss: This series is great for discovering both well-known landmarks and lesser-known spots that most visitors walk right past.
Reise Know-How CityTrip Ulm: A concise city guide covering the highlights you absolutely can’t miss on a visit to Ulm.
Glücksorte in Ulm: From relaxing in nature to indulging in local food, this book shows you the best places to enjoy yourself in Ulm.
Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for Ulm
1. Who are you and why are you an expert on Ulm/Neu-Ulm?
I’m Moni. I’ve always lived and worked in Ulm and Neu-Ulm.
I love this city, which has changed so positively in recent years and evolved into a mix of time-honored traditions and modern innovation.
Bold decisions to reduce car traffic and pursue new developments — still debated today — keep the city dynamic and point the way to the future.
2. If you had to describe Ulm/Neu-Ulm in three words, what would they be?
Tradition meets future.
3. Why should everyone visit Ulm/Neu-Ulm at least once?
For the classic reason: to see — and if possible climb — the tallest church steeple in the world, standing 161 meters tall. It’s “only” 768 steps!
You’ll be rewarded with a stunning panorama over Ulm and Neu-Ulm. With a little luck and good weather, you can even spot the Alps from the top.
But also because Ulm is a very manageable city. There are great shopping options, a rich and varied cultural scene, and a seriously high density of bars and restaurants — making it hard to choose where to go.
4. What does Ulm/Neu-Ulm have that you won’t find anywhere else?
Every year in Ulm, on the third Monday in July, the Schwörmontag takes place. On this traditional Ulm holiday — which includes the preceding weekend of celebrations — the entire city turns into one big festival with loads of open-air concerts.
All the bars and pubs are open, and people of all ages pack the streets from the city center all the way to the Friedrichsau. The highlight on Monday is the Schwörfeier ceremony and the “Nabada” — a kind of Mardi Gras-style parade on the water, with themed boats and a whooole lot of wild Nabaders and spectators. On top of that, every four years the event is complemented by the traditional Fischerstechen (jousting on boats).
And — we definitely have the most beautiful parking garage in the middle of the city, complete with display cases showcasing excavation finds and information about the city’s history.
Things to Do in Ulm
5. Which sights in Ulm/Neu-Ulm are absolute must-sees?
Ulm has a wonderful historic center with some truly remarkable attractions. Here are my top picks:
Ulm Minster
The Ulm Minster, Germany’s largest Protestant church, is known far beyond the city’s borders. Its steeple stands an impressive 161.53 meters tall, making it the tallest church steeple in the world — about 4 meters taller than Cologne Cathedral.
From the Minster tower, you’ll have a fantastic view over the city. The climb costs 5 euros and a whole lot of sweat — you’ll need to conquer 768 steps in total. But it’s absolutely worth it!
Fishermen’s Quarter and the Crooked House
The Fishermen’s Quarter (Fischerviertel) is the most beautiful part of Ulm’s old town, with many half-timbered houses and charming little alleyways.
It’s also home to the Crooked House (Schiefes Haus), which today operates as a hotel. And not just any hotel — according to the Guinness Book of Records, it’s the most crooked hotel in the world. Who would have thought!
Beautiful Buildings in the Historic Center
Beyond that, Ulm has a whole host of other buildings well worth seeing. On a stroll through town, make sure you don’t miss the Town Hall, the Schwörhaus, the Metzgerturm, and the Grabenhäusle.
Ulm’s historic center is relatively compact, so you’ll find all the highlights with ease.
Wiblingen Monastery
A little outside the city center lies Wiblingen Monastery, whose origins date back nearly 1,000 years. The building, with its Rococo library and Baroque church, is seriously impressive.
If you have more than one day in Ulm, you should definitely plan a side trip to Wiblingen Monastery.
6. What can you do in Ulm/Neu-Ulm when it rains?
A trip to Wiblingen Monastery is a great option on a rainy day, as is a guided tour of Ulm Minster.
Another wonderful destination for rainy days (though certainly not only then) is the Oldtimerfabrik in Neu-Ulm — a restaurant and private classic car exhibition housed in a beautifully renovated old factory hall.
7. What can you do with kids in Ulm/Neu-Ulm?
Ulm Minster offers special guided tours for children, inspired by the book “Lilli Langohr” — the bat that lives in the Minster.
A visit to the interactive Children’s Museum at the Edwin Scharff Museum in Neu-Ulm is also always a great idea.
In Neu-Ulm, Topolino is a lovely puppet theater for the little ones, and in Ulm there’s the original Ulm Kasperle Theater.
A bit farther afield, but great for kids: Legoland in Günzburg is just under half an hour away by car, and in Giengen an der Brenz you’ll find the Steiff Museum.
8. When you feel the urge to get out of the city, where do you go?
When I need to get away, the Swabian Alb and the Allgäu are practically right on my doorstep. The Swabian Alb in particular, with its caves and valleys, offers plenty of opportunities to recharge.
The discovery site of the Lion Man, an ivory figurine roughly 40,000 years old, has even been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you’re in the mood for nature and some wellness, check out our tips for wellness hotels in the Allgäu.
9. Which place do you recommend for unwinding and recharging?
The Old Cemetery (Alter Friedhof) in Ulm is a wonderful park with old gravestones that invites you to slow down, as do the Glacis Gardens in Neu-Ulm.
Both also have a playground for children. The Glacis also has a beautiful beer garden and water features for the kids.
10. Where is the best viewpoint in Ulm/Neu-Ulm?
Without a doubt, it’s the vista from the tower of Ulm Minster. Alternatively, the overlook from the König Ludwig Tower on the Michelsberg is also really beautiful.
11. An amateur photographer asks you about cool spots to photograph in your city that they’d never find in a travel guide. Where do you send them?
To the “auf dem Kreuz” neighborhood and the Old Cemetery in the Oststadt. The “Neue Mitte” in Ulm and the newly built parking garage there also make for fascinating subjects, as does the city library shaped like a pyramid. Inside, be sure to look up from the very bottom of the elevator shaft with its spiral staircase.
12. What is the craziest activity you can do in your city?
Brand new is the Berblinger Tower — a viewing tower built in 2020 to commemorate the 250th birthday of aviation pioneer Albrecht Berblinger, known as the “Tailor of Ulm.”
The tower is open to visitors and tilts at an angle of 10 degrees — giving you a real sense of what it must have felt like for the Tailor of Ulm as he attempted his flight across the Danube.
13. What is the best event of the year? What’s worth traveling to Ulm/Neu-Ulm for?
As mentioned above, it’s the Schwörmontag with its folk festival in July.
In June, the Ulmer Zelt festival also takes place, featuring interesting artists, and every two years in July the Donaufest is held along the banks of the Danube in Ulm and Neu-Ulm, with performances and booths from all the Danube riparian states.
In winter, the Ulm Christmas market — with its stalls right on the Münsterplatz — is known for its wonderful atmosphere.
14. Is there a museum in Ulm/Neu-Ulm that you absolutely can’t miss?
For modern art, the private Kunsthalle Weishaupt in the Neue Mitte is a must — the building itself is worth seeing too. Also don’t miss the Museum Ulm with its exhibition on the “Lion Man.” Both buildings are connected by a footbridge, and combination tickets are available.
At the HfG — School of Design — which is no longer a school today but was part of the Bauhaus movement in the 1950s — there’s now a wonderful small exhibition on the Bauhaus theme and guided tours of the building. The HfG is beautifully situated on the Hochsträß plateau, perfect for walks and offering a sweeping panorama of the area surrounding Ulm.
Right next door is the Documentation Center Oberer Kuhberg Ulm — a memorial dedicated to the former concentration camp that was once located there. The guided tours offered there are highly recommended.
15. Which neighborhood do you most enjoy strolling through and why?
The Fishermen’s Quarter is always lovely: idyllic and lively with its little shops, beautiful old half-timbered houses, and charming restaurants like die Forelle. Just watch your head — the ceilings are very low. Very rustic, excellent cuisine, and outstanding service.
With the Schwörhaus at Ulm’s oldest square and the newly built synagogue, it’s a fascinating contrast, followed by the two new buildings of the Sparkasse bank.
What makes this old town neighborhood so special is that the past, present, and future all come together here. There are plenty of tourists, but just as many locals. You feel the history and tradition, but also a real joy for life and a sense of community.
Food and Drink in Ulm
16. Which culinary specialty should you absolutely try in Ulm/Neu-Ulm?
A local specialty is the Ulmer Zuckerbrot (Ulm sugar bread), baked at the Zuckerbäckerei Zaiser, Ulm’s oldest bakery.
The Zuckerbrot is a yeast pastry made with Malaga wine, rose water, and spices (anise) that has made a serious comeback in recent years. You can eat it plain or with a little butter — delicious!
The bakery on the Herrenkellergasse is also a lovely stand-up café where students and employees from the neighboring schools, offices, and law firms love to spend their breaks.
17. What are your three favorite restaurants, and what should you definitely try there?
Seven Fish in Ulm. A stylish restaurant with excellent fish dishes — though not only fish. The appetizer platter is a personal favorite.
Buddha Kitchen in Neu-Ulm. Honestly the best sushi in town and hugely popular right now. It’s a small dining room with limited outdoor seating, so make a reservation ahead of time.
Pizzeria Jacobsruhe in Neu-Ulm. Always packed — reserve ahead. Located on the outskirts of Neu-Ulm with a lovely large beer garden and delicious pizzas fresh from the charcoal oven. Conveniently close to the Donaubad, the ice skating rink, the Ratiopharm Arena, and the new RV parking area.
18. Where can you get the best burger in the city?
Ronnie Biggs has, in my opinion, the best burgers in town — made with homemade buns. Definitely try the falafel burger.
19. Where can you get the best ice cream in the city?
You’ll find the best ice cream in the Söflingen neighborhood at Eiscafe de Marco.
20. Where is the best place to have breakfast?
For a wonderful breakfast with a view of the city, head to Bella Vista in the Neue Mitte. Breakfast for two is highly recommended, and in good weather the large rooftop terrace is perfect for sitting outside.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays when the weekly market takes place on the Münsterplatz, watching the hustle and bustle from the rooftop terrace is a real treat. Be sure to make a reservation.
The Cafe Kornhauskeller on the Herrenkellergasse also has a great selection and a lovely courtyard. Both spots are worth visiting at any time of day, not just at breakfast.
For Sunday brunch, the Wiley Club in Neu-Ulm is a great pick — a wonderful venue in a former US casino. The area surrounding the Wiley Club near the university of applied sciences in Neu-Ulm is perfect for a walk, jogging, or Nordic walking, and also has a skate park for younger visitors. The grounds were part of the State Garden Show and were upgraded and planted accordingly.
21. Where is the best place to go out in the evening?
In the evenings, there’s really something going on everywhere in the city center, and you’ll find something for every taste. Personally, I love going to the Wilder Mann in the Fishermen’s Quarter (delicious tarte flambée and a great mixed crowd) or to Café Gustaff, a charming café on the Herrenkellergasse with loads of atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Ulm
22. Which hotel do you recommend to visitors in Ulm/Neu-Ulm?
Without a doubt, Hotel Lago in the Friedrichsau, right on a small lake. Built in the Bauhaus style, with a tram stop right at the door — and you can also walk along the Danube into the city center in 20 minutes.
From the sauna on the top floor, you can enjoy a wonderful view over the Friedrichsau. The Ulm Zoo is less than five minutes away, as is the fairgrounds and the venue for the Ulmer Zelt festival.
Even guests who aren’t staying overnight can sign up for breakfast or book the “Zeit am See” (Time by the Lake) package — spending the afternoon relaxing right by the lake with antipasti and drinks. There’s even a gondola ride available for the romantics among you. Not quite like a gondola ride in Venice — but romantic all the same.
And anyone who wants to spend the night in the Crooked House in the old town will get a bed with a built-in spirit level and a real sense of what it was like to live in a half-timbered house from 1402.
