Top things to do in Freiburg Germany

Our road trip through Germany takes us to the city of Freiburg im Breisgau, which is located in southwest Germany’s Black Forest Region.

Freiburg is the gateway to exploring the Black Forest Region and is known for its reconstructed medieval Old Town and its Minster Cathedral.

It is one of the larger cities to explore in the Black Forest which makes it the perfect base when planning your trip.

On the blog, I highlight some of the top things to do in Freiburg Germany so you can plan a trip to Germany to explore one of the prettiest towns in the Black Forest.

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Where is the Black Forest region in Germany

The Black Forest region is located in Southwest Germany, close to the border of France, and is known for its dense forests, the Black Forest cake, cuckoo clocks, and picturesque villages.

Freiburg is also the largest city in the region and you can easily get to Frieburg Germany by train or car. It’s an easy day trip from anywhere in Germany, or when visiting the Alsace region in France.

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Top things to do in Freiburg Germany

Dip your feet in the Bächle Waterways

One of the most interesting things in Freiburg Germany is the Bächle Waterways which you will notice as you stroll around the city.

These unique waterways crisscross the streets and run throughout the city center which is fed by the Dreisam river.

These Bächle waterways were once used to provide water to fight fires and feed livestock. Today, these waterways still run through the city as a way to cool it down.

You will also find people dipping their feet to cool off in the summer, which our little one thought was cool and was quite refreshing.

Visit the Münsterplatz

At the center of the old city of Freiburg Germany is the Münsterplatz or Cathedral Square, which is Freiburg’s largest square.

A farmers market is held here every day except Sundays and is the best place to eat a hotdog.

Not only does the market serve the best hotdogs we’ve ever tasted, but they also sell fresh produce and beautiful fresh flowers. It’s definitely one of Freiburg Germany’s top tourist attractions.

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Visit the Freiburg Minster Cathedral 

One of the best places to visit in Freiburg Germany is the Freiburg Münster, which is a gothic minster cathedral constructed of red sandstone.

The Freiburg Münster cathedral was built between 1200 and 1530, with a dramatic 116m spire and towers over the central square Münsterplatz which is quite impressive.

It is the only Gothic church tower in Germany that was completed in the Middle Ages that still stands today, surviving the bombings during World War 2.

The tower has 16 bells, one of which dates back to 1258 and can be heard on Thursday evenings. The cathedral is open daily from 10am-5pm (Sundays 1-7pm)

Visit the Historic Merchants Hall

Located in the Münsterplatz in Freiburg is the Historical Merchants’ Hall which was built between 1520 and 1530.

The Merchants Hall is one of the prettiest buildings in Freiburg with its facade decorated with statues and the coat of arms of four Habsburg emperors.

It really stands out amongst all the other buildings with its striking color and architecture and is definitely a must-see in Freiburg Germany.

Today the Merchants Hall serves as a meeting place for conferences, special events, and more. It’s too bad that tours aren’t available as the Merchants Hall is only open during special events!

Sip some wine at the Alte Wache

One of the best places to visit in Freiburg Germany is the Alte Wache, located on the Münsterplatz. This wine house serves some of the region’s local wines and was built in 1733 as part of military reinforcements.

Order a glass of wine and sit in the outdoor patio while you take in the beauty of the square. Don’t forget to purchase a bottle or two to take home as a souvenir!

Visit the MarktHalle (Market Hall)

Located just a short walk away from the Münsterplatz in Freiburg is the Freiburg MarktHalle. This is the best place to sample some regional specialties, as well as some culinary delights from other countries.

Located in a conspicuous building that was once home to the printing presses of the Freiburger Zeitung newspaper, the MarktHalle is the perfect place to grab a bite or just a light snack while sightseeing Freiburg Germany.

Visit the Altes Rathaus (Old city Hall)

On your sightseeing tour of Freiburg Germany, make sure to visit the Altes Rathaus, or the old city hall which was completed in 1559 and has a beautifully painted facade. It is one of a handful of striking buildings located in the city of Freiburg.

 Located next to the old town hall is the New Town Hall. The two buildings are joined by a bridge and both house the offices of Freiburg’s city government.

Explore the Augustinerplatz

Another one of Freiburg Germany’s points of interest is the Augustinerplatz, which is one of the central squares in the old city.

The Augustinerplatz was formerly the location of an Augustinian monastery, which is now a museum. Along the square, you will find lots of shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as a Biergarten.

There are also many events here during the summer, which makes it the happening spot in Freiburg Germany.

As you stroll through the streets of Freiburg, make sure to admire the beautiful pastel-colored buildings as they are quite magnificent!

You will also find a small playground here for the little ones, which is the perfect break from sightseeing Freiburg.

Top things to do in Freiburg Germany: Martinstor & Schwabentor

The Martinstor is a former town fortification that dates back to 1202 and is the older of the two gates of Freiburg that have been preserved since medieval times. At one point this medieval gate served as a prison. 

The Schwabentor, also called Obertor in the Middle Ages, is the most recent of the two remaining city gates of the medieval defensive wall of Freiburg. 

Built around 1250, it was originally open towards the inside of the city and was only enclosed with a stone wall in 1547. Both gates, the Martinstor and the Schwabentor are located in the city center.

The beautiful streets of Freiburg

A stroll through the streets of Freiburg is the best way to see it all. There are so many winding streets to get lost in and so many beautiful corners and alleyways.

We loved all the colorful buildings, especially along the Augustinerplatz which were just so beautiful.

Make sure to taste the region’s Black Forest cake, it’s amazing and we ate our body weight in cake!

Don’t forget to purchase a cuckoo clock as well, which the Black Forest region is known for. They are absolutely beautiful and the craftsmanship is just impeccable!

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