The CityTour is the perfect opportunity to explore Karlsruhe and Durlach in a red double-decker bus. The exciting tour through the city takes you past the top sights such as the castle, ZKM Centre for Art and Media, the Old Slaughterhouse and Durlach with its old town, Karlsburg Castle and much more. Tip: Double the fun: Save on admission to Karlsruhe Zoo with your CityTour ticket! Season April to November
Guided Tours
Fancy discovering the fan-shaped city? Whether you prefer to explore on your own or in a group, whether you’re interested in history, culture, or a more active experience, or whether you’d like to wander through the charming streets of the medieval part of town Durlach with a guide – our wide range of city tours offers the perfect balance of information and entertainment.
Our City Experiences
› Krimi-Rallye: Tatort Recht (German only)
› Running City Tour
› Bike City Tour
› Culinary
› Architecture
› Street Art
Tourist-Information Karlsruhe
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Offered on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Info & Tickets
Information material, city tours, hotel bookings, souvenirs, tips for your stay in Karlsruhe and much more is available at the Karlsruhe Tourist Information Centre. We look forward to welcoming you!
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Karlsruhe is certified as a Sustainable Travel Destination.
Mon to Fri 9:30 am – 6:30 pm Sat 10:00 am – 3:00 pm April to October: Sun 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
T +49 721 602997-580 touristinfo@karlsruhe-tourismus.de www.karlsruhe-erleben.de
www.karlsruhe-erleben.de
Cultural experience
With its 135 cultural institutions ranging from classical to modern, Karlsruhe is truly inspirational. As Germany’s first UNESCO City of Media Arts, the city brings art to life: In summer, the palace becomes southern Germany‘s largest screen for award-winning media art, the ZKM | Center for Art and Media is one of the most important art museums in the world, and there is much more to discover: from art Karlsruhe to street art, from cabaret and amateur theater to the big stage.
Der Hallenbau – the cultural quarter
As a unique ensemble within Karlsruhe‘s museum landscape, the Hallenbau represents scientific research, teaching, and more than 600 years of art under one roof – from Old Masters to modern and post-war art to current artistic positions, contemporary sculpture, and postmodern media installations.
Karlsruhe Art Museum
The Karlsruhe Kunstmuseum presents modern and contemporary art in an impressive former industrial monument. Three floors await house changing exhibitions and collection pieces focusing on German art after 1945. Look forward to creative encounters.
Karlsruhe‘s theater scene
From musicals and improv to opera and ballet, Karlsruhe offers something for every theater fan. The Badisches Staatstheater (Baden State Theatre) is one of Germany’s few six-genre theaters. Smaller venues like the Kammertheater, DAS SANDKORN THEATER, and the Jakobustheater round out the diverse program with a wide range of perfmances to suite every taste.
Leisure fun
Peace and quiet, yes – boredom, never! Whether it’s water parks and wellness oases, the Zoological City Garden in the heart of the city, a ride on the Schlossgartenbahn train, or climbing through the forest rope park in Durlach – there’s something here for everyone.
Zoological City Garden
Karlsruhe doesn’t just have a rich cultural scene – it’s also home to one of the oldest and most beautiful zoos in Germany. The Zoological City Garden is a wonderful experience for visitors of all ages. So what are you waiting for? The animals are already looking forward to your visit!
Baths & Wellness
Forget the stress of everyday life, unwind, and recharge at the Vierordtbad, or enjoy thrills and plenty of sliding fun at the Europabad – Karlsruhe’s ten baths offer something for every preference and personality. Wellness lovers will find numerous beautiful saunas, fitness fans can swim laps in 50-meter pools, and adventurers will also get their money’s worth.
Events
Karlsruhe loves to celebrate – all year round! From the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival, which transforms the baroque façade of Karlsruhe Palace and the city center into a stage for media art, to DAS FEST, southern Germany’s largest family festival, and the Karlsruhe City Festival, the region’s autumn highlight – there’s always something happening. And when Karlsruhe turns into a magical Christmas city with countless attractions, you can experience the city in all its many facets.
Shopping & Indulgence
Stroll, browse, and enjoy – if that’s what you’re after, Karlsruhe is the perfect place. Whether it’s shopping along Kaiserstraße, exploring the Ettlinger Tor Center with its 130 stores, restaurants, and cafés, visiting the historic Postgalerie on Europaplatz, or discovering one of the charming neighborhoods in the city center. From popular tourist spots and gourmet districts to creative quarters and the main shopping mile – every shopping enthusiast will find what they’re looking for. You will find regional products, specialties from around the world, fresh flowers, and secondhand treasures at the weekly and flea markets in the city center and surrounding neighborhoods. Want to stay up to date on the latest openings, hot trends, and independent boutiques?
And when day turns to night, Karlsruhe comes alive with a vibrant bar scene – from laid-back cocktail lounges to lively pubs. Take a look at the city center blog and follow #visitkarlsruhe on Instagram.
Enjoy nature
Black Forest Nature Park
Known as the “Gateway to the Black Forest,” Karlsruhe is one of the sunniest cities in Germany, set in a beautiful natural landscape. With more than 1,000 hectares of parks and nature reserves, Karlsruhe is a wonderfully green city with exceptional recreational value. Since 2021, Karlsruhe –along with its hillside districts and the district of Durlach –is part of the Central/North Black Forest Nature Park, a paradise for nature lovers, hikers, and cyclists.
Augenblick-Runde Hiking Tour in Karlsruhe-Rittnert
A true hiking highlight is the AugenBlick-Runde (Viewpoint Trail). It more than lives up to its name: after a walk through lush forests, fields, and meadows, you are rewarded with a unique view of the northern Black Forest. The starting and finishing point of this roughly 10-kilometer route is the mountain station of the Turmbergbahn.
NaturRADtour – Karlsruhe‘s Nature Bike Tour
Leave the city behind and dive into nature: this 48-kilometer route takes you through a variety of landscapes and a total of eight nature reserves – all without any steep climbs. Feeling sporty? Just make a detour up to the Turmberg in Durlach and enjoy the stunning panoramic view from the Turmberg terrace.
