Welcome to Freiburg, the sunny city at the foot of the Black Forest! Freiburg im Breisgau is a charming university city in southwest Germany, known for its picturesque old town streets, diverse culture, and lively atmosphere. The city offers a wealth of sights and activities to satisfy every taste and interest, from historic buildings and green parks to delicious food and drink.
Whether you’re here to explore the city, meet friends, or simply enjoy the sun and scenery, Freiburg has something for everyone. In the following article, we present our best highlights and tips for Freiburg and provide you with all the important information. Enjoy browsing!
- Freiburg Sights
- 1. Main Cemetery, Sacred Heart Church and Blue Bridge
- 2. Historic Old Town
- 3. Freiburg Minster
- 4. Minster Square
- 5. The Freiburg Bächle
- 6. The beautiful and cozy Konviktstraße
- 7. Little Venice in Freiburg
- 8. Kanonenplatz and Schlossberg
- 9. Cooling off and taking a break at the Dreisam River
- 10. Great shops in Freiburg’s Old Town
- 11. The SKAJO Restaurant with a panoramic view
- Recommended cafes in Freiburg
- Great hotels in Freiburg
- Activities in the area
- Book a tour of Freiburg here
Freiburg Sights
This charming city of Freiburg offers a wealth of sights and attractions that delight visitors from all over the world. Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, nature, or art, Freiburg has a wealth of sights that are sure to delight you.
From Freiburg Minster to the verdant Schlossberg and the charming alleys of the old town – Freiburg’s sights are as diverse as they are fascinating. We’ve marked all the important spots for you on the map below.
By loading the map, you accept Google’s privacy policy.
Learn more
Load map
1. Main Cemetery, Sacred Heart Church, and Blue Bridge
We set off from our hotel on our bikes towards the old town. After a few minutes, we accidentally reached the Main Cemetery. It was established in 1872 and covers an area of more than 27 hectares—quite large. The grounds are truly beautiful with all the flowers, avenues, green spaces, and trees. Even from a distance, you can see the beautiful Neo-Renaissance consecration hall with its pretty dome. Definitely worth a stop!
We continued on our bikes along the street, past the University Hospital and to the main train station. Before that, we passed the pretty Sacred Heart Church, located directly next to the famous “Blue Bridge” (Wiwili Bridge). This Catholic church’s shape and twin-tower façade are reminiscent of Limburg Cathedral.
2. Historic Old Town
The historic old town of Freiburg is an absolute highlight of the city and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. With its narrow streets, historic buildings, and charming squares, it is a wonderful place to stroll, explore, and enjoy. Freiburg’s Old Town was founded in the 11th century and has undergone many changes over the centuries. Today, it is a fascinating mix of different eras, with magnificent Gothic buildings, charming Renaissance houses, and Baroque facades.
The streetscape is characterized by many picturesque squares that invite you to linger and relax. Highlights of Freiburg’s Old Town include the Alte Wache (Old Guard), Freiburg Minster, the historic department store, the Martinstor (St. Martin’s Gate), the Old Town Hall, the Augustinermuseum, the Basler Hof (Basler Court), the Archbishop’s Ordinariate, the Haus zum Whale (House of the Whale), and the Archbishop’s Palace.
A walk through Freiburg’s historic old town is like a journey through history. Discover the numerous narrow streets, the many picturesque squares and historic buildings and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this beautiful city.
- Freiburg’s Sights & Highlights Walking Tour*
- Fribourg City Card with free public transport*
- Freiburg – Old Town Historical City Tour*
3. Freiburg Minster
Freiburg Minster is Freiburg’s most famous landmark and one of the most impressive parish churches in Germany. With its striking tower, ornate stained-glass windows, and impressive nave, it attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The Minster was built in the 13th century and expanded and modified over several centuries. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find numerous treasures, such as the remarkable organs, ornate altars and frescoes, as well as a small museum documenting the history of the church and its works of art.
The cathedral’s striking tower is 116 meters high and even offers a viewing platform 70 meters high. 209 steps lead up to the tower room, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Freiburg. The tower can be climbed Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is €5 for adults and €3 for children and young people. During our visit, the tower was unfortunately closed due to renovations.
4. Münsterplatz
The Münsterplatz in Freiburg is one of the most famous squares in the city and an important part of the historic city center. The square is surrounded by some of the city’s most important buildings, including the Freiburg Minster, the historic department store, the Kornhaus, the Wentzingerhaus, and the city library. You’ll also find many cozy restaurants, cafés, and shops that characterize the streetscape.
Münsterplatz also serves as a venue for many festivals, markets, and other events throughout the year. Here you’ll find everything from flea markets and Christmas markets to concerts and cultural festivals. With its unique atmosphere and vibrant life, Münsterplatz in Freiburg is a must-see for any visitor wanting to explore the city.
We particularly like the weekly market at Münsterplatz, which takes place Monday to Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 130 market stalls provide you with fresh, seasonal, and regional produce, a wide range of handicrafts, wonderful plants, baked goods, spices, wines, and much more. Naturally, we immediately jumped at the chance and stocked up on some treats.
5. The Freiburg Bächle
The Freiburger Bächle are one of the most famous landmarks of the city of Freiburg. They are a network of small, shallow waterways that flow through the streets and alleys of the old town and supply the city with water. The Bächle have a long history and have been part of the cityscape since the Middle Ages. Originally, they were built to supply the city with water and to drain wastewater. Today, they primarily serve to create atmosphere and are a popular photo opportunity and attraction for visitors.
The Bächle also have a practical function, as they provide pleasant cooling in hot weather and often serve as ice rinks in winter. Many restaurants and cafés have tables and chairs along the banks of the Bächle, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the old town with a cool drink or cup of coffee. A stroll along the Bächle is a MUST and one of the absolute highlights of a visit to Freiburg.
Powered by GetYourGuide
6. The beautiful and cozy Konviktstrasse
The Konviktstrasse in Freiburg is one of the most charming and historic streets in the city. It runs parallel to the main street that runs through Freiburg’s old town and is lined with historic buildings, beautiful house facades, and lovely squares.
The old craft street is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Here you can relax in cozy cafés and restaurants, visit small shops, or simply enjoy the unique atmosphere of the old town.
7. Little Venice in Freiburg
Between the Martinstor and the Schwabentor are numerous charming alleys, which Freiburg residents like to call “Little Venice.” Little Venice was once an important port and trading center, where goods and important resources were transported by water.
Today, the district is known primarily for its charming half-timbered houses, narrow alleys, and small squares. The colorful houses with their flower-decorated balconies and terraces are reflected in the water of the canals, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Powered by GetYourGuide
8. Kanonenplatz and Schlossberg
We always love being able to admire places from above. And in Freiburg, this is easily possible. We set off on our bikes to Kanonenplatz on the Schlossberg. On the way up, we discovered Freiburg’s highest beer garden in the Kastaniengarten. The view is simply magnificent!
We continued up and up until we reached the square with the legendary view. The sun was already low in the sky, and the heat, which had been quite a burden on us that day, was slowly dissipating. We took a few photos and simply enjoyed the moment together.
A little further up is the Schlossberg. Directly from Freiburg’s center, you can take the Schlossbergbahn to the Schlossberg in 3 minutes. From here, you can enjoy beautiful views of the city and the Rhineland. You can then stroll back to the city along the many hiking trails. A one-way ticket costs €3.50, and a round-trip ticket costs €6 for adults. Children pay €2.80 for a one-way ticket and €4.50 for a round-trip ticket.
9. Cooling off and taking a break at the Dreisam River
The Dreisam River flows directly through Freiburg. The Freiburg streams carry the water right through the old town and eventually flow into the Dreisam. On warm days, you can see young and old enjoying the summer day with a chilled beer or a quick swim. You’ll also find cyclists, joggers, and people taking advantage of the peaceful and idyllic atmosphere. So how about a relaxed picnic right on the riverbank?
10. Great shops in Freiburg’s old town
As always, we just went with the flow and strolled from alley to alley. As in many other old towns, there are countless shopping streets, restaurants, cafés, and shops here too. By chance, we found Gerberau Straße with some cool shops. Be sure to stop by “Lust auf Gut”. The store is truly an eye-catcher with incredibly cool items.
You’ll find many other great establishments on this street where you could spend quite a bit of money. Whether it’s vintage furniture, designer cards, home decor, or secondhand clothes – if you’re looking for a relaxed shopping trip, you should stroll along this street. Also popular is Salzstraße, with all sorts of fashion, jewelry, and leather goods. Cool clothes can be found at “Yum Yum Freiburg”, and sustainable fashion at the store “zündstoff”. We can also recommend the “SiRiPiRi” shop, as they have some really beautiful decorative items.
11. The SKAJO Restaurant with a Panoramic View
The “Skajo” is located in the Sparkasse building on Kaiser-Joseph-Straße, right in the center of the old town. Kaiser-Joseph-Straße is Freiburg’s famous, almost one-kilometer-long shopping street, which Freiburg residents call KaJo. The Skajo Restaurant has a huge window front and a cool roof terrace.
From here, you have a fantastic panoramic view of Freiburg’s old town and the Minster. The rather elegant ambiance also comes at a price – food and drinks are quite expensive. However, if you just want to take a photo, you can do so discreetly and discreetly here.
Recommended Cafés in Freiburg
Freiburg has a large selection of cool and cozy cafés that offer something for every taste. In the following section, we’ve listed a few cafés that you can visit on your next trip to Freiburg.
- Schloss-Café – beautiful panoramic view of Freiburg and handmade coffee
- Uni Café – large terrace in the middle of Freiburg’s city center, popular for breakfast
- Bächle Café – delicious coffee from our own roast in a cool atmosphere
- Café Pow in the Grünhof – super friendly café with a large courtyard
- Mohrentopf Café – courtyard café with great treats (waffles, etc.)
- Kolben Kaffee – Freiburg’s oldest standing café with delicious coffee and cake
- Café Hinterzimmer – vegan café, also with homemade lemonade
- Café Marcel – idyllically located kiosk café in the city garden
- Stefan’s Cheesecake – They supposedly have the best cheesecake in town.
Great Hotels in Freiburg
Freiburg is a beautiful city in southwest Germany that attracts many tourists from all over the world every year. If you’re planning to visit Freiburg, there are numerous hotels and accommodations to choose from, ranging from budget accommodations to luxury hotels. In the following paragraph, we’ve selected and linked some great hotels to help you make your decision.
Book a room here*
The FourSide Hotel Freiburg* is a modern hotel located just a few minutes from the city center. The newly built hotel has 128 very comfortable rooms, stylishly furnished and equipped with many amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. In the morning, there is a large and extensive breakfast buffet.
Book a room here*
The Boutiquehotel am Stadtgarten* is just 500 meters from Freiburg Minster and awaits you with a wonderful terrace, a hotel lounge, a bar, and exclusive rooms. All rooms feature Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a desk, and air conditioning. In the morning, you can fortify yourself with a continental breakfast buffet.
Book a room here*
How about an overnight stay at The Alex Hotel*? This chic boutique hotel has 39 rooms, which are simply but very stylishly furnished. In the Winery29, you can sample regional wines or end the evening by the fireplace in the communal lounge. According to former guests, the breakfast in the morning is also very good!
Book a room here*
Want to stay in a super central location in Freiburg? Then head to the Hotel Rappen am Münsterplatz*. This hotel is located in the heart of the city, directly on Münsterplatz, and offers cozy rooms and apartments, a modern hotel restaurant, and a fantastic view of Freiburg Cathedral. Don’t miss the weekly market, which takes place right outside.
Activities in the Surrounding Area
There’s still so much to discover in Freiburg, so we definitely have to and want to come back again. There are also cool excursion destinations and activities in the surrounding area. For example, a detour to the Kaiserstuhl low mountain range or a trip to the highest mountain in the Black Forest – the Schauinsland. The cool Europa Park is also not far from Freiburg.
Just under an hour’s drive from Freiburg is Alsace, with the pretty cities of Colmar and Strasbourg, which are worth a day trip. Schluchsee, the largest lake in the Black Forest, can be reached by train in an hour. And the Steinwasen Park is also said to be truly impressive with its stunning scenery. Here, you can discover 30 different animal species, walk across a suspension bridge, ride the outdoor toboggan run, or take the whitewater ride.
Looking for a truly relaxing experience? Then head to the spa town of Titisee-Neustadt in the Black Forest. Quaint inns, traditional “Bollenhut” (traditional German “Bollenhut”), Black Forest cottages—everything seems like something out of a picture book. Here you can relax and go pedal boating on the Black Forest lake and simply unwind. There’s so much more to discover in Freiburg and the surrounding area—that much can be said.
