Karlsruhe Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
Frequently Asked Questions
At Maxau, on the Rhine, about ten kilometres west of the city centre. A short coach ride takes you from the quay into the Baden city.
No, some ten kilometres separate Maxau from the centre. The excursion coach or a taxi is needed. Once in the city, though, trams and walking cover everything.
Thirty-two avenues radiate from the palace tower like the ribs of an open fan. The plan dates from 1715, the year Margrave Charles William of Baden-Durlach decided to build his residence in open forest, far from medieval walls.
The palace and the Badisches Landesmuseum, the market square with its red sandstone pyramid, then the ZKM if digital art interests you. The public gardens behind the palace make a pleasant break between visits.
A red sandstone pyramid standing in the middle of the Marktplatz, now the city's emblem. It marks the tomb of the founder. The square is framed by neoclassical buildings designed by Friedrich Weinbrenner.
An art and media centre housed in a former munitions factory that looks like an industrial cathedral. Interactive installations, vintage video games, sound works: it is one of the most distinctive places of its kind in Germany.
By tram, on one of the most efficient networks in Europe. The city invented the tram-train model, running both on streets and on regional railway lines. A day ticket keeps the call simple.
The euro. In a city this size, museums, restaurants and shops take cards without trouble. Still, keep some notes for kiosks and small cafés, where cash remains common in Germany.
If time allows, yes. A tram links the centre to this original margravial town, older than Karlsruhe itself: cobbled lanes, half-timbered houses, a village feel. The Turmberg funicular, running since 1888, climbs from there to a panoramic tower.
Black Forest cake, in its region of origin, served in the pastry shops on the pedestrian streets near the Marktplatz. Excursions to Baden-Baden or the Black Forest villages extend the regional experience when the schedule allows.
