Welcome back to The Velvet Runway travel guides and this feature about great food and great memories in South West Germany.
Maybe South West Germany has never crossed your mind as a vacation destination, but not only is this region full of great things to do, it is also renowned for its culinary delights!
Good food is a vital part of the vacation experience and SouthWest Germany certainly delivers – particularly when it comes to local dishes made with local produce, accompanied by local beers and wines.
SouthWest Germany is also criss-crossed with well-signposted, well-maintained hiking and biking trails through glorious countryside. But it’s not only nature lovers, who enjoy the Great Outdoors. Foodies also have a terrific choice of themed trails that bring out their inner gourmet.
So whether you decide to hike or bike, drive or take the train, there is really good food waiting for you almost everywhere in SouthWest Germany.
Start planning your vacation to make the most of the great food and great memories in South West Germany now!
Here are a few ideas for what to see, do and eat in South West Germany.
Great food and great memories in South West Germany
The Asparagus Route between Bruchsal and Schwetzingen
Sandwiched between the beautiful palaces of Bruchsal and Schwetzingen, that are maintained by the State Palaces, and Gardens of Baden-Wuerttemberg, one of Europe’s largest asparagus growing areas is just south of Heidelberg.
The mild climate and sandy soil provide the perfect growing conditions to produce the delicate flavor that makes the (mostly) white asparagus such a treat!
The biking trail (Tour de Spargel) between Bruchsal and Schwetzingen is flat and easy to ride and along the 67 mile route, taverns and restaurants serve freshly-picked asparagus prepared in a variety of ways (in season) : hot with Hollandaise sauce; cold with vinaigrette; as a partner to ham or salmon.
And year-round, there are many attractions to visit, including the Rococco palace of Bruchsal with its world class furniture and tapestry collection and Schwetzingen Palace and its impressive gardens, where white asparagus is said to have originated over 350 years ago in the King’s garden.
Heavily bombed during the war, Bruchsal has been gloriously restored while Schwetzingen has maintained royal gardens.
Excellent restaurants next to both palaces are a perfect start and end to your trip.
The Schnapps Distillery Trails: The best things in life are free
The Schnapsbrunnenwege, the Schnapps Distillery Trails, could be some of the world’s most unusual hiking routes. Along Black Forest paths, ten ‘Schnapps fountains’ offer hikers free samples of locally-distilled spirits.
The region in the Black Forest around the town of Oberkirch just south of the spa town of Baden-Baden is renowned for its small family distilleries.
These hardworking families transform locally-grown apricots, cherries and apples into Schnapps, world-class fruit brandies.
On the trails around Sasbachwalden, bottles of schnapps cool naturally in the mountain spring water of the ‘Schnapps fountains’. Hikers can help themselves to free samples or leave a few Euros for other drinks, such as liqueurs, ciders and soft drinks for children.
Two trails start from Sasbachwalden. Allow two hours for the northern loop (7 km/4 miles) and four hours for the southern (12 km/7.7 miles).
The Württemberg Wine Cycle Trail
Cyclists, who are also wine lovers, should put the Württemberg Wine Cycle Trail at the top of their ‘to do’ list.
The 220 mile route links popular winemaking destinations between Niederstetten and Rottenburg am Neckar in the beautiful Tauber and Neckar valleys.
Stop and taste in wineries and Besenwirtschaften, which are smaller seasonal wine taverns that got their name from the Besen, or broom, outside the main door.
Time it right and you could enjoy one of the regular village wine festivals along the route. For more in-depth knowledge, join a wine tour or visit a wine museum.
Württemberg is Germany’s fourth largest winegrowing region and is best known for its red wine, especially Pinot Noir and local favourites, Trollinger and Lemberger.
But white grapes also thrive in the sun, producing excellent Riesling and Müller-Thurgau.
This wine road is especially nice as it is close to Stuttgart so you can easily combine a trip to the capital city of cars and culture with delicious and adventurous wines.
Wine Gems on Lake Constance: Resort and a Winery with a View
Not far from Lake Constance, the baroque castle Freudental is enthroned on the Bodanrück.
Wine played a role as early as 1698 when the castle was built. The craftsmen complained about the high cost of living and that no beer was available in the area.
Therefore, the client had to undertake to pay for the workers’ wine. The importance of wine is also reflected in the interior of the castle. Magnificent stucco in the form of vines, tendrils and lavish foliage decorate the ceiling of the ballroom.
Today you can spend the night in style in Freudental Castle. The property, which has been converted into a hotel, belongs to a Swiss wine connoisseur, who continues the tradition of “grape juice” there.
Stand next to large wooden barrels and let your gaze wander over Lake Constance. This special view is offered by the Meersburg State Winery, which is housed in the former riding stables of Meersburg Castle.
Prince-Bishop Johann Franz von Stauffenberg had the wine cellar built in the former city moat in the early 18th century. Until the secularization of 1802, the castle and later the newly built castle in Meersburg were the seat of the Prince Diocese of Constance.
The prince-bishop’s winery fell to the then Grand Duchy of Baden and became Germany’s first wine-growing domain. Today the state winery Meersburg belongs to the state of Baden-Württemberg and has several vineyards on the banks of Lake Constance.
Yach Bread and Tettnang Hops
In the southern Black Forest, a couple of hours southwest of Stuttgart, is the unspoiled Yach Valley.
Here, many farming families still bake their own bread the traditional way. Now, the Brotweg Yach, the Yach Bread Trail, links several of these farms, so that hikers can enjoy both the landscape – and the bread!
The clearly-marked path is seven miles long and takes in clear streams, dense forest and lush mountain meadows.
Hikers can stop for refreshments at family-run farms. Vesper (German for a hearty snack) is a tradition in these parts: slices of smoked local ham, fried potatoes with soft white cheese, apple juice and that homemade bread.
With luck, you will arrive just as a loaf comes out of the wood-fired oven!
Grown near Lake Constance, Tettnang hops are SouthWest Germany’s gift to the brewing world. Learn why by walking the Tettnang Hop Trail.
Along its 2 miles are orchards and hop gardens, plus spectacular views of Lake Constance and even the snow-tipped Alps.
Learn about the hop-growing tradition that dates back to 1150 and, of course, the art of brewing. The tour starts at the Krone Brewery in the center of Tettnang and finishes at the Hopfengut Nº20 hop farm.
Discover more about growing and drying hops, then visit the brewery, museum, shop and restaurant to complete the ultimate hop experience. Have a look here for more information.
Cheery and Beery: Two of SouthWest Germany’s Beer Trails
Beer Culture City: that is the self-proclaimed title of the small, historic community of Ehingen, 90 minutes southeast of Stuttgart.
And, with four breweries that produce some 43 different beers, it is no idle boast! The 550-year-old Berg Brewery is a family business dating back nine generations.
Local barley, malt, hops and water are the ingredients for their eight bottom-fermented beers and five seasonal brews.
The town’s other breweries are the Schwanen Brewery, the Brauerei Schwert and the Brauerei zum Rössle.
All are on the Bierwanderweg, the Beer Hiking Trail, whose 9 mile route also includes historic buildings and the scenic Danube Valley.
Two hours south of Stuttgart, one of SouthWest Germany’s best-known breweries is also Germany’s highest, set 3,300 feet up in the Black Forest.
Originally a small monastic brewery, Rothaus became the Baden State Brewery. Now, after 220 years, it is a favorite of beer lovers around the world. Along the brewery’s Zäpfle Weg (Zäpfle Trail) are information boards and pavilions with explanations of beer making: everything from raw materials and the art of brewing to environmental responsibility.
You can even peer through a window to watch 60,000 bottles being filled every hour.
A popular selfie spot is the Zäpfle Fountain, where a giant beer bottle sprays water from the spring used for brewing. Find our more here.
Chill in a spa at Baden-Baden – South West Germany’s International, Elegant and Affluent Spa Town
When it’s time to wind down at the end of the day, why not visit one of South West Germany’s many spa towns and try a relaxing spa.
Baden-Baden is, without question, SouthWest Germany’s most elegant spa town. In the 19th century, European royalty flocked to this elegant oasis an hour west of Stuttgart.
Today, two thermal baths are open to all. Perhaps the world’s most glamorous public spa is the Friedrichsbad house in an ornate 19th‐century building built right over the Roman bath ruins.
Back then the Romans called the bath, Aqua Aurelia but today, they call it the Roman-Irish bath and bathers relax in the warm thermal waters as the Romans did centuries ago. The program has 17 stages, including steam and dry rooms. It takes several hours and is completed textile free.
Less formal is the modern Caracalla spa with marble whirlpools, an aroma steam bath, wellness lounge and indoor/outdoor pool. Over the years, Baden-Baden has grown into an international resort spa town complete with luxurious hotels, cafes, opera, museums, beautiful gardens and exciting horse races.
It is a place for the rich and famous but also extremely affordable so that everyone can enjoy the amenities and natural resources. In addition to the two public spas, the surrounding forest and wine hills have paths meant for hiking and biking; places for hot-air ballooning; wine tours; and dining outdoors. Have a look here to find out more
Information courtesy of VKLarsonCommunications on behalf of Tourism Marketing Baden-Wuerttemberg
Photo credits: given under each photo, where applicable
I’ve never been to Germany and this is making me want to plan a trip! The scenery is stunning! The Schnapps and Wine trails would be fun to hike/bike!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you Jill! So glad you like the scenery! I agree that South West Germany is so beautiful x
ooo I love the sound of south west Germany – and it looks so lush and green! I’ve only visited Germany once for a day and we stayed inner city. I had no idea it was so beautiful! x
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com
Thanks Mia! The German countryside is so beautiful! This are is really pretty and so is Bavaria xo
I would love to visit Germany especially for the castles.
All theses landscapes look so beautiful. It’s very charming.
And I would love to see asparagus growing areas. I love asparagus.
xx
Margot
Thanks Margot! This area of Germany is really beautiful, and so is Bavaria! I can’t wait to go back x
Everything looks absolutely gorgeous, I wouldn’t know where to start from if I went on a tour! <3
http://www.couture-case.com/
The Tourism Board (https://www.tourism-bw.com/) have lots of great advice 🙂
It is such a stunning place. And the culture and food is superb 🙂 http://www.bauchlefashion.com
Yes, I love the culture and the food! I think the first time I went to Germany I came back about 5 kgs heavier!! Can’t wait for the Christmas markets now x
I’ve never been to Germany but it looks so beautiful in these photos! thanks for sharing!
Hope you are having a nice weekend 🙂 Busy Sunday here, after 3 parties yesterday we have another one to go to today!
It sounds like you had a hectic but fun weekend! 🙂
Beautiful view in the first picture. Very informative post.
Thank you! So glad you found it informative x
All looks lovely along with an informative post.
Thank you! I’m so glad you found the post informative x
Biking on wine road? Sign me up please! This sounds like a dream.
xo Logan
https://peculiarporter.com/
True! I prefer the wine road, but Schapps and beer are good too! xo
Just beautiful! I love how pretty the sky is!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Thanks Shauna. The scenery is so beautiful x
What a fabulous way to travel through Germany. It’s all about the food in our household, haha.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yes, the food has a lot to do with our choices here too!
Wow it is beautiful there. I never thought to go to South German, but now I may need to re-consider!
Thanks Rach! It’s definitely worth reconsidering! The scenery is beautiful x
I’ve never been to Germany, but I loved knowing a little more.
kisses and good week.
https://beperes.blogspot.com/
Glad you liked finding out more about Germany xo
Oh wow, what beautiful locations! I’ve never been to Germany, but if I get the opportunity to go, I definitely want to check out the winery on the water. That truly looks like an absolute dream! I will have to add it to my travel bucket list. Thank you for sharing!
xoxo,
Sydney
http://www.thelotuslist.blogspot.com
So glad you liked the article Sydney! I hope you get to go one day xoxo
Love the beautiful architecture! I would have a blast checking out the winery by bike. Thanks for sharing this amazing place!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks Kathrine! Yes,I think you would enjoy the wine cycle tour! xo
Those pictures have me want to go pack and have a vacation there! What lens did you use for those photos? They are really excellent.
Thank you Angie. The photos were provided by the South West Germany Tourist Board. I took some photos with my iphone, but they weren’t as good!