Central Black Forest Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Villingen-Schwenningen
Find long-held traditions, quaint towns and vistas of spectacular natural beauty in the heart of Germany’s fairy-tale forest.

The Central Black Forest region contains all the charming culture and stunning wilderness that makes the wider Black Forest area such a popular destination. Discover its combination of time-honored craftsmanship, hilltop walks and idyllic towns. Although it is relatively small, Central Black Forest packs in so many museums, heritage sites and hiking trails that you never need to leave the region during your visit to southwestern Germany.

Start your exploration in the Black Forest Open Air Museum. Here, centuries of culture are preserved in a series of farmhouses and cottages that show how local families and communities used to live. Watch costumed actors, often wearing the bobble-covered Bollenhut hat, demonstrate traditional handicrafts.

Head to one of the towns to see half-timbered houses and medieval churches. Wander the old town of Gengenbach to soak up a typical Black Forest atmosphere. Look for the symmetrical pink façade of the Town Hall, which turns into a building-sized advent calendar in December.

Tour the other towns in the region. Shop for local produce in the markets of busy Offenburg and buy a cuckoo clock in Triberg im Schwarzwald. In Villingen-Schwenningen, the Black Forest’s proud history meets Germany’s more modern side. Find trendy shopping venues and cool cafés across the city.

No trip to Central Black Forest is complete without spending time in the countryside. Experience the magic of the Triberg Waterfalls and explore the ruins of Hochburg Castle. Trek along walking routes leading up Kandel, an accessible mountain summit, and through the fields of the Kinzig Valley.

Rent a car for the most convenient way to explore the compact region. Offenburg and Freudenstadt in the north and Waldkirch and Villingen-Schwenningen in the south are the most convenient towns to use as gateways.

Central Black Forest can be visited at any time of year, with peak season in the summer months of July and August. Visit in winter, when the town squares are lit up with the festive twinkling lights of Christmas markets.

Where to stay in Central Black Forest

Gengenbach Old Town

While visiting Gengenbach Old Town, you might make a stop by sights like Gengenbach Town Hall and Upper Gate Tower.

Gengenbach Old Town
Novotel Freiburg am Konzerthaus
Novotel Freiburg am Konzerthaus
4 out of 5
Konrad Adenauer Platz 2, Freiburg im Breisgau, BW
The price is AU$156 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
AU$156
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Freiburg im Breisgau. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Hotel has perfect location. It is 10 minutes walk from the old town. Restaurants are just around the corner. In addition, there is a railway station just across from the hotel. Room was clean with an and amazing view. Customer service at the reception was very friendly and very helpful. We spent ..."

Reviewed on 2 Sep. 2023

Novotel Freiburg am Konzerthaus
MOXY Rust
MOXY Rust
3.5 out of 5
Jakob-Schneider-Strasse 2, Rust
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$159 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
AU$159
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rust. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (435 reviews)
Would definitely recommend
"All round excellent stay! Perfect location for Europa park and Rulantica. Secure parking available, very modern and clean from the reception/bar area to the rooms. All staff very friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 15 Dec. 2023

MOXY Rust
Mercure Hotel Freiburg am Munster
Mercure Hotel Freiburg am Munster
3.5 out of 5
Auf Der Zinnen 1, Freiburg im Breisgau, BW
The price is AU$172 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$172
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Freiburg im Breisgau. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (973 reviews)
Perfectly located hotel
"Stayed for two nigh nights to visit Freiburg and made most of it's perfect location. The staff, including cleaning personnel are very friendly to our dog too. That made our stay very enjoyable."

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024

Mercure Hotel Freiburg am Munster
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ferienwohnung Misita
Ferienwohnung Misita
Fischerstr. 16, Rust, BW
Stay at this aparthotel in Rust. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Europa-Park and Rulantica are located nearby. Discover genuine ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (131 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 25 Feb. 2024

Ferienwohnung Misita
Boutique Apartment Petite Belle
Boutique Apartment Petite Belle
Friedhofstraße 59, Freiburg im Breisgau, BW
Stay at this apartment in Freiburg im Breisgau. Enjoy free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and cable TV. Popular attractions Colombischlossle and Freiburg Botanical ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5 reviews)
"A lovely place to stay. The host was very welcoming and gave some great recommendations of places to visit and eat around town. Apartment was clean, modern and quaint. A nice walk to the centre of town."

Reviewed on 15 May 2023

Boutique Apartment Petite Belle
Black Forest house for nature lovers in a secluded location
Black Forest house for nature lovers in a secluded location
Wolfach
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Wolfach. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Dorotheenhutte Wolfach and MiMa, Museum ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (57 reviews)
Wandelvakantie
"Prachtige locatie voor magnifieke wandelingen. Het huisje heeft alles wat we nodig hebben maar niet voor de winter. Die verwarming met hout is echt niet gezond. het huis is een en al rook. Er komt rook uit in de living via die buizen. Die installatie moet nagekeken worden."

Reviewed on 12 Feb. 2023

Black Forest house for nature lovers in a secluded location
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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