Emmendingen is a town in the Breisgau region of Baden-Württemberg, 17 km north of Freiburg im Breisgau, between the Black Forest and the Kaiserstuhl vineyards. It is the administrative seat of the Emmendingen district.
Understand
[edit]The town is characterized by its late 16th-century Margravial residence and a system of industrial canals (Gewerbekanal) that run through the center. From 1773 to 1777, it was the home of Cornelia Schlosser (née Goethe), sister of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The town serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding Elz Valley.
- Tourist Information, Bahnhofstraße 8 (inside the train station building). It provides physical maps of the Eichberg hiking trails and information on regional train schedules.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]The station is on the Rhine Valley line. Regional trains (RE and RB) run four times per hour towards Freiburg (15 min) and Offenburg (40 min). The station and platforms are wheelchair accessible via elevators.
By bus
[edit]The central bus station (ZOB) is 50 m from the train station. It provides connections to further destinations in the Kaiserstuhl region.
Get around
[edit]
On foot
[edit]The central shopping area is a pedestrian zone.
By bicycle
[edit]Electric-assisted bicycles (pedelecs) are available for rent at the tourist information office inside the train station.
By public transport
[edit]Overnight guests receive the KONUS Guest Card for free travel on regional buses and trains throughout the Black Forest.
See
[edit]The downtown east of the main station has an attractive pedestrian zone with several churches and a little castle.
- 1 Jewish Museum (Jüdisches Museum Emmendingen), Schloßplatz 7, ☏ +49 7641 574444, [email protected]. W & Su 14:00–17:00. Documents the history of the local Jewish community from the 18th century to 1945. It is housed in a former mikvah (ritual bath) building and displays religious and everyday objects. €2.
- 2 Hochburg (Hachberg Castle) (a 3 km uphill walk from the town center), [email protected]. Daily, 07:00-21:00. A 12th-century castle ruin, one of the largest in Germany. The site includes ramparts and a museum. It is a 3 km uphill walk from the town center and offers views of the Rhine plain and the Vosges mountains.
Do
[edit]- 1 Freibad über der Elz, Am Sportfeld 6 (directly next to the Elz river), ☏ +49 7641 913 375, [email protected]. Season starts on 09th of May: 09:00-19:00. An outdoor swimming complex with several pools and grass areas for sunbathing. Adults: €5, Children: €4.
Buy
[edit]The pedestrian zone around Lammstraße and Marktplatz contains several independent bookstores and clothing shops.
- 1 Emmendinger Wochenmarkt (Weekly Market), Marktplatz. Tu & F 07:30–13:00. A market featuring regional produce from the Breisgau and Kaiserstuhl areas, including local wines, honey, and seasonal vegetables.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Markgräfler Hof, Landvogtei 15 (300 metres from the main station), ☏ +49 7641 41101. Tu–Su 11:30–14:00, 17:30–22:00. A restaurant specializing in regional Swabian and Baden dishes such as Maultaschen and seasonal game. Mains €18–32.
- 2 Asia Restaurant Glückshaus, Karl-Friedrich-Str. 72 (north of the town center), ☏ +49 7641 9362541. Daily 11:30–15:00, 17:30–23:00. A Chinese restaurant with a large buffet and outdoor seating. Buffet approx. €20, lunch specials from €10.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Schlosskeller, Schloßplatz 1, ☏ +49 7641 574049. A cultural venue in a historic vaulted cellar run by a non-profit association. It hosts regular concerts, DJ nights, and open stage events. The drink menu includes a selection of cocktails and regional beverages.
- 2 Irish Pub Shamrock, Karl-Bautz-Straße 2 (near the northern edge of the town center), ☏ +49 7641 9595911. M-Th 17:00–23:00, F-Sa 17:00–03:00. It serves Irish beers and whiskeys. The interior is decorated in a traditional pub style, and the venue frequently hosts live music performances and bar games. Pints approx. €5-7.
- 3 Cocktail Bar Post, Bahnhofstraße 1 (250 m from the train station), ☏ +49 1516 1421327. Daily 14:00–02:00. It specializes in cocktails and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Karaoke and other private events are held here occasionally.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Parkhotel Krone Maleck, Brandelweg 1, ☏ +49 7641 9309690.
- 2 Hotel Windenreuter Hof, Rathausweg 19, ☏ +49 7641 930830.
Connect
[edit]- Free Wi-Fi: Available at the Marktplatz and inside the City Library (Stadtbibliothek). Many local businesses provide internet access for customers.
Go next
[edit]- Freiburg im Breisgau: A 15-minute regional train ride south. Known for its medieval cathedral and university atmosphere.
- Kaiserstuhl: A volcanic hill range 15 km west, accessible by bus or regional train (RB). It is a major wine-growing region with numerous hiking paths through vineyards.
- Waldkirch: 12 km east in the Elz Valley. Features the Baumkronenweg (treetop path) and the ruins of Kastelburg castle.
- Europa-Park Resort: Germany's largest theme park is roughly 25 km north. Reachable via regional train to Ringsheim and a connecting shuttle bus (approx. 45 min total travel time).