Starting April 4, 2026, KTG Karlsruhe Tourismus GmbH will kick off the season with exciting city walks and tours. Whether it’s a costumed tour, a bike tour, or a leisurely stroll—there are plenty of ways to discover the “Fan City” from new perspectives.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Karlsruhe architect Friedrich Weinbrenner, visitors and locals alike will also have the opportunity to experience his architecture and life’s work up close on various guided tours.
The new public city walking tour “KarlsTour” invites you on an exciting journey of discovery through the city and reveals Karlsruhe from new perspectives.
Inspired by the city’s founder, Margrave Karl Wilhelm, the tour brings Karlsruhe’s history to life. From the founding legend of the “Fan City” to the “City of Bright Minds” and its designation as a UNESCO City of Media Arts, the KarlsTour is packed with humorous anecdotes and insider tips from certified tour guides.
In its anniversary year of 2026, the KarlsTour will spotlight the great Karlsruhe architect Friedrich Weinbrenner. His unmistakable signature style, which continues to shape the cityscape to this day, can be seen time and again in his neoclassical buildings, such as the Karlsruhe City Hall, the Margravial Palace, and the Mint. As a special highlight to conclude the tour, participants can visit the crypt in the Evangelical City Church, where Weinbrenner rests in his sarcophagus.
Overview of the dates for the KarlsTour 2026:
Starting April 4, , the KarlsTour will take place every Monday at 2 p.m. and every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.
Anyone who wants to discover Karlsruhe through Weinbrenner’s eyes, so to speak, can take part in a special tour as part of the Weinbrenner anniversary celebrations. In the costumed tour “Karlsruhe Through Weinbrenner’s Eyes,” the Baden Director of Public Works “in person” takes guests and locals alike on a journey through time exploring the architectural history of Karlsruhe.
Dressed in an original costume, speaking in the Baden dialect, and brimming with creative ideas, our tour guide Rüdiger Homberg steps into the role of Karlsruhe’s famous architect.
He vividly illustrates how the small margrave’s town of Karlsruhe gradually transformed into a magnificent grand ducal capital—with straight streets, symmetrical squares, and impressive facades.
In addition, the tour traces his rise from the son of a simple craftsman to a visionary architect and highlights places that had a profound influence on Friedrich Weinbrenner.
Overview of the dates for the 2026 costumed tour “Karlsruhe Through Weinbrenner’s Eyes”:
The costumed tour “Karlsruhe Through Weinbrenner’s Eyes” takes place every Sunday at 3 p.m. on April 26, May 31, and September 27.
More spring-themed guided tours and walking tours in April:
- Saturday, April 4: Season opener of the "KarlsTour" 2026
- Saturday, April 4: Explore the city on Line 5 - Traveling by tram and on foot.
- Friday, April 10: The History of Brewing in Karlsruhe.
- Saturday, April 11: Discover Karlsruhe—a city tour by bike.
- Sunday, April 12: Architecture and Law
- Saturday, April 18: Mindful Enjoyment Walk through the Karlsruhe Palace Gardens.
- Friday, April 24: Dammerstock - The Bauhaus and the Idea of New Building
- Sunday, April 26: Karlsruhe Through Weinbrenner’s Eyes – a costumed tour
Note: All of the tours listed here can also be booked as private group tours.
For more information about the city walking tours and bus tours, please visit:
https://www.karlsruhe-erleben.de/stadtfuehrung .