Karlsruhe's top ten
You shouldn't miss these places when visiting Karlsruhe!
Whether it's sunny or a gray winter day, there's a huge range of activities to choose from in Karlsruhe! That's why we've put together a list of 10 highlights that you should definitely include in your visit to Karlsruhe.
10 highlights in
Karlsruhe
1st Karlsruhe Castle
Karlsruhe Palace with its extensive palace gardens is located in the heart of the city center - a must-see in Karlsruhe!
As the center of the fan-shaped city, it served as the residence and seat of government for the margraves, later electors and grand dukes of Baden, for around 200 years after its completion in 1718. Today, the building houses the Badisches Landesmuseum, which has been closed for an extended period since September 29, 2025, due to general renovation. In every season, the palace gardens invite visitors to take a stroll or a ride on the palace garden railway through the middle of the park.
2. zoological city garden
A visit to the Zoologischer Stadtgarten is an experience for the whole family!
The unique combination of city garden and zoo is what makes it so special. A highlight of the zoological area is the Exotic House, where you can marvel at a wide variety of tropical plants and animals. Take a leisurely ride on the Gondoletta across the Stadtgarten and Swan Lake to see the animal inhabitants from a completely different perspective. Those who prefer the city garden should visit the rose garden as well as the Japanese garden, which can be seen from afar with its red Shinto shrine.
3. center for art and media
Attention culture lovers: The ZKM | Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe is one of the most important museums in the world.
Together with the Kunstmuseum Karlsruhe, formerly the Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe, the State University of Design, and the KunsthalleKarlsruhe@ZKM exhibition of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, the ZKM is housed in the former munitions factory on Platz der Menschenrechte.
The ZKM brings together all media and art forms: thematic exhibitions showcase spatial arts such as painting, photography, and sculpture, but above all time-based arts such as film, video, media art, music, dance, theater, and performance. Changing exhibitions and events ensure that interactivity is never neglected! The permanent exhibition "zkm_gameplay. the next level" is particularly worth seeing.
4. botanical garden
The green oasis of the residential city of Karlsruhe.
The botanical garden is located on the edge of the palace gardens, close to the orangery. The garden is home to over 20 special tree species from different continents. There are also numerous greenhouses with tropical plants and show houses with cacti.
5 Durlach
If you love beautiful old towns, Durlach is the place for you.
Durlach's old town with its picturesque market square, historic city wall, Schlossplatz square and small alleyways is characterized by medieval flair. In addition to the historic city center, the view from Karlsruhe's local mountain, the Turmberg, is an absolute must.
6. tower mountain
Flying high: from the viewing terrace on the Turmberg you have a fantastic view over Karlsruhe!
From the Turmberg, you not only have a wonderful view of Karlsruhe, but also of the Rhine plain and the Palatinate mountains. The Turmberg terrace is a popular vantage point with a romantic flair, especially at sunrise and sunset.
7. marketplace Karlsruhe
The market square is the central heart of Karlsruhe's city center and, alongside Kaiserstraße, the hub of city life in Karlsruhe.
The square is framed by important city buildings such as the town hall, the city church and one of the most famous landmarks: the pyramid, the mausoleum of the city's founder Margrave Karl III. Wilhelm of Baden-Durlach. On the square, which has been redesigned since 2020, the water features in particular provide a refreshing change of pace for young and old in summer.
8. the old slaughterhouse
The creative heart of the city beats in the Alter Schlachthof.
Stroll around the site of the disused abattoir and discover the original concepts that are being created here. Fine arts and crafts, innovative start-ups, creative restaurants and cozy cafés - boredom is guaranteed to be a thing of the past here.
9. Ludwigsplatz
"La Dolce Vita" in Karlsruhe.
Ludwigsplatz is around ten minutes' walk from the market square. As a former market square, Ludwigsplatz is now primarily a meeting place for night owls who want to enjoy balmy summer nights with good food and fruity cocktails. The square is located right at the lively intersection of Erbprinzenstraße and Waldstraße. Here you can shop in a charming atmosphere and enjoy "La Dolce Vita"!
10th Günther-Klotz plant
The Günther-Klotz-Anlage is a beautifully situated green area between Südweststadt and Grünwinkel, which is affectionately known as the "Klotze".
The Günther-Klotz complex offers an ideal inner-city recreation area with the Alb river flowing through it, spacious play and sunbathing areas, a playground, several small lakes, a boat rental, a basketball court and much more.