The Best Things to See and Do in Tübingen, Germany

Planning some German exploration? Make sure you see the best of this beautiful European nation on one of these guided tours and experiences in Germany.

Hohentübingen Castle was initially built in 1037, but was heavily extended in the 16th century which resulted in today’s architectural mix of medieval and modern-day elements. Perched on a hill, Tübingen’s main sight overlooks the red-shingled rooftops of the Old Town on one side, and the Neckar River on the other. Today, the former castle houses several faculties of Tübingen University, and is a must-visit if you’re in town. Keep an eye out for the laboratory where Friedrich Miescher discovered DNA in 1869, and the 85,000-litre wine barrel from the mid-16th century.

If you’re headed up to Hohentübingen Castle, you’re sure to be drawn in by the on-site Ancient Culture Museum. The collection here wows with fascinating cultural artefacts dating as far back as 40.000 years. Besides an Old Egyptian sacrificial chamber and the famous ‘Tuebinger Waffenläufer’ bronze figurine, the exhibition displays the world’s oldest artworks of humankind. The small Ice Age figurines which are carved from mammoth bones and tusks were gathered from several caves in Germany and are recognised as UNESCO heritage.

St. George’s Collegiate Church with its soaring tower is Tübingen’s most prominent landmark. Built on the foundations of two preceding Romanesque churches, today’s building stems from the late 15th century. Catch a glimpse of the beautiful coloured stained glass windows before you climb the 170 steps of the church bell tower for panoramic views of the city below.

You couldn’t ask for a better dinner setting than the terrace of the Neckarmüller restaurant. This spot sits alongside the colourful houses along the Neckar riverfront, overlooking the purling stream and the distinctive Hölderlinturm tower. Just be aware that the restaurant gets super busy, especially on summer weekends, and making a reservation is recommended. If you manage to bag a table, you’re in for a treat of regional specialities, such as Maultauschen or Schupfnudeln along with local draft beer.

There’s no better way to spend a sunny day in Tübingen than jumping aboard a pedal boat, canoe or one of the old punts, and sailing up and down the Neckar River. If you happen to be in town for Corpus Christi weekend, you can join 15,000 spectators for the annual punt regatta of the local students’ fraternities. The event is a competitive yet joyous get-together with costumes, music food and drink.

Tübingen’s cobbled market square marks the heart of the Old Town and is surrounded by characterful half-timbered houses. During the day, the plaza mostly welcomes visitors who snap photos of the picturesque setting, marvel at the old astronomical clock of the gabled town hall on sip coffee in one of the many cafés. If you want to mingle with locals, come back during the early hours of Monday, Wednesday or Friday for the farmers’ market, or after dusk in summer when students take over the square for a late-night drink outside.

In 1183 Count Rudolph I of Tübingen founded the abbey, which after the Reformation was repurposed as a school and a 19th-century hunting retreat for the nobility of Württemberg. Guided tours take you around the historic complex, which encompasses the Gothic-style abbey church and monastery building, a summer refectory with beautiful frescoed ceilings, and the splendid former royal bathrooms and kitchen.

Approximately 35km (22mi) east of Tübingen lies the enchanting village of Bad Urach. Nestled at the foothills of the Swabian Albs, the spa town lures with thermal baths, hiking trails, a waterfall and a picture-perfect town centre composed of winding alleys and half-timbered houses. The well-preserved old town is the reason that the town is a unique spot along Germany’s Timber-Frame Road.

The Neckarmüller restaurant occupies one of the city’s premium spots. There’s hardly a better place to enjoy a chilled glass of beer or wine in the late afternoon than in their beer garden, which is open from May to the end of September. Trying one of the in-house brews is a must, and makes for the perfect drink to enjoy the pretty views of the Neckar River and the colourful townhouses alongside it, including the Hölderlinturm tower.

Once a year, when the ChocolArt festival comes to town in early December, Tübingen becomes the epicentre of culinary indulgence. Germany’s largest chocolate festival draws more than 270,000 visitors to the city who come to enjoy chocolate specialities from all over the world. While vendors present truffles, pralines, large chocolate bars and other delicacies at their stalls in the old town, a cultural programme revolving around music, art and performance celebrates the ‘sacredness of chocolate’ that was described by the ancient Mayan culture.