Top Things to See and Do in Mannheim, Germany

Mannheim Palace is one of the largest palaces in Europe and also one of the most well-conserved ones. The lavish interior of this baroque palace is a specimen of architectural genius. The ornate ceremonial staircase and the Rittersaal (knights’ hall) drop jaws every single time. A guided tour of the palace gives visitors the chance to feast their eyes on almost 800 exhibits, tapestries, furniture, porcelain items, silverware and paintings.

The Wasserturm (water tower) soars above the Friedrichsplatz, a plaza known for being the best preserved neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture in the country. The Wasserturm, built in 1889, is 60 meters high and has a capacity of 2000 cubic meters. The waterworks are truly a feast for the eyes, especially when illuminated. Together with the basin, the rose gardens and the adjacent festival hall, the Wasserturm ensemble is the most scenic region in Mannheim and one of the most popular tourist attractions.

Luisenpark is the ultimate relaxation and fun destination in Mannheim for the entire family. Winding tree-lined walkways criss-cross through Luisenpark, known to be one of the loveliest parks in the continent. The park is punctuated with fountains, colorful flower beds, several themed and adventure playgrounds and exotic shrubs. It is also home to animals from all over the world, including everybody’s favorite – penguins! The Chinese Garden in this park boasts the largest Chinese tea-house in Europe.

Technoseum is a technology museum that traces the evolution of industrialization of south-western Germany. Among other things, visitors get to browse displays and exhibits pertaining to the most significant industries of the 18th century – clock-making, paper and weaving – and also examine machinery belonging to different industries. Visitors leave much wiser about the technological, economic and social development of this region from the medieval times to the modern days. The highlight of this museum is the fireless locomotive that travels right through the museum.

The green oasis of Herzogenriedpark is another immensely popular family destination in Mannheim. Here, little guests have a blast getting up close with animals and learning all about them from experienced professionals. The park also has playgrounds, mazes, a cave, waterworks, and tractors for children to drive. Herzogenriedpark also boasts Mannheim’s only outdoor gym, a traditional farmer’s garden and sports options for all ages.

ZeitgEISt takes care of your sugar fix – and how! As the perennially winding queues outside the ice-cream parlor prove beyond doubt, ZeitgEISt has the yummiest ice-creams in town. They don’t overwhelm you with an endless range of flavors, but the flavors on offer are simply out-of-the-world. Think apple pie, pear, marzipan, pink guava and more along with the more tried-and-tested flavors. The flavors are changed almost daily, justifying daily trips to the shop!

The Fernmeldeturm gives you the chance to admire the intriguing city of Mannheim from high up. This 217.8 meter high telecommunication tower has a glass-enclosed observation deck at a height of 120 meters that promises sweeping views over the city, and on clear days, beyond. The tower also has a revolving restaurant.

The Planetarium is a fascinating place to explore for children as well as adults. It takes visitors on a journey through mysterious space, heavenly bodies, rockets, cosmic evolution and more, through brilliant multimedia installtions. It also has several programs designed especially for children of various ages.

Planken is the heart of the city of Mannheim and the center of all the action. It is lined with malls, shops, restaurants and cafes. This is also the venue for the biggest events and celebrations in town – including the Christmas market, carnival parades, concerts and more. It’s very well-connected by public transport with the rest of the city.