Bühl Plum Festival
Annual homeland and folk festival on the second September weekend honouring the Bühl plum. A festival tent, wine village, amusement park and the Sunday parade with the Plum Queen's float draw up to 100,000 visitors.
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Bühl
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ℹ️Practical info — Bühl
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Plan your visit in September to experience the lively atmosphere of the famous plum festival (Zwetschgenfest).
- Overnight guests can use the KONUS guest card for free bus and train travel throughout the Black Forest.
- The Ortenau Wine Path (Ortenauer Weinpfad) is highly recommended for a scenic hike through the vineyards.
- Park on the outskirts of the city center; the pedestrian zone is just a short walk away.
- Rent a bike to explore the flat and easy trails of the adjacent Rhine plain.
🍽 Food
🍽
Bühl plum cake
During the season, you simply must try this traditional cake in the downtown bakeries.
🍽
Badisches Schäufele
Cured and smoked pork, often served with potato salad in traditional wine taverns.
🍽
Flammkuchen
Enjoy this crispy flatbread specialty in the local inns along the wine route.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Weekly market
Head here on Saturday mornings for fresh local vegetables and the famous Bühl plums.
🛍
Regional wines
Visit the local wine cooperatives to buy excellent Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Riesling.
🧘
Windeck Castle ruins
Take in the sweeping views over the Rhine plain from these historic ruins.
🧘
Stadtgarten
A green oasis right in the middle of town, great for a relaxing break.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Bühl is an animated and prosperous city located in the Ortenau district, perfectly positioned where the Rhine plain meets the foothills of the Northern Black Forest. It is a city of culinary and agricultural excellence, most famous for the discovery of the 'Bühler Frühzwetschge' plum in 1840, which turned the town into a major center for fruit production. Its viticultural heritage is equally prestigious, particularly in the Affental district, known for its award-winning Spätburgunder wines. High above the town sits the Windeck Castle ruins, a 12th-century fortress that provides a panoramic view of the Rhine Valley and the distant Vosges Mountains in France. Economically, Bühl is a powerhouse, hosting major global companies like Bosch and Schaeffler, alongside the headquarters of the famous UHU glue brand. This industrial strength is balanced by a high quality of life and proximity to the Black Forest National Park. Whether exploring the historic town center, hiking through steep vineyards, or driving up to the scenic Black Forest High Road, Bühl has a quintessential experience of Baden's natural beauty and economic vitality.
- Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Top sights: Windeck Castle · Bühl City Museum · St. Peter and Paul
- Nearby: Achern (8 km)
- Population: ~29.214
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 84 | 63 | 70 | 58 | 99 | 83 | 92 | 89 | 65 | 81 | 74 | 91 |
Geography
Facts
- First documented in records in 1149 AD.
- Windeck Castle was built around the year 1200.
- The specific 'Bühler' plum variety was discovered in 1840.
- Headquarters of the globally known UHU adhesive brand.
- The annual Plum Festival has been held since 1927.
- Total municipal area covers 73.21 square kilometers.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
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Sights in the town Bühl (10)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Bühl known as the 'Plum City'?
The 'Bühler Frühzwetschge' (early plum) was discovered here in 1840. The city celebrates this heritage every year with a large Plum Festival in September.
Which castle ruin can be visited near Bühl?
Burg Windeck is a popular destination. It gives a great view over the Rhine valley all the way to the Vosges mountains in France.
Is Bühl close to the Black Forest?
Yes, Bühl is considered the gateway to the Northern Black Forest. The famous Black Forest High Road is reachable from here in a short time by car.
What wines come from the region?
Bühl belongs to the Baden wine region. The Affental is particularly known for its excellent Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) wines.
How far is it to Baden-Baden?
Baden-Baden is only about 10-15 km north of Bühl. By car or train, the journey takes only about 10 to 15 minutes.
Bühl: where is it located?
Bühl is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Bühl: what is there to see?
Highlights include Windeck Castle, Bühl City Museum, St. Peter and Paul.
Bühl: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Bühl: why is it worth visiting?
Bühl is an animated and prosperous city located in the Ortenau district, perfectly positioned where the Rhine plain meets the foothills of the Northern Black Forest.
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