Donaueschingen Festival (New Music)
Founded in 1921, the world's oldest festival for new music takes place every year on the third weekend of October and consists almost entirely of world premieres.
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Donaueschingen
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ℹ️Practical info — Donaueschingen
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Donauquelle (Danube Source) early in the morning to avoid the large tour groups.
- The extensive grounds of the Fürstenberg Palace park are mostly free to enter and well-suited for a relaxing stroll.
- This is the starting point of the famous Danube Cycle Path; local bike shops in town offer rentals.
- Parking is generally easiest near the train station, which is just a short walk from the historic center.
🍽 Food
🍽
Black Forest Cake
Enjoy a slice at a traditional café located near the Danube source.
🍽
Fürstenberg Beer
Grab a freshly poured pint at a Brauhaus in the city center near the brewery.
🍽
Badische Schäufele
Smoked pork shoulder, found in hearty traditional local taverns.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Black Forest Ham
Buy vacuum-sealed cuts to take home from local butchers on Karlstraße.
🛍
Regional Boutiques
Look around Josefstraße for small independent shops selling local goods and souvenirs.
🧘
Confluence of Brigach and Breg
A peaceful natural spot east of town where the Danube geographically truly forms.
🧘
Schlosspark Ponds
Find a quiet bench by the water features within the princely park.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
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Donaueschingen is a historic town in southwestern Baden-Württemberg, internationally renowned as the starting point of the Danube River. The symbolic source of the Danube, located in the grand park of the Fürstenberg princely palace, draws visitors from all over the world. For centuries, the town served as the cultural and political hub of the House of Fürstenberg, a legacy that remains evident in the impressive residential palace and the extensive princely art and manuscript collections. Beyond its historical weight, Donaueschingen is a major global center for contemporary culture, specifically as the host of the Donaueschinger Musiktage, the world's oldest festival for new music. Geographically perched on the Baar plateau, the town sits at the confluence of the Brigach and Breg rivers, where the Danube officially begins its journey. The surrounding region features excellent opportunities for exploring the Black Forest, and the town serves as a key junction for the popular Danube Cycle Path.
- Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Top sights: Danube Source · Donaueschingen Palace · St. John's Church
- Nearby: Bräunlingen (5 km)
- Population: ~22.312
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 | -2 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 3 | -1 |
| Rain mm | 68 | 54 | 66 | 67 | 109 | 108 | 109 | 106 | 76 | 80 | 68 | 77 |
Geography
Facts
- The Danube is formed by the confluence of the Brigach and Breg rivers.
- The Fürstenberg Residential Palace was extensively remodeled in the Belle Époque style.
- The town houses one of Europe's most significant private manuscript collections.
- Donaueschingen is situated at an elevation of approximately 678 meters.
- The Fürstenberg Brewery, one of Germany's historic brands, is headquartered here.
- The CHI Donaueschingen is a prestigious international equestrian event held annually.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Donaueschingen (12)
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly does the Danube rise?
The official Danube source is located in the palace park as a captured karst spring.
Can you visit the Fürstenberg Palace?
Yes, there are guided tours through the magnificent living and representation rooms.
What are the Donaueschinger Musiktage?
One of the world's most important festivals for contemporary music, held every October.
Are there museums in the city?
Museum Art.Plus shows contemporary art; additionally, there are the Fürstenberg Collections.
Is the city a good starting point for cyclists?
Yes, the famous Danube Cycle Path starts here, leading all the way to Vienna and Budapest.
Donaueschingen: where is it located?
Donaueschingen is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Donaueschingen: what is there to see?
Highlights include Danube Source, Donaueschingen Palace, St. John's Church.
Donaueschingen: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Donaueschingen: why is it worth visiting?
Donaueschingen is a historic town in southwestern Baden-Württemberg, internationally renowned as the starting point of the Danube River.
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