Leonberg Horse Market
A traditional festival held since 1684 each February, featuring horse trading, a festive parade, a market and a funfair.
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Leonberg
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ℹ️Practical info — Leonberg
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The Pomeranzengarten is one of Germany's few remaining terraced Renaissance gardens; the best panoramic view of it is from the palace terrace above.
- Parking in the historic Marktplatz area is very limited and often restricted; save time by heading straight to the Altstadt parking garages.
- If visiting in February, the historic Leonberger Pferdemarkt (Horse Market) dominates the town; book accommodation well in advance and expect lively crowds.
- To see the famous Leonberger dogs, check local club schedules as they occasionally hold gatherings or shows in the area, rather than roaming the streets.
- For a quick nature escape with a view, the walk up to the Engelberg tower is moderately steep but rewards you with a fantastic panorama of the region.
🍽 Food
🍽
Swabian Maultaschen
Try these traditional large, meat-filled dumplings, often served in broth or pan-fried with onions, at a cozy Gasthaus in the old town.
🍽
Zwiebelrostbraten
Look for this classic Swabian dish of roast beef topped with fried onions, typically accompanied by Spätzle, in traditional restaurants around the Marktplatz.
🍽
Local Bakeries
Grab a fresh Brezel (pretzel) or a slice of local plum cake (Zwetschgenkuchen) in late summer from a traditional bakery on your morning stroll.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Leonberg Farmers Market
Visit the market square on Wednesday or Saturday mornings for fresh regional produce, local honeys, and flowers directly from Swabian farmers.
🛍
Leo-Center
For extensive retail shopping, this large modern shopping mall has a wide variety of clothing, electronics, and specialty stores under one roof.
🧘
Pomeranzengarten
Stroll through this precisely manicured Renaissance garden right next to the palace; it is usually very peaceful and smells beautifully of herbs in summer.
🧘
Engelberg Tower Surrounds
Once you've completed the walk up, the grassy areas around the tower provide a quiet spot to rest and take in the expansive views over the town.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
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Located just west of the Stuttgart metropolis, Leonberg welcomes guests with a fascinating blend of rich history and modern urbanity. The town gained worldwide recognition thanks to the Leonberger, an imposing and gentle dog breed that was developed here in the 19th century and is honored with a dedicated bronze monument on the historic market square. An absolute cultural highlight is the Pomeranzengarten (Bitter Orange Garden) situated directly beneath the local castle; it is one of the few faithfully preserved Renaissance terraced gardens in Germany, enchanting visitors with its strict geometric layout and fragrant spice plants. The easy on the eye old town, lined with beautiful half-timbered houses, invites visitors for leisurely strolls. A major technical landmark is the Engelberg Tunnel on the A8 autobahn, an engineering feat that has long been a key junction in the German highway network. Surrounded by the dense forests of the Glemswald, Leonberg also serves as a well-suited starting point for extensive hikes and cycling tours into nature.
- Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Top sights: Pomeranzengarten · Leonberg Castle · Town Church (Stadtkirche)
- Nearby: Rutesheim (5 km)
- Population: ~49.845
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 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 76 | 58 | 64 | 50 | 86 | 72 | 81 | 81 | 58 | 70 | 70 | 83 |
Geography
Facts
- City founded: 1248 by Ulrich I
- First breeding of Leonberger: ca. 1846
- Pomeranzengarten: Restored in 1980
- Area: 48.73 square kilometers
- Elevation: 386 m above sea level
- Main motorways: A8 and A81
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
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Sights in the town Leonberg (10)
Frequently asked questions
What is Leonberg known for?
Known for the Renaissance Pomeranzengarten garden, the Leonberger dog breed, and the historic market square.
What is special about the Pomeranzengarten?
It is one of the few preserved Renaissance terrace gardens in Europe, located directly below the castle.
How to get from Stuttgart to Leonberg?
Leonberg is very easily accessible by S-Bahn (lines S6 and S60); the journey takes about 20-25 minutes.
When does the Leonberg Horse Market take place?
This large folk festival takes place annually in February and has a tradition of over 300 years.
Are there viewpoints in Leonberg?
From the Engelberg Tower, you have a fantastic view over the Strohgäu and as far as Stuttgart.
Leonberg: where is it located?
Leonberg is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Leonberg: what is there to see?
Highlights include Pomeranzengarten, Leonberg Castle, Town Church (Stadtkirche).
Leonberg: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Leonberg: why is it worth visiting?
Located just west of the Stuttgart metropolis, Leonberg welcomes guests with a fascinating blend of rich history and modern urbanity.
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