Odenwald Winegrowers' Festival Groß-Umstadt
One of the largest wine festivals of the Hessische Bergstraße, held annually on the third September weekend, with wine stalls, live music, a festive parade and fairground rides around the market square.
Plizio Visual Lab
Groß-Umstadt
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Groß-Umstadt
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- This is a wine town in a region mostly known for apple cider! Make sure to try the local Riesling directly at a winery.
- The historic market square is impressive with its half-timbered houses; visit in the late afternoon for the most beautiful light.
- Take a hike on the local wine educational trail (Weinlehrpfad) through the vineyards for great views of the Odenwald forest.
- If you visit in September, the 'Winzerfest' (wine festival) is the absolute highlight of the year.
🍽 Food
🍽
Umstädter Wine
Sample local wines at a traditional 'Straußwirtschaft' (seasonal wine tavern) tucked away in the vineyards.
🍽
Odenwälder Kochkäse
A regional cooked cheese specialty, typically served with dark rustic bread and onions.
🍽
Hearty Odenwald Cuisine
Try roasted meats or sausages at one of the historic taverns near the market square.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Local Wineries
Purchase excellent wine directly from the independent producers around the town.
🛍
Farmers' Market
The weekend market on the historic Marktplatz is a great place to find regional delicacies.
🧘
The Vineyards
A walk through the rolling vineyards has beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
🧘
Historic Town Walls
The green spaces surrounding the old fortifications are great for a quiet, relaxing break.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Groß-Umstadt, frequently referred to as the 'Odenwald Wine Island,' occupies a strategic location at the transition between the northern Odenwald mountains and the Rhine-Main plain. The town's history is deeply rooted in antiquity, with significant Roman remains, including a Villa Rustica, pointing to its early importance. During the Middle Ages, it evolved into a prosperous market town and center of administration, heavily influenced by its unique viticultural environment. The architectural highlight is the Renaissance town hall, completed in 1605, which stands as a testament to the town's historical wealth. Beyond agriculture, the modern municipality has developed into a diverse economic hub with a strong service sector. The local vineyards, situated on weathered granite soil, produce distinctive wines that define the town's cultural identity, most notably celebrated during the annual Winzerfest, one of the oldest wine festivals in the region.
- Location: Hesse, Germany
- Top sights: Renaissance Town Hall · Palatinate Castle (Pfälzer Schloss) · Darmstadt Castle
- Nearby: Dieburg (7 km)
- Population: ~21.018
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 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 57 | 46 | 47 | 41 | 71 | 59 | 66 | 65 | 46 | 54 | 56 | 64 |
Geography
Facts
- Elevation: 162 m above sea level
- Area: approx. 86.84 km²
- Vineyard area: 75 hectares
- First mentioned: 743 AD
- Number of districts: 9
- Monument: Roman villa remains at the market square
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.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Groß-Umstadt (9)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Groß-Umstadt called the 'Odenwald Wine Island'?
Because it is an isolated wine-growing region on the northern edge of the Odenwald that produces excellent wines.
When does the Vintners' Festival take place?
The large Umstadt Vintners' Festival traditionally takes place on the third weekend of September.
Are there historic buildings on the market square?
Yes, the Renaissance town hall and several noble estates characterize the historic center.
Can you hike in the vineyards?
Yes, the wine educational trail provides beautiful paths with information about local grape varieties.
How do you get from Frankfurt to Groß-Umstadt?
The Odenwald Railway (VIAS) runs directly from Frankfurt Central Station to Groß-Umstadt Mitte.
Groß-Umstadt: where is it located?
Groß-Umstadt is located in Hesse, Germany.
Groß-Umstadt: what is there to see?
Highlights include Renaissance Town Hall, Palatinate Castle (Pfälzer Schloss), Darmstadt Castle.
Groß-Umstadt: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Groß-Umstadt: why is it worth visiting?
Groß-Umstadt, frequently referred to as the 'Odenwald Wine Island,' occupies a strategic location at the transition between the northern Odenwald mountains and the Rhine-Main plain.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →
Nearby cities
Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt am Main is the financial center of Germany and a major transportation hub in Europe.
Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden is the state capital of Hesse and one of the oldest spa towns in Europe.
Darmstadt
Darmstadt is a city in southern Hesse, known as a center of Art Nouveau (Mathildenhöhe) and modern science.
Offenbach am Main
Offenbach is a dynamic city in Hesse, known as a historic center of the leather industry and the headquarters of the German Weather Service.
Offenbach
Offenbach was formerly world-famous as a leather city.
Gießen
Gießen is a university city in central Hesse on the Lahn river with a vibrant student life.
Hanau
Hanau is the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm.
Marburg
Marburg an der Lahn is a medieval university town with a magnificent old town.
Fulda
Fulda is located in Hesse on the Fulda river.
Rüsselsheim
Rüsselsheim is the home of the car brand Opel.
Rüsselsheim am Main
Known as the headquarters of the car manufacturer Opel, Rüsselsheim is a central industrial location in the Rhine-Main area.
Wetzlar
Wetzlar is an important city for the optical industry.
Bad Homburg vor der Höhe
An elegant spa and convention city at the Taunus mountains, known for its imperial castle and the famous casino.
Bad Homburg
Bad Homburg is a well-known spa town.
Speyer
Speyer is located in Rhineland-Palatinate on the Rhine.