Ortenau Wine Festival
One of the region's largest wine festivals, held traditionally on the last weekend of September in Offenburg's city centre, featuring Ortenau wines and a wine hiking day.
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Offenburg
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ℹ️Practical info — Offenburg
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Offenburg is a great starting point for Black Forest excursions. Check the regional train connections to explore the surrounding nature.
- Visit the weekly farmers' market on the market square (Tuesdays and Saturdays) for fresh, regional Black Forest products.
- Rent a bicycle to explore the pretty vineyards and villages along the nearby Baden Wine Route.
- Don't miss the Salmen building, a key historical site for Germany's democratic history, located right in the city center.
- For parking, the garages around the inner city (like the City Parkhaus) are convenient and usually offer plenty of space.
🍽 Food
🍽
Flammkuchen
Enjoy this classic tarte flambée in a traditional Badische Weinstube (wine tavern) in the old town.
🍽
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte
Stop by a local café or pastry shop in the pedestrian zone for an authentic slice of Black Forest Cake.
🍽
Baden Wine
Try a local Riesling or Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) at a winery or wine bar in or around the city center.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Farmers' Market
Buy local Black Forest ham, cheese, and fresh produce at the market square on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
🛍
Hauptstraße (Main Street)
Stroll along the pedestrian zone for a mix of independent boutiques, local shops, and department stores.
🧘
Zwingerpark
A calm, green park just outside the old town walls, excellent for a short rest during your city walk.
🧘
Gifizsee
A beautiful lake located slightly outside the center, great for a relaxing walk or a swim in the summer.
Water temperature…
Offenburg is located in the sun-drenched Ortenau region on the western edge of the Black Forest and is widely known as the Gateway to the Black Forest. The former Free Imperial City has a turbulent history shaped by its location along major trade routes. A particularly notable historical event occurred in 1847 with the Offenburg Demands, where the 13 claims of the people of Baden were formulated, making the city a significant site in the history of German democracy. The historic Salmen building now serves as a memorial and museum for these freedom movements. The city center captivates visitors with its Baroque townhouses, the town hall, and the spacious marketplace. Offenburg is also a prominent media and economic hub, most notably as the headquarters of the Burda media group. The surrounding region is famous for its viticulture, with Ortenau wines being internationally esteemed. Each year, the Ortenau Wine Fair draws numerous visitors to the city. The combination of historical importance, cultural commitment, and proximity to vineyards makes Offenburg a lively center in southwestern Baden-Württemberg.
- Location: Saarland, Germany
- Top sights: Mikwe · Menhir von Rammersweier · KiK
- Nearby: Gengenbach (9 km)
- Population: ~59.238
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 |
Live webcam – Offenburg
See what it looks like near Offenburg right now.
Offenburg: Ree-Carre: Guido Gegg - Offenburg · 1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Offenburg was first mentioned in a document in the year 1148 AD.
- The 13 Demands of the People were proclaimed in 1847 at the Salmen Inn.
- The Burda publishing house was founded in Offenburg in 1908.
- Offenburg is the largest city and the center of the Ortenau region.
- The historic town hall dates back to the year 1741.
- The city currently has a population of approximately 60,000 people.
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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A day in the city
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09:00→16:562 km walk8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 24–32 €Entries 28€ · Transport 0€
Start your morning at the historic Fish Market and the grand Baroque City Hall. At midday, dive into regional history at St. Andreas Church and the Knight's House Museum. The afternoon focuses on democratic history at Salmen and monastic peace. End your day wandering through the manicured Vinzentius Garden and Zwinger Park, ideally with a glass of local Baden wine.
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09:00→17:529.8 km ride8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 34–46 €Entries 28€ · Transport 12€
This tour blends old town highlights with a side trip to Ortenberg Castle. Start at the Fish Market and Knight's House before a scenic bike ride through vineyards to Ortenberg. After enjoying the views, cycle back to the city for Salmen and the relaxing parks. A perfect mix of culture and outdoor activity.
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Museum in the Knight's House
Bike racks located directly in front of the building.
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09:00→17:3813.4 km drive8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 28€ · Transport 2€
This route utilizes the car for a side trip to Staufenberg Castle in Durbach. Spend your morning exploring Offenburg's center on foot. After a short drive, enjoy the panorama and wine at the castle. Back in Offenburg, leave the car and discover Salmen and the urban gardens. An ideal blend of city culture and Baden wine heritage.
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Sights in the town Offenburg (14)
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous product of the region around Offenburg?
Offenburg is located in Ortenau, a significant wine region especially known for its Riesling.
What can you see at the Ritterhaus Museum?
It displays city history, natural history, and a curious ethnographic collection in a baroque former noble residence.
Is Offenburg a good starting point for the Black Forest?
Yes, Offenburg is often called the 'gateway to the Black Forest.' Hiking and excursion destinations are quickly accessible from here.
What is the Fish Market in Offenburg?
A central, historic square with a fountain, surrounded by beautiful buildings, well-suited for relaxing and drinking coffee.
What role does Carnival (Fasent) play in Offenburg?
The Swabian-Alemannic Carnival has a long tradition here with witch figures and large parades in the city center.
Offenburg: where is it located?
Offenburg is located in Saarland, Germany.
Offenburg: what is there to see?
Highlights include Mikwe, Menhir von Rammersweier, KiK.
Offenburg: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Offenburg: why is it worth visiting?
Offenburg is located in the sun-drenched Ortenau region on the western edge of the Black Forest and is widely known as the Gateway to the Black Forest.
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