Freiburg im Breisgau is Germany’s southernmost major city and is located on the western edge of the Black Forest. The city was founded in 1120; parts of the old town, which was destroyed in the war, were rebuilt according to historical models. The most important attractions in Freiburg are located close together and can be explored on foot – a day trip is enough to get a good first impression.

From Ühlingen-Birkendorf it is about 63 km, by car about 65 minutes. This post shows what you shouldn't miss in the city and what to pay attention to when arriving, parking, and at the Christmas market.

Attractions in Freiburg: the most important stations at a glance

Photo: Dietmar Rabich /Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

If you have little time, focus on these stations:

the Freiburg Münster with Münsterplatz and Münstermarkt
The Historical Department Store on Münsterplatz
the alleys, the small streams in the streets of the old town
Schwabentor and Martinstor, the two preserved city gates
the Augustinian Museum
the Schlossberg with Schlossbergbahn and observation tower
During Advent: the Freiburg Christmas Market

Freiburg Münster and Münsterplatz

The Münster is the city’s landmark. Construction began in 1200 and lasted for about 350 years. The west tower measures 116 meters (with weather vane). The art historian Jacob Burckhardt wrote in 1869 that Freiburg would probably remain „the most beautiful tower on earth.“ The Münster survived the air raid of 1944, in which large parts of the old city were destroyed.

Inside, among other things, the high altar by Hans Baldung Grien is worth seeing; it was created between 1512 and 1516.

Climbing the tower

You reach the tower chamber via 209 steps; the upper gallery is located at an altitude of around 70 meters. The climb is not wheelchair-accessible, not suitable for people with physical disabilities, and is at your own risk. In case of snow and ice, the upper gallery may be closed. The Münster’s website lists the times and admission prices; they change, so they are only linked from the sources.

Münstermarkt

Around the Münster, traders set up their stalls from Monday to Saturday, not on Sundays and public holidays. The busiest time is on Saturday. The current market hours can be found on the city's Münster Market page.

Historical department store

The Historical Department Store on Münsterplatz was built in 1520. Statues of four Habsburg rulers stand on the facade.

Poles, gates and alleys: a walk through the old town

Photo: Rob Faulkner from Leeds, United Kingdom /Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

The Freiburger Bächle

The streams are narrow, artificially created waterways that run through the old town. They probably originated during the founding of the city in 1120 and originally served as a source of drinking and firefighting water. Today they cool the feet in the summer. They are fed by the Dreisam river.

According to a Badenian folk tale, anyone who accidentally steps into a stream gets married to a person from Freiburg. Frost, construction work and events can cause the streams to be temporarily closed.

Schwabentor and Martinstor

The Schwabentor was built around 1250 and, together with the Martinstor, is one of the two remaining gates of the medieval city fortifications. Today, tram line 1 runs through it. On the downtown side, a mural shows a merchant with a horse-drawn carriage. As a highlight of the old town, Hochschwarzwald Tourismus also mentions „Little Venice“ with its picturesque alleys and canals.

Museums

The Augustinian Museum is one of the city’s museums, as is the Colombischlössle. Opening hours and prices vary; they are listed on museen.freiburg.de.

Schlossberg: View over the city

The Schlossberg is 456 meters high and serves as a recreational area in the middle of the city. The Schlossbergbahn starts at Stadtgarten (Stadtgarten 1) and takes about 3 minutes and 15 seconds to travel. It operates on request; there are no fixed departure times; it is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

From the mountain station, the path leads to the cannon square and from there, over the 251 steps of the Salzbüchsleute staircase, to the observation tower. It is located just over 200 meters above the city and offers views of Freiburg, the vineyards and the landscape of the Breisgau region.

Freiburg Christmas Market 2026

According to the city's official website, this year's Christmas market runs from November 19 to December 23, 2026 (as of October 2026). It is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. On the opening day, November 19, the market opens at 2 p.m., and on the last day, December 23, it closes at 7:30 p.m. It remains closed on November 22.

The stalls are spread out over several locations in the old town, including Rathausplatz, Kartoffelmarkt, Unterlindenplatz, Franziskanerstraße, Turmstraße, Predigertor, Rotteckring and Colombipark. Further Christmas markets in the region are presented in the contribution to the brochure. Christmas market in the Black Forest before.

Practical tips: Getting there, parking, duration

How to get there from the hotel: about 63 km, by car about 65 minutes.
Parking: Freiburg has a parking management system that displays available parking spaces in the parking garages. There are also parking-and-ride spaces on the outskirts of the city, such as at Bissierstraße, Gundelfinger Straße, Moosweiher, Munzinger Straße and Paduaallee. For these, you need a ticket for the tram or a parking permit; for occasional drivers, the city lists the parking permit with a day ticket as the most affordable option.
Rail: The main train station is located in the city center, and Münsterplatz can be reached on foot in a short time.
Information: The tourist information office is located at Rathausplatz.
Duration: For Münster, the old town and lunch break, plan for a half day; with Schlossberg it becomes an entire day.

Freiburg as a day trip from our hotel

Photo: Wellnesshotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde

The wellness hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde is located in Birkendorf in the southern Black Forest, at 800 meters above sea level. From Freiburg you drive around 63 km, by car about 65 minutes – so a day in the city can easily be combined with a break in the wellness area.

After the city tour, a break is good: Our wellness area is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm. The panoramic sauna with forest view (Finnish sauna) runs from 12 pm to 8 pm, the textile garden sauna from 2 pm to 8 pm, and the organic steam sauna from 4 pm to 8 pm. In addition, there is an indoor pool with 84 m², a Kneipp water walk, and relaxation areas. Tired feet will appreciate a Foot reflexology massage (45 € for 25 minutes); the full-body massage costs 76 € for 50 minutes. Please book massages before arrival.

In the Sonnenhof restaurant, chef and hotelier Uli Blatter serves creative Badische cuisine with regional ingredients and a seasonally changing menu. More information can be found on our page about Culinary delights in the Black Forest. A city trip goes well with our offers. Relaxation days and Pleasure for the senses – the prices are listed on the respective offer page. For more inspiration on what to see in the Black Forest, see Excursion destinations in the Black Forest and to Ravenna Gorge. Rooms and offers Book directly with us.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Freiburg from Ühlingen-Birkendorf?

The distance to Münsterplatz is approximately 63 km, by car about 65 minutes (route calculation using OSRM, October 2026).

What are the most important attractions in Freiburg?

The Münster with Münsterplatz and Münstermarkt, the Historical Department Store, the canals, Schwabentor and Martinstor, and Schlossberg. In Advent, the Christmas market also comes along.

What is the height of the Münsterturm in Freiburg?

The West Tower is 116 meters high. There are 209 steps leading to the tower chamber; the upper gallery is located at around 70 meters.

When is the Freiburg Christmas Market in 2026?

From November 19 to December 23, 2026; it is closed on November 22 (as of October 2026). Current information can be found at weihnachtsmarkt.freiburg.de.

Where is the best place to park in Freiburg?

One option are the parking and ride stations on the outskirts, from which you can take the tram to the city center; for this you need a ticket or a parking permit. Alternatively, the parking guidance system displays vacant spaces in the parking garages.

What are the Freiburger Bächle?

Small, artificially created watercourses in the streets of the old town, presumably since the founding of the city in 1120, that are fed by the Dreisam river.

Freiburg attractions: Day trip to the Black Forest metropolis

Attractions in Freiburg: the most important stations at a glance