Ettlingen Castle, with its Asam Hall, is the centrepiece of the town on the Alb. Ettlingen combines castle history with a museum in the historic castle, a walking tour through the old town, cultural events and routes through the surrounding countryside. This gives you several focal points to choose from when planning your stay: you can focus on architecture and local history, take event dates into account, or make cycling and hiking tours your priority.
Castle and Museum
The Museum of the City of Ettlingen is housed in the historic castle in the heart of the old town and explores the history and present of the town and region. Across around 1,800 m², it presents collection displays and changing exhibitions. This combination offers two ways to explore: the collection displays provide insight into the holdings, while changing exhibitions bring additional themes to your museum visit.
In Asam Hall, the dome fresco depicts the life and suffering of Saint John of Nepomuk in eight main scenes. This connects the castle with a specific pictorial theme. The hall also provides a splendid setting for numerous concerts.
Old Town and Historic Collections
The Historical Walking Tour leads through Ettlingen’s historic old town, with 26 stops along the way. This offers a distinct way to explore the old town in addition to visiting the museum: the tour takes you around it via a series of stops, while the museum explores the history and present of the town and region through exhibitions.
The tower of the Museum at Lauerturm can be explored via a stone spiral staircase. Access may vary seasonally, so check before your visit whether the tower is open on your chosen date. A former barn dating from the 18th century adjoins the Museum at Lauerturm. It houses an extensive collection of objects from the working and everyday lives of the rural community around 1900. The building and collection point to different historical periods: the structure dates from the 18th century, while the working and living conditions depicted are from around 1900.
Theatre, Concerts and Museum Activities
Every summer, the Schlossfestspiele transform the castle courtyard in Ettlingen into a theatre stage. Dates and productions vary. If you are planning a trip to see a performance, check the specific dates for your chosen travel period. The Museum of the City of Ettlingen also offers themed guided tours, activity days and cultural education activities. Together with its collection displays and changing exhibitions, the museum therefore offers a range of formats for visitors.
Hiking, Cycling and Excursions
Hiking trails along orchards and irrigated meadows run through and around Ettlingen, offering far-reaching views. For cycling, there are routes for leisure cyclists and mountain bikers, with a range of lengths and difficulty levels. The Rhine Valley Cycle Route and the cross-border Pamina Cycle Route also pass through Ettlingen. On foot, the routes through the countryside take centre stage; by bike, you can choose according to route length and difficulty.
Ettlingen is also a suitable base for excursions into the Alb Valley. When planning, you can therefore choose between activities in town and a destination in the valley. Whether you focus on castle history, an old-town walking tour, cultural events or outdoor activities can depend on your interests and—when it comes to the Schlossfestspiele—the changing schedule.
Discover more destinations: Waldbronn, Kraichtal, Malsch, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Stupferich, Linkenheim-Hochstetten, Zaisenhausen, Ubstadt-Weiher
Return to the main travel overview: Karlsruhe.
