Besigheim combines art in public spaces with historic buildings, viewpoints and themes related to winegrowing. During your stay, you can combine these highlights according to your interests with a walk, cultural activities and active excursions.
Art, Architectural History and Remembrance
The Besigheim Sculpture Trail leads to sculptures and artworks integrated into the landscape and townscape, inviting you to take a walk through Besigheim. This makes art part of the townscape rather than something confined to a single spot.
The town’s architectural history also offers several historical reference points. The Stone House was part of the Upper Castle and was probably built around 1235. The Besigheim Studio Theatre regularly stages performances in the garden and vaulted cellar; check the latest dates before visiting. The Schochenturm tower was built around 1220 and is 31 metres high. These approximate construction dates place the buildings in the early 13th century.
Besigheim Town Hall was built as a market hall in 1459. Inside, you’ll find painted stone and wooden walls, as well as Baroque stucco ceilings that were uncovered and restored in 1977. At the Old Cemetery, 21 Jura limestone steles stand diagonally in a single alignment over a length of 120 metres. The “Memorial Stones” exhibition project creates a permanent artistic feature there.
Winegrowing, Views and Events
The wine information pavilion at Himmelsleiter was completed in 2021. Its information panels offer insights into steep-slope winegrowing and why preserving these slopes matters. At the Weinkanzel viewpoint on the Niedernberg, two routes lead to the viewpoint: along the Löchgauer Steige or up the Himmelsleiter and its steps. The climb involves a total elevation gain of 85 metres; from the pavilion, you can look out over Besigheim.
Another viewpoint is in the municipality of Walheim: the “Most Beautiful Wine View in Württemberg 2012” is on the opposite side of the Neckar, across from Besigheim. From there, the vineyards obscure the town. This setting distinguishes the viewpoint from the Weinkanzel, which offers a view of Besigheim.
Wine also features at the Besigheim Winemakers’ Festival. It takes place every two years on the third weekend in September in an odd-numbered year. Local winegrowers’ products are offered at tasting stands, in taverns and in cellars. If you’d like to plan your trip around a future festival, check the dates with the organisers.
Day Trips and Active Pursuits
Besigheim is a good starting point for day trips. The region has well-marked hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. For cycling, the Neckar Valley Cycle Route and the Enz Valley Cycle Route are options to consider from Besigheim. Canoe trips on the Enz and Neckar are another activity; check with providers for current availability and access requirements.
Private guided tours for groups can be booked year-round outside the scheduled public tour dates. This is another way to include Besigheim in your plans if you don’t want to join a public tour.
More Highlights in the Ludwigsburg Destination
The wider Ludwigsburg destination has its own natural and cultural highlights. Terraced steep-slope vineyards along the Neckar and Enz shape the district’s landscape. The approximately 35-kilometre-long Celtic Trail connects nine significant Celtic-era discoveries. At the Hochdorf/Enz Celtic Museum, the exhibition includes a faithful replica of the Celtic prince’s burial chamber, as well as insights into the everyday life and crafts of early Celtic people. These themes complement Besigheim’s focus on art in public spaces, historic buildings and winegrowing.
Discover more destinations: Remseck am Neckar, Ingersheim, Tamm, Gemmrigheim, Hessigheim, Gerlingen, Kornwestheim, Bietigheim-Bissingen.
Back to the main travel overview: Ludwigsburg.
