Reutlingen offers different ways to explore the city: listed half-timbered buildings, evidence of the textile industry and mechanical engineering, historic buildings, and walking routes within the city. The 707-metre-high Achalm is an important landmark. When planning your visit, you can choose your own focus—for example, city history, collections or nature experiences at Listhof.
Museums in historic buildings
Since 1998, the Reutlingen Natural History Museum has been housed in the listed Old Lyceum. This impressive half-timbered building dates from 1727. Here, a historic museum setting meets natural history topics.
The Spendhaus houses the Reutlingen Art Museum. The six-storey half-timbered building was built in 1518 as a grain store for the charitable foundation. The art museum’s collection focuses on artistic woodcuts and relief printing—from the 19th century to the present day. This span of time makes printmaking the collection’s unifying theme.
The Industrial Museum displays machinery and products from Reutlingen’s textile industry and mechanical engineering sector. The collection includes a loom made by Hermann Wangner in 1849 and a steam engine made by Ulrich Kohllöffel in 1886. These two dated objects represent different types of machinery from the 19th century; their manufacturers and dates of construction give each a specific historical context.
City history and buildings
Tübingen Gate was built in 1235 as part of the construction of Reutlingen’s medieval city wall. Together with the Spendhaus and the Old Lyceum, it represents different periods of construction and functions. Those interested in the city’s development can consider these buildings as distinct historical reference points, rather than reducing Reutlingen to a single era.
Walking routes and nature on the edge of the city
The “Aussichtsreich” tour guide features 14 walking routes, all within Reutlingen’s city limits. The 707-metre-high Achalm is a prominent feature in the landscape, Reutlingen’s own mountain and an important city landmark.
Listhof Nature Reserve lies on the edge of the city and can be explored on a walk. The Listhof Environmental Education Centre includes several nature experience areas, biotopes and a crawlies house for exploring and experimenting. This offers a choice of different ways to experience nature: walking routes within the city, a walk in the nature reserve, and areas that combine observing nature with experimenting.
Guided city tours and culinary discoveries
The digital “City Tour for All” leads to 22 sights in central Reutlingen. Before setting off, check whether the app is currently available. Historical city tours are listed as taking place on two Sundays each month; confirm the specific dates before your trip.
The two-hour “Genuss-Ver-Führung” combines Swabian cuisine with tastings of regional specialties and stories from the culinary guides. Its fixed duration helps with planning your day without prescribing any other activities. Check the latest dates and booking details in advance.
More destinations in the Reutlingen district
Beyond the city, the Reutlingen district also offers its own cultural and nature attractions. In Zwiefalten, the Minster of Our Lady is the centrepiece of the old monastic and pilgrimage town; it is one of the most significant examples of German Baroque architecture. Concerts are held in the minster every year, with dates that vary.
Lichtenstein Castle was built between 1840 and 1842 on the foundations of an older knights’ castle. The Hochgehträumt circular hiking trail leads from the castle along scenic cliffs directly to Nebelhöhle cave. Public transport does not go directly to the castle. The nearest bus stops are in Unterhausen (Oberhausener Steige), Honau and Traifelberg; from there, you can hike to the castle. Check current connections before travelling. Fifteen routes from the hochgehberge hiking programme also run through the district. As the route network may change, it is worth checking the current route overview.
In Münsingen, the Swabian Alb Biosphere Centre uses interactive modules, audio and video contributions to share information about the nature, landscape and people of the biosphere area. The Old Castle houses the Castle Town Museum, which presents the history and culture of the Münsingen Alb. The Biosphere Centre’s educational group activities include felting, as well as planting, harvesting and cooking together.
Trained TrÜP guides lead tours across the former Münsingen military training area, either privately or together with other visitors on selected dates throughout the year. Check the latest dates and booking conditions in advance.
Discover more destinations: Mittelstadt, Hülben, Gomadingen, Dettingen An Der Erms, Riederich, Eningen Unter Achalm, Trochtelfingen, Mehrstetten.
Back to the main travel overview: Reutlingen.
