Ulm combines striking buildings with scenic routes and a seasonal park attraction. During your stay, you can choose between the Minster, Town Hall and Stadthaus, as well as signposted routes on foot or by bike. The route length, views and time of year each offer something different. This makes it easy to choose based on what interests you most in Ulm: architecture, exhibitions or outdoor activities.
The Minster as a viewpoint
At 161.53 metres, Ulm Minster has the tallest church tower in Germany. Visitors can climb the steps to the first platform, 70 metres above ground, and take in views of Ulm, Neu-Ulm and the Danube. The tower’s height describes the building; the platform, by contrast, is the specific viewpoint reached by climbing the tower.
Town Hall and Stadthaus
The Ulm Stadthaus was designed by American architect Richard Meier and hosts changing exhibitions. Their focus is on contemporary photography, architecture, the environment and so-called outsider art. The Town Hall’s exterior is distinguished by its opulent early Renaissance painting; an elaborately decorated astronomical clock was installed there around 1520. These offer different cultural points of interest: the Stadthaus features a distinctive design and changing themes, while the Town Hall has its painted façade and a historic clock detail.
Routes on foot and by bike
The 20-kilometre Ulmer Höhenweg trail runs through northern Ulm, is signposted and can be walked from either end. It offers views of Ulm Minster and, in clear weather, the 150-kilometre-long Alpine range. The route therefore combines a longer walk with views of an Ulm landmark and, when visibility is good, the Alps.
On a stroll along Ulm’s city wall, pretty gardens lie on one side and a riverside meadow on the Danube, which gets very busy on sunny days, on the other. Here, the route offers two contrasting sides to admire, while the main distinction of the Höhenweg is its views of the Minster and the Alpine range.
The signposted StadtRad route is 12 kilometres long and passes through Ulm and Neu-Ulm, taking in sights, parks and squares. It is eight kilometres shorter than the Ulmer Höhenweg. The destinations also differ: the Höhenweg runs through northern Ulm, while the StadtRad route takes you to places in both cities. You can choose between a longer hike and a shorter route through urban attractions.
Spring and the July date
In spring, carpets of blooms from various varieties of daffodil are an added attraction in the spacious Friedrichsau, Ulm’s large city park. Schwörmontag is Ulm’s public holiday and always falls on the penultimate Monday in July. These offer two different points of reference for planning your trip: a seasonal park attraction in spring and a recurring date in July.
Discover more destinations: Gögglingen-Donaustetten, Rems-Murr District, Neckar-Odenwald District, Ludwigsburg, Rottweil, Main-Tauber District, Ostalb District, Emmendingen.
Back to the overview of destinations: Baden-WĂĽrttemberg.
