Raunheim brings together a range of interests: swimming and water sports take center stage at Waldsee, while the Main riverbank is known for its cycle paths and the Ă–lhafen Bridge. There are also places that tell the story of the town. You can plan your stay around what interests you most: water, outdoor activities or culture.
Waldsee: swimming areas and water sports
Raunheim’s Waldsee is a quarry lake surrounded by woodland, with a water surface of 21.6 hectares. At the natural beach, designated areas are available for swimmers, non-swimmers and naturists. Check the latest operating details for the bathing area before your visit.
The natural beach includes a sunbathing platform in the water and a pirate ship with a slide. The platform is also intended to serve as a lakeside stage for concerts and film screenings. If you are planning to use the facilities for children, confirm their availability in advance. There has also been a wakeboarding facility at Waldsee since 2013; check whether it is currently operating before you travel. The lake is also used for fishing. Check the local fishing regulations before you go.
The Raunheim wildlife enclosure offers a different kind of animal watching, where you can observe deer and wild boar up close. The wildlife adds to the range of things to do around the lake, so a visit need not focus solely on swimming.
Chapel and historic ferry crossing
Mönchhof Chapel is a Baroque chapel dating from the 17th century and is a protected historic monument. It is used for weddings, religious services and cultural events. Which uses are open to visitors may vary depending on the event or religious program.
Flörsheimer Fahr preserves the history of a former ford and a later ferry crossing that connected Raunheim and Flörsheim am Main. The riverbank there is an open-access outdoor area; check for updates in case of temporary works or restrictions. Together, the chapel and ferry crossing offer insight into different aspects of local history: sacred architecture on the one hand, and a former connection across the Main on the other.
By the Main: bridge and cycle paths
The Ölhafen Bridge in Raunheim is a public bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. It connects the southern bank of the Main with Raunheim’s oil harbor. Its circular viewing area is a place to stop and enjoy views over the river. Before your visit, check whether temporary works or closures affect access.
On the wider route, the bridge closes a former gap in the Main riverbank path between Aschaffenburg and Mainz. In 2013, the bridge’s construction and the landscaping of the Main floodplain also created a cycle route along the riverbank between Rüsselsheim and Kelsterbach. These connections give the Main riverbank a distinctive role for cycling trips, while the circular viewing area offers a place to pause and enjoy the river view.
Most of the cycle routes in Raunheim are designed for leisure cycling and generally run away from roads. According to the town, they are also very suitable for families with children. As routes and surfaces may change, check conditions before setting off. The signposted Regional Park route network south of the Main is also available for cycling and hiking; Raunheim is one possible starting point. This gives you the choice of a local leisure ride or a trip on the wider network, without committing to a particular route.
Discover more destinations: Bischofsheim, Riedstadt, Biebesheim am Rhein, Büttelborn, Trebur, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Gernsheim, Rüsselsheim
For the broader travel overview: GroĂź-Gerau.
