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15 Best Things to Do in Darmstadt (Germany)

Although modest in size, Darmstadt has a multifaceted appeal. If you’re dazzled by the luxury and wealth of Germany’s nobility, the Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Grand Dukes of Hesse lived in the city and they definitely lived well. Their art, porcelain, hunting gear and furniture is spread across museums around the city.

The last Grand Duke, Ernst Ludwig is remembered for turning a whole neighbourhood into an Art Nouveau wonderland, and this century-old ensemble is as special as ever. But Darmstadt also has a scientific feather in its cap: Not only does it now have a place on the Periodic Table thanks to Darmstadtium, it’s also the home of the European Space Agency’s operations centre, as well as the source of some of the most complete fossils ever found.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Darmstadt :

1. Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt

More than a century old, Hesse’s regional museum has a bit of everything from natural history to ancient archaeology to modern painting.

With such a massive and diverse collection, what you see will depend on your taste, but there are a few exhibits with universal appeal.

First up is the large collection of astoundingly detailed fossils from the Eocene Epoch recovered from the nearby Messel Pit.

Some of these specimens were so well preserved that it was even possible to extract stomach contents.

Also indispensible is the Ortenberg Altarpiece painted anonymously in the 1410s, as well as pieces by artists as varied as Brueghel the Elder, Oswald Achenbach, Lovis Corinth and Joseph Beuys.

2. Mathildenhöhe

In 1899 the Grand Duke of Hesse, Ernst Ludwig had the idea of attracting artists to build a colony in Darmstadt to breathe new life into the city’s culture and commerce.

He recruited some of the leading members of Germany’s Jugendstil movement (Art Nouveau) to design houses, studios and monuments in a wave of construction divided into four exhibitions across 13 years.

The Mathildenhöhe neighbourhood is littered with these amazing buildings, now listed monuments, designed by Peter Behrens, Hans Christiansen and Joseph Maria Olbrich.

You can download a map of the area with all of its wonders.

3. Hochzeitsturm

If there’s one sight that cannot be missed in Mathildenhöhe it’s Olbrich’s iconic Hochzeitsturm (Wedding Tower). The tower is just shy of 50 metres tall and was built in 1908 to commemorate Ernst Ludwig’s wedding to Princess Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich.

Olbrich called on a team of craftsmen and artists for the tower’s masterful fittings and decoration.

The most sumptuous is the Zimmer der Großherzogin (Room of the Grand Duchess), which can be hired out for weddings.

The tower’s five looped gables are rumoured to depict Ernst Ludwigs hand, and they contain an observation platform that is open to the public.

4. Schlossmuseum

The possessions belonging to Darmstadt’s Landgraves and Frand Dukes are revealed at this museum in the bell-tower of their former residence opposite Marktplatz.

The historical artefacts, applied arts, paintings, photographs and documents help piece together hundreds of years of Hesse and Darmstadt’s past.

The museum has been open to all since 1924, six years after Ernst Ludwig handed his ancestral collections over when he abdicated in 1918. From the 1600s to the 1900s there’s silverware, gold, dresses, porcelain, tapestries, paintings, clocks, glassware, and furniture in 15 splendid rooms.

5. Messel Pit

Within Darmstadt’s city limits is a UNESCO World Heritage Site regarded as the world’s richest fossil source from the Eocene Epoch.

The pit was only discovered by science in the 1970s; before that it was a mine for brown coal and a well for shale oil.

When the site was given a serious survey the unprecedented wealth of its natural heritage was revealed.

Now the pit is open to tourists on hour-long tours, on which guides go into depth about the history and methods of fossil excavation and even allow you to touch recently unearthed specimens.

The visitor centre also opened in 2010 and has set up information boards and a viewing platform at the site.

6. Museum Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt

One of the Art Nouveau buildings constructed in the first exhibition was the Ernst-Ludwig-Haus, intended for ateliers and designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich.

The south facade catches everyone’s attention for its curved portal with fastidious gilded vegetal ornamentation and a pair of sculptures representing man and woman.

The museum’s galleries give you the inside story on Mathildenhöhe’s Art Nouveau exhibitions from 1899 to 1914. You can peruse marvellous examples of applied arts produced for those exhibitions, including furniture sets, sculpture, glassware, ceramics, textiles and metalwork.

From 1904 a lot of these decorative pieces were produced by factories around Darmstadt set up by Ernst Ludwig.

7. Waldspirale

Friedensreich Hundertwasser designed this apartment building in his inimitable quirky style.

Work started in 1998 and was completed in 2000, the year Hundertwasser passed away.

Set in the Bürgerparkviertel, the Waldspirale holds 105 apartments and rises to 12 storeys high.

From the outside its spiralling bands of texture, curved edges and apparently random window designs give it a playful, childlike quality.

As it happens the windows are so random that no two on the entire tower are the same.

That name “Waldspirale” (forest spiral), partly refers to the roof, which is planted with a grove of lime, beech and maple trees.

8. Herrngarten

Darmstadt’s largest and oldest park has roots that go back to the 1500s when three smaller parks were combined into one.

In 1766 it was redesigned in the English style on the orders of the Landgrave Caroline, and then in 1811 Grand Duke Ludwig I opened the park to the public.

The sculptor Ludwig Habich contributed a couple of noteworthy monuments at the start of the 20th century.

One is the monument to polymath and cultural icon Johann Wolfgang von Goethe from 1903, and the other is for Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine (Queen Victoria’s favourite great granddaughter) who died from typhoid aged just eight years old in 1903.

9. Ludwigsmonument

Nicknamed “Langer Ludwig” (Tall Ludwig), this 40-metre column and statue on Luisenplatz is one of Darmstadt’s major landmarks.

This honours the first Hessian Constitution and depicts Ludwig I, the first Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, who ruled from 1830 to his death in 1848. The Neoclassical monument was begun in 1841 while he was still alive and was composed by the architects Georg Moller and Balthasar Harres.

If you look up you’ll see Ludwig, dressed in Roman garb holding the constitution in his right hand.

For a small fee you can scale the 172 steps to reach a platform under the statue at a height of 30 metres.

10. Park Rosenhöhe

The last Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig had a big hand in the design of this park on a hill to the east of the city.

The park’s history begins a century before in the early 1800s: It was first landscaped on what used to be a vineyard, and in the 1820s a Neoclassical mausoleum was built here for Princess Elisabeth Grand Duke Ludwig II’s daughter who also passed away as a child.

Later Ernst Ludwig built tombs for his parents, modelled on the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna.

But where Ernst Ludwig really made his mark is at the Rosarium at the highest point of the park, where more than 200 rose species bloom at different times from June to November.

11. Russian Chapel

Sitting under the Hochzeitsturm the golden onion domes of this church are a reminder that Darmstadt was the birthplace of the last Empress of Russia.

The sixth child of Grand Duke Ludwig IV, Alexandra Feodorovna was born in the city in 1872. Her husband Nicholas II commissioned architect Leon Benois to build him this orthodox chapel for when he visited Darmstadt with her.

Leading Russian artists of the period, like Viktor Vasnetsov came to produce paintings and mosaics for the chapel’s interior.

Beyond that, all of the building materials for the church were sourced in Russia, and the building is even claimed to have been built on Russian soil transported here by rail.

12. Großherzoglich-Hessische Porzellansammlung

In 1908 Ernst Ludwig decided to open his stash of porcelain and other ceramics up to the public at the Rococo Prinz-Georg-Palais, which dates to 1710. The museum opens of Fridays and weekends, and along with the collection of the Hessian Grand Dukes, has variety of pieces acquired over the last century.

Much of the porcelain and faience was produced by manufactories not far away in Kelsterbach, which were patronised by the Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Other famous manufactories represented include Vienna, Sèvres, St Petersberg, Frankenthal and Meissen.

13. Jagdschloss Kranichstein

In countryside to the northeast of Darmstadt is a sublime Baroque palace first raised during the reign of George I, the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt in the late 16th century.

Jagdschloss Kranichstein was a hunting lodge on the edge of forest and connected to a spacious deer park, and entertained generations of Landgraves and Grand Dukes on their court hunts.

In the 18th century it became Landgrave Ludwig VIII’s main home when it got a theatrical Baroque makeover.

Now the palace is divided between a hotel and restaurant and a museum all about the court hunts.

While it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, the museum is a snapshot of the noble lifestyle in Darmstadt and has an arsenal of rifles, shotguns and crossbows, as well as hunting daggers and sabres.

14. European Space Operations Centre (ESOC)

Over the last 50 years more than 70 satellites built by the European Space Agency and its partners have been controlled from this facility on the west side of Darmstadt.

This purpose of this centre is to operate spacecraft that are in orbit, design and build systems to manage space missions and also take care of the ESA’s network of global tracking stations.

At any one time over 10 spacecraft are being controlled from this one facility, and the centre is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you’re keen to know more there are regular tours of the ESOC.

15. Zoo Vivarium Darmstadt

The city’s zoo is by no means large, at two hectares, but has around 190 species in green enclosures, terrariums and aquariums.

Instead of big beasts, these are smaller primates, birds and reptiles.

The many indoor habitats here allow the zoo to stay open in winter.

These hold species as diverse as Celebes crested macaques, binturongs and dwarf crocodiles.

Outside there are plenty of opportunities for kids to interact with animals, in a walk-in enclosure that has Bennett’s tree-kangaroos, or the petting zoo hosting African dwarf goats.

15 Best Things to Do in Darmstadt (Germany):

• Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt
• Mathildenhöhe
• Hochzeitsturm
• Schlossmuseum
• Museum Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt
• Waldspirale
• Herrngarten
• Ludwigsmonument
• Park Rosenhöhe
• Russian Chapel
• Großherzoglich-Hessische Porzellansammlung
• Jagdschloss Kranichstein
• European Space Operations Centre (ESOC)
• Zoo Vivarium Darmstadt

• The Top 10 Things To...

The Top 10 Things To See And Do In Darmstadt, Germany

When you tell your friends that you are off to Darmstadt, it’s very likely they’ll ask, “Where on earth is that?” But they’ll soon add Darmstadt to their bucket list when they see your selfies with the absolutely stunning Mathildenhoehe in the background. And that’s just one of Darmstad’s many attractions. Let’s take a look.

1. mathildenhöhe.

2. Hessisches Landesmuseum

Though Hessisches Landesmuseum houses an extensive collection of artwork, it is more famous for its natural history exhibits. Here, you can see fossils excavated in Messel Pit, a quarry near Frankfurt am Main , as well as the remains of a gigantic American mastodon.

3. Waldspirale

Waldspirale is the last and among the most celebrated works of Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who designed a series of unique buildings across Germany and Austria . The building symbolizes the intricate connection between human beings and nature. To that effect, its wavy terrace is crowned by a whole forest of beech, maple and lime. The building also houses a cafe and a bar.

5. Parc de Rosenhöhe

Botanical Garden

Parc de Rosenhöhe is a gorgeous oasis right in the midst of the city. Locals come here to take a break from the bustle of city life among a sea of roses, water lilies and other beautiful flowers. Additionally, a stroll through the park will take you past several interesting landmarks, including the striking Löwentor guarding the park entrance, a picturesque teahouse with a golden roof and intricate paintings, a mausoleum and chapels, a Spanish tower, the neo-classical palace Pförtnerhäusche, a lovely herb garden and more.

6. Botanical Garden of Darmstadt University of Technology

The 4.5 hectare Botanical Gardens maintained by the Darmstadt University of Technology is any botany enthusiast’s dream come true and yet another great place to bond with nature. The garden is home to a whopping 9,000 plant species, including a range of rare examples housed in an arboretum. Don’t miss the heather, greenhouses and alpine garden when you visit.

7. Herrngarten

For a city, Darmstadt has a really impressive green feel. Herrngarten, the largest and oldest park in Darmstadt , is another pristine oasis where you can feel one with nature. This is the locals’ favorite spot to hang out with friends, have a picnic, barbecue or simply laze and stroll around. When you are here, look for the tomb of Landgrave Caroline, the veteran monument, the Goethe monument and the memorial stone for Princess Elisabeth. In warmer months, the park hosts concerts in its music pavilions.

8. Bioversum Kranichstein

Bioversum Kranichstein, a museum housed in Schloss Kranichstein, has a wonderful program to help you understand various aspects of nature and the environment. The tours, workshops and trails, which encourage touching and experimentation, are designed to be engaging for the younger members of your family too. Schloss Kranichstein enjoys a picturesque location in the midst of thick beech forest, a perfect setting for a nature museum.

9. Luisenplatz

Luisenplatz was once the political center of the Grand Duchy of Hesse and housed the Old Palace (the residence of the Grand Duke), the Kollegiengebäude (the seat of government) and the Ständehaus (seat of the Landtag). Today, the Luisencenter (housing the town hall) stands in place of the palace. The most important landmark here is the Ludwigsmonument, erected in 1841 in honor of Grand Duke Ludewig I. Several administration buildings are also located here and events are often hosted in this square.

10. Darmstadt-Kranichstein Railway Museum

If you happen to be one of those millions of people who love trains, you are guaranteed a great few hours at Darmstadt-Kranichstein Railway Museum. It boasts an admirable collection of locomotives, including steam locomotives, a rack railway steam engine, diesel locomotives, electric engines, Austrian locomotives, and more. Alongside, exhibits like train signals, steam engine boilers, driver’s cabs and more, deepen your technical understanding about the working of trains.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Top Things to Do in Darmstadt

Things to do in darmstadt, explore popular experiences, tours in and around darmstadt.

Self Guided The Darmstad Syndicate City Escape Game

Darmstadt Private Guided Walking Tour

Self-Guided Secrets of Darmstadt Exploration Game

Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise

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Frankfurt Highlights Guided Walking Tour

Rhine Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Frankfurt and Mainz

Heidelberg Castle and Old Town Tour from Frankfurt

Small Group Rheingau Vineyards Tour with Castles and Abbeys

Top attractions in darmstadt.

Other Top Attractions around Darmstadt

What travelers are saying

• Institut Mathildenhöhe
• Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt
• Kirche Hl. Maria Magdalena
• Waldspirale
• Zoo Vivarium Darmstadt
• Park Rosenhöhe
• Herrngarten
• Prinz-Georg-Garten
• Prinz-Emil-Garten

Top Tourist Attractions in Darmstadt

Waldspirale

The Waldspirale is a residential building complex in Darmstadt, Germany, built in the 1990s.

Russian Chapel in Darmstadt

The Russian Chapel in Darmstadt, formally, the St. Mary Magdalene Chapel, is a historic Russian Orthodox church at Mathildenhöhe in…

Residential Palace Darmstadt

The Residential Palace Darmstadt is the former residence and administrative seat of the landgraves and from 1806 to 1919 of the Grand Dukes…

Model of MSG

The Meteosat series of satellites are geostationary meteorological satellites operated by EUMETSAT under the Meteosat Transition Programme…

Model of Metop

Metop is a series of three polar-orbiting meteorological satellites developed by the European Space Agency and operated by the European…

The Orangerie in Darmstadt, built around 1720, is a baroque palace building designed by the architect Louis Remy de la Fosse.

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Guided tours in Darmstadt

Discover Darmstadt!

In addition to the weekend classics - "Darmstadt at a glance" and "Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt - UNESCO World Heritage Site" - there are various highlight tours, walks with Aurora DeMeehl or tours of the Darmtadt State Theatre. Whether it's the splendour of flowers or the search for clues, out into the countryside or into the churches - the guided tours are as multifaceted as the city itself.

Book your tickets at the Darmstadt Shop or at the Infopoint Mathildenhöhe (Sat. + Sun., 10am to 5 pm) or online >> Stadtführungen (booking widgets at the moment in German only).

Darmstadt Services

Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt Marketing GmbH

Elisabethenstraße 20-22, 64283 Darmstadt

Tel.: +49 (0) 6151 - 1345-11

Fax: +49 (0) 6151 - 1347-5858

Darmstadt Card

The Darmstadt Card is available as a one-and two-day ticket, it includes the use of all public transport in the city area (fare zone 40) and discounts to numerous cultural facilities.

Discover Darmstadt on an individual (digital) city walk.

Ihr Eintrag ins Digitale Schaufenster: Onlineformular

App "Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt" - Travel back in time

+++ Information +++

With the Mathildenhöhe App you go on a journey through time on Mathildenhöhe. Historical views are superimposed with current images and illustrate how the Mathildenhöhe developed during and after the Artists' Colony.

With the app you can not only navigate to the individual locations but also fade your current perspective with historical images using AR (Augmented Reality).

Download the app for iOS or Android from the AppStore or Google Play unto your smartphone or use teh web-version on www.darmstadt-tourismus.de/mathildenhoehe

Future History Tour "Darmstadt City"

Time travel through Darmstadt's city centre!

With "Future History" historical views of the city can be compared with today's. What has changed, what has remained the same?

Darmstadt was the capital and residence of the Hessian landgraves and grand dukes, capital of the Grand Duchy of Hesse until 1919, then capital of the People's State of Hesse until 1933 and the State of Hesse until 1945. Darmstadt lost its status to Wiesbaden, due to the severe war destruction.

In the reconstruction phase after 1945, the city concentrated on its importance as a city of science and culture. Today Darmstadt has over 160,000 inhabitants and a lively city centre with numerous sights, shopping streets, restaurants, parks and green spaces.

Via the Future History App (available in Google Play and in the AppStore) you can also be guided directly to the individual locations and fade in the historical views with AR (Augmented Reality).

Ostparkweg - from the city centre to the Darmbach source

The Ostparkweg leads from Darmstadt's city centre along the Darmbach to the east, to the Darmbach source behind the Fischerhütte or as an alternative to the Oberwaldhaus at the Steinbrücker Teich.

The Ostparkweg connects the recreational areas close to the city such as the Rudolf-Müller-Anlage, the Woog, the area around the Botanical Garden with the forest behind the Lichtwiese to the Darmbach spring or via the Oberfeld to the leisure area at the Steinbrücker Teich.

Science Route 4 - Audioguide for tram line 4

Darmstadt is the birthplace of numerous inventions which have changed our daily life. International operating companies and research institutions

have their headquarters here. The „Science Route 4“ informs you, on its way from Kranichstein to Griesheim, about the particularities of the various institutions and companies, from the particle accelerator to multimedia developments, aviation and space travel.

How it works: Just dial 089-210 833 7131 + number of the corresponding tram stop. You will get instant information on the selected sight. During the audio tour press 4 to go the the previous section or press 6 to go to the next one.

You can also download the mp3-files on linie4.tomis.mobi/en .

01 Bahnhof Kranichstein

02 Institutszentrum/Esselbornstr.

03 Gruber-/Siemens-/Borsdorfstr.

04 Eissporthalle/Nordbad/Messplatz

05 Rhönring

06 Pallaswiesenstr./Willy-Brandt-Platz/Luisenplatz

07 Rhein-/Neckarstr./Berliner Allee

08 Mozartturm/Maria-Goeppert-Str./Waldfriedhof/Otte-Hesse-Str.

09 Flughafenstr./St.Stephan/Kantstr.

10 Wagenhalle/Hans-Karl-Platz/Am Markt/Platz Bar-le-Duc

Tip: You can also listen to the „Science Route 4“ on tram number 5 and 9. From Bahnhof Kranichstein to Berliner Allee (sections 1 to 7) with tram number 5, from Berliner Allee to Griesheim with tram number 9.

Current note for visits to ESA and EUMETSAT

Please note that public guided tours are currently not available in english. tickets for german public guided tours can be purchased here.

Other than that we can offer individual guided tours in the following languages:

Guided tours in further languages can be arranged upon request. Feel free to contact us!

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Audioguides and Apps

With the Audioguides and Apps for your mobile phone you can get information about the most important sights or make a guides tour via tram.

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Top Tourist Attractions in Darmstadt

• Things To Do In Darmstadt

Best Things To Do in Darmstadt, Germany

Are you looking for what to do in Darmstadt?

PLACES TO SEE

Darmstadt has a good number of museums and gardens. A few top attractions in Darmstadt that you should check out are:

• Mathildenhoehe und Jugendstilkolonie: The museum stands over a hill in Darmstadt exhibiting magnificent views of the city. The museum is home to all the original Art Nouveaux from the 1900 world exhibition.
• Landesmuseum: This is the reflection of a traditional natural museum in the city of Darmstadt. The glorious piece of architecture houses a wide collection of unique things from a broad sweep of European countries on display.
• Park Rosenhoehe: A beautiful garden with pleasant walking area and blooming flowers. It is originally the burial area of the Dukes of Hessen Darmstadt.
• Waldspirale: This is a gorgeous building with mind blowing architecture. The building has pedestrian access so you can admire its beauty from any angle.

WHERE TO BE

• The sparkling nightlife of Darmstadt creates an enthusiastic atmosphere. If not a club, you could also enjoy your night at a bar with some freshly brewed beer and good food.
• Talking about adventure, you could try Kletterwald, which is a forest area where you can climb, swing or jump across tress using safety measures.

Below we have a list of things to do in Darmstadt and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Darmstadt getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Darmstadt with confidence.

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• Historical Places in Darmstadt
• Museums in Darmstadt
• Art & Cultural Attractions in Darmstadt

Tourist Attractions in Darmstadt

Here is the list of things to do in Darmstadt and tourist attractions in city.

Park Rosenhoehe

Outdoors, Garden, Park, Palace

Messel Pit Fossil Site

Outdoors, Observatory, Educational Site, Historical Site

Landesmuseum

Art And Culture, Food And Drinks, Cafe, Architecture

Schlossmuseum Darmstadt

Museum, Observatory, Arts And Crafts, Specialty Museum

Bar, Food And Drinks

Darmstadter Ratskeller Hausbrauerei

Bar, Food And Drinks, Restaurant

Porcelain Museum

Museum, Observatory, Specialty Museum

K60 Billard Lounge

Museumsbahn

Pölzl Schmuckwerkstatt Und Galerie

Monika Herchenröder

Kunstverein

Traktor-Veteranen-Club

Darmstädter Galerie

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Top Things to Do in Darmstadt, Germany - Darmstadt Must-See Attractions

Things to do in darmstadt, explore popular experiences, tours in and around darmstadt.

Self Guided The Darmstad Syndicate City Escape Game

Darmstadt Private Guided Walking Tour

Self-Guided Secrets of Darmstadt Exploration Game

Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise

Heidelberg Castle and City Day Tour from Frankfurt

Frankfurt Highlights Guided Walking Tour

Rhine Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Frankfurt and Mainz

Heidelberg Castle and Old Town Tour from Frankfurt

Small Group Rheingau Vineyards Tour with Castles and Abbeys

Top attractions in darmstadt.

Other Top Attractions around Darmstadt

What travellers are saying

• Institut Mathildenhöhe
• Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt
• Kirche Hl. Maria Magdalena
• Waldspirale
• Zoo Vivarium Darmstadt
• Park Rosenhöhe
• Herrngarten
• Prinz-Georg-Garten
• Prinz-Emil-Garten

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Darmstadt

Things to do in darmstadt.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Sachsenhausen-Nord
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
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• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
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• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Institut Mathildenhöhe

2. Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt

3. Kirche Hl. Maria Magdalena

4. Park Rosenhöhe

5. Comedy Hall

6. Schlossmuseum Darmstadt

7. Waldspirale

8. Waldkunstpfad

9. Hofgut Oberfeld

10. Zoo Vivarium Darmstadt

11. Hochzeitsturm

12. Vortex Garten Mathildenhöhe

13. Herrngarten

14. Prinz-Georg-Garten

15. Eisenbahnmuseum Darmstadt Kranichstein

16. Prinz-Emil-Garten

17. Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor

18. Darmstadtium

19. St. Ludwig

20. Jagdschloss Kranichstein

21. Kunsthalle Darmstadt

22. Marktplatz

24. Naturfreibad Grosser Woog

25. Staatstheater Darmstadt

26. Synagoge

27. Freizeitpark Oberwaldhaus,Bootsverleih und Minigolf am Steinbrücker Teich

28. Luisenplatz

29. Alter Friedhof

30. Alice - Denkmal

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Attractions around Darmstadt

The top 10 attractions around darmstadt.

Burg Frankenstein

Hiking Highlight

The residence of the Frankenstein noble family has a history of more than 900 years. Until the late 16th century, the Frankensteins were a respected and wealthy princely family, as … read more

In misty or foggy weather you can actually save the summit, but the rather dense forest around it is very mystical. In clear weather, the view in the west to … read more

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Radschnellweg

Bike Touring Highlight ( Segment )

An exemplary way. This is how cycling is really fun. The trail is an absolute dream, I hope there will be more of it in the future.

Burgruine Tannenberg

The robber baron's castle On August 29, 1379, 18 knights met at Tannenberg Castle, who concluded an extended truce and promised each other protection. Among these comrades-in-arms was Count Wilhelm … read more

Alsbacher Schloss mit Schlossturm

High above the village of Alsbach is the castle of the same name. It was built around 1235 by the Lords of Bickenbach. After the Bickenbacher noble family threaded through … read more

Tip by Sebastian Kowalke

The Rimdidim is 498.5 m above sea level. NHN the highest elevation in the Fischbachtal. The stories say that here in the Odenwald a hurricane destroyed and then had a … read more

Ludwigshöhe

Fantastic view over Darmstadt to the bank towers to Mainhattan. Simply terrific.

Steinbrücker Teich

Bike Touring Highlight

The Oberwaldhaus is always worth a short visit, you can go on boats on the lake, there is a great playground for children and a mini golf course.

Radschnellweg Erzhausen, Richtung Wixhausen.

Well developed new bike path. As an old Erzhauser, I'm also a bit proud of the first construction phase of the cycle expressway here 😉

Grube Prinz von Hessen

The western side of the lake is the quieter.

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Popular around darmstadt.

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Explore the most popular Tours around Darmstadt

Discover the most popular attractions around darmstadt.

Are you keen on exploring more awesome places nearby? Browse our guides:

• Scheftheimer Wiesen Bei Darmstadt

Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:

• Odenwaldkreis
• Geo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald
• Hochtaunuskreis
• Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis
• Wetteraukreis
• Darmstadt-Dieburg
• Offenbach District
• Main-Taunus-Kreis
• Main-Kinzig-Kreis
• Frankfurt am Main
• Groß-Gerau District
• Offenbach am Main

Home / Europe / Germany / 12 Places to visit in Darmstadt Germany

12 Places to visit in Darmstadt Germany

Whether culture, shopping, or experiencing nature – Darmstadt is pure diversity. During your visit, you can enjoy many places to visit in Darmstadt ( Hessen – Germany). The Hessian city is one of the most important technology locations in Germany.

But at the same time, it also represents the cultural and economic heart of the southern Rhine-Main area. Numerous great museums, some of the best tourist attractions concerts, and exhibitions await your visit. Darmstadt’s landmark rises up into the sky on a hill: the Wedding Tower. The artists’ colony Mathildenhöhe, the exhibition buildings, the wedding tower, the artists’ colony museum, and the magnificent artists’ houses from the Art Nouveau period give this hill of muses its unmistakable flair.

In addition, Darmstadt also has a large number of other sights: the modern science and congress center darmstadtium or the State Theater Darmstadt, the colorful Waldspirale by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and numerous parks and gardens. Below you will find a list of places to visit in Darmstadt Germany.

1. Luisenplatz Darmstadt

The Luisenplatz in the center is the largest square in Darmstadt and a popular meeting place. It is located in the pedestrian zone and is also a hub for public transport. The people of Darmstadt simply call the Ludwig moment in the middle “Long Ludwig”. On the north side is the college building, today the seat of the regional council.

2. Mathildenhohe (That’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Darmstadt)

At 180 meters above sea level, the Mathildenhöhe is the highest elevation in the inner city area of ​​Darmstadt. As one of the most important sights in Darmstadt, it is a unique work of art consisting of the Wedding Tower, the Russian Chapel, exhibition buildings, artists’ houses, the Artists’ Colony Museum, a plane tree grove, and a spacious outdoor area. Under the term “artists’ colony Mathildenhöhe,” it has also made a name for itself beyond the regional borders.

3. Marketplace in Darmstadt

The castle and the old town hall, today the Ratskeller, border on the market square. The Marienbrunnen fountain still stands on the market square and, as the name suggests, this is where the market takes place. Otherwise, the square is bordered on both sides by restaurants and cafés, where you can watch the daily hustle and bustle of the people of Darmstadt, especially on summer days, and relax after a shopping spree.

4. Forest Spiral Darmstadt

You have to look twice at this attraction: the forest spiral is an impressive masterpiece by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The spiral-shaped building impresses with its extremely colorful design and its irregular shapes. Nothing really resembles each other here. In the Waldspirale there are a total of 105 apartments spread over 12 floors. The building is crowned by two golden onion domes and a unique roof. The latter is planted with linden, beech, and maple trees. They are probably also the ones who have contributed significantly to the naming.

5. Orangery Darmstadt

Enjoy with all senses! Let yourself be carried away on a culinary journey during your holiday in Darmstadt. Because the Ristorante L’Orangerie is a very special restaurant. If you love Italian and Mediterranean dishes, this is the place for you. The restaurant kitchen impresses with the use of diverse aromas, lots of creativity, and the processing of fresh and high-quality ingredients.

6. Botanical Garden Darmstadt

Green, greener, Botanical Garden Darmstadt! Pure nature awaits you here: During a visit, you will discover, among other things, exotic trees, the moorland, and romantically winding paths in the Darmbachgrund. A total of 9,000 plants are cultivated here. The botanical garden has had its current location in the east of the city since 1874. Before that, the garden was relocated several times because it grew quickly in the area. It is one of the most chilling places to visit in Darmstadt Germany.

7. Wedding Tower Darmstadt

The bells like to ring in fifth place: We are talking about the Wedding Tower Darmstadt, which, as the city’s landmark, is one of the top 10 Darmstadt sights. The tower rises a full 50 meters and impresses above all with its distinctive arched roof. In the form of a hood, this is reminiscent of the five fingers of an outstretched hand. The Wedding Tower was built in 1905 as a wedding present for Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig and Princess Eleonore von Solms-Hohensolms-Lich.

8. Russian Orchestra Darmstadt

There are a number of Art Nouveau buildings in the artist colony on the Mathildenhöhe. However, there is one exception between them, which usually only stands out at a second glance: the Russian Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene. With its gilded onion domes and richly ornamented wall tiles, it proudly rises into the Darmstadt sky. It is considered an an interesting point of view in Darmstadt Germany.

9. Vivarium – Zoo Darmstadt

Now it’s getting wild among our sights in Darmstadt! The Zoo Vivarium in Darmstadt is one of the most popular destinations in the city. For example, there are more than 1,500 native and exotic animals from around 150 different species to admire. These include rustic giant tortoises, rheas, and crocodiles as well as tropical fish and monkeys. They all live in natural enclosures, aquariums, or terrariums spread over an area of ​​5 hectares.

10. Art Nouveau bath in Darmstadt

With place 8 of our Darmstadt sights you can go swimming in style – in the truest sense of the word. The art nouveau baths in Darmstadt are exactly the right destination for relaxing holiday moments. In the Art Nouveau pool, which opened in 1909, you can experience historical bathing culture in its most beautiful form. The lovingly restored and modernized bathroom combines a modern bathing and sauna area with soothing spa and wellness treatments.

11. Darmstadtium

In the Darmstadtium you can experience musical productions such as “Les Misérables”, be part of sporting events or enjoy music. Above all, you can marvel at the architecture here, because the building was built in an avant-garde architectural style. This impresses and conveys a completely new sense of space.

12. The State Museum Darmstadt

Painting, zoology, handicrafts, or archeology – there is a lot to discover in the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt (HLMD for short). Embark on an exciting journey through artistic, cultural, and natural history when you visit this attraction. Due to its diversity, place 10 of our Darmstadt sights is also ideal for trips with children. For more travel articles about Germany check this category and for all articles about Europe check this list .

Places to visit in Darmstadt Germany

• Luisenplatz
• Mathildenhohe
• Marketplace
• Forest Spiral
• Botanical Garden
• Wedding Tower
• Russian Orchestra
• Art Nouveau bath
• Darmstadtium
• The State Museum