Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a university city at the western foot of the Black Forest, known for its Gothic Minster and the Bächle water channels.
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Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in southwest Germany's Baden-Württemberg state, at the western foot of the Black Forest on the Dreisam river. People go for the Freiburg Minster, a Gothic red sandstone cathedral on Münsterplatz, and for the Bächle, shallow water channels that run along most old-town streets. The old town covers about one square kilometer, so it is compact enough to walk in a day. The university, founded in 1457, shapes daily life, and many bicycles fill the streets.
The city works well as a base for Black Forest day trips, with frequent fast trains on the Frankfurt to Basel line at Hauptbahnhof. Schlossberg, a hill east of the center, gives wide views over the city. Late spring to early autumn is the most pleasant season, since summers are warm and winters mild. Plan one or two days for the old town and add a forest day trip.
Freiburg in five
- Climb the Münster tower earlyThe minster's lacework stone spire is the town's landmark and the tower is open to climb. Check opening hours and the tower ticket rules on the cathedral's site, and go before midday when the stairs are quiet.
- Mind the BächleNarrow water channels run through the old town pavement. Locals say stepping in one means you will marry a Freiburger. Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet if you wander at dusk.
- Ride a train into the forestThe Höllentalbahn runs from Freiburg up to Titisee, around 40 minutes, and onward toward Donaueschingen. A regional day ticket is usually cheaper than a car for one or two stops.Black Forest travel guide
- Ask your hotel about the KONUS cardMany Black Forest lodgings give guests a card for free regional buses and trains for the length of the stay. Ask when you book; it can replace a regional day ticket.
- Cross the border on a day tripBasel is about an hour by train and Colmar in Alsace is close. Passport checks are rare inside Schengen, but carry your passport on any border crossing.Schengen 90 in 180 explained
Things to do in Freiburg
See all attractions in Freiburg
Need to know
- Airport
- Basel-Mulhouse (BSL), about 1.5 hours by bus and train; Frankfurt (FRA) by ICE
- Getting there
- ICE: Frankfurt about 2 hrs, Basel about 45 min, Karlsruhe about 1 hr
- Getting around
- Trams and walking; the old town is largely car-free
- Best base
- Old town or near the Hauptbahnhof
- Time needed
- 1 day for the town; 2 to 3 with the Black Forest
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Cold, greyJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, grey
- FebruaryRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Mild, quietFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low2°Spring, brightMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, bright
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°Blossom, mildAprilRain
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Blossom, mild
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Warm, long daysMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Hot, terracesJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, terraces
- JulyRain14 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low15°Hot, wine hillsJulyRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, wine hills
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Hot, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Wine harvestSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wine harvest
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low3°Cool, foggyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, foggy
- DecemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Christmas marketDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Freiburg, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul Zelt-Musik-Festival · Aug Zelt-Musik-Festival
Right now in Freiburg
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 2°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Freiburg
09:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°1°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue8°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed9°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°1°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri7°1°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat10°4°10%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun13°4°16%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 16%.
Updated 07:03 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jul–AugZelt-Musik-FestivalFreiburg
- JulRossini in WildbadBlack Forest, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Black Forest and Titiseeabout 40 minutes by trainLakeside walks and the Höllental line into the hills.Read the guide
- Breisachabout 30 minutes by regional trainA Rhine port town with wine hills on the Kaiserstuhl.Read the guide
- Baden-Badenabout 1 hour by trainSpa town with thermal baths and the Lichtentaler Allee.Read the guide
Before you go to Freiburg
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Rules for Freiburg, checked
- Germany is part of the Schengen area, so the entry rules follow the Schengen system. Check the rules for your nationality on the official site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Germany.
- Bottles and cans often carry a deposit (Pfand). Return them to the shop or to the machine near the checkout.
- Most shops in Germany close on Sundays, so buy supplies on Saturday.
Plan around Freiburg
Cities, castles and the Black Forest
Read the guideBlack ForestTitisee, trails and cuckoo-clock villages
Read the guideBreisachRhine port and Kaiserstuhl wine hills
Read the guideKonstanzLake Constance by regional train
Read the guideBaden-BadenSpa town north of the forest
Read the guideIs a Eurail pass worth it?Regional tickets or a rail pass
Read the guideFreiburg FAQ
How many days do you need in Freiburg?
One day covers the minster, the old town and the Schlossberg view. Two or three days let you add a Black Forest train trip and a Kaiserstuhl wine afternoon. Stay longer only if you plan to hike.
Is Freiburg worth visiting?
Yes, for the old town, the university atmosphere and the easy access to the Black Forest. It is one of the sunniest cities in Germany, which helps in spring and autumn. It is less dramatic than Alpine towns but easier to reach by train.
What are the Bächle in Freiburg?
Small water channels in the old town pavement, once used to supply water and fight fires. They are a local symbol. Watch your step, and note that dogs and children love them.
Can you visit the Black Forest from Freiburg without a car?
Yes. The Höllentalbahn reaches Titisee in about 40 minutes, and regional trains and buses serve most villages. A regional day ticket or a guest card from your hotel is usually enough for a day out.
Is Freiburg or Heidelberg better?
Freiburg suits travelers who want hills, wine and the forest; Heidelberg suits those who want a castle and a postcard old town. See our comparison of Heidelberg, Freiburg and Baden-Baden for a side-by-side choice.