Ulm
A Danube city where a Gothic minster steeple, a half-timbered old quarter and Einstein's birthplace make a practical stop between Stuttgart and Munich.
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Ulm is a city of about 130,000 people in Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany, on the upper Danube at the edge of the Swabian Jura. Across the river lies Neu-Ulm in Bavaria, part of Ulm until 1810, so the two together form a cross-state twin city. The draw is the Gothic minster, which townspeople paid for instead of the church, starting in 1377. Its steeple, about 161.53 m high, is climbed by 768 steps. The Fishermen's Quarter along the River Blau has half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes and footbridges.
Plan one or two days. Ulm sits on the rail line between Stuttgart and Munich, and the A8 motorway links those two cities, so the stop fits into a longer route. Stay in the old town near Münsterplatz to walk to the minster and the Rathaus, then add the Museum Ulm, the Federal Fortifications or the library at Wiblingen Abbey in the southern suburb. Buses and two tram lines cover the city, and several old town streets are reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Rain is concentrated from May to August, so spring and early autumn are the easier months for walking.
Ulm in five
- Climb the Minster tower earlyUlm Minster's spire is the tallest of any church, and visitors can climb it on a spiral stair of more than 700 steps. The climb is steep and narrow, and a queue builds by midday. Check opening hours and fee on the official page.
- Walk the Fishermen's and Tanners' QuarterCrooked half-timbered houses line small canals near the Danube. It is the best place for a slow wander after the Minster, and a short walk from the main square.
- Cross the Danube to Neu-UlmThe river is the border between Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, so a short bridge walk takes you into a different state. The riverside paths are good for a stroll in the evening.
- Skip a visit to Einstein's houseAlbert Einstein was born here in 1879, but the house was destroyed in World War II and only a memorial marks the site. Walk by if you are curious, but do not plan around it.
- Break a Stuttgart to Munich trip hereICE trains stop in Ulm, so a half-day stop is easy between two big cities. Leave your bags in a station locker and walk to the Minster in about 10 minutes.Stuttgart travel guide
Things to do in Ulm
See all attractions in Ulm
Need to know
- Airport
- Stuttgart (STR) or Munich (MUC), about 1–1.5 hours by train
- Getting there
- ICE from Stuttgart about 1 hour; Munich about 1.5 hours; Augsburg 40–60 min
- Getting around
- On foot; the old town is compact
- Best base
- Old town near the Minster
- Time needed
- Half a day to 1 day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh3°Low-2°Cold, foggyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, foggy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low-1°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low1°Cool, thawMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, thaw
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low3°Spring, mildAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Warm, greenMayRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Hot, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Hot, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, clearSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Fall colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Gray, dampNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray, damp
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Christmas marketDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Ulm, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ulm
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Ulm
08:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today7°2°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed7°3°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu6°2°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri4°2°3%Friday: Fog. High 4°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat6°2°9%Saturday: Fog. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun8°2°24%Sunday: Rain. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 24%.
Updated 07:43 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Sep–OctCannstatter VolksfestStuttgart, a day trip
Before you go to Ulm
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Rules for Ulm, checked
- Germany is in the Schengen area, and many non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check entry rules with the Federal Foreign Office before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for fire or an ambulance and 110 for police, anywhere in Germany.
- Most shops close on Sundays under German law, so buy groceries and other supplies on Saturday.
- Tipping is informal. Round up the bill in cafes and restaurants for good service.
Plan around Ulm
The state capital, about 1 hour away
Read the guideStuttgart & the Black ForestThe region to the west and north
Read the guideAugsburg travel guideA Roman-founded city on the way to Munich
Read the guideMunich travel guideThe Bavarian capital, about 1.5 hours away
Read the guideAll of GermanyRegions, trains, entry rules and money for Germany
Read the guideIs a Eurail Pass worth it?When single tickets beat a pass in Germany
Read the guideUlm FAQ
Is Ulm worth visiting?
Yes for a half day, mainly for the Minster and the old quarter by the water. It is not a big sights city, so it works best as a stop between Stuttgart and Munich.
How many steps are in the Ulm Minster?
More than 700, on a narrow spiral staircase to the platform. The climb is not for anyone with knee problems or a fear of heights, and you should check the opening hours first.
Is Ulm in Bavaria?
No. Ulm is in Baden-Württemberg. Across the Danube, Neu-Ulm is in Bavaria. The two towns share a rail station and have a short walk between them.
How long do you need in Ulm?
Half a day covers the Minster and the Fishermen's Quarter. A night lets you see the old town in the evening and take an early train to Stuttgart or Munich.
Can you see Ulm on the way from Munich to Stuttgart?
Yes. ICE trains stop in Ulm, and the station is about 10 minutes on foot from the Minster. Store your luggage and spend a few hours before the next train.