Central Black Forest Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Gengenbach
Villingen-Schwenningen
Triberg im Schwarzwald showing signage
Triberg im Schwarzwald which includes street scenes
Triberg im Schwarzwald which includes a bridge and a garden

Find long-held traditions, quaint towns and vistas of spectacular natural beauty in the heart of Germany’s fairy-tale forest.

The Central Black Forest region contains all the charming culture and stunning wilderness that makes the wider Black Forest area such a popular destination. Discover its combination of time-honored craftsmanship, hilltop walks and idyllic towns. Although it is relatively small, Central Black Forest packs in so many museums, heritage sites and hiking trails that you never need to leave the region during your visit to southwestern Germany.

Start your exploration in the Black Forest Open Air Museum. Here, centuries of culture are preserved in a series of farmhouses and cottages that show how local families and communities used to live. Watch costumed actors, often wearing the bobble-covered Bollenhut hat, demonstrate traditional handicrafts.

Head to one of the towns to see half-timbered houses and medieval churches. Wander the old town of GengenbachOpens in a new window to soak up a typical Black Forest atmosphere. Look for the symmetrical pink façade of the Town Hall, which turns into a building-sized advent calendar in December.

Tour the other towns in the region. Shop for local produce in the markets of busy OffenburgOpens in a new window and buy a cuckoo clock in Triberg im SchwarzwaldOpens in a new window. In Villingen-SchwenningenOpens in a new window, the Black Forest’s proud history meets Germany’s more modern side. Find trendy shopping venues and cool cafés across the city.

No trip to Central Black Forest is complete without spending time in the countryside. Experience the magic of the Triberg Waterfalls and explore the ruins of Hochburg Castle. Trek along walking routes leading up Kandel, an accessible mountain summit, and through the fields of the Kinzig Valley.

Rent a car for the most convenient way to explore the compact region. Offenburg and Freudenstadt in the north and Waldkirch and Villingen-Schwenningen in the south are the most convenient towns to use as gateways.

Central Black Forest can be visited at any time of year, with peak season in the summer months of July and August. Visit in winter, when the town squares are lit up with the festive twinkling lights of Christmas markets.

Where to stay in Central Black Forest

Gengenbach Old Town

While visiting Gengenbach Old Town, you might make a stop by sights like Gengenbach Town Hall and Upper Gate Tower.

Gengenbach Old Town
MOXY Rust

MOXY Rust

3.5 out of 5
Jakob-Schneider-Strasse 2, Rust
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹10,051 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹10,051
₹10,954 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rust. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (744 reviews)
"Location was quite good, staff were lovely. Room was quite small and did lack a few features (tea & coffee, bath, safe, fridge, phone) that you would normally expect at the price point."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

MOXY Rust
Hayat Sky Hotel

Hayat Sky Hotel

Tullastraße, 8, Rust, BW
The price is ₹8,477 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹8,477
₹10,265 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Rust. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Europa-Park and Rulantica are located nearby.
8.6/10 Excellent! (47 reviews)
"Clean and modern However very limited appliances like there is no water heater limited bath supplies very weak AC and bad sound isolation"

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Hayat Sky Hotel
FourSide Hotel Ringsheim, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

FourSide Hotel Ringsheim, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

Elzstraße 4, Ringsheim
The price is ₹8,882 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹8,882
₹9,859 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Ringsheim. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (487 reviews)
"Amazing stay. Very local to Europa Park and Rulantica. Staff were amazing, especially bartender! Hope to come back!"

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

FourSide Hotel Ringsheim, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ferienwohnung Misita

Ferienwohnung Misita

Fischerstr. 16, Rust, BW
Stay at this aparthotel in Rust. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Europa-Park and Rulantica are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (162 reviews)
"Walking distance from europa park."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Ferienwohnung Misita
Carpediem Apartments

Carpediem Apartments

Richard-Wagner-Str. 11, Schoenwald, Baden-Württemberg
Stay at this apartment in Schoenwald. Enjoy free parking and wired Internet (surcharge). Popular attractions Triberg Waterfall and Source of the Danube are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (31 reviews)
"Lots of trails and cuckoo clock shops"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Carpediem Apartments
Ferienwohnungen LaVaTe

Ferienwohnungen LaVaTe

Schubertstr. 10, Kappel-Grafenhausen
Stay at this apartment in Kappel-Grafenhausen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and hiking/biking on-site. Popular attractions Europa-Park and Rulantica are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (94 reviews)
"Excellent place! Clean, comfortable, quiet and great for families and kids. Less than 10 minutes to Europa-Park and Rulantica. Gracious host and we felt right at home. 10/10 definitely recommend!"

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

Ferienwohnungen LaVaTe
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Central Black Forest