Discover Weil am Rhein: Architecture, Culture and the Water

Discover Weil am Rhein through its distinctive architecture, museums and experiences by the water. The Vitra Campus, Rheinpark, Laguna water park and Three Countries Bridge each offer something different. The museums in Altweil also tell the story of cultural history and the working life of times gone by.

Architecture at the Vitra Campus and around Grün 99

The Vitra Campus brings together several well-known buildings, including the Vitra Design Museum by Frank Gehry, the Fire Station by Zaha Hadid and the VitraHaus by Herzog & de Meuron. The range of architectural names gives the campus a clear thematic focus. If you are interested in architecture, these buildings can provide a starting point for a culture-focused stay in Weil am Rhein.

The “Grün 99” State Garden Show also features in the town’s architectural history: the Schlaich Tower and the LF1 building by Zaha Hadid were built as part of the garden show. Both buildings add another connection to the town’s history to the architectural themes of the Vitra Campus. This means that Weil am Rhein’s architecture extends beyond a single building or name.

Rheinpark and Laguna: different ways to enjoy the water

At Rheinpark in Friedlingen, you can combine activity with time spent along the banks of the Rhine. The large children’s playground features a pirate ship and slides, as well as a climbing area with boulders and a balance course. For families looking to include specific activities for children in their travel plans, these are notable features of the park.

The Rhine terrace right on the riverbank offers a different way to enjoy the water. From there, Rheinpark invites you to watch swans or passing boats. Laguna water park has its own distinct appeal, with a varied pool complex featuring slides and a wave pool. The park and its riverfront are thus complemented by a swimming facility with a character of its own.

Across the Three Countries Bridge and along the wine trail

The Three Countries Bridge connects Weiler Hauptstraße with Rue de France in Huningue. From Weil am Rhein, it provides a route to France in just a few minutes on foot or by bicycle. This is a practical cross-border option to consider when planning your stay, distinct from a trip focused on architecture or museums.

The Weil am Rhein–Lörrach/Tüllingen–Riehen (CH) wine trail also crosses borders, connecting Weil am Rhein, Lörrach and Riehen. Its route links several towns and countries along a shared wine trail. If you want to include this aspect of the region in your travel plans, it offers a different theme alongside urban culture and attractions on the Rhine.

Museums spanning Altweil and textile history

The Museum am Lindenplatz is housed in a Neoclassical building dating from 1845, in the former village centre of Altweil. It presents special exhibitions on a range of cultural and historical topics. The building and exhibitions thus offer two distinct points of interest: the historic town centre and changing cultural and historical themes.

The Museum Weiler Textilgeschichte focuses on historic machinery from the 1920s, tools, pattern books and other relics of working life. The collection recalls the textile era and offers a different way to explore the town’s history than the special exhibitions at Lindenplatz. If you enjoy bringing together different chapters of local cultural history when you travel, you’ll find two clearly distinct themes here.

More to explore in the wider destination of Lörrach

The wider destination of Lörrach also offers its own cultural and wine-related attractions. The Dreiländermuseum Lörrach has a permanent exhibition covering around 1,000 square metres. The Lörrach Sculpture Trail runs through the town and features 23 sculptures, fountains and monuments by renowned sculptors. These attractions offer independent points of interest in Lörrach.

At Tüllinger Berg, interconnected wine trails wind through around 90 hectares of vineyards, including the “Riehener Schlipfer”, “Tüllinger Sonnenbrunnen”, “Weiler Schlipf”, “Haltinger Stiege” and “Ötlinger Sonnhole” vineyard sites. The Tüllinger wine trail offers views over the Wiesental and Rhine valleys, as well as insights into the work of winegrowers throughout the year. In Lörrach, winegrowing and landscapes are therefore additional themes to explore alongside the museum and sculpture trail.

When choosing accommodation, you can use these varied travel interests as a guide: architecture and exhibitions, activities for children, watching life along the Rhine, or routes with a cross-border character. Consider which of these themes you would like to include in your stay, and tailor your search accordingly.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Liel, Maulburg, Hausen Im Wiesental, Grenzach-Wyhlen, Schönau Im Schwarzwald, Efringen-Kirchen, Malsburg-Marzell, Rheinfelden

Back to the wider travel overview: Lörrach.