Discover Bühl: Plums, Food and Culture

Bühl’s character is particularly evident in its plums: they shape many orchards and traditional fruit meadows around the city. Bühl is also part of the Black Forest Central/North Nature Park. Here, you’ll encounter landscapes, regional produce and a history closely linked to plum cultivation.

Plums shape the landscape and history

Since January 1, 2023, Bühl has officially held the title “Plum Town.” Bühler Frühzwetschgen plums are sold through regional markets, direct-sales outlets and farm shops. Kappelwindeck is considered the place where the Bühler Frühzwetschge was discovered in 1840. The story of this fruit thus extends from cultivation and sales to a discovery dating back to the 19th century.

The history of trade is also part of Bühl’s plum story: in the 1920s and 1930s, the historic “plum trains” made Bühl a European center of the plum trade. At the height of the season, up to 100 railcars carrying Bühler Frühzwetschgen plums left Bühl each day for destinations in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The Baden Plum Country lies in the Rhine Valley at the foot of the Black Forest.

Life in the square and culture

Cafés and restaurants line Johannesplatz, arranged around a small stream running through the center of the square. Options include cappuccino, homemade Italian ice cream and Asian specialties. The mix of culinary influences gives the square its own character, making it a great place to take a break between sightseeing stops.

You can also visit the Baroque church in Kappelwindeck. Together with the history of the Bühler Frühzwetschge, it offers another way to explore the region’s cultural history: through architecture on the one hand, and cultivation and trade on the other.

Between the valley, vineyards and summit

The Bühl–Bühlertal–Ottersweier holiday region spans an elevation difference of around 800 meters between valley and summit, and its hiking trails are signposted. A bike ride through the vineyards is another way to explore Bühl. The holiday region offers wine tastings at family-run wineries, while traditional inns serve regional dishes. For active days, you can choose between cycling and hiking, while wine and regional cuisine offer plenty to enjoy.

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Discover Rastatt, too

In the wider Rastatt destination, you’ll find further historical highlights. Rastatt Palace was the first Baroque residence built on German soil and was modeled on Versailles. The Rastatt City Museum is housed in a Baroque town palace opposite the Residence Palace. Its permanent exhibitions cover both Rastatt’s history over the past 300 years and prehistory and early history.

The Memorial Site for the Freedom Movements in German History presents milestones in the development of liberty and democratic traditions from the early modern period to the present day. Exhibits, models, images, caricatures and contemporary texts illustrate the revolutionary struggle fought by men and women across Germany in 1848/49, which ended with the fall of Rastatt Fortress. While plum cultivation and trade take center stage in Bühl, Rastatt offers its own cultural highlights, with Baroque history and democratic traditions.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kuppenheim, Hügelsheim, Forbach, Lautenbach, Muggensturm, Lichtenau, Moos, Rastatt.

Back to the wider travel overview: Rastatt.