Tübingen between the Old Town and the Countryside

Tübingen offers plenty of reasons to explore both the historic city and the surrounding countryside of the district. Half-timbered houses and narrow lanes define the Old Town, which invites you to wander. When planning your trip, you can therefore first decide whether you mainly want to stroll through Tübingen’s lanes or include a variety of cultural and nature-related themes in your days.

Cityscape and countryside in the district

Tübingen District stretches from the Schönbuch Nature Park, with its many forests and valleys, in the north to the Swabian Alb escarpment in the south. The Neckar, Ammer and Steinlach rivers have cut through the district’s cuesta landscape, creating a varied region. The landscape also includes the wooded areas of the Rammert and Schönbuch Nature Park, elevated plateaus with expansive views, orchards and vineyards. This mix gives a trip beyond the city a different focus from a stroll through the Old Town.

The different types of landscape are also easy to distinguish when planning: wooded areas, open plateaus and vineyards sit alongside the city’s half-timbered streetscape. If you choose Tübingen as your destination, you can consider whether the focus should be on culture in the city or activities and countryside in the district. This keeps your accommodation search aligned with the kind of trip you are actually looking for.

Museums and historic sites

The Museum of Ancient Cultures at Hohentübingen Castle is the only university museum in the world with exhibits from two UNESCO World Heritage inscriptions. It displays figurative artworks dating back 40,000 years, as well as the oldest musical instruments. The exceptional depth of history represented in this collection makes a visit to the museum a cultural highlight in its own right, alongside the architecture of the Old Town.

The regional history of work and everyday life also comes vividly to life: the Kelter Museum in Unterjesingen displays an extensive collection of tools and objects from wine and hop growing, as well as from farming and domestic life since the 19th century. In Rottenburg, the Sumelocenna Museum features original excavations from part of the ancient city, along with documentary films. These offer different ways to explore history, from early artworks and ancient finds to more recent agricultural and domestic working life.

Bebenhausen Monastery offers another historical perspective. The interior can only be visited as part of a guided tour. These tours cover Cistercian monastic architecture as well as the everyday lives of the monks and the royal couple. If you plan to visit, check the tour dates and availability in advance.

Cycling, hiking and wine

The Früchtetrauf area has more than 1,000 kilometers of signposted cycling routes for gravel bikes, road bikes and mountain bikes. For hiking, four certified premium hiking trails and six premium walking trails are designated. This selection offers different ways to experience the countryside actively. Check the latest route information before planning; certifications can also change.

Wine is another theme to explore in the Früchtetrauf area in different ways: for example, at the Kelter Museum in Unterjesingen, on a guided vineyard tour, or at a traditional Swabian Besenwirtschaft wine tavern. These examples bring together collections, countryside and regional dining, without limiting an interest in wine to just one type of visit.

For train travel to and from the area, the bwegt hiking trail in the Früchtetrauf area is also worth considering: it connects town centers with the natural areas in between. Signposting from station to station makes train travel easier and leads all the way into the old town centers. Tübingen, Rottenburg and Mössingen are among the towns served by the naldo transport association. Check the association’s latest information for specific routes, as boundaries and fares may change.

Finding the right accommodation

A clear idea of the kind of days you want will help you find accommodation. If Tübingen’s Old Town, with its half-timbered houses and museums, is the main focus, search for Tübingen as your destination. If you would like to include cycling and hiking trails, wine traditions or other cultural themes, plan with the broader district in mind. What matters is which experiences you want to combine: urban history, collections, countryside or outdoor activities.

Discover more destinations: Weingarten, Tübingen, Nehren, Mössingen, Kusterdingen, Gomaringen, Bühl, Starzach, Stetten am kalten Markt, Öschingen, Rottenburg am Neckar, Ammerbuch, Hirrlingen, Kirchentellinsfurt.

See the overview of destinations: Baden-Württemberg.