Discover Neu-Ulm: Museums, nature and unique experiences

Neu-Ulm combines art and hands-on activities at Petrusplatz with historic buildings and nature experiences in the district. There are also seasonal highlights, such as a view of a queen bee in a display hive or winter fun on the ice.

Art, hands-on activities and history

At Petrusplatz, the Edwin Scharff Museum brings an art museum and a children’s museum together under one roof. In the children’s museum, interactive exhibits and activity stations invite visitors of all ages to try things out for themselves. So, alongside viewing art, visitors can make their own discoveries—a practical distinction to consider when weighing up different kinds of museum experiences for your trip.

Caponniere 4 is another historic site: it is part of the Ulm/Neu-Ulm Federal Fortress and one of the few well-preserved historic monuments in the city of Neu-Ulm. In Kellmünz, the Caelius Mons Archaeological Park focuses on Roman history. Its museum tower stands on ancient foundations and documents the history of the Roman province of Raetia as well as the findings of the excavations. The park commemorates the fact that the Raetian Limes along the Iller and Danube rivers once formed the western border of the Roman Empire.

The Roggenburg Monastery Museum vividly presents the history of the Imperial Abbey and its territory, from its founding in 1126 to secularization in 1803. Sacred artworks from the 17th and 18th centuries highlight the Baroque period, popular piety and the history of religious orders. The Museum of Fine Arts in the Neu-Ulm district offers a different perspective, with its collection of contemporary art from the region. Those who enjoy comparing different periods and themes will find several distinct points of interest here to consider when planning their trip.

Nature and trails in the district

The Plessenteich bird sanctuary is located in Gerlenhofen, a district of Neu-Ulm. To date, 200 different bird species have been spotted there; an observation tower offers views of resting or nesting birds in every season. This means that birdwatching is not limited to a single time of year. More broadly, the Neu-Ulm district is also defined by its green river and lake landscapes.

The Obenhausen nature excursion follows an approximately five-kilometer river trail through the largest fen area in the Neu-Ulm district. The signposted Rechberg Route is in Markt Buch. The trails around the district are signposted in both directions throughout; the cycle pilgrimage route passes through Oberelchingen by the monastery complex, where visitors are welcome to stop. The Upper Swabian Baroque Route also passes through the Neu-Ulm district. The different options appeal to a range of interests, from nature watching and hiking trails to historic sites and a cycle pilgrimage route.

Gardens, seasonal highlights and activities

The Garden Culture Museum at Jungviehweide combines an exhibition, a library, an aroma workshop and indoor and outdoor activity spaces with a garden. Visitors can explore more than twenty themed gardens, including the insect garden, expanded in 2025, and the “Medicinal Plants of the World” garden. The combination of exhibition and garden spaces makes this a distinctive option for anyone interested in garden culture.

From Easter to October, the Bavarian Bee Museum offers the chance to watch a queen bee and her court in a glass display hive and learn about bee life. At Donaubad in Neu-Ulm, visitors can use the sauna; in winter, there is also ice skating at the ice sports facility. These options offer different seasonal highlights and add more activities to the museums and nature destinations.

In Roggenburg, the Bavarian-Swabia Listening Tour starts at the Roggenburg Education Centre for Family, Environment and Culture. The tour uses a free app, available under the keyword “Bayerisch-Schwaben”; check that it is available before your trip. This app-based tour format is another option to consider alongside museum visits, nature watching and trails in the district.

Choose the right base

So, before settling on a base, consider which experiences are your priority. If several destinations matter to you, compare their locations with the accommodation options available rather than assuming proximity or travel times. This helps you move from choosing the experiences you want to a more focused search for accommodation in Neu-Ulm.

Discover more destinations: Buch, Roggenburg, Weißenhorn, Neu-Ulm, Illertissen, Vöhringen, Altenstadt, Elchingen, Senden.

View the main travel overview: Bavaria.