Weekend Getaway: The Creative City of Karlsruhe

If you’ve got the time, Karlsruhe is the perfect long weekend destination for those who are living in Düsseldorf. It is about a 3 hour and 20-minute drive (340 km). There’s also plenty of buses and trains that head straight to the city.

I want to show you how I explored Karlsruhe through Instagram and why it could quite possibly be the best solution to last-minute travel. Wake up at the Novotel Karlsruhe, eat breakfast, creep my Instagram, find a photo/place worth visiting, get up, and GO!

KEYWORD SEARCH: #Karlsruhe #VisitKarlsruhe

If you know me, anything green catches my eye. I go through, like the posts I see, Google Map the locations and then venture out the door.

Marktplatz, Karlsruhe

It’s the perfect place to start exploring Karlsruhe since you’re now in the middle of the city center. The locals refer to the Market Square as a symbol of the free city. Today you will find many unusual but incredible art pieces down the main pedestrian path and through the smaller streets around the Marktplatz. You will also find many boutique shops and restaurants to explore.

 

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A post shared by Kat | 22 | omnia fert aetas (@bergnebel) on Sep 15, 2018 at 12:07am PDT

Schlossplatz Karlsruhe

Thanks to the incredibly awesome festivities going on during the celebration of Karlsruhe’s 300 years, there was a light show on the castle walls. This wasn’t just any light show, it was certainly and by far… the most incredible light show I have ever seen. There are 9 different films available for viewing during the#KA300 celebrations and if you’re around the area, this is a place you mustn’t miss.

 

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Festivals at the Schlossgarten

Right behind where the races were taking place, there are many festivals and music concerts being held at the Schlossgarten (Castle Gardens). Not to mention it’s a garden within the castle limits, certainly a place you could spend the rest of your day.

Karlsruhe Schlossgarten Lake

Well, you’re already there so you might as well walk a few steps to the little lake hidden behind the castle.

Botanical Gardens, Karlsruhe 

It’s funny, I received a transit pass in my welcome package from Visit Karlsruhe, yet never had a chance to use it. Can you guess why? Yep… this beautiful botanical garden is right around the corner from it all. The hotel was just a walk away from the centre and the centre is literally where all the action happens.

Karlsruhe Zoo

This spot couldn’t have worked more perfectly into my plans while in Karlsruhe. The zoo is only a few minute’s walk from the Novotel Karlsruhe and a beautiful place to kick back and relax. Not to mention our Karlsruhe Welcome Card gave us a discounted entrance rate into the Zoological City Gardens and the Gondoletta rides.

 

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A post shared by Sebastian Kijas (@kijas) on Sep 29, 2016 at 4:03am PDT

Shopping at the Ettlinger Tor

About 100 meters from our hotel that weekend was the Ettlinger Tor. Though I’m not a shopper, many locals love this area to get their shop on.

 

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A post shared by Letizia Krüger (@lejakru_2006) on Feb 25, 2020 at 8:36am PST

I had an incredible weekend exploring the sights and sounds of the city and was pleasantly surprised by it all. I had no idea that Karlsruhe was such a hip and artistic city. There was construction through the entire pedestrian way to the castle though I could help but think about how I’m going to get back here when the project is completed… #dreamcity.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, I’d suggest comparing your options before booking: 

If you are a fan of city trips, you might also enjoy a trip to:

CELEBRATE IN THE COLOURFUL STREETS OF HAMBURG

EXPLORE THE COBBLESTONE STREETS OF AMSTERDAM

DIVE INTO STUTTGART’S HIDDEN GEMS