The Best and Worst of Europe by Rick Steves
After Prague, Kraków and Budapest are central Europe's best cities. Bratislava (Slovakia) and Bucharest (Romania) are probably my least favorite of the big ...
Black Forest
Germany's famous <anchor>Black Forest</anchor> disappoints more people than it excites. If it were all Germany offered, it would be worth seeing. For Europeans, any large forest is understandably a popular attraction. But I'd say the average American visitor who's seen more than three trees in one place would prefer mountainous southern Bavaria, or the countryside around the Rhine and Mosel rivers — all high points that cut the Black Forest down to stumps.
Black Forest Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves
Black Forest Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves

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# Black Forest

Locals and out-of-towners alike go cuckoo for Germany's southwest corner — famous for its mineral spas, clean air, hiking trails, cheery villages…and cuckoo clocks. The region's darkly thick forests were formidable to ancient Romans, and the poor farmland drove medieval locals to become foresters, glassblowers, and clockmakers. Today, the Black Forest is primarily a relaxing getaway for overworked Germans. The region's two major towns are Baden-Baden — Germany's grandest 19th-century spa resort — and Freiburg, the Black Forest's de facto capital and likable university town.

## Places

- [Baden-Baden](/europe/germany/baden-baden)

## Plan

- [Germany: Recommended Itinerary](/europe/germany/itinerary)
- [When to Go to Germany](/europe/germany/best-time-to-go-to-germany)
- [Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Germany](/europe/germany/festivals)
- [Guidebook Updates for Germany](/europe/germany/guidebook-updates)
- [Germany Rail Passes and Train Tips](/travel-tips/transportation/trains/germany-rail-passes)
- [Germany: Recommended Books and Movies](/europe/germany/books-movies)

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## Watch

- [Germany’s Black Forest and Cologne (episode)](/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/germany-black-forest-and-cologne)

## Read

#### Baden-Baden

- [Discovering the Romance of Germany’s Black Forest](/watch-read-listen/read/articles/black-forest-germany-discovering-romance)
- [Naked and Relaxed in Baden-Baden](/watch-read-listen/read/articles/baden-baden-spa)
- [Soaking It Up in Europe’s Best Spas](/watch-read-listen/read/articles/best-spas-europe)
- [Taking Time to Unwind in the Black Forest](/watch-read-listen/read/articles/going-cuckoo-over-germanys-black-forest)

## Listen

- [German Christmas Markets\
(12:02)](https://soundcloud.com/rick-steves-audio-europe/german-christmas-markets)
- [Germany's Black Forest\
(11:34)](http://snd.sc/1bzrUaB)

## Latest Black Forest Travel Forum Posts

- [Stops along the drive from the Black Forest to Baldershwang?](https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/stops-along-the-drive-from-the-black-forest-to-baldershwang)
- [ATL-CPH ROUND TRIP 1ST TIME ABROAD- GiGi1858 & Poppy](https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/denmark/atl-cph-round-trip-1st-time-abroad-gigi1858-poppy)
- [Leaving for Germany. Wish me Luck! I may need it.](https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/wish-me-luck-i-may-need-it)

[All Black Forest Travel Forum Posts](https://search.ricksteves.com/?date_range=6m&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Black+Forest)

## Resources

- [Travel Tips](/travel-tips)
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