Can you picture it?
It’s the height of the Belle Epoque in Baden-Baden.
Baden-Baden – Germany’s fashionable spa town – is the summer capital of Europe.
Beautiful Baden-Baden
Queen Victoria is strolling along the leafy Lichtentaler Allee garden and avenue.
The Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky is feverishly writing his book, The Gambler – when not gambling at the Baden-Baden casino (which Marlene Dietrich later called, “the most beautiful casino in the world”).
Johannes Brahms is dreaming up a new symphony in his rented summer house (and courting his lover Clara Schumann).
Photos of Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is just as beautiful today.
If you have a taste for luxury, classical music and elegant spas (like the opulent Friedrichsbad, where, oh my, we had to bathe nude co-ed style), put Baden-Baden on your travel wish list.
Here are some photos that will make you want to visit…
If you go to Baden-Baden
We stayed at the lovely boutique Hotel Belle Epoque, a neo-renaissance villa (and one of our favorite charming European hotels).
For more travel information, see the website for Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH – that’s the official tourist office.
Experience more of Germany!
Berlin: One day in Berlin. Crazy? Or not?
Dresden: What to do in Dresden? Gape at the treasure in the historic Green Vault museum. See the beautiful Zwinger Palace. Bicycle along the Elbe River. And more!
Bonn: From visiting the Beethoven House to taking a Rhine river cruise, there are lots of lovely things to do in Bonn.
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: 2 to 6, 8 to 10 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Penny Sadler
Friday 20th of November 2015
Ok I'm sold!
Carol
Thursday 29th of October 2015
I love Baden-Baden so much, I went there on my honeymoon. So did my husband.
Janice and George
Thursday 29th of October 2015
Now that's funny. Did you and your husband go to Baden-Baden together on the same honeymoon?
Shikha
Monday 12th of October 2015
One of the things I love about visiting Germany is just how many gorgeous little towns and cities like this one are waiting to be discovered that are so picturesque and elegant. I hadn't heard of Baden-Baden before but really like the idea of this spa town....though less keen on the idea of the nude mixed gender bathing (or any kind of nude bathing for that matter. I would definitely stand out as one of the sheepish, shy tourists there, that's for sure!)
Janice and George
Wednesday 21st of October 2015
Well, we felt pretty sheepish too joining the naked bathers at the Friedrichsbad. But by the end of our 3-hour bathing ritual, we had (sort-of) gotten over being shy. Just something we had to do as travel writers!
Suze
Friday 9th of October 2015
I went to Baden-Baden years ago and I loved the elegance of the town, I would really like to return
Irene S. Levine
Tuesday 6th of October 2015
The architecture looks charming. It sounds like your staying in a neo-Renaissance villa really put you in touch with a lovely era in history.