Surrounded by the Black Forest – Freiburg

In the south west of Baden-Württemberg, two hours drive from St[uttgart,](https://www.livetheworld.com/post/stuttgart-where-the-fancy-cars-come-from-mi7v) lays with a population of around 220,000 inhabitants Freiburg im Breisgau. The city is situated in a valley surrounded by hills and the Black Forest. The area has the highest amount of sun hours in Germany and is in the heart of the Baden wine-growing region. Apart from good wine there are authentic beer gardens, which offer delicious meals like Flammkuchen combined with a jar of beer. Freiburg scores highly with a cozy alternative atmosphere, good weather, nice hikes in the surroundings and advanced environmental practices. Get to know Freiburg better and enjoy the culture in this beautiful German city close to the border to France.   

The Minster of Freiburg is a beautiful old cathedral combining Romanesque and Gothic styles. The construction began around 1200 on the foundation of the old city’s church, which has been there since Freiburg’s foundation in 1120. The Minster represents the center of Freiburg as it has grown around the cathedral, because the city was founded as a free market town and all the trade took place at the market square surrounding the Minster. Today there is still a market going on every working day, inviting the people for a stroll, fresh local food and some shopping.

The interior of the Minster of Freiburg is impressive and worth a visit. If you are up for a little break from the crowded market and are looking for a peaceful moment, the cathedral is the right place - also for non-religious people.

My advice after the market is to head through the beautiful city to a beer garden. There are quite a lot to find, but my favorite is the Schloßberg beer garden - situated on top of a hill with a view over the valley of Freiburg and the surrounding Black Forest.

Take some friends with you and enjoy a nice chat over a cold beer in the sun. The table arrangements also invite you to get to know strangers and exchange stories.

Instead of having a rest in a beer garden, Freiburg im Breisgau, as I wrote in the introduction, is also the perfect place to go for a hike. The landscape is gorgeous and we really enjoyed walking through the nature of the borders of the Black Forrest. Especially the bright green color of the fields seemed out of an advertisement for this region.

Arriving on top of one of the surrounding hills you will be rewarded with another panoramic view over Freiburg.

We took the hike up hill to the Schoenberg, which is very close to the city. In Freiburg the public transport is pretty good. The city cares more for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists instead of car drivers. This is one reason why Freiburg im Breisgau is known for its advanced environmental practices and why it is such a beautiful, nice and authentic city. And one reason more to see it for yourself and pay Freiburg im Breisgau a visit.