Saarbrücken

DESTINATIONS germany saarbrucken

Saarbrücken

Saarbrücken, Germany's small jewel lying on the French border, is Saarland's charming and amicable capital that has some truly intriguing stories to tell: a plethora of Roman and Baroque landmarks, all scattered along the Saar river, speak of the region's eventful past.

The City

Saarbrücken was established in 1909 with the unification of three settlements located along the Saar river. Thanks to Saarland's coal resources, local activities such as fishing were soon overtaken by industry, which was, however, destined to suffer several fallbacks throughout the turbulent German history. The area's earliest years date as far back as the Roman age. Later on, Saarbrücken was at the forefront of several clashes between French and German forces, from the Franco-Dutch war in the 1670s to the World Wars in the 20th century, often resulting in separation from Germany. Today, the city of Saarbrücken is made unique by a French touch of elegance, the vast greenery typical of entire Saarland, and the many Baroque works of the city's architect Friedrich Joachim Stengel, all easily explorable on foot in this friendly and compact state capital.

Do & See Dining Cafés Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

From relaxing green areas to historical landmarks, Saarbrücken is a colourful place that offers a plethora of activities.

Saarbrücken Castle

This Baroque castle is undoubtedly the most prominent landmark of Saarbrücken. First mentions of a "Castellum Sarabrucca" date back to medieval times, but the city had seen several attacks and revivals until the building reached its current imposing presence. Today, it is home to various cultural events and the Invisible Jewish Memorial, made up …

St. Johanner Markt

Get a taste of local life at the city's most popular gathering venue, and take a stroll along the narrow alleyways lined with myriad cafés and restaurants. The fountain in the middle of the square was designed by Friedrich Joachim Stengel, and together with Ludwig's Church and the Castle, it forms what is called …

Basilika St. Johann

This 18th-century Baroque Catholic church had undergone destruction and renovation several times throughout its history; today it is renowned for its exceptional, three-part organ system, and is a dominant element on the Saarbrücken's …

State Park (Bürgerpark)

Formerly a coal port, the city's central park has developed into locals' favourite outdoor spot since the 1980s, proudly holding a Landscape Architecture Prize for the design by Peter Latz. It has a photographable open-air stage, a pond, skate park, and plenty of paths for a stroll along the Saar river. It neighbours on …

Town Hall (Rathaus St. Johann)

Saarbrücken has plenty to offer to the lovers of architecture, and one unmissable landmark is the city's town hall, built at the turn of the 20th century in neo-Gothic style and designed by Georg Von Hauberrisser, whose works also include the town hall in …

Moderne Gallerie

A contemporary museum embracing a wide range of German and French art from Impressionism until present-day works. The park of the museum houses a sculpture …

Ludwig's Church (Ludwigskirche)

This imposing Lutheran church was constructed in the 1770s, and is another dominant element of the Baroque-style works of F. J. Stengel, having earned just as much recognition as the Frauenkirche in Dresden or the St. Michael's Church in …

St. John's Church (Johanneskirsche)

This 18th-century Evangelical church is a neo-Gothic addition to Saarbrücken's diverse architectural scene. The surrounding square is also a major gathering …

Franco-German Gardens (DFG)

This 50-hectare park was established to celebrate French-German relations, and has several jogging trails, a funicular and narrow-gauge railway, blossoming flowerbeds, a pond, catering services, and holds plenty of events and markets throughout the …

Saarland State Theater

Saarland's cultural centre holds a diverse range of performances from opera to ballet productions, and neighbours on a nice verdant park with trees lining the Saar …

Historisches Museum Saar

Saarbrücken's history museum, neighbouring on the Saarbrücken Castle, presents the turbulent history of the French-German border area with special emphasis on the era following the Franco-Prussian war of 1870–71, through various permanent and temporary …

Calypso Wellnessparadise

A true water paradise equipped with several indoor, outdoor pools, and water slides, also offering aqua fitness lessons, wellness programmes, and many more to entertain the whole family. Don't forget to try the Stollensauna, a sauna grotto evoking the region's mining …

Saarbrücken Zoo

Saarbrücken Zoo is home to more than a thousand animals, and provides fun and interactive programmes to introduce them all to you. Join the penguin and seal feeding, or even stay for the night for some bat …

Saar Alpaka Farm

Home to an ever-growing number of llamas, alpacas, and donkeys, Saar Alpaka Farm offers visitors fun and educative tours, unique worldwide in that you might even get to cross the border with this adorable …

Völklinger Ironworks

Völklinger Hütte, one of the world's largest iron works spreading across six hectares, was established in 1873, and has remained remarkably intact during its operation spanning the next hundred years. Today, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it functions as a museum and science centre, offering interesting insight into the industry's …

Mettlach

There are several interesting landmarks in Mettlach that make this small town worthy of a day trip: its 19th-century Old Abbey is the headquarters of ceramics manufacturer Villeroy & Boch; there is also a visitor centre, while nature lovers can admire the beauty of Saarschleife, a spectacular bend of the Saar river just a …

Roman Villa Borg (in Perl)

Travel back to ancient times at this renovated Roman-age villa, discovered only recently in the 19th century. It houses an archaeological museum, and has well-tended rose and herb gardens. Special programmes like donkey tours and overnight stays can be organised here …

Trier

Germany's oldest city is pure history: it boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many dating back to the Roman age. The Porta Nigra and the Cathedral, Germany's oldest, are just a few of the rich heritage of what is also called the "Rome of the North". Trier is also noted as the birthplace of …

Luxembourg

The small, romantic capital of the world's only grand duchy makes for a perfect weekend getaway. Take a stroll along panoramic Chemin de la Corniche, and be sure to visit the Grand Ducal Palace, the tunnels of Bock Casemates, and the vast art collection of …

Dining

Saarbrücken has a diverse gastronomic scene with a wide spectrum of foreign and local flavours. The region of Saarland is noted for its potato hash (Dibbelabbes), "flame pizza" (Flammkuchen), and has long-preserved barbecue traditions (called locally Schwenken) which anyone is free to enjoy in the parks lining the Saar river.

Kalinski Wurstwirtschaft & Gin Bar

No visit to Germany is complete without having a filling sausage meal, and when it comes to Saarbrücken, no one prepares it with more passion than the Kalinski brothers. Rich and interesting meals of currywurst, fries, and burgers, with vegan options …

Zum Stiefel

A guesthouse with a traditional restaurant and the region's oldest, 300-year-old brewery, Stiefelbräu: Zum Stiefel is a great place to start your Saarländisch …

Gästehaus Klaus Erfort

Set in an elegant white villa by a green park, Gästehaus treats visitors to the finest flavours of French cuisine. Guests can also enjoy a sublime wine selection, served by the talented team of Klaus Erfort. Their Michelin awards have earned Mainzer Straße the nickname "the street of …

ALEX Saarbrücken

ALEX is one of those places everyone in town knows about, and for several good reasons: champagne breakfast, German pizza (or tarte flambée), schnitzel, burgers, and crispy fresh salads, just to pick a …

La Bastille

A traditional French restaurant in the heart of Saarbrücken offering culinary specialities like salmon pancakes, as well as local staples such as the potato-leek hash (Dibbelabbes), unmissable when in …

L'Osteria

From starters to pasta and pizzas 45 cm in diameter, a genuine taste of Italian prosciutto, cheese and tomatoes can be well-enjoyed on the terrace of L'Osteria, proudly representing the worldwide fame of la cucina …

Kulturcafé

This German restaurant fills up every day with hungered city-tourers, to be served with interesting local specialities like the carrot-ginger soup and green mashed potatoes, or for a simple coffee to pair with a view of the buzzing market …

Café Kostbar

A cosy restaurant with both indoor and garden spaces in the hip area of Nauwieser, serving finely prepared but abundant brunch and lunch specials through several offers a week. They also make some truly mouthwatering fruit mousse, and other …

Brasserie

From oven-baked potatoes, schnitzel, and layered burgers to sweet waffles with ice-cream topping, expect a rich and hearty meal at one of Saarbrücken's most frequented …

Tbilissi Bar, Resto, Lounge

In homage to the town twinning between Saarbrücken and the Georgian capital, Tbilissi Restaurant awaits visitors with the traditional flavours of Georgian cuisine, from the famous cheese bread (khachapuri) to rich vegetable salads …

Lángos Street Food

A culinary gem in southwest Saarbrücken serving that hearty, paprika-spiced goulash and other Hungarian staples like the cheese-topped flatbread (lángos): all worth a detour to satiate your …

Cafés

Homemade fruit butter cakes with a steaming cup of coffee: enjoy the sweet side of Saarland in one of the plenty cosy cafés in town.

The Bakery

A friendly little café right behind the Town Hall, serving locals' favourite sugar-powdered homemade cakes, crépes, and quiches, and arguably the creamiest coffee in …

Henry's Eismanufaktur

This artisan shop offers flavourful, richly garnished and preservative-free ice cream, and is simply regarded the best place for a refreshing treat in …

Chez Jérome

Open around the clock, Chez Jérome is a bakery where you can not only give a fresh start to your day, but also sate your midnight hunger after a long night …

Confiserie Café Schubert

An elegant patisserie which has been serving an ample selection of finely prepared and garnished confectionery since 1950. Lunch is also served every day, so ask for the weekly …

Café Lolo

A classic German café well-known citywide for their traditional recipes and exceptional coffees. Their buttercakes are always on demand! There are two locations in …

Fürst Ludwig

A simple yet welcoming café by the imposing building of Ludwig's Church. Stop by and check the daily lunch menu, which usually consists of rich but healthy meals, from stuffed zucchini to potato …

Moccachili

A downtown café with an open-air terrace serving breakfast, home-made cakes and waffles, which also has weekly lunch offers, rich in fresh green ingredients to match every diet. Vegan cakes are also …

Fredrik

A stylish little café with a friendly atmosphere, serving sweet treats and weekly specials ranging from sushi lunch to currywurst with home-made …

Bars & Nightlife

If you only see it during the day, you won't see enough: "Saarbrooklyn" has a vibrant nightlife buzzing with beer gardens and plenty of hip clubs, entertaining revelers all night long.

Old Murphy's

Over 45 beers on tap, pub quiz, karaoke nights, and a lively international atmosphere: this Irish pub in the city's main square never fails to entertain. Food specials include premium Irish beef burgers and fish & chips, as well as various salads for a lighter …

Shotz Bar

Whether it's predrinks or the last rounds of the night, Shotz has a remarkable selection of shots, to be tried and analysed: can you guess the ingredients of a "Tony Montana" or an …

Baker Street im Hirsch

English breakfast is served every Sunday at this elegant tearoom, but be sure to drop in later as well, as it turns into a real Victorian pub with plenty of English food and Irish beers, and fun events from pub quiz to whiskey tasting. A crime to …

Jules Verne

A laid-back hipster bar just outside the old town with craft beers, brunch, daily lunch offers, and regular live performances, including stand-up comedy …

Garage Saarbrücken

A stylish nightclub in a brick building hosting parties and concerts that span the entire musical spectrum, from pop and disco to heavy metal; all this several times a …

Cafe & Bar Celona

Whether it's a morning coffee or afternoon cocktails with some Mediterranean snacks, Bar Celona is a spacious and colourful hangout spot that also holds theme parties regularly, similar to its other locations throughout …

Shopping

Cobblestone alleyways with charming boutiques and shopping malls with well-known international brands: Saarbrücken has something for every taste and budget.