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While some adventurers don't consider Hessen a top destination, its classical beauty and rich history make it worth a visit. With so many tourist spots to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down which ones you must not miss. Luckily, you've come to the right place. Here are the best things to do in Hessen, Germany.
Where Is Hessen, Germany?
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The Hessen state is located in west-central Germany. It borders Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate, among others. Wiesbaden serves as its capital and Frankfurt am Main is its largest city. This German state is home to over 6 million people. 42% of Hessen is covered by forests, making it the country's greenest state. For those planning a trip, a helpful resource is a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy, though conditions in Hessen differ.
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe
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No trip to Hessen, Germany, would be complete without visiting Kassel. Known for its affiliation with the Brothers Grimm, the city of Kassel practically screams history, art, and nature. However, arguably the most popular tourist destination in Kassel is the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe is the biggest hillside park in all of Europe. The park also houses a handful of palatial monuments, including one built by Napoleon's younger brother, Jérôme Bonaparte. On the east side of the park, you'll find Schloss Wilhelmshöhe, a Neoclassical palace dating back to the 18th century. Inside this breathtaking castle lies a collection of antiquities and paintings on display.
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At the very top of the park stands the Hercules monument. This impressive structure measures 71 meters tall. In fact, the structure is so large that it took Italian sculptor Giovanni Francesco Guerriero 16 years to carve it. Making your way up won't be easy. However, it will definitely be worth the time and effort.
The park itself has no entrance fee, but specific attractions each require a one-day ticket. The museum admission fee costs €6, with the Weissenstein Wing priced at €4. The Hercules monument ticket costs €3. Visitors under the age of 18 can enter free of charge.
2.
Marburg Old Town
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Situated an hour north of Frankfurt, Marburg looks like a fairytale town. The Brothers Grimm drew inspiration here. The historic market square features a town hall dating from 1512. As a university town, students from the University of Marburg shape public life. Picturesque buildings line the cobbled alleys. You can stroll for hours before stopping at a café or restaurant. Getting lost here feels like a blessing.
Kellerwald-Edersee Forest
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Hessen’s Kellerwald-Edersee National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing the last primeval beech forest of its kind in Central Europe. It offers a break from fast-paced city life. Nature lovers will find lynx, honey buzzards, fire salamanders, and red deer. Fitness enthusiasts can use hiking trails for every level or e-bikes to get around. In summer, Edersee Lake offers swimming, sailing, and canoeing. A 750-meter-long walkway at Baumkronenpfad Edersee provides a bird’s-eye view. The park is dog-friendly and popular with families, yet also romantic for couples. Kellerwald-Edersee is the only national park in Hessen, and entrance is free. For those planning a broader trip, this natural escape contrasts sharply with the urban pace of places like South Beach, Miami in a weekend.
4.
Wiesbaden
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As the state capital of Hessen, Germany, Wiesbaden lies across the Rhine River from Mainz. Visit the Hessen State Theatre, where Johannes Brahms and Richard Strauss once performed, and admire its architecture. The historic Kurhaus building features Neoclassical design with Art Nouveau flourishes, housing a restaurant and grand ballrooms.
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The Neo-Gothic Market Church, built in 1862 from red brick, contains five life-sized statues and a polygonal bronze and iron pulpit. On Neroberg, St. Elizabeth's Church is a Russian Orthodox church built by Duke Adolf of Nassau as a tribute to his wife who died in childbirth. Neroberg also has Germany’s only railway still using the water ballast propulsion system. Other notable sites include Biebrich Palace and Wiesbaden City Palace.
5.
Braunfels Castle
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Perched on a hill in the Lahn valley, Braunfels Castle showcases evolving architecture and design. Dating to the 13th century, it was the residence of the Counts of Solms. A devastating fire consumed much of the castle in 1679, with reconstruction supervised by Count Heinrich Trajektin. In 1845, the "Hunter Prince" Ferdinand added the Knights Hall in the Gothic Revival style, but Prince George ultimately gave the castle its present design. Guided tours start at €7, with variations, so plan your itinerary ahead. For travelers considering broader European trips, consulting a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy can help with packing. Additionally, those seeking outdoor adventures might explore the top 10 National and State parks to see in the region.
6.
Limburg Castle
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Limburg Castle in Hessen, Germany, dates to the 7th century and showcases Late Romanesque architecture. Its seven spires, ornate details, high central nave, and epic circular window are notable features. The castle sits atop a high rock overlooking the valley below. Guided tours are available. The town of Limburg an der Lahn also draws visitors with its half-timbered houses and dreamy atmosphere.
Frankfurt
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Frankfurt showcases architecture through time, where old and new come together in harmony. As Hessen’s financial center, glass skyscrapers contrast with the medieval market square of Römerberg, home to timber-framed houses and the iconic Römer building complex.
Visit Frankfurt Cathedral, a Roman Catholic Gothic church dedicated to Saint Bartholomew and the city’s largest religious building. St. Paul’s Church, built in 1789 as a Lutheran church, is now United Protestant and also holds deep religious history.
History buffs and culture connoisseurs will enjoy Museumsufer, a neighborhood of 12 museums. Watch a performance at Frankfurt’s old opera, which hosts a cocktail of events each year—check the schedule and purchase tickets beforehand. For a local experience, visit the Saturday flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., selling vintage clothes, antiques, food, and drinks.
8.
Kurpark Bad Homburg
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Kurpark Bad Homburg is a spa park about an hour from Frankfurt. The 44-acre park sits in the valley of the Kirdorfer Bach, with grasslands and trees from Asia and North America. On the western side, a Swan pond with a fountain, along with monuments, pavilions, and Thai temples dot the grounds. The gardens are among the most beautiful in Hessen, designed by Prussian landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné. For travelers seeking serene escapes, this park offers a peaceful contrast to bustling city destinations like South Beach, Miami in a weekend.
Rüdesheim am Rhein
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For wine lovers, Rüdesheim am Rhein is the perfect Hessen destination. The sprawling Riesling vineyards are breathtaking, and half-timbered shops sell the wine to locals and tourists alike. Wine culture runs deep here—wine glasses dating back to the Early Middle Ages have been recovered in graves.
Eibingen Abbey, in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to a community of Benedictine nuns who have been here since 1165, when Hildegard of Bingen founded the place. The nuns operate a vineyard and sell wine at the abbey’s shop, among other artisanal items.
If time permits, ride an open-air cable car to the Niederwald Monument, a celebration of peace after the Franco-Prussian War. Nearby, the Niederwaldtempel provides an awe-inspiring view of the town below.
Butzbach
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Hessen offers no shortage of medieval tourist spots, and Butzbach is no different. While less extravagant than other attractions, this town makes up for it with charm.
Nestled around 35 km north of Frankfurt, Butzbach is home to Landgrafenschloss (Landgraves' Castle). The city council currently uses the castle, though it was previously under the command of the United States Army.
Stroll through the market place, where timber-framed houses and cobbled alleys are prominent. For a workout, hike in Hausberg, part of the Taunus mountain range. Hausberg also has a look-out tower you can climb.
Visit Hessen, Germany
If you're looking for your destination, Hessen is the answer, where contemporary style and medieval design are expertly married. Hessen is also home to many iconic German places that inspired your favorite fairytales.
The cobbled streets and half-timbered houses should be enough to draw you in, but if those don't do it, the landscape certainly will. Plan your trip to Hessen, Germany.
