Discover Lahr/Schwarzwald

You can discover Lahr/Schwarzwald through a range of themes: the Storchenturm represents the city’s history, Seepark features a bathing area, observation tower and main route, and the German Sign and Illuminated Advertising Museum is dedicated to the production of signs and illuminated advertising. If you are looking for a hotel, your planned focus can help guide you: are you particularly interested in architectural history, a digital tour of the city centre, a park-related theme, or the production of signs and illuminated advertising? The following places showcase different sides of the destination.

City history and digital tour

The Storchenturm is the remnant of a lowland castle built by the Lords of Geroldseck around 1218/20 in the Lahr lowlands of the Schutter. It offers a tangible point of reference for the city’s history. The “zeigmal” app offers a different format: in 2026, the city described it as a way to take an interactive digital tour of Lahr city centre. According to that description, you can take the tour on your own or as a guided tour in about 60 minutes. The two offerings therefore differ in both theme and format: one focuses on a historic building, while the other is a digital tour of the city centre. Check in advance whether the digital offering is currently available.

Sandy beach, views and paths at Seepark

The bathing area at Seepark includes a 4,700-square-metre sandy beach, which is a popular attraction in summer. Seasonal restrictions may apply to swimming. The “Krähennest” observation tower offers views towards the city and surrounding landscape. The lakeside promenade serves a different purpose: it is the main route through Seepark. This means the park brings together a summer bathing area, a viewpoint and a route, each offering a different experience. You can choose what suits your interests, whether swimming, taking in the view or walking through the park.

Signs and illuminated advertising as a cultural theme

The German Sign and Illuminated Advertising Museum, located at the Baden State School of Painting and Decorating, offers a distinctive theme. Its collection, unique in Germany, documents the history and present-day production of signs and illuminated advertising. The focus here is therefore on the development of a particular form of advertising, unlike the historic building or park features. It is advisable to arrange an appointment in advance for a visit.

Ortenaukreis: regional context

Ortenaukreis lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. The district has 23 nature reserves covering a total area of around 3,110 hectares; they extend from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. One specific example is the Taubergießen Nature Reserve: it covers 1,695 hectares and is one of the largest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg. For travel planning, these are two different scales: the distribution of protected areas across the district and one large nature reserve.

Cultural and leisure activities in Ortenaukreis also cater to a range of interests. Rulantica offers water-based fun for the whole family all year round, with numerous indoor and outdoor water attractions. The offering includes Hyggedal, a relaxation and sauna area. Europa-Park is located in the municipality of Rust. MiMa presents unique minerals from the Black Forest, collected by the Friends of Minerals and Mining Oberwolfach Association (Verein der Freunde von Mineralien und Bergbau Oberwolfach e. V.). A tour of the historic farmhouses at the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum shows how people lived and worked in the Black Forest up to 600 years ago. In Gengenbach, the night watchman’s tour has twelve stops and includes the traditional night watchman’s song. The public tours are free of charge; no registration is required. Check the dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Fischerbach, Meißenheim, Mühlenbach, Ettenheim, Zell Am Harmersbach, Renchen, Oberwolfach, Nordrach

For the regional travel overview: Ortenaukreis.