Discover Weinheim: Nature, Culture and Urban History

Weinheim offers a variety of options for planning your trip: walks among special tree species, historic buildings, exhibitions and recurring events. Which of these shapes your stay also depends on when you travel. The places and dates below give you specific points of reference for planning.

Forest trails and special tree species

The Exotenwald forest, covering about 60 hectares, is home to non-native tree species, including giant sequoias, Chilean monkey-puzzle trees, Japanese and North American magnolias, and California incense cedars. Three signposted circular trails lead through the forest. From March to November, a public guided tour takes place there once a month; check the specific dates before you travel.

The Kneipp facility can also be included in your route planning: it is about a 15-minute walk from the castle park. The Exotenwald circular trail and the Grand Circular Trail also pass by the facility. This gives you reference points for visiting both via a route from the castle park and via two named circular trails.

Castle ruins, museum and old town

Windeck Castle was built after 1100 as a fortified castle to protect Lorsch Abbey. In fine weather, the view from there stretches over Weinheim and the Rhine Plain as far as the Palatinate. The site's history and the view offer two distinct focuses for a visit: the history of the castle and the landscape panorama.

The Museum of the City of Weinheim collects and preserves objects relating to the history of the city and the region. Its permanent exhibition covers about 1,000 square metres, and temporary exhibitions are also held regularly. The programme may change. An audio guide featuring Ingrid Noll offers another way to experience the city: at 13 stops, it presents Weinheim from her perspective.

The Gerberbach quarter is characterised by old tanners' houses and workshops, winding lanes, small courtyards and half-timbered houses. If you are interested in historic buildings and intimate street scenes, you will find different impressions here than in the museum's exhibition rooms. Wachenburg Castle, meanwhile, was built between 1907 and 1928 as a memorial and meeting place for the Weinheim Senior Citizens' Convention and its active student corps.

Events and activities at Waidsee

Weinheim's Sommertagszug takes place every year in March on Laetare Sunday and involves around 3,000 participants. On the second weekend in August, the Altstadt-Kerwe is celebrated in the Gerberbach quarter. If your trip coincides with either event, check the relevant date in advance.

At Waidsee lido, there is a water sports area for stand-up paddleboarding, surfing and canoeing; diving is also possible. The facilities also include a children's playground with a zip line and a designated non-swimmer area. Operating hours and access rules may vary seasonally, so it is a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.

Plan your journey

Weinheim is accessible by RNV tram line 5 from Mannheim and Heidelberg, as well as by several bus routes from the Odenwald. Routes and timetables may change, so check the connection for your travel date. This will help you coordinate your journey with your planned visits and the event date.

Discover more destinations: Heddesheim, Heiligkreuzsteinach, Eppelheim, Neulußheim, Nußloch, Helmstadt-Bargen, Schönbrunn, Angelbachtal.

See the regional travel overview: Rhein-Neckar District.