Discover Lahr/Schwarzwald

City history and digital tour

The Storchenturm is the remaining part of a lowland castle built around 1218/20 by the Lords of Geroldseck in the Lahr lowlands near Schuttern. As a surviving part of this complex, it provides a tangible link to the city’s medieval history.

To explore the town centre, you can use the interactive “zeigmal” app on your own or as part of a guided tour. The walk takes about 60 minutes. Allow roughly an hour and check in advance whether the app and the tour you want are currently available.

The collection at the German Sign and Illuminated Advertising Museum, located at the Badische Malerfachschule, also offers a distinctive cultural highlight. It documents the history and present-day practice of sign and illuminated advertising production and is considered unique in Germany. If you plan to visit, arrange your visit in advance.

Seepark: swimming, views and paths

The swimming area at Seepark Lahr includes a 4,700-square-metre sandy beach, a popular attraction in summer. Seasonal restrictions on swimming may apply, so take these into account when planning.

Seepark is also home to the “Krähennest” (Crow’s Nest), an observation tower with views towards the city and the surrounding landscape. The lakeside promenade is the park’s main route. This means swimming, taking in the views and walking through Seepark offer distinct ways to enjoy the park.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Lahr, your preferred pace for the day can make the difference: a roughly one-hour walk through the town centre offers a different focus from spending time at the swimming area. You can tailor your time in Lahr to the city’s history, its culture or a visit to Seepark.

The Ortenau district: landscapes and more experiences

As a further point of reference, the Ortenau district lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. Its 23 nature reserves cover around 3,110 hectares in total, stretching from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. The Taubergießen nature reserve covers 1,695 hectares and is one of the largest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg.

Cultural destinations offer a different focus: A tour of the historic farmsteads at the Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum shows how people lived and worked in the Black Forest up to 600 years ago. MiMa presents unique minerals from the Black Forest, collected by the Friends of Minerals and Mining Oberwolfach e. V. In Gengenbach, the night watchman’s tour includes twelve stops and the traditional night watchman’s song. The public tours are free and do not require registration; check the current dates before setting off.

For water-based experiences, Rulantica offers numerous indoor and outdoor water attractions for the whole family all year round. The facilities also include the Hyggedal relaxation and sauna area. Europa-Park is located in the municipality of Rust. So, alongside nature and culture, the Ortenau district offers other leisure activities, each with its own focus.

Discover more destinations: Gutach, Haslach Im Kinzigtal, Offenburg, Zell Am Harmersbach, Gengenbach, Biberach, Ortenberg, Fischerbach.

Go to the main travel overview: Ortenau district.