Summer in Germany – Part 6: Saarbrücken
Series: Leisure activities at our locations
Saarbrücken, the capital of Germany's smallest state, is located in the border triangle between Germany, France and Luxembourg. This makes the city an international hub, with plenty of cross-border exchange. True to the motto „Hauptsach gudd gess, geschafft hann mir schnell“ ("The main thing is that we have eaten well; if necessary, the work is done quickly"), the Saarlanders are known for their love of good food and drink. People here enjoy sitting together, celebrating and taking advantage of the wide range of events on offer.
Explore the city on land, on water or in the air
No matter what medium you prefer, the city of Saarbrücken and its surroundings offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. Most of these places are within walking distance.
1. Wildpark Saarbrücken
You can enjoy a walk among the animals at the Saarbrücken Wildlife Park (Wildpark Saarbrücken). This 17-hectare park is home to 120 native and indigenous wild animals that live in spacious enclosures surrounded by a shaded forest. In addition to three routes of different lengths and a geology trail, there are also regular events for the whole family.
2. BBQ party on the Saar
On the Saar — the river after which the country and its capital are named — you can hire a ‘BBQ Donut’. This inflatable round boat can accommodate up to 10 people. In the center of the boat is a barbecue, inviting you to enjoy a BBQ on the Saar.
3. A jump from the clouds
You can experience the thrill of tandem skydiving at one of Germany's largest sites. The Fallschirmsportzentrum Saar is just a 30-minute drive from Saarbrücken and is a popular destination for passionate skydivers and aspiring skydivers alike.
Highlights in July
The summer is full of opportunities to marvel, immerse and enjoy yourself. Here are three examples: one for families, one for electronic music culture enthusiasts, and one for fans of unique city festivals.
1. ‘Sundays at the Castle’
The event series 'Sundays at the Castle' ('Sonntags ans Schloss’) was established in the mid-1990s. In the morning, there is an open-air brunch accompanied by blues music around Saarbrücken Castle. At lunchtime, you can enjoy either a puppet theatre show in the castle cellar or a guided tour with the castle ghost. In the evening, young musical talents from various genres perform in the ballroom. All of these events are free of charge.
2. Vibrancy Open Air
The Vibrancy Open Air, which will take place again in 2025 for the first time since the Coronavirus pandemic, is an electronic dance music festival, set against the backdrop of an industrial area designated a World Heritage Site. On 5 July, successful DJs will perform amidst spectacularly illuminated blast furnaces and production lines.
3. Nauwieser Viertel Fest
In July, plenty of city festivals take place in different districts and commercial areas. The most iconic and affordable of these is the ‘Nauwieser Viertel Fest’. Primarily aimed at music fans, it features local scene bands and alternative acts on an open-air stage and one or two pub stages.
Explore the countryside
With 73 green spaces covering over 120 hectares in total, Saarbrücken offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. Two places in particular are popular destinations for picnics, beer gardens and outdoor exercise.
1. The ‘Staden’
The absolute frontrunner among the city's summer venues is the ‘Staden’, the banks of the Saar. From the Saarwiese at the State Theather, through the gardens at the Modern Gallery, to the Ulanen Pavillon and the combined heat and power plant, people of all ages flock here as soon as the sun comes out. The ‘Staden’ has numerous catering facilities, playgrounds and events that attract hundreds of visitors.
2. The German-French Garden
The German-French Garden (‘Deutsch-Französischer Garten’) is located just outside the city center, close to the French border. It is definitely worth a visit in the summer. This green oasis also attracts people from beyond the country's borders to Saarbrücken as an event location. In addition to an annual medieval festival, the garden hosts regular children's events and the music series "Die Muschel rockt" (in a concert shell on the lake).
Sightseeing
Although Saarbrücken's city center was rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s due to war damage, several architectural highlights from various art epochs periods have left their mark on the cityscape.
1. Saarbrücken Castle
In the 17th century, the medieval castle developed into a magnificent Renaissance castle, the underground remains of which are still preserved today. After the castle had been destroyed, Prince Wilhelm Heinrich built a new Baroque palace in the 18th century, designed by his master builder Friedrich Joachim Stengel.
2. Ludwigskirche
Master builder Stengel also designed the Ludwigskirche and the surrounding square. As one of the most stylistically pure and beautiful Protestant Baroque churches in Germany, the Ludwigskirche forms the heart of the ‘Place Royale’. It is comparable to the 'Michel' in Hamburg or the 'Frauenkirche' in Dresden.
3. St. Johanner Markt
The Baroque square 'St. Johanner Markt', located behind the town hall, is home to various cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Take a stroll and enjoy the culinary delights and small talk. You will find student pubs, cocktail bars, pizza stands, and other food-to-go options in the historic, cobblestone area at the heart of Saarbrücken.
Saarbrücken is a popular student city and has a lot to offer in summer. Thanks to its medium size, you can get everywhere on foot and will always run into familiar faces. Saarbrücken is also an ideal starting point for trips to other attractive destinations, such as Luxembourg, Trier, Strasbourg, and even Paris (just two hours away by train). At our language school in Saarbrücken, not only will you improve your German language skills, but you will also learn in the heart of Europe in a place with a French flair.
Find more information on our website about our Language Courses in Saarbrücken.
