Weekend in Karlsruhe

Located in the palace, this museum covers regional history from prehistory to the 20th century. Free entry every Wednesday (otherwise €8).

Tip: The medieval armoury and the ancient Egyptian collection are the highlights — head there first before crowds build.

The main Protestant church in the city centre, built in the early 19th century. Its neoclassical design and simple interior are a calm contrast to the palace. Free to enter.

Tip: Look for the carved wooden pulpit and the small war memorial chapel behind the altar. The church is usually quiet mid-afternoon.

A major institution for media and digital art. The lobby and parts of the permanent collection are free, including interactive installations and works by pioneers like Nam June Paik.

Tip: Check their website for free guided tours on certain weekends — no booking needed.

A peaceful, well-kept garden with greenhouses, tropical plants, and seasonal flower beds. Originally part of the palace grounds, now a public park run by the university.

Tip: Visit the tropical greenhouse on a cold day — it's warm and humid, and free to enter. The cacti house is a hidden highlight.

A serene Victorian glasshouse complex and outdoor gardens, originally part of the palace grounds. Home to tropical and subtropical plants, cacti, and a large cycad collection.

Tip: The main glasshouse is often warm and humid—perfect for a rainy day. The small pond outside has resident terrapins. Free guided tours in German on Sunday mornings.

One of Germany's oldest art museums. The permanent collection of 19th-century and modern works is free to view in the main building. Features German Romantic painters, French Impressionists and contem

Tip: Free entry covers the top-floor galleries, which hold the best 19th-century landscapes. Queue at the main desk and ask for the 'free collection' ticket. The museum café is worth a stop for cake.

A world-renowned media museum housed in a converted industrial building. The ground floor and outdoor installations are free, and there are frequently free temporary exhibits in the lobby.

Tip: Check the ZKM website before visiting—many interactive media installations are free on Wednesday afternoons. Don't miss the giant outdoor light grid on the facade at night.

A calm botanical garden attached to the university, with outdoor themed beds, a large tropical greenhouse and a small arboretum. Free entry to the grounds and the main greenhouse.

Tip: The tropical greenhouse is warm year-round – a good refuge on cold days. Bring your own water; there's no café on site. The succulent house is often overlooked but has rare cacti.

A long park along the Alb River with grassy slopes, a popular open-air swimming pond (Adlerquelle), and the striking modern Waldhornbrücke pedestrian bridge.

Tip: Bring a picnic and swimsuit—the Adlerquelle pond is free and clean. The bridge is a great photo spot at sunset. On Saturdays in summer, there's often a flea market nearby.

The 18th-century palace sits at the centre of the fan-shaped city layout. The grounds are open to the public, with sprawling gardens and a view of the city from the palace steps.

Tip: Climb the palace tower for a small fee (around €4) — the view over the fan pattern is worth it.