Experience true Southern German culture in Ulm

Ulm may not be the best known city in Germany, however it offers unique tourist attractions that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. The first known settlement in Ulm was noted to be around 5000 BC during the early Neolithic period. Ulm not only has the world’s second highest church but it is also home to the birth place of ever so famous scientist, Albert Einstein.


Don River
The city’s main focal point is the Danube River, with numerous city event and festivals taking place next to the river each year. On July 18th there is the city’s biggest festival called the Nabada that takes place. People from all around the country to be a part of this festival and float down the river in beautifully decorated boats, make merry and enjoy themselves. During a regular summer day the river is a great spot for running or biking along the paths or just hanging out with friends for grilling or playing sports.

City Center
The Ulm Minster Church marks the central point of the city, measuring in at 530 ft tall with 768 steps located inside. On a clear day from the top of the church there is a spectacular view of Ulm, Neu-Ulm in Bavaria and even the Alps if you are very lucky! Surrounding the church is a large open area, that houses weekly local markets, concerts, festivals, and many other major events that take place.

Restaurants and Cafes
Ulm has the most restaurants and cafes per square meter in all of Germany. This gives the city a great atmosphere as people are out and about all summer wandering between cafes for ice-cream or beer. Whether you are looking for a typical German restaurant or even Indian cuisine you will be able to find it all with ten minutes of Ulm’s city center. There are restaurants located on busy pedestrian streets, in the quiet old city quarter, and next to the river so you have a variety of settings to choose from.

Fisherman’s Village
Most of the city was bombed during the world wars, however the one section that escaped the heavy artillery is called Fisherman’s Village. This is a very unique historical area with waterways that wind through the buildings and homes. There is a famous hotel in this area called the ‘Das Schiefe Haus’ which stands for ‘leaning house’ because of its slanted form due to the structures history dating back to the 16th century.

Surrounding Countryside
What makes Ulm especially nice is the surrounding forested hills that have endless bike trails and paths. This gives the city a lovely contrast between a busy central area, and a quiet and peaceful country side. From any point in the city, the country side is not far away and can easily be accessed by a twenty minute bike ride or ten minutes on the bus.

Author's Bio: Stacey Juss is a Canadian student from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Currently, Stacey is interning for the marketing team at Wimdu International in Berlin. In April 2013, she will be completing a triple major in international business, human resources and management from Vancouver Island University. In her free time, Stacey enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing, skiing and biking.