The first stop is the Kochbrunnen on the square of the same name - the most famous and, at 66 degrees Celsius, the hottest of the city's 26 thermal springs. The sodium chloride water from the spring tastes salty and takes some getting used to, but is said to have a healing effect on skin diseases, rheumatic complaints and musculoskeletal problems. Incidentally, in the 19th century, Kochbrunnenplatz was a vibrant center of the spa town - with an elegant promenade and drinking hall as well as luxurious grand hotels such as the "Schwarzer Bock" or the "Palast-Hotel", our next stop.
Even today, the Palast-Hotel in the elegant Belle Époque style with its curved façade and Art Nouveau elements is a real eye-catcher. In the inner courtyard - which you can take a look at - a pavilion-like conservatory with a terrace, fountain and Art Nouveau glazing is a reminder of its glamorous past. Illustrious guests such as tenor Enrico Caruso have been guests here. Today, the building, which was erected in 1902, houses apartments (social housing in the 1970s), offices and the cabaret kuenstlerhaus43 (opens in a new tab), which is always worth a visit!
Continue to the elegant Taunusstraße - one of the best preserved streets in the city. As Taunusstraße attracted many spa guests due to its central location, numerous hotels were built here. Today, one antique store follows the next, and there are many restaurants and nice bars. The Taunusstrasse Festival, which is celebrated every year in August, is very popular.
Let's stroll on to the Kurhaus, Wiesbaden's landmark! The imposing building was built on the initiative of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who often stayed here for spa treatments. It was opened in 1907 and the inscription "AQUIS MATTIACIS" on the portico - meaning "the waters of the Mattiakers" - is a reminder of the Germanic Mattiaker tribe, who already used the hot springs.
In the elegant foyer, which is freely accessible, larger-than-life copies of ancient Greek deities symbolizing various virtues stand beneath the 21-metre-high dome in front of the four wall pillars:
Athena - goddess of wisdom, with helmet and spear Eirene with the boy Pluto - representative of peace and wealth, with horn of plenty Apollo - patron god of the arts, with harp Asclepius - god of healing and health
The Kurhaus also has beautiful halls such as the Friedrich von Thiersch Hall, named after the architect of the Kurhaus, where concerts are held, and the Shell Hall, which can be visited on guided tours (opens in a new tab). The Kurhaus also houses the Wiesbaden Casino (opens in a new tab) - one of the oldest and most beautiful in Europe. The poet Dostoyevsky is said to have ruined himself in roulette here, which inspired him to write his novel "The Gambler". His bust stands in the Kurpark, which is directly adjacent to the Kurhaus. It's a wonderful place to stroll and go boating on the spa pond!
Source whisper tip: With the Future History (opens in a new tab) app, you can go on your own journey through Wiesbaden. With audio and comparative images from the past, you can experience Wiesbaden's rise to become a world-class spa town. The virtual tour costs 4.99 euros.
Saturday - right into life
Breakfast is not served in the hotel today, but in the "living room of Wiesbaden", Café Maldaner (opens in a new tab), which has been pampering its guests in the finest Viennese café tradition for over 150 years. Breakfast is brought to the table by liveried waiters and waitresses and presented in proper style on étagères. Here you will also find the finest chocolates and macarons for your loved ones at home. Make sure you book in advance!
Today is market day in Wiesbaden. Stalls selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, baked goods and specialties invite you to stroll around the Dern'schen grounds. Be sure to take a look at the Marktkirche, Wiesbaden's tallest building, which is often referred to as "Nassau's cathedral" because of its significance.
Quellgeflüster tip: The Marktkirche's carillon, with its 49 bronze bells, can be played by hand. That's why it's particularly worth listening when the Market Church's cantors Thomas J. Frank or Hans Uwe Hielscher make the carillon ring at market time on Saturdays - from 12:05 to 12:30!
Well fortified, we now head to Wiesbaden's "weirdest landmark" - the Nerobergbahn, which has been taking guests up Wiesbaden's popular local mountain since 1888. The approximately 30-minute walk is worthwhile, if only because it leads along the Nero valley, at the edge of which are beautiful villas. The Neroberbahn is one of only four water-powered funicular railroads left in the world - and is still in its original condition. It runs from April (usually from Good Friday) to the beginning of November, Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm. You'll be at the top in three and a half minutes!
There is a lot on offer on the Neroberg: The Monopteros is THE photo motif in Wiesbaden - especially for weddings. From the Löwenterrasse or the Chateau Néro (opens in a new tab) wine bar, you have perhaps the most beautiful view over Wiesbaden.
Quellgeflüster tip: The Neroberg is one of the few inner-city vineyards in Germany and has been cultivated for 500 years with Riesling, which is so typical of the region. You can taste it directly in the vineyard during a guided wine tasting (opens in a new tab)!
After breakfast, it's off to the museum - for example, the Wiesbaden Museum (opens in a new tab), which, as the state museum of Hesse, displays an extraordinary natural history collection alongside an extensive art collection. Its motto is "The Aesthetics of Nature" and shows the creative energy and aesthetic spirit of nature! Another highlight is the extensive Art Nouveau collection with 500 paintings and objects, which will take you on a journey through time. Read the interview to (opens in a new tab) find out what not to miss.
The Museum Reinhard Ernst (opens in a new tab) (mre), located right next to the museum, is worth a (further) visit - if you want to visit both, you should use the partnership ticket (opens in a new tab). The museum was opened in 2024. The extraordinary museum building by star architect Fumihiko Maki, which offers its own guided tours, houses abstract art from the collection of founder Reinhard Ernst. The guided tour "Alles Kunst" (opens in a new tab) offers an overview of the collection and current special exhibitions.
A few meters further on is the Villa Clementine House of Literature (opens in a new tab), where scenes for the film "The Buddenbrocks" were shot and which offers great readings. On some Saturdays and Sundays (opens in a new tab), the Beletage is open to you from 1 to 6 pm. Here you can marvel at the beautiful Wilhelminian-style villa, browse through the book exchange, spend some time reading and treat yourself to coffee and cake.
So much art makes you hungry! In the iconicTutti Frutti (opens in a new tab) pizzeria, you can enjoy perhaps the best pizza in Wiesbaden - in summer under the trees - with a view of the neighboring villas.
We wish you a safe journey home and will be back soon!
Explanations and notes
Picture credits
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Roger Richter
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Svenja Münzer
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Martin Nicholas Kunz
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Martin Nicholas Kunz
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Sandra Hoerr
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Florian Trykowski
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Jonathan Gaubatz
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Michael Schick
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Svenja Münzer
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Oliver Hebel
wiesbaden.de / Photo: David Vasicek
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Saskia Marloh
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Martin Kaufhold
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Roger Richter
wiesbaden.de / Photo: Klaus Helbig, Reinhard and Sonja Ernst Foundation
