You'll want to share this girls' trip to Baden-Baden in the Black Forest in the group chat.

Anyone looking for an original destination for a city trip with girlfriends need look no further. Recently, I combined Baden-Baden and Freiburg for the ultimate girls' trip to the Black Forest in Germany . Think: wine tasting at wineries, wellness, charming streets, nice shops, delicious food, and culture all in one trip.

Great: you can simply take this girls' trip by train.

During this three-night, four-day train journey, I stayed two nights in stylish Baden-Baden and one night in creative Freiburg. The best part? You don't need a car. From the Netherlands, you can travel comfortably by train to the Black Forest , and traveling between Baden-Baden and Freiburg is also easy. Along the way, you look out over vineyards, green hills, and charming villages, while all you have to think about is where to plan your next coffee, lunch, or aperitivo. Both cities are compact and perfect for exploring on foot. In this Baden-Baden Travel Guide, I share all the tips for a girls' trip.

| TIP: Also discover all summer tips for Freiburg in the new Freiburg Summer Guide here > >

Baden-Baden Girlstrip Guide: wellness, wine, luxury boutiques and historic streets

This was the second time I was in Baden-Baden, and I really enjoyed discovering the city in the summer as well. Perhaps it is due to the combination of historical grandeur, green parks, and the relaxed atmosphere that is palpable everywhere, but as soon as you have your first drink on the terrace overlooking palm trees (yes, really!), you immediately feel the holiday vibes.

Treat yourself to a beautiful hotel

In Baden-Baden, you will find several beautiful hotels. If you want to explore everything on foot, Hotel Belle Epoque, Hommage Hotel Maison Messmer, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, and the new Steigenberger Icon Europäischer Hof are the best options. If you don't mind taking the bus occasionally, Roomers Baden-Baden is also beautiful. The Brenners Park-Hotel, in particular, with its luxury spa, is truly a dream of a hotel.

Weinstube im Baldreit © Your Little Black Book

Stroll through the historic center

The center of Baden-Baden is compact, making it perfect for exploring on foot. Start at the Kurhaus and then stroll past the Trinkhalle and the atmospheric streets around Leopoldsplatz. I particularly enjoyed walking through the smaller streets like Hirschstraße and Jesuitenplatz. Here you will find nice boutiques and some concept stores, cafes serving delicious pastries, and cozy terraces to stop for a spritz. The terrace at Café Bar Trinkhalle, for example, is beautifully situated and great for a drink.

Be sure to walk up towards the Neues Schloss as well. From here, you have a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding hills of the Black Forest. A hidden terrace that is wonderful for dinner is Weinstube im Baldreit.

Go wine tasting at Weingut Kopp

One of the best things about a city trip to Baden-Baden? In a 15-minute drive, you can be in the middle of nature or among the vineyards. Weingut Kopp is located a short distance from Baden-Baden . If you are traveling by train like me, you can arrange a taxi through your hotel in advance to get there. This modern winery has a lovely view of the vineyards of the Baden region, and the food is incredibly delicious. See if you can get a tour of the winery or do a wine tasting. Find a table outside on the terrace and enjoy the view, the tranquility, and the sunset. Also fun: they regularly host events with live music, food trucks, and a DJ.

Weingut kopp © Your Little Black Book

Relax in historic Friedrichsbad

If there is one activity you don't want to miss during a girls' weekend, it is a visit to the historic Friedrichsbad. Recently, you can also enjoy the thermal baths here in swimwear on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

This historic bathhouse combines Roman bathing culture with a wellness ritual featuring various baths, steam baths, and relaxation areas. It is perfect for relaxing for a few hours at the end of the day. The dome with its distinctive glasswork is, in particular, one of the most beautiful spaces in this historic wellness center.

The spot for your matcha fix

The nice thing about returning to a destination often is that you really see how a city develops. And I can tell you: the matcha hype can now be found in Baden-Baden too. Good news for your girls' trip, because we scored a delicious iced matcha every single day. The place to remember is Hellers Teabar. They make the best matchas here in various flavors. Perfect to take to the park on a beautiful summer day.

Take a walk along the Lichtentaler Allee

One of the most beautiful places in Baden-Baden remains the Lichtentaler Allee. This park winds for kilometers along the River Oos and is perfect for a quiet morning walk. Along the way, you pass historic Belle Époque-style villas, works of art, and colorful flowerbeds.

Do you have time? Then walk on to Kloster Lichtenthal. It is a lovely spot just outside the center where it feels like you are in the middle of nature. You can grab a coffee and a treat at Café Lumen before starting your return journey.

In the Kurhaus, you will also find the famous Baden-Baden casino. Personally, I am against gambling, but you can also take a guided tour of the building and learn more about its history. If you are with a group of girlfriends, having a cocktail in the beautiful building in the evening can be a lot of fun.

© Your Little Black Book

The most beautiful boutiques in Baden-Baden

Do you, like me, occasionally enjoy having a beautiful designer item in your wardrobe? Then you can indulge yourself in Baden-Baden, whether for pre-loved gems or new items. A multi-brand store to remember is Callisto Wagener. They sell Prada and Celine, among others, and sometimes it is just so nice to be able to hold and try on what you’ve seen online in real life. In any case, I’ve added something to my wishlist again. For the most beautiful pre-loved items, head to one of the AS Luxury Vintage boutiques. I have never seen such a huge collection of vintage Hermès all in one place. They also have beautiful accessories and many bags. During this trip, I also discovered a nice new concept store where you can grab a drink: Café Concept Store Marella.

Drink cocktails with a beautiful view

Speaking of cocktails… the new rooftop at the luxury Steigenberger Hotel is truly a must at sunset. Luiza is one of the nicest new hotspots in Baden-Baden and also a favorite among locals. Because the city is built on hills, the rooftop offers such a beautiful view of the historic buildings on one side and the green hills on the other. The cocktails there are very good too! Fancy having another drink on a rooftop the next day? Then you can also head to the rooftop at the Roomers Hotel.

© Your Little Black Book

Eating ice cream on the Kurhaus Colonnades

We were in Baden-Baden during a heatwave, and what could be better than cooling down with an ice cream in the shade? At the Kurhaus Kolonnaden, you can sit comfortably in the shade at the cute little bistro tables. At Kurhaus Eismanufaktur, they sell homemade ice cream in various flavors, and I can tell you that the lemon ice cream is wonderfully refreshing.

Taste Michelin stars & more in Baden-Baden

Round off your girls' trip with a delicious lunch or dinner at one of the best restaurants in Baden-Baden. Both Maltes Hidden Kitchen and Le Jardin de France im Stahlbad hold a Michelin star. Here, you can enjoy a delightful chef's menu that changes with the seasons. Still in the mood for a glass of wine afterwards? Then the courtyard at CaféBar Bruder&Schwester is very cozy and a true hidden gem.

© Your Little Black Book

Just a quick overview of the YLBB shortlist for Baden-Baden

Most beautiful wellness: Friedrichsbad
Best wine tasting: Weingut Kopp
Best matcha: Hellers Teabar
Best ice cream: Kurhaus Eismanufaktur
Most beautiful view: Neues Schloss
Nicest rooftop: Luiza
Shopping spree: Callisto Wagener & AS Luxury Vintage & Café Concept Store Marella
Delightfully luxurious hotel: Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa
Michelin restaurants: Maltes hidden kitchen & Le Jardin de France im Stahlbad
Hidden gem: CaféBar Bruder&Schwester
Walk & coffee: Café Lumen

© Your Little Black Book

Also fun: add another night in Freiburg to the girls' trip. 

Did you know that you can get from Baden-Baden to the lovely student city of Freiburg by train in no time? I’ve been here before with my family, but this time I experienced the city in the height of summer in a completely different way. Talk about terraces, having drinks with your feet in the streams, and nice shops and cozy streets to discover. In this new guide, read my summer tips for Freiburg >>

More tips for Baden-Baden?

Because I have been to Baden-Baden before, I have collected quite a few addresses by now. In my extensive Baden-Baden travel guide, you will find many more restaurants, hotspots, and tips for a city trip to this lovely city. And are you planning to head this way around the holidays? Then you will want to know this list of Christmas markets in the region as well >>

Have fun planning your girls' trip to Baden-Baden! 

With love,

Anne 

In cooperation with Baden-Württemberg