Baden-Baden, a city in southwestern Germany on the edge of the Black Forest, has been described as "one of Europe's most elegant hidden gems" that "most people skip." Along with Bath in Somerset and nine other locations, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "The Great Spa Towns of Europe."
A Hidden Gem Revealed
Travel influencer Katherine McQueen, known as vineyardsandvoyages on Instagram with 685,000 followers, showcased the city's offerings. She called it "polished, romantic, and completely different from the bigger stops most travellers add to their itineraries," highlighting its pastel streets, grand architecture, thermal baths, elegant cafés, beautiful gardens, and old-world glamour.
McQueen emphasized the city's history: "People have been coming here for the thermal waters since Roman times, and wellness is still one of the biggest reasons to visit today. You can soak in mineral-rich baths, wander through historic spa buildings, and experience a side of Germany that feels slow, refined, and deeply relaxing."
What Baden-Baden Offers
The city boasts a glittering casino, local cuisine including Black Forest gateau, and a location that McQueen called "one of the most unexpectedly charming places I've visited in Germany." She noted that some bathhouses "feel more like palaces than spas, with mineral pools, grand domes, and centuries of wellness history."
Beyond spas, Baden-Baden features elegant architecture, gardens, colonnades, and peaceful spots. "The whole city has this refined, romantic atmosphere. Long covered walkways, grand buildings, art, gardens, and peaceful corners everywhere," McQueen added.
She concluded: "It has that rare mix of history, wellness, food, architecture, and nature, all in one very walkable little city. Everywhere you look, there are details that make it feel grand without feeling overwhelming. This town rewards slow wandering. Hidden side streets, stairways, dreamy corners, and beautiful views around every turn."
Official Description
Baden-Baden's tourism website states: "Baden-Baden was founded 2,000 years ago to do people good. Thermal water at temperatures of up to 68 degrees gushes out of the earth from 12 thermal springs. Even today, our spa town at the foot of the Black Forest is the perfect place to enjoy spa tradition - whether in the Caracalla Spa or in the historic Friedrichsbad Spa."
Getting to Baden-Baden
By air: Direct flights from London Stansted Airport; indirect flights from other UK airports.
By train: Eurostar to Paris or Brussels with connecting routes.
By car: Eurostar then drive southeast through France (400-450 miles, 6-7 hours) or east via Belgium into Germany.
