Summer in the city – Karlsruhe blazes with light!

A palace as Germany’s largest screen! This year, the main summer event in Karlsruhe, the gateway to the Black Forest, will again be the Schlosslichtspiele (Palace Light Show) from July 28 to September 9. International artists will project impressive animations consisting of light, image, and sound on the Baroque facade of Karlsruhe Palace. Every evening, as night falls, visitors will be transported to a magical and fantastical world in the palace gardens. Admission is free for the duration of the spectacle. The light show was already a huge success in 2017, due to the participation of renowned American architect and Golden Lion winner Greg Lynn, among other artists.

Situated at the northernmost corner of the Black Forest right next to the Rhine River, Karlsruhe is one of Germany’s warmest cities, boasting 1,800 hours of sunshine. Due to the mild climate, Karlsruhe also has great wines. “Savor wine with a view” on the prominent hill on the outskirts of Karlsruhe: The Turmberg does not only provide wine lovers with a spectacular view of the “gateway to the Black Forest”, it also provides them with the exquisite Turmberg wines of the Durlach State Winery. But Germany, Karlsruhe in particular, is also the place to be for beer lovers: With its more than 1,300 breweries, Germany is the world’s champion beer producer. Enjoy a beer at the seven breweries and the numerous rustic beer gardens in Karlsruhe, and also at the annual Karlsruher Bierbörse (Karlsruhe Beer Fair), a major event. The palace gardens will be fizzing and frothing from August 31 to September 2, 2018: More than 300 beers from all over the world can be sampled and savored at 60 stalls, while enjoying the atmosphere of live music on two stages.

Let’s scroose through Karlsruhe! What better way to become acquainted with the many city sights in the summer months than with the Scrooser, an “urban lifestyle electric scooter” made in Germany? The “scooter” for adults with a built-in electric motor is a fun alternative to the classic city tour, and practically guarantees the curious stares of onlookers. Zip across Karlsruhe at a speed of around 20 kilometers per hour: From the steppes of the nature reserve that used to be the US military airbase, past Karlsruhe Palace and the elephants in the city zoo, to the iconic beer gardens in the floodplains.

The palace gardens and adjacent botanical gardens provide visitors with rest and relaxation after an eventful day, and invite them to travel back in time and take a stroll where the margraves, prince-electors and grand dukes of Baden once lived. Begin a more contemporary beach vacation above the city rooftops at Parkdeckzehn (P10), with sand between your toes and a cool drink in your hand.