Bad Wimpfen: Imperial Palace, Old Town and Christmas Market

Bad Wimpfen offers a range of themes to help you plan your trip: buildings from the Staufer era, scenic views, seasonal Christmas events, and walking and cycling routes. If you are looking for a hotel, you can use these interests to guide your choice of accommodation. For markets and guided tours, it is worth checking the relevant dates and information about whether they are currently taking place.

The Imperial Palace and views of the Old Town

The Imperial Palace from the Staufer era shapes the townscape with its distinctive towers, Stone House, Hohenstaufen Gate and palace chapel. It is the largest imperial palace north of the Alps. The various buildings provide distinct focal points; together, they form a striking historical theme for a visit to Bad Wimpfen.

The Blue Tower offers a different perspective: this 58-metre-high observation tower affords sweeping views of Bad Wimpfen’s Old Town and the Neckar Valley. The Imperial Palace draws attention to the Staufer era and its buildings, while the tower shows the town and valley from above. Including both in your travel plans lets you combine architectural history with an overview of the surrounding area.

Christmas markets and nativity scene exhibition

The Christmas market tradition in Bad Wimpfen dates back to 1487. At that time, Emperor Frederick III granted the imperial city of Wimpfen the privilege of holding a market before Christmas; this market was the former St Catherine’s Market. The Old German Christmas Market takes place on the first three weekends of Advent in the listed Old Town. The exact dates vary from year to year, so check the dates of the event for the year you plan to travel.

Another seasonal attraction is the traditional nativity scene exhibition at the Municipal Gallery in the Old Hospital. It is open to visitors from 27 November to 13 December 2026. This means there are two different Christmas-related events to include in your travel plans during this period: the market on Advent weekends and the exhibition, which runs for a precisely specified period. Align your travel dates with the event you would like to visit.

Hiking, cycling and an audio town tour

Hiking routes in Bad Wimpfen include the Way of St James pilgrimage route and the Saltwater Circular Hiking Trail. Check current trail conditions locally before setting out. For a cycling trip, the Salt & Sole Cycle Route is another option; it passes through Bad Wimpfen. Hiking and cycling are two different ways to plan activities, and information about trail conditions should be checked for the specific route.

If you would rather explore the Old Town with an audio town tour, the Lauschtour app offers a tour of Bad Wimpfen. As app availability may change, it is best to check in advance. The outdoor escape game “Staufer Secret” takes you to historic sites in Bad Wimpfen and explores people and themes from the Staufer era, as well as the conflict between Emperor Frederick II and his son, King Henry (VII). You can ask the Tourist Information Office for details. The audio town tour and escape game have different focuses: one takes you around the Old Town, while the other explores historic sites and themes through a game.

Public guided tours and planning your visit

Public guided tours of the Catholic Collegiate Church of St Peter in the Valley are listed from January to November, on the first Monday of each month at 3 p.m. The published schedule may change; check the official booking information before your visit. This regular monthly schedule differs from the Advent events, which take place on weekends before Christmas. If you are planning your stay around a guided tour, it is especially important to check the exact date.

Heilbronn as the wider region

In the wider Heilbronn travel region, the Neckar Valley Cycle Route is one of the cycling routes highlighted in Heilbronn District. The district also has around 1,000 kilometres of signposted circular day tours in the Kraichgau, Zabergäu, Weinsberg Valley and Schozach-Bottwartal. These details provide an insight into the wider regional cycling network. They complement local route information for Bad Wimpfen without equating the regional tours mentioned here with routes in the town.

Discover more destinations: Eppingen, Lauffen am Neckar, Ilsfeld, Flein, Lehrensteinsfeld, Weinsberg, Abstatt, Leingarten

For the wider travel overview: Heilbronn.