Discover Walldorf

Walldorf offers several distinct highlights for a stay: water-based activities and leisure at AQWA Walldorf, the wildlife park and skate park, the protected Hochholz area, and local history at the Astorhaus. Walldorf lies in the southern part of the Rhein-Neckar district in Baden-Württemberg, in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region between Heidelberg and Mannheim.

Leisure activities for different interests

AQWA Walldorf has a 50-metre Olympic-size pool and a natural swimming lake for swimming, diving and paddling. A toddler area with a pirate village rounds out the facilities. Mini golf is also available: you can use the course without entering the facility. AQWA therefore offers a range of water activities as well as a separate leisure option on land.

Admission to Walldorf Wildlife Park is free, and the entire park and its restaurant are accessible to visitors with disabilities. The skate park offers another way to stay active and is suitable for inline skates, scooters and BMX bikes. The redesigned facility opened in October 2022. These options cater to different interests, from visiting the wildlife park to skating sports.

Hochholz and activities in the wider area

Hochholz has been a protected landscape area since 26 November 2003. Its forest lake, reed beds, shoreline vegetation and sandbanks increase habitat diversity and support local recreation. In southern Walldorf, conservation measures focus on the endangered crested lark. Hochholz thus combines landscape protection with local recreation.

The wider area associated with Walldorf also offers a range of activities, including hiking in the Odenwald, cycling along the Neckar and water sports on the Ketscher Altrhein. The cycling routes in the Rhein-Neckar district also include the 73-kilometre first stage of the Odenwald-Madonnen-Weg. These regional options complement Walldorf’s leisure activities with hiking, cycling and water sports.

Local history and regional cuisine

Walldorf was first documented on 20 October 770 in a deed of donation to Lorsch Abbey; the spelling at the time was Waltdorf. The town was completely destroyed during the War of the Palatine Succession in 1689, and resettlement began in 1716. In the 19th century, Walldorf’s agricultural trade was associated with forest products, tobacco, hops and asparagus, which contributed to local prosperity. There are 20 Stolpersteine memorial stones at six locations in the town centre.

Since 1970, the Astorhaus has housed Walldorf’s local history museum. The exhibition space covers 400 square metres. Across three floors, exhibits explore rural life and traditional crafts, among other topics; the museum also hosts special exhibitions, lectures and events organised by the local history society. The town’s history can thus be viewed in context, from its earliest documentary record to the museum’s themes. In the wider area associated with Walldorf, Saumagen and Palatinate wine are regional specialities.

Getting here and finding a hotel

Walldorf is connected by the A5 and A6 motorways, and rail connections are available via Wiesloch-Walldorf ICE station. This information gives you a practical starting point for considering Walldorf as a destination for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Neidenstein, Ladenburg, Spechbach, Heidelberg, Heiligkreuzsteinach, Hockenheim, Leimen, Eppelheim

Go to the regional travel overview: Rhein-Neckar district.