Braunfels is one of those villages you discover by chance and immediately fall in love with. During my motorcycle tour through Hesse, I didn’t expect much, but from the moment I saw the imposing castle rise above the trees, I knew: this is going to be a gem!
The town has just a few streets, but it is packed with history. What immediately catches the eye? The picturesque centre full of half-timbered houses. And the more than impressive castle towering above it. In this blog, I will take you through the best places in Braunfels – from the impressive castle to some hidden gems.
1. Visit Braunfels Castle
Braunfels Castle was first mentioned in 1246 and has been the beating heart of the town ever since. Today, the noble Solms-Braunfels family still lives there. Part of the castle is accessible via guided tours that depart every hour from the cosy castle café.
Highlights include:
- the knights’ hall and weapon collection
- a museum with art and porcelain
- the castle church (located in an entrance tower)
- the view over the village and the surrounding hills
The castle was once surrounded by small houses where the servants lived. At one of the gates, you can still see the symbolic lime tree that was planted to commemorate a royal wedding. The original tree was cut down in 2005 but has since been replanted. And yes, there is even a song about the gate and the lime tree.
Tip: Don’t feel like taking a tour? Just take a stroll through the entrance gate and around the castle. The castle church is also free to visit.
2. Stroll through the charming Altstadt
The Altstadt (old town) of Braunfels is small but wonderfully authentic. You can walk past half-timbered houses, old wells, narrow streets and cosy squares. Pay close attention to the details:
- some houses display coats of arms of both the owner and the occupant (such as at the old post office from 1903)
- above windows and doors hang “envy masks” to keep evil out
- the houses around the market square date mainly from 1700-1730, after the great fire of 1679
After the fire, Braunfels was given a strict fire safety plan: every house had to have at least 300 litres of water in the house, thatched roofs were banned and stone dividing walls were erected. Quite a modern plan for such a small village!
Tip: Pick up a free brochure with a self-guided city walk at the tourist office on the market square. You will also see old photos of what Braunfels used to look like (with plastered facades, as that was the fashion at the time).
Throughout the village, you will find QR codes with additional information about buildings. The information is only available in German, but it is easy to translate using Google Translate.
3. Relax in the Kurpark
Right next to the centre is the Kurpark, an English-style park that was laid out in 1700. Today, it is a green oasis with lime tree avenues, ponds, benches and even a small zoo with fallow deer and mouflons.
In summer, the park is a real hotspot:
- every Sunday there are concerts
- a beer garden serves drinks and snacks
- there are free charging points for e-bikes
A lovely spot for a picnic or a coffee break while you’re out walking!
4. Fun events throughout the year
Braunfels is bustling, especially in spring and summer. The town organises atmospheric events throughout the year, each showcasing a different side of the region.
- April – Huguenot Market: This lively market on the market square celebrates the French influences in Braunfels. French Huguenots once fled to this region to practise their faith in freedom. During this weekend, you can enjoy French cheeses, wines, crêpes and live music in French style.
- May – Furniture and Plant Market: A feast for decoration enthusiasts. The streets of Braunfels are filled with stalls selling furniture, handmade decorations, flowers and garden plants. Ideal for finding inspiration for your home or balcony.
- End of July – Wine festival: Local winegrowers present their best bottles in the market square. Expect live music, long tables, lanterns and a cosy atmosphere until the early hours. The ideal way to get to know the wine culture of the region.
- End of August – Medieval spectacle: The village centre is transformed into a medieval village with market stalls, craftsmen, fire shows, music and actors in historical costumes. Great fun for families!
- Around 6 December – Sinterklaas market: In the run-up to Sinterklaas, Braunfels becomes extra cosy with lights, craft stalls, mulled wine and sweets.
5. Stay overnight with a view of the market square
I stayed at Hotel Somsterhof, right in the centre of Braunfels. The hotel is small, centrally located and so authentically decorated that it immediately took me back 50 years in time. What made it the perfect place to stay for me? My room with a fantastic view of Braunfels’ market square. It was literally like waking up to a postcard!
In the morning, the lady of the house prepares a hearty breakfast for you. And in the evening, you can enjoy authentic Greek food here. Yes, indeed, Greek! Not what I expected in Germany, but really delicious. There is also a car park right next to the hotel.
Tip: ask for room 7 when booking. I stayed there and had the most fantastic view of Braunfels!
Would you rather stay somewhere else? Check out all the options on the map below:
6. Go hiking around Braunfels
Braunfels is a paradise for hikers. Whether you want to take a short loop around the village or plan a strenuous day trip, there is something for every type of hiker. Below you will find the most famous routes, each clearly marked. Pick up a map with the routes at the tourist office.
Short loops and day trips
- Rundweg Braunfels (4 km) – An easy loop walk around the village, ideal for getting a first impression of Braunfels and its green surroundings. You will pass the Kurpark, a few viewpoints and, of course, the castle.
- Kutschenweg (8 km) – This route follows the old path where carriages used to drive between the estates. You walk through wooded areas and small hamlets, with occasional beautiful views of the valley.
- Solmsbachweg (12 km) – This slightly more challenging route largely follows the banks of the Solmsbach, a tributary of the Lahn. Along the way, you will pass quiet forests, small bridges and picnic spots.
- Walk to Schloss Philippstein (10 km round trip) – From the centre of Braunfels, you can walk to the ruins of Philippstein Castle, a fortified castle dating from 1390. Along the way, you will have beautiful views of the valley and the forest. The castle itself is located on a hilltop and is freely accessible.
Long-distance routes and pilgrimage trails
- Lahnwanderweg – A long-distance hiking trail that winds along the River Lahn. Braunfels is a beautiful stop between Wetzlar and Leun. The route is well signposted and often follows quiet forest paths and panoramic trails.
- Deutsche Fachwerkstraße – Not really a hiking trail, but Braunfels is located on this tourist route along picturesque half-timbered towns. If you wish, you can combine stages by train and walks between the towns.
- Huguenot and Waldensian Route – A historic walking route from France to Switzerland, which also passes through Braunfels. This route follows the path of the French Huguenots who fled religious persecution.
- Lahn and Rhine Camino – Part of the larger network towards Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims walk through the nature reserve around Braunfels, with stamps available in the village.
- Bergmannsroute (25 km) – A challenging day trip to Wetzlar, past old mining sites and historical information panels. The route is varied, with sections of forest, meadows and stairways.
7. More to do in and around Braunfels
In need of a different perspective? Take the ferry across the Main River. For a small fee (bring cash!), you can cross the river and immediately enjoy a beautiful view of the abbey, the gardens, and the Seligenstadt city skyline.
- Wildpark Tiergarten: Located next to the Kurpark, you will find a charming wildlife park with fallow deer, mouflons and other small game. Admission is free and ideal for families with children. Combine your visit with a drink in the adjoining café ‘Forsthaus Tiergarten’.
- Obermühle City Museum: This museum is housed in a former watermill dating from 1445. Here you can learn all about life in Braunfels through the centuries – from old crafts to toy collections and women’s history. The museum is small but surprisingly informative. Admission is free.
- Schloss Braunfels Golf Course: This 18-hole golf course is located in a hilly landscape just outside the town centre. Even if you’re not a golfer, the view of the castle and the surrounding countryside is well worth the trip. Ideal for those who want to combine sport and relaxation.
- Tiefenbacher vineyard: Grapes have been grown again on the southern slopes of Braunfels since 1995. Every year in September, the local winegrowing community organises a Mostfeest (cider festival) with live music, freshly baked onion tart and, of course, local wine.
- Philippstein Castle: These ruins are located on a wooded hill within walking distance of Braunfels. Built in 1390 as a defensive post, today it is a peaceful place with beautiful views. You can walk around freely – ideal for a short nature walk.
- Medieval farmstead Neukirchen: In the Neukirchen district, you will find a reconstructed farmstead built using medieval techniques. Demonstrations and theme days on half-timbered construction and crafts are organised regularly.
- Bonbaden open-air theatre: This unique theatre in a wooded area organises open-air performances every summer. The setting – an old quarry as a stage – makes it extra special. Ideal for a cultural evening.
- Altenkirchen Quarry: This active diabase quarry is impressive to see. From the viewing platform ‘Guck ins Loch’ (Look into the Hole), you can see the enormous crater and learn more about the rock and its extraction from information panels. A fun outing for those who love geology or industrial history.
8. Food and drink in Braunfels: my tips
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a cosy dinner, Braunfels has a few great places that I’ve tried myself (or got tips from locals!).
- 🍽 Zum Solmser Hof – I stayed here myself and can highly recommend it. Not only can you sleep here, but you can also eat well. The restaurant mainly serves Greek classics, but there are also a few German dishes on the menu. We even drank Greek wine and were given a glass of ouzo on the house to finish off the meal. The terrace overlooks the market square, and inside there is a cosy, somewhat classic atmosphere.
- 🍖 Zum Turm – This restaurant is located in a beautifully renovated half-timbered house near the castle. The building alone is worth a visit. The kitchen focuses on hearty local dishes such as game stew, käsespätzle and roast beef with red cabbage. Everything is freshly prepared and served in a warm, traditional atmosphere. Be sure to make a reservation on weekends, as it is a popular spot with both locals and visitors!
- 🍦 Eiscafé La Piazza – Fancy an ice cream? This is the place to be. You will find it on the market square and they have a wide selection of flavours and ice cream sundaes. Ideal for a break on a sunny day.
- 🍺 Braunfelser Biergarten – This open-air bar is located in the Kurpark with large tables, shade under the trees and a cosy atmosphere. Order a local beer and a flammkuchen – thin crispy dough with cream, onion and bacon – and enjoy the peace and quiet. Especially recommended on Sundays with live music!
My conclusion?
Braunfels is small, but also very picturesque. You come for the castle, but stay for the atmosphere, the history and the unexpectedly beautiful views. This village in Germany surprised me the most during my motorcycle trip through Hesse. A recommendation? Definitely!
Have you been to Braunfels yourself and do you have any tips? Feel free to share them in the comments below!
