Die Reichsstadt

Top choice in The Black Forest


This boutique stunner on Engelgasse wings you to story-book heaven. Its 16th-century exterior conceals a pure, contemporary aesthetic, where clean lines, natural materials and subtle cream-caramel shades are enlivened with eye-catching details. A spa, sparkling wine on arrival, free fruit in your room and one of the top restaurants in town complete this pretty picture.

Breakfast is superb, with eggs to order, smoked salmon, fresh breads, Prosecco and a make-your-own-juice machine. The restaurant has a season-driven menu.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Black Forest attractions

1. Marktplatz

0.06 MILES

Between the town’s two tower-topped gates sits the triangular Marktplatz, dominated by the Rathaus, an 18th-century pink-and-cream confection. The…

2. Engelgasse

0.08 MILES

The best way to discover Gengenbach’s historical centre is with a serendipitous mooch through its narrow backstreets, such as the gently curving…

3. Kloster Gengenbach

0.11 MILES

Amble along Klosterstrasse to check out the former Benedictine monastery. A calm Kräutergarten (herb garden), stippled with fragrant and medicinal herbs,…

4. Schwarzwälder Trachtenmuseum

9.48 MILES

Haslach’s 17th-century former Capuchin monastery houses this museum, showcasing flamboyant costumes and outrageous hats, the must-have accessories for the…

5. Allerheiligen Wasserfälle

11.8 MILES

The 90m-high Allerheiligen Wasserfälle spill in silky threads over several cascades. From here, a short round-trip trail leads over bridges and up steps…

6. Vogtsbauernhof

12.52 MILES

The Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum spirals around the Vogtsbauernhof, a self-contained early-17th-century farmstead. Farmhouses shifted from their original…

7. Ottenhöfen

12.8 MILES

As storybook Black Forest villages go, Ottenhöfen fits the bill nicely with its plethora of lovingly restored watermills (best explored on the 12km…

8. Kniebis

14.37 MILES

Serene and family-friendly, Kniebis backs onto a terrific landscape for all manner of outdoor activities – from hiking and biking to cross-country skiing…