Nestled in a hilly setting on the edge of the Palatinate Forest, Bad Dürkheim is a historic spa town in Rhineland-Palatinate. Its saline springs were discovered in 1338 and are renowned for their therapeutic qualities. Bad Dürkheim famously hosts one of the world’s largest wine festivals, the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt, each year.
Things to do in Bad Duerkheim
Overlooking the Isenach River to the west of Bad Dürkheim are the remains of Burgruine Hardenburg, a 13th-century castle that was largely burned down in 1794. At the visitor’s centre, you can learn about the history of the castle before admiring the seven-metre-thick walls of the round tower and the immense cellar dating from 1509. Cultural events are held at the castle throughout the year, including a medieval market.
Want to see the world’s largest wine cask? Head to the Dürkheimer Riesenfass, a huge wine barrel constructed in 1934. Spanning 13.5 metres in diameter, it overlooks the picturesque Brühlwiesen meadows and can seat more than 450 people at its wine bar and restaurant. The Dürkheimer Riesenfass ignites each year with the annual Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt wine festival.
If you’re travelling with kids, spend a day at the Kurpfalz-Park Wachenheim, a forested amusement park packed with children’s play equipment and carnival attractions. Ride the summer toboggans or get behind the wheel of a bumper boat, then attend one of the flight demonstrations featuring the park’s impressive birds of prey.
Getting around Bad Duerkheim
Bad Dürkheim is around 20 minutes’ drive from Mannheim and just over an hour from Frankfurt. Frankfurt Airport is one hour away. Regular trains connect to the Bad Dürkheim railway station and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.