Start from Tübingen and head to Bad Urach for a delightful day trip. The town is known for its historic charm, the refreshing natural beauty of the Bad Urach Waterfalls (a beautiful cascade surrounded by forest), and the relaxing warmth of the Thermal Bath, where you can unwind in mineral-rich pools. The town is easily reachable by public transport: take a regional train from Tübingen to Bad Urach, with convenient connections and short transfer times. From the station, a short local bus ride or a pleasant stroll brings you to the spa and waterfall areas. Enjoy the scenic drive through rolling countryside, and make sure to allow time to explore the old town before or after your visit to the baths and falls. 

Thermal Bath 
How to get there:  
Start: Tübingen Hauptbahnhof (main station) 
Take a regional train (RE) from Tübingen Hbf toward Bad Urach (~50 min.) 
Get off at Bad Urach Ermstalklinik 
From Bad Urach Ermtalklinik to Thermalbad Bad Urach: 
Option A: Walk
Approx. 20–25 minutes 
Route: Exit toward city center, follow signs to Therme Bad Urach 

Option B: Bus 
Bus line(s) run from near the station to the Thermal Bath area 
Duration: ~5–10 minutes 
Check current stops and timetables at the station or on the local transit app 
If you have limited time, use the bus from near the station to the Thermal Bath for a direct stop

further information: https://www.albthermen.com/

Waterfalls 
How to get there:  
Start: Tübingen Hauptbahnhof (main station). 
Take a regional train (RE) toward Bad Urach – Get off at Bad Urach Wasserfall  
Exit the station and look for signs toward the waterfall access or forest trails. 
Follow the posted directions: you’ll head downhill into the forest along designated paths. 
The walk is roughly 15–20 minutes, depending on your pace. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water 

Further informations: https://www.badurach-tourismus.de/en 

Rottenburg am Neckar is a historic town located on the Neckar River. It offers a charming medieval town center, picturesque streets, and access to the surrounding Swabian countryside. The town is known for its rich religious and cultural heritage, including its diocesan institutions and historic architecture. 

The Rottenburg Diocesan Museum focuses on the history, art, and culture of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. It houses sacred art, liturgical objects, historical documents, and rotating exhibitions related to church history and ecclesiastical art.  

Further informations:  https://www.rottenburg.de/startseite.1.htm and https://dioezesanmuseum-rottenburg.de 

How to get there:  
Take a regional train from Tübingen Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Rottenburg (Neckar) station. (~20min.)  
From Rottenburg station, the Diocesan Museum is approximately a 10–15 minute walk. 

Sigmaringen Castle offers a striking glimpse into Swabian history and architecture. Perched above the River Danube, this hilltop fortress blends medieval strength with Renaissance elegance. Visitors can explore richly furnished rooms, panoramic views from the castle terraces, and compelling exhibitions that illustrate the region’s heritage and royal lineage. The self-guided tour typically includes the upper castle interiors, the chapel, and the surrounding moat gardens. Expect informative signage, well-preserved interiors, and opportunities to learn about Counts of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, castle construction, and local culture. Plan for comfortable walking on uneven floors and some stairs; bring a camera and allow 1–2 hours for a relaxed visit. 

 How to get there:  
Take a direct train from Tübingen Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Sigmaringen (~1h). In Sigmaringen, exit the station and follow signs to the castle. A short walk will bring you to the castle entrance. 

Further informations: https://hohenzollern-schloss.de/en 

If you have time to explore Stuttgart, you can easily combine a visit to the Royal Palace (Schloss) with a trip to the Wilhelma Zoo. 

Schloss (Royal Palace) Stuttgart: Located near the city center, the Schlossplatz area is perfect for a stroll and photos. The palace itself isn’t always open for interior tours, but the surrounding gardens and the palace square offer a charming glimpse of Stuttgart’s history and architecture.  

Further informations: https://www.neues-schloss-stuttgart.de  

 How to get there:  
Take a (direct) train from Tübingen Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (~1h).  
From the main station, you can walk about 15–20 minutes or take a short tram ride to the Schlossplatz.  

TV Tower:  
The Stuttgart TV Tower (Fernsehturm Stuttgart) is a landmark and one of the first concrete towers built for television broadcasting. It opened in 1956 and remains an iconic example of modern engineering. The tower offers an observation deck with panoramic views of Stuttgart and the surrounding region, along with a restaurant at a higher level. 

Further informations: https://www.fernsehturm-stuttgart.de/en/plan-your-visit  

How to get there:  
From Tübingen Hauptbahnhof (main station) take a train to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof. At Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, transfer to the U-Bahn (underground) network. Take U- toward Stadtmitte, transfer to U-Bahn toward Degerloch to reach the “Fernsehturm” stop. Walk a short distance from the station entrance to the TV Tower entrance. The tower has clear signage, and the ascent includes elevators to the observation deck and restaurant. 

Wilhelma Zoo: 
The Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden in Stuttgart offers an engaging experience set in a former royal residence, where visitors encounter fascinating animal enclosures alongside expansive botanical gardens. Highlights include tropical houses, aquariums, and themed animal habitats, all set within beautiful Moorish-style architecture and gardens. It’s a spacious, family-friendly experience with plenty of photo opportunities, and a calm, scenic stroll from exhibits to outdoor gardens. Plan a few hours to explore, and check opening hours and feeding schedules in advance. 

Further informations: https://www.wilhelma.de/en/  

How to get there:  
From Tübingen, take a direct or one-change train to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (~1h). At Stuttgart Hbf transfer to the U-Bahn toward Theresienstraße or Bad Canstatt; get off at Wilhelma station. The Wilhelma entrance is a short walk from the station. 

Schindhau 2, 72072 Tübingen. 

Bus lines 1 / 4  / 13 (stop: Aixer Straße) and a 15-minute walk uphill or bus line 34 (stop: Bergfriedhof Ost). 

Accessible independently at any time. 

In the scenic forest on the southern edge of Tübingen, you can find something very special: a secondhand shop for stones of all shapes and sizes that were used in former building projects, including church architecture. The area is very vast, and I enjoy going there when I need some calm after an intense day of work. There are lots of details to discover, such as all kinds of funny stone creatures, so the place is also suitable for children. 

https://www.natursteinpark.de/ (website available in German only) 

Main entrance: Gmelinstraße 20 (a one-minute walk across the street from the Theologicum) 

From Tübingen main station you can take many bus routes. Get off at either the Brunsstraße or Gmelinstraße stop. 

This cemetery is a designated historic site with magnificent old trees but also a quiet place full of memory. Notable figures like Ludwig Uhland, Friedrich Hölderlin, Ottilie Wildermuth and others are buried there. One can also visit the graveyard of Jürgen Moltmann and borrow a book from the project “What They Wrote, Those Who Lie Here”. The bookcase is intended as a reference library that anyone can use. Benches invite visitors to relax. The former caretaker’s house has been transformed into a museum which houses the permanent exhibition “Death and Remembrance.” The exhibition explores the history of the cemetery, displays a model of the cemetery, highlights notable figures buried there, and explains various forms of mourning culture. A separate research room is dedicated to victims of the Nazi regime who were buried in Graveyard Section X between 1933 and 1945.  

I enjoy soaking up the significance of this place. When I hear the death bell from my office this place becomes also a memento mori.  

https://www.wo-sie-ruhen.de: Audio Guide for Your Walks to the Graves of Famous Figures  

For more information see: https://www.tuebingen.de/30291.html 

Kapellenweg 19, 72108 Rottenburg am Neckar (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZZRnBwMqzQNotGw28)  

Bus line 18 (bus stop: Hirschau Kirchplatz and a 30-minute walk uphill (1,5 km, 120 meters of elevation gain): https://maps.app.goo.gl/PDqT2gWmdG5hp5RL9) 

The most beautiful view in the entire Tübingen district: From the Wurmlingen Chapel (the Chapel itself will unfortunately be closed during your stay in Tübingen), you can see all the way to the episcopal city of Rottenburg; on a clear day, you can even spot Hohenzollern Castle. It’s one of the most popular spots in the region for hikers and cyclists, who have to push themselves a bit—especially on the final stretch. But it’s worth it! Hegel, Schelling, and Hölderlin knew this, too—they once hiked there during their time together in the “Tübinger Stift”. 

More information (only in German): https://www.rottenburg.de/wurmlinger+kapelle.51309.htm

Neckarinsel, 72072 Tübingen

How to get there: Most bus lines stop at "Neckarbrücke". From there, take the stairs down to the Neckar Island (Neckarinsel). 

Accessible independently at any time.

From the Neckar Bridge (Neckarbrücke), you can enjoy one of the most picturesque views in Tübingen, overlooking the Neckar River and the beautiful tree-lined avenue on the Neckar Island. My personal favourite spot is the magnificent weeping willow, with its long branches gracefully hanging down towards the water. It is the perfect place to sit beneath the tree, relax, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. You can also take a leisurely stroll along the avenue or, on a sunny day, rent a pedal boat and explore the Neckar from the water. And of course, enjoying an ice cream or a pizza while sitting on the wall along the Neckar is an essential part of student life in Tübingen. For me, this is one of the best places to experience the unique charm of the city.