September 24, 2025, 6:33 am | Read time: 4 minutes
At the TRAVELBOOK AWARD 2025, Bad Wimpfen topped the list for the most beautiful old town. The spa town on the Neckar between Heidelberg and Heilbronn received the most votes. TRAVELBOOK reveals why Bad Wimpfen’s old town is the most beautiful in Germany.
Bad Wimpfen on the Neckar
Bad Wimpfen is idyllically located directly on the Neckar in Baden-Württemberg. It is a spa town—the first spa hotel opened there in the 19th century. Before that, the first successful salt extraction took place there. Numerous spa facilities still invite visitors to relax today.
According to its own website, the town is divided into three parts: Bad Wimpfen am Berg, Bad Wimpfen im Tal, and Hohenstadt. The latter is agriculturally oriented, while Bad Wimpfen im Tal focuses on commerce and industry. Bad Wimpfen am Berg is home to the Staufer imperial palace and the historic old town.
What Makes the Old Town So Special
Countless half-timbered houses, narrow alleys, and old cobblestones: The old town of Bad Wimpfen exudes medieval charm at every corner. Those who can’t get enough of the ancient walls should simply wander through the romantic alleys and stop by a café or restaurant here and there.
The townscape is dominated by the imperial palace. In the Middle Ages, it served as a traveling seat of government for the king or emperor—first for Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (1122 to 1190). He had the town expanded into a fortified palace, which can still be experienced today. It was once the largest palace north of the Alps. Throughout the old town, numerous buildings still remind visitors of its history.
The Blue Tower is considered the town’s landmark. It is the tallest building in the old town and was built in 1170. Back then, it served as a high watchtower. Today, the tower can be visited, offering a wonderful view over Bad Wimpfen, the Neckar Valley, and the Heilbronn region.
History enthusiasts can delve deeper into the subject by visiting one of the museums. There are also city tours to learn more about the history and background.
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What to Experience in Bad Wimpfen
If you have a penchant for old half-timbered houses and romantic alleys, you should definitely visit Bad Wimpfen. It’s also worth a visit if you’re nearby on a bike or hiking tour to make a quick detour to the old town. If you have more time, be sure to take a city tour to get to know the place better. There are also tours in historical costumes and night watchman tours.
Throughout the year, there are numerous events in the town. A special highlight is the Wimpfen Valley Market, which has been around for more than 1,000 years. It is considered one of the oldest markets in all of Germany and was once a church festival.
During Advent, the traditional old German Christmas market in Bad Wimpfen is recommended. It is one of the oldest of its kind—back in 1487, the then Emperor Frederick III granted the town the privilege of holding a market before Christmas.
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK AWARD
So, Bad Wimpfen takes the trophy in this category. But we say it every year: All nominated regions, countries, and others in the TRAVELBOOK AWARD are already winners. Even if they didn’t achieve overall victory. Because: Each country had already made it to the shortlist beforehand, meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. TRAVELBOOK readers then cast nearly 150,000 votes and chose their trend travel destinations for 2026.