Discover Darmstadt
Take your time for one of the numerous attractive leisure offers: Live animals from all over the world can be visited in the "Vivarium". A boat trip over the Steinbrücker Teich at the Oberwaldhaus, public parks and the Botanical Garden of the Technical University Darmstadt lure into the green.
In summer, two bathing lakes invite you to go for a swim. The "Jugendstilbad" in its original historical atmosphere from the year 1909 has its doors open all year round.
You can find information about festivals and events in the event calendar. And if you like shopping, have a look at Darmstadt Citymarketing e.V.
Darmstadt Card
The Darmstadt Card is available as a one-and two-day ticket, it includes the use of all public transport in the city area (fare zone 40) and discounts to numerous cultural facilities.
Cycling in Darmstadt
More information you can find here E-Bike-Verleih und Radfahren in Darmstadt.
Darmstadt App
With the official Darmstadt app you have everything you need for your stay in the "City of Science" always at your fingertips. The app offers a city map with points of interest, shops and restaurants, a calendar of events, suggestions for walking tours (e.g. to the art nouveau ensemble "Mathildenhöhe") as well as audio tours by tram and highlights and news about Darmstadt.
The app is available for free app from the App Store and Google Play Store.
Leisure facilities, parks and gardens in Darmstadt
Ihr Eintrag ins Digitale Schaufenster: Onlineformular
Steinbruecker Teich / Oberwaldhaus
The former forest of Darmstadt's nobility surrounding the large "Steinbruecker Teich" lake is a much-loved recreational area just outside the gates of the city. Mini-golf, pony rides, pedal boots and a playground for children with and without handicaps all await the vistor.
Since 1901, the café-restaurant Oberwaldhaus offers refreshments, a beergarden and also rooms for overnight guests.
Pony riding Oberwaldhaus: www.ponyhof-oberwaldhaus.de
Pony riding: for children from 3 to 4 years
Take a pony walk (a pony without a rider!): from 5 years
from March to October: Saturday 2 pm to 5 pm, Sunday/Holidays: 1 pm to 5 pm
Only in dry weather, without registration.
Check www.ponyhof-oberwaldhaus.de for further information.
WebVortex Garden
The Vortex Garden with a villa on Mathildenhöhe is Darmstadt's only public park in private ownership.
Designed according to the principles of permaculture and the balance of natural eco-systems, the owner would like to make the garden accessible as a "place of vitality, renewal and recreation". On request, the design and the idea of the garden are explained to interested visitors.
From 9 am to 9 pm the garden is open for visitors free of charge.
The "Haus Martinus" (formerly "Haus Hubertus") was designed in 1921 by the architect Jan Hubert Pinand.
Hochschulbad
The university stadium was one of the first university competition sites in Germany. It was established in 1928 and could be used by the population from the very beginning.
With a renovation by the Technical Universaty in 2009 and 2010 the swimming pool now visually resembles the original state of the 1920s. Both swimming pools are heated.
The swimming pool is open until 1. September.
Oberfeld
The Oberfeld in the east of Darmstadt, south of Dieburger Straße - the name "Oberfeld" only became common in the 19th century - was created as a medieval clearing island, presumably in the 14th century, in order to gain additional arable land for the growing population of Darmstadt.
population. Another use was stone carving. In the south of the Oberfeld, quarries had been operated since the 16th century. Copper and iron ore were also mined. In the 17th century, ditches and fences were built along the edge of the forest to protect the fields.
fences were built along the edge of the forest to protect the fields from escaping game.
Since the late 19th century, the people of Darmstadt discovered the Oberfeld and the surrounding forest as an excursion destination. The Verschönerungsverein (beautification association) laid out footpaths and
benches.
To this day, the Oberfeld is used by the people of Darmstadt as a local recreation destination, increasingly so in recent years since the renovation of the Rosenhöhe created a direct path connection to the Oberfeld and the farm of the Oberfeld estate cultivates the arable land with a variety of crops, grazes the meadows with a herd of cattle and, through a variety of initiatives, creates a new attraction for young and old.
Castle Moat of the Residential Palace
Since 2014, the former moat (Schlossgraben) is, again, as a park open to the public.
The history of the Darmstadt Botanical Garden begins in 1814, when the moat of Darmstadt Castle was supplied with water from the Darm and Soderbach brooks, both of which contained sewage from the neighbouring old town. This led to an unbearable stench in the moat during the summer months. Johannes Hess (1786-1837), a grand ducal building councillor who was also interested in botany, therefore proposed draining the ditch and founding a botanical garden on the newly reclaimed land. On 17 June 1814, the Grand Duke approved Hess's plans and thus we can regard this date as the birthday of the botanical garden.
In the scientifically planned grounds, native plants - primarily herbaceous representatives - were cultivated first and foremost.
It soon proved to be completely inadequate, and so in 1829/30 the first relocation took place to the Herrschaftliche Bosquett, today's Herrngarten. After several further moves, the Botanical Garden has been at its present location between Woog and Lichtwiese since 1874.
DSW-Freibad
The DSW-Freibad is located directly next to the Nordbad and is surrounded by a generous outdoor area. Its ten 50-meter tracks in the modern stainless steel basin and the water kept at constant 26 degrees makes it particularly interesting for athletic swimmers.
It is a popular training place for Darmstadt swim clubs and on summer weekends it' a frequent venue for some of the top-class swimming and water sports events.
Ludwigshöhe
The Ludwigshöhe, also called Bessunger Hausberg, is a popular excursion destination in the south of Darmstadt.
Discovered as a destination at the beginning of the 19th century, the flow of visitors increased from year to year. After the construction of a small wooden temple, a massive inn was built in 1838, which was constantly rebuilt and expanded over the years. The excursion destination was crowned by the construction of a 27.5 m high lookout tower, the Ludwigsturm
Raus in die Region - Raus ins Grüne
Darmstadt is not only located in the FrankfurtRhineMain region, but is also the gateway to the Bergstrasse and the Odenwald. The region offers diverse landscapes, historical and modern architecture, exciting history, regional delicacies and much more.
There is much to discover.
Frankfurt Rhine-Main is the culturally and economically vibrant region in the heart of Europe.
The Bergstrasse from Darmstadt to Heidelberg offers around 30 castles and palaces along the way and, as a wine region, also offers specialities such as the Red Riesling. The Odenwald invites you to go hiking and cycling, to historic old towns and hidden farms, and offers cultural, culinary and sporting activities.
The Bergstrasse-Odenwald Geo-Nature Park (UNESCO Global Geopark) invites you to discover a charming landscape steeped in history, covering an area of 3800 km² between the Rhine, Bergstrasse, Odenwald, Main and Neckar rivers.
Boulderhaus Darmstadt
Since 2015 in Darmstadt. For everyone who enjoys climbing.
Ice stadium Darmstadt
From late August to mid-March, the Eissporthalle in Bürgerpark Nord attracts many visitors to its 30 x 60 meter ice rink. Here you can slide, curve and dance. On Fridays, the ice rink becomes Disco on Ice.
The season ends at the beginning of April and starts again at the beginning of October.
Botanic Garden of the Technical University Darmstadt
The botanic garden of the Technical University Darmstadt dates back to 1874. Visitors can experience hundred year old exotic trees, winding paths by the local stream as well as heather and alpine gardens and swampland. Between eight and nine thousand different varieties of plant can be found in more than 10 acres of open land and about 1300 square metres of greenhouse, many times more than the number of indigenous plants.
The outdoor area of the Botanic Garden is open on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 7:30 am to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm.
From May to October, the outdoor area is open on the first Sunday of every month from 9 am to 6 pm.
Observatory Darmstadt
The observatory on Ludwigshöhe, a popular destination in southern Darmstadt and one of the highest points in the city, has existed since 1981. The building was built and expanded with a great deal of work, in large part by the club members themselves. The observation devices are distributed over a large roller roof platform and a dome. These include workshops, exhibition and group rooms, a lecture hall and an extensive library with over 600 volumes of astronomical literature.
Herrgottsberg
Even Goethe and his followers appreciated the wooded climb up the Herrgottsberg, the peace and quiet and the experience of nature. The fact that there have been inns, plantings and benches since the 19th century is a sign of the enduring enthusiasm for the mountain. Even today, it is a popular destination for excursions; between the barbecue and children's playground, nature can still be experienced undisturbed.
Darmstadt sculpture garden
The Darmstadt sculpture garden is a place of diverse encounters for art and garden lovers. Guests get an insight into the specific features of the artist's garden, which has been created on Ludwigshöhe in the past eighteen years: sculptures, sculptures, objects, installations, natural sculptures, found and collectibles with the surrounding ambience develop into a total work of art on a 4,000 m2 forest area.
Guided tours
The sculpture garden can only be visited with a tour. The tours serve to better understand the art project and its public appreciation.
Sunday tours are without registration
Grube Prinz von Hessen
The bathing lake known as the "pit" is not a natural body of water– lignite was mined here between 1908 and 1921. After the plant had to close in 1924, the pit filled with water, was used as a reservoir for it, and always (illegally) also as a bathing place. Since 1974, the banks have been flattened and planted - and Darmstadt has one more open-air swimming pool!
Today, the "pit" is still a popular destination for young and old, for swimming, taking a walk, oder fishing. Situated away from the city, it can be reached by bike or by taking the FU bus line.
Bezirksbad Bessungen
The Bessunger Bezirksbad is a well-kept and cozy indoor swimming pool in the district of Bessungen, close to the Orangery garden in Darmstadt.
The Bessungen district pool will be closed on Sunday, 24 December 2023 up to and including Tuesday, 26 December 2023 and on Sunday, 31 December 2023 up to and including Monday, 1 January 2024. From Tuesday, 2 January 2024, the Bessungen district pool will be open again as normal.
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
reduced admission
Alter Friedhof – the Old Cemetry
Known today as the "Alter Friedhof“, Darmstadt’s old cemetry between the Nieder-Ramstaedter-Straße and Herdweg dates back to 1828. Originally rectangular in shape, additions in 1848, 1873 and 1894 have led to its current form. The oldest tombstones are to be found in the northern part of the cemetry.
Darmstadt’s oldest graveyard was around the parish church (Stadtkirche) and was used until 1739. But soon there was no more space there and the Kapellplatz became the new cemetry. By the start of the 19th century, this too had no more room for burials. As a result, the city opted for a new cemetry in the Nieder-Ramstaedter-Strasse. In 1847, the cemetry on the Kapellplatz was turned into a public park.
Forest Art Trail
The Verein für Internationale Waldkunst e.V. has been organising the "International Forest Art Trail" in Darmstadt every two years since 2002, each with a different theme. It extends in the Darmstadt forest district for 3.3 km from the Böllenfalltor to the Ludwigshöhe, past the Goethefelsen, Goethe pond and Ludwigshöhturm.
The path through the forest can be viewed as a forest adventure path in order to promote the character of scouting and exploration by the visitor. With the means of art, the forest is brought to the attention of the visitors in a new way.
Akaziengarten
The garden between Eschollbrücker Straße and Schepp Allee was laid out in 1817, still far outside the city, at the instigation of Grand Duke Ludewig I on a property that belonged to his daughter-in-law, Hereditary Princess Wilhelmine. Eight paths radiated through the garden from an octagonal central square. Due to the poor sandy soil, it was planted with acacias and therefore got its name.
Since 1986 the garden and the perimeter buildings have been listed as an ensemble.
Kinopolis Darmstadt
The KINOPOLIS Group from Darmstadt, with a company history going back more than 100 years, is one of the most traditional German cinema companies.
The programme includes blockbusters and major international productions, from action to comedy, from thrillers to entertainment for the whole family.
Prinz-Emil Garden
This intimate garden, with tiny castle, pond and wrought-iron pavilion originally contained late baroque elements, but around 1900 it was completely turned into a landscaped garden. From the terrace of the castle, the former owner and finance minister Karl Friedrich von Moser enjoyed an uninterrupted view stretching as far as the Rhine river. The water basin enhanced the impression of distance.
7-Hügel-Steig (7-hills-hiking-trail)
The 13 km long route with slight inclines starts from the Ostbahnhof, with seven hills lined up south of Darmstadt. The most famous hill is the Mathildenhöhe, the centre of Art Nouveau.
A detailed description of the route to the 7-Hügel-Steig can be found on the Bergstraße-Odenwald website.
TerminNordbad
The 50 by 21 meter competition pool, the 25 by 16.75 meter multi-purpose pool with an integrated three-meter diving tower and an aquacross course, the exercise pool with dimensions of 12.5 by 8 meters, the teaching pool with an area of 20 by 12 meters and the small children's paddling area allow a variety of exercise options.
The Nordbad will be closed on Sunday, 24 December 2023 up to and including Monday, 25 December 2023. On Tuesday, 26 December 2023, the pool will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed on Sunday, 31 December 2023 up to and including Monday, 1 January 2024.
From Tuesday, 2 January 2024, the Nordbad will be open again at the regular opening times.
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
reduced admission
Prinz-Georg-Garden
In 1764, Ludwig VIII gave the former Prettlackschen Garden to his son, Prince Georg Wilhelm. The garden, which bears his name, was of a closed geometric shape. Today the baroque garden house is home to the porcelain collection of the grand duchy. A free public library can be found in the prettily painted and renovated Prettlackschen garden house. The basic structure of the garden has remained unchanged over the centuries.
Scheftheim Meadows and Menhir Site
The nature reserve "Scheftheimer Wiesen" was established in 1993. On 166.7 hectares there are protected wetland biotopes, burial mounds and the menhir complex, a formation of erected granite blocks. Here, history and nature combine in a very special way!
Ostparkweg - from the city centre to the Darmbach source
The Ostparkweg leads from Darmstadt's city centre along the Darmbach to the east, to the Darmbach source behind the Fischerhütte or as an alternative to the Oberwaldhaus at the Steinbrücker Teich.
The Ostparkweg connects the recreational areas close to the city such as the Rudolf-Müller-Anlage, the Woog, the area around the Botanical Garden with the forest behind the Lichtwiese to the Darmbach spring or via the Oberfeld to the leisure area at the Steinbrücker Teich.
ShopGroßer Woog - Naturfreibad
The popular bathing lake is located in the center of the town and nevertheless forms an island of peace and seclusion. The "Großer Woog" is not only a place of rest and bathing pleasure. The nature paradise is also a meeting place for many waterfowl, such as Stockenten, Gießhühner and Great Blue Heron. The beautiful spacious park invites you to rest and linger.
The Woog was probably created as a quenching pond in the middle of the 16th century. Around the year 1820 he was first mentioned as a public bathing pond.
The entire ensemble, consisting of "family bath" and "island", is under monument protection. The functional building on the family pool side was rebuilt following the example of the "Frauenbad" ("womens' bath"), which was created in 1927/28, and was handed over to the public in 1994.
Swimming pool "Family Bath"
Landgraf-Georg-Str.121
Swimming pool "Island"
Heinrich-Fuhr-Str.20
The summer season for the Woog swimming pool is mid May to end of August.
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
reduced admission
Plane Tree Grove
On the occasion of the exhibition of the Artists’s Colony in 1914, the Platanenhain, a grove of plane trees planted in the 1830’s, was decorated by the sculptor Bernhard Hoetger with a row of sculptures and reliefs, which symbolise the circle of life.
Herrngarten
Initially laid out as a large vegetable garden, the Herrngarten became a baroque pleasure garden in the 17th century und later, in the 18th century under Countess Caroline, an English-style park. To the north-east, it borders on Prinz-Georgs-Garten, a Rococo-style complex in which fruit and vegetables can be found in between the trees and shrubs.
Zoo Vivarium
Noisy monkeys, colourful birds, tropical fish and exotic reptiles are at home in natural enclosures, terrariums and aquariums. 2,000 exotic and native animals of 190 species live on 5 hectares. The walk-in kangaroo facility and the petting zoo with African pygmy goats offer close-up animal observation.
Participation in numerous national and international breeding programs underlines the conservation work in Darmstadt's zoo. Several important breeding groups of endangered reptile and mammal species live here.
The zoo school offers the opportunity to learn a lot of interesting facts about the animals. In the extracurricular learning location "Zoo Vivarium Darmstadt", the little guests experience biology lessons with all their senses - seeing, hearing, smelling and touching.
Tip:
Forest and meadow adventure path with barefoot path and discovery game in the zoo Vivarium
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
reduced admission for adults
The zoo as an event location
Are you looking for an extraordinary location with a special atmosphere for business or private events? At Darmstadt Zoo Vivarium you can turn your event into an unforgettable experience - whether seminars, celebrations, presentations or other festivities.
- Zoo school for up to 45 people
- Aquarium hall for up to 60 people
- Piazza (outdoor area) for up to 100 people
Lincoln Wall
With a length of almost 700 metres, the "Lincoln Wall" is Hesse's largest legal graffiti wall: the soundproof wall on the B3 brings street artists from all over the world to Darmstadt.
Over the years, the so-called "Lincoln Wall" has become a kind of outdoor art gallery: well over 100 graffiti the once grey concrete structure.
A walk along the 700-metre-long wall is worthwhile to discover new motifs again and again.
Art Nouveau Bath
The "Darmstadt City Bath", built between 1907 and 1909, offered separate swimming pools for men and women as well as showers and bath tubs for people with no bathroom.
Following extensive renovation, the complex with its three wings and Art Nouveau decor is today a true wellness temple with swimming pool, outdoor pool, sauna and SPA.
Eberstädter Mühltalbad
The Mühltalbad is located in Eberstadt, the southern part of Darmstadt, at the foot of Odenwald and Bergstraße with a wonderful view of the hill Frankenstein.
The bath was opened in July 1959 and offers as an architectural feature a large window front, from which one can observe the swimmers under water.
The bathroom is exclusively solar heated. There is also a kiosk for guests' convenience.
Renovation of Mühltalbad: Mühltalbad will remain closed for renovation work in the 2024 summer season.
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
reduced admission
Arheilger Mühlchen
The Arheilger Mühlchen in Darmstads northern district Arheilgen is idyllically located in the middle of the green corridor of the stream Ruthsenbach and away from traffic. The natural bathing lake has been used as a public swimming pool since 1924 and is an oasis for families with children as well as for those seeking peace. There is also a kiosk for guests' convenience.
In the small pond beside the Mühlchen which is overgrown with water lilies, fish-breeders and other water-birds are frequently observed. The old trees of the lovingly tended park provide the necessary shade on hot summer days. The holiday atmosphere of the bath is complemented by the changing rooms and showers, restored according to historical models.
Due to the de-silting currently underway, the Arheilger Mühlchen will only be able to offer limited bathing operations from Sunday, May 14, 2023.
Opening hours are expected to be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until the start of the summer vacations.
Dianaburg
The Dianaburg was built in 1765 as a hunting lodge and was also actively used for this purpose. Gradually, however, the building fell into disrepair as interest in hunting and pleasure palaces waned. Until it was restored in 2004 by an association founded for this purpose, youth groups had used it for camps and group work. Today, citizens of the districts of Arheilgen, Kranichstein and Wixhausen can get married here.
Located close to the "Kalkofen" inn, it is still worth taking a trip to the former castle and the fish pond within walking distance.
Programmkino rex
The main focus of the cinema rex is a diverse range of arthouse productions. Mainly on Mondays, the rex shows a selection of the films in the original version with subtitles.
All rex cinemas can be reached barrier-free.
Messel Pit World Heritage Site
In 1995, the Messel pit was the first German natural monument in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. It provides a unique insight into the early evolution of mammals and documents the development of the Earth 48 million years ago when, after the end of the dinosaur age, explosive changes determined the animal and plant world.
Several 10,000 fossils from the Eocene period have been excavated in the Maarvulkan Lake which was created 48 million years ago, and about 3,000 new finds are added annually. In addition to the high number and diversity of animal and plant fossils, their unique preservation of whole body skeletons, skin and coat shadows, feathers and stomach contents is particularly in the Messel pit.
Guided tours are held every day and invite visitors to discover this unique place. Anyone who visits this place will be amazed by the diversity of topics, which is also reflected in the permanent exhibition "Zeit und Messel Welten" (visitor centre). Here, industrial history, landscape, volcanism, rainforest and evolution are explained. The treasure chamber with several original finds also exerts a great fascination.
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
reduced admission for the visitor centre
from 1 May 2024: 2 for 1: two regular tickets for the price of one
Alnatura-Campus
The new Alnatura Campus was built on a former barracks site in the southwest of Darmstadt. The heart of the 55,000 square meter site is the Alnatura working environment. It is the largest office building in Europe with an external façade made of clay.
The Alnatura campus is freely accessible. A discovery trail across the site shows how a former military site finds its way back to its origins as a natural landscape and how it is developed into a sustainably cultivated landscape.
GutscheinMedical Spa Darmstadt
Oasis of tranquility in the heart of Darmstadt. Treat yourself to some time for yourself and take advantage of our wide range of offers to bring body, mind and soul back into balance.
In our Medical Spa you will find:
* Infrared sauna
* Infrared cabin with colored light
* Cry-T-Shock body modeling
* Microneedling
* Lymphatic massage
* skin tightening
* Support for cellulite
* Wellness for men and women
No matter if you just want to take time for yourself or if you want to do something specifically for your body, we are here for you!
Citydome Darmstadt
The Darmstadt city centre cinemas offer space for 1,550 visitors in 13 cinemas, divided into the four cinema locations "Helia Kinos", "programmkino rex", "Festival" and "Pali". The cinema location is centrally located on Luisenplatz and can be reached by public transport (bus stop Luisenplatz) and very easy to reach by car. Public parking is available in the parking lot "Q-Park Grafenstrasse".
Rosenhoehe
The rose garden (Rosarium) with its enormous variety of roses is the centre of attention on the Rosenhoehe, which came into being under Landgrave Ernst Ludwig. The hill became a park as early as 1810, when Grand Duchess Wilhelmine created a landscaped garden, with pavilions, swings and a tea house. The Rosenhoehe, with its old and new mausoleums, is also the final resting place of the families of the grand dukes.
Waldfriedhof
The 80 acre cemetry in the woods (Waldfriehof) is Darmstadt’s largest cemetry. It was opened in 1914. The architect was the head of Darmstadt’s city planning, August Buxbaum. The cemetry was designed in the shape of a horse-shoe. In the middle, a north-south pathway runs from the south entrance to the more recent additions to the cemetry. The city crematorium can be found in the Waldfriedhof.
Planet Trail on the Ludwigshöhe
The planet trail deals with the closer cosmic environment of our earth and informs about the most important objects of our solar system. Starting from the sun, one walks through the solar system on a scale of 1 to 1 billion - every meter walked corresponds to 1 million kilometers in the solar system.
The distance of the path is 2.8 km and can be done in 1.5 to 2 hours. More information about the planet path on the website of the Geo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald.
Hunting history stalk - through the Kranichstein Forest
The tour through the Kranichsteiner Forest is particularly suitable as a bicycle tour for families, but can also be easily completed on foot. Start at the car park in front of the bioversum or at the car park at the Wertholzlagerplatz on Kranichsteiner Straße (near the railway crossing). The Messeler Straße is crossed at two points, the rest of the route leads through the forest on firm paths.
A colourful dog's paw shows the right way. Eight double-sided boards accompany the stalk and provide information for children on one side and for adults on the other. In addition, there is an adventure element at each station that invites visitors to join in. All along the route, small boards provide information about specific events on the spot.
Route length: 4.5 km, no ascents, firm footpaths
Duration: adults on foot 2-3 hours, with children approx. 3 hours including breaks
Break facilities: 2 picnic facilities and rest areas are located directly along the route.
BMX facility in Bürgerpark-Nord
The newly built BMX facility in Bürgerpark-Nord is one of the largest and most modern outdoor facilities in Germany and offers riders wooden ramps and bowl areas for a wide range of performance levels on a total area of around 2,500 square meters. A special feature is the integrated Resi Ramp. A ramp covered with foam and rubber, which invites you to practice jumps and other tricks thanks to the cushioning and suspension.
bioversum Jagdschloss Kranichstein
The exhibition in the former armoury of the hunting lodge (Jagdschloss Kranichstein) is a vivid and highly interactive presentation of the diversity of nature. The many events are directed especially at children with an interest in nature. Since 2015, they can play, observe, experiment and build things in the 16.000 square metre "outdoor laboratory".
The open-air laboratory is open in the summer half-year.
The bioversum is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
reduced admission
Orangerie
In 1716 Count Ernst Ludwig established a baroque orangery garden in Bessungen. His architect Louis Remy de la Fosse planned a small castle to be used as winter quarters for the valuable citrus trees. Lack of money meant that only the west wing and a greenhouse were built. These buildings are used today as a restaurant and as a venue for various events.
Hofgut Oberfeld
The Hofgut Oberfeld is the last farm in the heart of Darmstadt. Many offers such as e.g. the Hofcafé and the farm shop, the Saisongärtel or the "Lernortbauernhof", an agricultural educational initiative at the Hofgut Oberfeld invite you to join in and experience.
The Hofcafé is open daily from 9 am and from 2 pm on public holidays (closed on Sundays)
The farm shop is open Mon-Fri from 9 am to 7 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm.
Bread rolls at the bakery counter: Mon-Sun from 8 am. No bread roll sale on public holidays.
