Saarbrücken

Saarbrücken is the capital city of Saarland, one of the federal states of Germany. At 200 000 inhabitants, it is at the lower end of Germany's long Großstädte (large city) list, and is perhaps the least prominent state capital, at least from the tourist's point of view. That said, Saarbrücken has an impressive history of over a 1000 years, with its predecessors dating back to ancient Roman Empire. It does not only possess architectural heritage to prove that, but it is also picturesquely located over the bends of the river Saar, serving as the gateway to this underrated region of Germany.

Saarbrücken has been a primarily industrial city since coal extraction started in the first half of the 18th century. The steel industry developed on that base and up to today Saarbrücken has many plants manufacturing various metal products and components. Automotive components in general are another mainstay of the local economy, supplying many of the leading automakers all over Europe. In more recent decades, Saarbrücken has also developed into a robust hub for software production, employing thousands of local workers. For those reasons, Saarbrücken, while not popular as a tourist destination, sees a sizeable business-related visitor traffic, and due to its small size and location in a densely-populated area, it also has one of the proportionally largest commuter workforces, measured tens of thousands of workers.

• St. Johanner Markt. A pedestrianized square with bars, restaurants and frequent markets (see below).
• Rathaus St. Johann, Rathausplatz 1, +49 681 9380916. Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-16:30. The Neo-Gothic town hall from 1900 was designed by Georg J. von Hauberrisser, the architect who was also responsible for the town halls in Munich and Wiesbaden. There is a tourist information office in this building. Free.
• Johanneskirche, Cecilienstraße 2. Tue-Sun 15:00-18:00; Service: Sun 11:00. Neo-Gothic church. Free.
• Basilica St. Johann, Gerberstraße 31, +49 681 906880. Mon Fri Sat 09:30-19:15, Tue Thu Sun 08:30-19:15, Wed 08:30-17:00. A church erected around 1754. Free.
• Ludwigskirche, Am Ludwigsplatz, +49 681 52524. Jan-Mar: Tue 12:00-17:00 (if no wedding), Wed-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun-Mon closed; Apr-Dec: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon closed; Service: Sun 10:00. Free.
• Schlossplatz. The Baroque Ensemble
• Saarbrücken Castle, Schlossplatz 1, +49 681 5061313. Free.
• Schlosskirche, Am Schlossberg 6, +49 681 9964234. Tue, Thu-Sun 10:00-19:00; Wed 10:00-20:00. The church holds a museum. Free.

• Völklingen Ironworks, Rathausstraße 75-79, Völklingen (Situated just outside Saarbrücken. There is a train station in Völklingen about a three minute walk from the site. It is 10 minutes by train from Saarbrücken Hauptbahnhof., +49 6898 9100100. Apr-Oct: daily 10:00-19:00; Nov-Mar: daily 10:00-18:00. It was one of the most important Ironworks in the world. It was closed in 1986. Now they are the only intact example, in the whole of western Europe and North America, as such they have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are museum and Multimedia displays bringing the site to life. It also includes a display celebrating a convicted war criminal who used forced labour in the Ironworks during World War II. Adults €15, concessions €12. Tuesdays from 15:00 free entrance.

St. Johanner Markt. A pedestrianized square with bars, restaurants and frequent markets (see below).

Rathaus St. Johann, Rathausplatz 1, +49 681 9380916. Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-16:30. The Neo-Gothic town hall from 1900 was designed by Georg J. von Hauberrisser, the architect who was also responsible for the town halls in Munich and Wiesbaden. There is a tourist information office in this building. Free.

Johanneskirche, Cecilienstraße 2. Tue-Sun 15:00-18:00; Service: Sun 11:00. Neo-Gothic church. Free.

Basilica St. Johann, Gerberstraße 31, +49 681 906880. Mon Fri Sat 09:30-19:15, Tue Thu Sun 08:30-19:15, Wed 08:30-17:00. A church erected around 1754. Free.

Ludwigskirche, Am Ludwigsplatz, +49 681 52524. Jan-Mar: Tue 12:00-17:00 (if no wedding), Wed-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun-Mon closed; Apr-Dec: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon closed; Service: Sun 10:00. Free.

Schlossplatz. The Baroque Ensemble

Saarbrücken Castle, Schlossplatz 1, +49 681 5061313. Free.

Schlosskirche, Am Schlossberg 6, +49 681 9964234. Tue, Thu-Sun 10:00-19:00; Wed 10:00-20:00. The church holds a museum. Free.

Völklingen Ironworks, Rathausstraße 75-79, Völklingen (Situated just outside Saarbrücken. There is a train station in Völklingen about a three minute walk from the site. It is 10 minutes by train from Saarbrücken Hauptbahnhof., +49 6898 9100100. Apr-Oct: daily 10:00-19:00; Nov-Mar: daily 10:00-18:00. It was one of the most important Ironworks in the world. It was closed in 1986. Now they are the only intact example, in the whole of western Europe and North America, as such they have been included on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. There are museum and Multimedia displays bringing the site to life. It also includes a display celebrating a convicted war criminal who used forced labour in the Ironworks during World War II. Adults €15, concessions €12. Tuesdays from 15:00 free entrance.

• Saarländisches Staatstheater, Schillerpl. 1, +49 681 30920. Opera, theatre and dance performances, symphony and chamber concerts and more.
• Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern. A radio orchestra dating back to 1937. The current form was established in 2007 due to a merger of the public broadcasting corporations with nearby Kaiserslautern.
• Saarbrücker Kammerkonzerte.
• HFM University of Music. The music conservatory (established in 1947) has public concerts.

• Max Ophüls Preis. This film festival takes place end of January and shows a wide range of short, medium and long movies.
• Perspectives. German-French festival.
• Jazz-Festival. A jazz festival organized by Jazz-Syndikat. Usually around November.

Max Ophüls Preis. This film festival takes place end of January and shows a wide range of short, medium and long movies.

Perspectives. German-French festival.

Jazz-Festival. A jazz festival organized by Jazz-Syndikat. Usually around November.

• Urwald vor den Toren der Stadt. A nature reserve ideal for hiking. Maps are available online. They can also be picked up for free at the tourist information at city hall. One way to get there is to take the tram to stop "Heinrichshaus", which is also marked in the bottom left corner of the map with an "S".

Urwald vor den Toren der Stadt. A nature reserve ideal for hiking. Maps are available online. They can also be picked up for free at the tourist information at city hall. One way to get there is to take the tram to stop "Heinrichshaus", which is also marked in the bottom left corner of the map with an "S".

Saarländisches Staatstheater, Schillerpl. 1, +49 681 30920. Opera, theatre and dance performances, symphony and chamber concerts and more.

Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern. A radio orchestra dating back to 1937. The current form was established in 2007 due to a merger of the public broadcasting corporations with nearby [[Kaiserslautern]].

Saarbrücker Kammerkonzerte.

HFM University of Music. The music conservatory (established in 1947) has public concerts.

• Saarbrücker Bauernmarkt, St. Johanner Markt. Every Saturday from 09:00-16:00. Farmers market where regional products are sold.
• Europa-Galerie, Trierer Straße 1 (opposite the Hauptbahnhof. A large shopping centre serving the region. Partially housed in a elegant late 19th-century historic building of Bergwerksdirektion Saarbrücken, the erstwhile mining enterprise. Otherwise less exciting, holding the usual chain stores.

Saarbrücker Bauernmarkt, St. Johanner Markt. Every Saturday from 09:00-16:00. Farmers market where regional products are sold.

Europa-Galerie, Trierer Straße 1 (opposite the Hauptbahnhof. A large shopping centre serving the region. Partially housed in a elegant late 19th-century historic building of Bergwerksdirektion Saarbrücken, the erstwhile mining enterprise. Otherwise less exciting, holding the usual chain stores.

A Saarlandish specialty is Schwenker, a steak prepared on a special grill where the grilling rack is swung by the cook over a fire. It is often served at festivals and Biergärten.

• Sander Bakery, Försterstraße 29 (Nauwieser Quarter. The logo over the door says 'Stein'. Local bakery with one of the best croissants in town. Come early as they might be sold out quickly.
• Café de Paris, Blumenstraße 10 (Nauwieser Quarter, +49 681 95818348. Restaurant that specialises in Flammkuchen and French wines at reasonable prices. Sun closed.
• Das Flammkuchenhaus, Im Almet 63, +49 681 8579266. Restaurant with savoury and sweet Flammkuchen. They also brew their own beers. An all-you-can-eat Flammkuchen option is available for around €15-16. Mon closed.
• Trattoria Toscana, Fröschengasse 18-22, +49 681 94004770. Italian restaurant spread over several floors of an old building. They also have an open-air roof terrace. Reserving a table in advance is recommended (especially for the terrace).
• Alex, Saarstr. 15.
• Alex Brasserie, Bahnhofstr. 38.
• Grand, the Asia Restaurant, Triererstr. 14.

Sander Bakery, Försterstraße 29 (Nauwieser Quarter. The logo over the door says 'Stein'. Local bakery with one of the best croissants in town. Come early as they might be sold out quickly.

Café de Paris, Blumenstraße 10 (Nauwieser Quarter, +49 681 95818348. Restaurant that specialises in Flammkuchen and French wines at reasonable prices. Sun closed.

Das Flammkuchenhaus, Im Almet 63, +49 681 8579266. Restaurant with savoury and sweet Flammkuchen. They also brew their own beers. An all-you-can-eat Flammkuchen option is available for around €15-16. Mon closed.

Trattoria Toscana, Fröschengasse 18-22, +49 681 94004770. Italian restaurant spread over several floors of an old building. They also have an open-air roof terrace. Reserving a table in advance is recommended (especially for the terrace).

Alex, Saarstr. 15.

Alex Brasserie, Bahnhofstr. 38.

Grand, the Asia Restaurant, Triererstr. 14.

• Cafe Kostbar, Nauwieser Str. 19, +49 681 374360. Comfortable, casual restaurant with nice outside seating and daily specials
• Brasserie Schlachthof, Straße des 13. Januar 35.
• Oishii, Berliner Promenade 17-19, +49 681 9066876. Japanese all-you-can-eat restaurant. Maxium stay is 2 hours. You place your orders via tablets.

Cafe Kostbar, Nauwieser Str. 19, +49 681 374360. Comfortable, casual restaurant with nice outside seating and daily specials

Brasserie Schlachthof, Straße des 13. Januar 35.

Oishii, Berliner Promenade 17-19, +49 681 9066876. Japanese all-you-can-eat restaurant. Maxium stay is 2 hours. You place your orders via tablets.

• Gästehaus Erfort, Mainzerstr. 95.
• Hashimoto, Cecilienstr. 7.
• Le Noir, Mainzerstr 26.
• Rizzo, Fröschengasse 1.

Gästehaus Erfort, Mainzerstr. 95.

Hashimoto, Cecilienstr. 7.

Le Noir, Mainzerstr 26.

Rizzo, Fröschengasse 1.

The main town square (St. Johanner Market) and the Nauwieser Quarter feature many bars and restaurants.

• Stiefel Bräu, Am Stiefel 2, +49 681 936450. Brewpub and restaurant serving local dishes.
• Bar Central, Nauwieser Str.. The only smoker's café/bar in the inner city.
• Wally's Irish Pub, Katholisch-Kirch-Str. 1. Small Irish pub with a great selection of (mostly Scottish) whiskies.
• Baker Street, Mainzer Straße 8, +49 681 95812454. Criminal tearoom (afternoon) & pub (evening). British/Irish beers, on Sundays all-you-can-eat English breakfast.
• Tempelier, Kappenstraße 9, +49 681 68894101. Pub/restaurant with a big selection of Belgian beers.

Stiefel Bräu, Am Stiefel 2, +49 681 936450. Brewpub and restaurant serving local dishes.

Bar Central, Nauwieser Str.. The only smoker's café/bar in the inner city.

Wally's Irish Pub, Katholisch-Kirch-Str. 1. Small Irish pub with a great selection of (mostly Scottish) whiskies.

Baker Street, Mainzer Straße 8, +49 681 95812454. Criminal tearoom (afternoon) & pub (evening). British/Irish beers, on Sundays all-you-can-eat English breakfast.

Tempelier, Kappenstraße 9, +49 681 68894101. Pub/restaurant with a big selection of Belgian beers.

• Saarschleife (Saar loop) — Take the regional train to Mettlach and then walk for about 5 km along the river upstream. There is also a lookout ("Cloef") which can be reached within about 1 hour from the bottom of the hill. Make sure you are on the left side of the river if you want to reach the lookout (you have to cross the river once when coming from the train station). You can also easily go to the Saar loop by bike from Saarbrücken (60 km one way).
• Luxembourg — Easily reachable by bus (direct connection: 1 hour and 30 minutes).
• Strasbourg — Easily reachable by regional train (direct connection: 1 hour and 45 minutes).
• Trier — Porta Nigra, nice old town center, etc. Easily reachable by regional train (direct connections between 1 and 1.5 hours).
• Metz — French city with the modern art gallery Centre Pompidou-Metz, Cathedral, food market, etc. Easily reachable by regional train within about 1 hour (some direct trains are available). Consider the special DB regional train ticket "Saar-Lor-Lux" for the entire trip, especially if you are travelling in a group.
• Nancy — A cheap option to go there is to buy a Saar-Lorraine-Tarif ticket (only available at the train station; return tickets can only be bought at the counter).

Saarschleife (Saar loop) — Take the regional train to [[Mettlach]] and then walk for about 5 km along the river upstream. There is also a lookout ("Cloef") which can be reached within about 1 hour from the bottom of the hill. Make sure you are on the left side of the river if you want to reach the lookout (you have to cross the river once when coming from the train station). You can also easily go to the Saar loop by bike from Saarbrücken (60 km one way).

[[Luxembourg]] — Easily reachable by bus (direct connection: 1 hour and 30 minutes).

[[Strasbourg]] — Easily reachable by regional train (direct connection: 1 hour and 45 minutes).

[[Trier]] — Porta Nigra, nice old town center, etc. Easily reachable by regional train (direct connections between 1 and 1.5 hours).

[[Metz]] — French city with the modern art gallery Centre Pompidou-Metz, Cathedral, food market, etc. Easily reachable by regional train within about 1 hour (some direct trains are available). Consider the special DB regional train ticket "Saar-Lor-Lux" for the entire trip, especially if you are travelling in a group.

[[Nancy]] — A cheap option to go there is to buy a Saar-Lorraine-Tarif ticket (only available at the train station; return tickets can only be bought at the counter).