Ettlingen

By train

KVV tram lines S1 and S11 run to Karlsruhe every 10 minutes or better, connecting to long distance trains at the central station (Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof). Tickets are €2.20 to the central station and points south, and €2.80 to anywhere else in Karlsruhe. There are several stops in Ettlingen, of which Ettlingen Stadt is the most central. Some trams end at this station; during off hours, two-car trains will often detach here, with only the first car continuing south.

By car

Take the Ettlingen exit (47, "Karlsruhe-Rueppurr/Ettlingen") from the A5 autobahn, immediately south of the A8 interchange.

• Parkhaus Sparkasse

  address: Neuer Markt
  A paid underground parking structure with easy walking access to the Altstadt

Although Ettlingen has expanded over the years, the area of greatest interest is compact and easily explored on foot. Bus service to the outlying districts (mostly residential and industrial) leaves from the west side of Ettlingen Stadt tram station.

The old city, spanning the Alb River, dates largely from the 1700s, following its near-total destruction in the Nine Years' War. Today it's a mixture of classic architecture and modern shops, retaining its charm and pleasant to walk around. Points of interest are marked with blue plaques in German, English, and French.

• Markgräfliches Schloss

• St. Martinskirche

• Lauerturm

• Bismarckturm

• Museum Ettlingen

  address: Marktstraße 2

• Wochenmarkt

  address: Marktplatz 2, 76275 Ettlingen
  Farmer's Market in front of the Rathaus (Town Hall) with several stands selling fresh local produce, meat, flowers, and bratwurst to go.

• Ristorante Padellino

  address: Seminarstr. 10

• z'Fondue at Hotel Zum Strauß

  phone: +49 7243 201 10
  address: Talstr. 2
  Regional specialities and Swiss-style fondue with cheese or meat

• O'Neill's Irish Pub

  phone: +49 7243 77336
  address: Albstr. 29
  Free wifi. Irish Scottish whiskies

• Vogel Hausbräu

  address: Rheinstr. 4
  Live music on Sundays. This two-level brewpub with a terrace in the back offers growler fills of their popular Pilsner as well as a rotating specialty beer. Major credit cards accepted.

• Hotel Erbprinz Ettlingen

  phone: +49 7243 3220
  address: Rheinstraße 1
  Pricey hotel and spa.

• Stadthotel Engel

  phone: +49 7243 330-0
  address: Kronenstraße 13
  Modern, smallish rooms in the center of town, within walking distance of Ettlingen Schloss/Ettlingen Stadt stations. The multilingual staff are efficient and helpful. Breakfast included. Some parking is available in an underground garage, for an additional €6.50/day.

Take the tram north into Karlsruhe, or south to Bad Herrenalb and Ittersbach.