Bad Ems

Places of Interest
A perfect day
Tourist Information
Places to visit near
Events and festivals
Fact File

Bad Ems has a spectacular location on the banks of the River Lahn, set in a steep-sided valley. The main spa quarter buildings are surrounded by formal French and English gardens, while those in search of some wilder nature can hike up the 200-year old paths to the Concordia tower for a panoramic view over the river and the town. Alternatively the modern funicular, the Kurwaldbahn, is one of the steepest in the world, and worth a ride! Look out for musical events and festivals, throughout the year, especially concerts in the Kurpark, and the flower parade at the end of August, which is the largest in Germany. For relaxation, the river-side location of the Saunas and terrace at the Emser Therme are hard to beat!

Places of Interest

Baroque Bathhouse

The most magnificent building in Bad Ems!

Marble Hall

An architectural gem on the River Lahn.

Russian Orthodox Church

Impressive church with golden domes and valuable iconostasis.

Malbergbahn - historical mountain railway

Epitome of the art of German engineering, and at the same time one of the steepest of its kind worldwide.

Heinzelmanns-Caves

Legendary caves, which were an attraction that fascinated visitors even in Goethe’s time.

Balmoral Castle

The building is a mixture of a villa and a castle and was built as a country house for a rich Russian landowner. Later it became a hotel where artists and musicians were regular guests. In fact Richard Wagner completed his opera “Parzifal” here.

Robert-Kampe Artesian Spring

This spring is listed in the Guinness Book of Records – at 57° C it is one of the hottest in Germany.

Kurwaldbahn cable car

One of the steepest funiculars in the world!

Spring Tower

An outstanding building and one of the landmarks of Bad Ems.

Spa Theatre

Large stage in wonderful New Rococo style.

Casino

Try your luck in Germany’s oldest casino

House with the four towers

Striking baroque building, once the summer residence of Tsar Alexander II.

Concordiaturm (look-out-tower)

Impressive panoramic view of the Lahn Valley and Bad Ems.

Museum of the Spa and the Town

A journey into the past of one of the oldest spas north of the Alps.

Spring Hall

The famous medicinal spring water can be tasted here.

Spa Park

Relax amidst beautiful gardens and magnificent architecture.

Römerquelle Spring

Spring with its own “temple”.

Monument of Emperor Wilhelm I.

The only “private” statue of the Emperor in Germany where he is not dressed in military uniform – showing how relaxed Bad Ems was – for everyone!

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Explore health, wellness and spa
in Bad Ems

Health and Wellness

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Spa History

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A perfect day in Bad Ems

10 a.m.

Gazing at the Kursaal building

Start your Bad Ems day with a visit to the magnificent marble hall and take a look at the Kurtheater. This is where kings and emperors once celebrated during their holidays and enjoyed art and culture.

11 a.m.

Trying Emser Kränchen

No day in Bad Ems can be complete without having tasted the healing spring water! Make a detour to the Brunnenhalle and taste the probably most famous spring of Bad Ems, the Emser Kränchen.

12 p.m.

Ride on the cable railway

Now you can take one of the steepest funicular railways in the world over the roofs of the Kaiserbad. The trip to Bismarckhöhe is an experience, and the view from the top even more so.

12:30 p.m.

Delicious stopover

On the Bismarckhöhe you can refuel yourself for the rest of the day in the panorama restaurant and enjoy the view.

2 p.m.

Walking back to the spa district

From the top station of the Kurwaldbahn you can walk back to the spa district in about half an hour. Depending on how good you are at walking, you can make a side trip, for example to the Ernst-Vogler lookout point.

2:30 p.m.

Visiting the spa & town museum

Have you ever seen the love letter of a tsar to his mistress or the original roulette table from Germany’s oldest casino? There is an incredible amount to see and marvel at one of the most traditional seaside resorts in Europe.

4:00 p.m.

Coffee & cake or an ice cream

Around the spa gardens, beautiful cafés invite you to linger. You can use the time to learn a little more about Bad Ems in our travel guide.

4:30 p.m.

Historical spa gardens

The historic spa gardens are a wonderful place to enjoy the flair of the former world spa. On a walkabout you can see many other sights of Bad Ems: the house Four Towers, the casino, the Russian Church, the Emperor’s Monument.

6 p.m.

Emser thermal bath

After so much movement and impressions, relaxation is the order of the day. In one of the most beautiful thermal bath landscapes in Germany you have all the possibilities for this.

Accommodation & Offers

Accommodation to suit every taste

Bad Ems has something for everyone, whether its camping with direct access to the river Lahn, family-run guesthouse or holiday flats, boutique hotels or luxury in a first-class house in the middle of the Historic Spa centre. With us you will find loving hosts to take care of your wishes and special occasions, whether you are here for one night or for a longer stay. Get to know the natural and cordial hospitality of Bad Ems and feel completely at home!

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Getting there

Bad Ems sits on the train line running through the picturesque Lahn valley, approx 20 mins ride East from Koblenz.
The Kurwald Mountain Railway is a funicular railway connecting the main town and the health resort areas of Bad Ems, and is one of the steepest in the world.
Nearest Airports Frankfurt or Cologne-Bonn
Happy Days

Bad Ems Tourist Information Centre

Events and festivals in Bad Ems

Music

Enjoy with all your senses

September 6, 2024 to September 2, 2024 Bad EmsGermany

At numerous festivals throughout the year we celebrate...

Music

World classics on the piano (monthly)

September 3, 2024 to September 8, 2024 Bad EmsGermany

World classics on the piano - this is...

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Sport

Kaiser Open Chess Tournament (March)

September 11, 2024 to September 15, 2024 Bad EmsGermany

Whether you want to participate as an active...

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Food and Drink

Vineyard Festival (June)

September 3, 2024 to September 18, 2024 Bad EmsGermany

"Wine-hiking and culinary delights" - Under this motto,...

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Music

Bahamas Night (July)

September 5, 2024 to September 3, 2024 Bad EmsGermany

Caribbean feeling on the river Lahn? The Bahamas...

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Flowers

Rose Ball Bad Ems (July)

September 4, 2024 to September 10, 2024 Bad EmsGermany

The highlight of the social event is traditionally...

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Vehicles

Oldtimer-Ralley (August)

September 4, 2024 to September 1, 2024 Bad EmsGermany

The ADAC-Mittelrhein-Classic is an Oldtimer-Rally which offers pure...

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Flowers

Flower parade Bad Ems (August)

September 3, 2024 to September 17, 2024 Bad EmsGermany

The largest rolling flower show in Germany (and...

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Places to visit near Bad Ems

Discover something new every day

Bad Ems is located in the heart of a nature park in a beautiful, unspoilt landscape. The Middle Rhine Valley, one of the most beautiful cultural landscapes in Germany and the epitome of romance with its numerous castles and palaces, is very close by.

Excursion destinations for culture lovers

There are plenty of attractive excursions all around Bad Ems. The confluence of the Lahn, Rhine and Moselle rivers is a real tourist hotspot. Impressive castles and palaces, spectacular gorges, Germany’s longest suspension rope bridge and volcanic landscapes with the highest cold water geyser in the world are fascinating.

Taste Germany's number one wine-producing region

Rhineland-Palatinate, where Bad Ems is situated, is Germany’s number one wine-producing region. Around 70 percent of all German wine is produced here. It is also home to a rich cultural life of fine cuisine.

Hiking between romantic valleys and the refreshing Lahn

You can choose from a romantic walk to an adventurous hike through a gorge. Walk and stroll along the river Lahn, following the famous Lahn hiking trail to experience the views from the heights.

Water sports – fun and relaxing on the river

The water of the river Lahn is a place of rest and activity all in one. The river is our natural heart and invites young and old to relax, romp and play on, on and in it – just as you like it. Just sit and watch the ducks and birds or cast your fishing rod.

Cycling pleasures in the middle of a nature park

Whether you’re out and about with your family, on a racing bike over the heights or pedalling along the romantic river-side, in Bad Ems you can experience whatever you feel like on two wheels.

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