The Best Tips from a True Local in Mannheim

Mannheim is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany.

Heidelberg is just 20 kilometers away from Mannheim, and you can reach the cathedral city of Speyer in half an hour by car.

A trip to Frankfurt takes about an hour by car.

Mannheim is also a great starting point for a trip to the beautiful Palatinate region. In about half an hour, you can reach the first charming wine villages along the German Wine Route.

Here are our hotel recommendations in Mannheim for every budget:

Would you like more information for your vacation in Mannheim and its surroundings? Then we recommend these travel guides:

111 Places in Mannheim You Must See: The books in this series provide a nice overview of both well-known and lesser-known sites in the region.

52 Small & Large Escapes - Mannheim: This series presents 52 excursions into nature. Firsthand reports and many pictures will inspire your own journey.

Who would commit murder in Mannheim? - A travel guide filled with thrills. In eleven exciting crime short stories, you'll discover the most beautiful sights of Mannheim.

My name is Denise. I live in Mannheim, and on my blog La Torta di Denise, I write about cake design, cakes, cupcakes, and cookies - but also about the best cafes around the globe.

I also write about my travels on my travel blog Polka Dots travel the world.

As a born and raised 'Mannheimer Mädel', I know my hometown like the back of my hand.

Square bicycle and ice hockey city

If you're wondering about my keywords, here's the explanation:

1. Square?!

Every first-time visitor to Mannheim initially searches somewhat confusedly for street names. You might be surprised by the strange designations like A2, Q6, or N2.

The solution: Mannheim also calls itself the 'Square City'. This refers to the chessboard layout of the downtown area.

2. Early Bicycle

Did you know that the bicycle was invented in Mannheim?

Karl von Drais developed the original bicycle in 1817 in the squares. The maiden ride was from Mannheim to Schwetzingen. The first bicycle was four times faster than the postal carriage of that time.

3. Ice Hockey City

For 75 years, ice hockey has been at home in Mannheim. I have also regularly attended games of the Adler and cheered for my team. Ice hockey derbies take place in the SAP Arena.

Let's start with Mannheim's most important building:

Mannheim Palace. It is the second largest Baroque palace in Europe and today houses arguably the most beautiful university in Germany. On a tour, you can view the preserved rooms from the time of Carl Phillips and Carl Theodor.

Mannheim was also the cultural center of the Electoral Palatinate. The famous court chapel of Carl Theodor was headquartered here. In our palace church, even Mozart played the organ 'for fun'.

The water tower is my personal favorite spot in Mannheim.

By the way, it is one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau structures in Europe and the landmark of Mannheim. It stands in the gardens of Friedrichsplatz, which is a popular meeting place for young and old.

The gardens were designed after French models. In summer, you can relax splendidly in the shade under the pergola.

After dark, from early April to mid-October, you can be enchanted by the illuminated water features.

Even in winter, Friedrichsplatz has its charm.

In December, you can visit the Christmas market there. It is located around the water tower.

Even if I just quickly walk by - I love the smell of gingerbread, cotton candy, and mulled wine.

Nobody knows Peter Schäfer in my hometown. But if you ask a Mannheim local about Blumepeter (in standard German: Blumenpeter), everyone will surely nod their heads and say 'Ah jo, den kenn isch aaaaaa!' (in standard German: Yeah sure, I know him too!).

Our 'Blumepeter' was born on April 5, 1875, and died in a mental institution under mysterious circumstances on June 15, 1940.

His story has a rather sad origin: Peter was dwarfed, physically and mentally disabled. To contribute to his family's livelihood, he was sent to restaurants to sell flowers there.

Now you also know where the name 'Blumepeter' comes from. With his nasal voice, he would beg people: 'Kaaf mer ebbes ab!' (in standard German: Buy me something.).

Over time, he became a kind of cult figure in Mannheim. On postcards, he is depicted as a small, nice fellow with little bouquets of flowers in his hand, or he was photographed in carnival costumes. Often, Peter was the target of ridicule and the victim of small, mean pranks.

Perhaps the people of Mannheim made him a symbol of the city out of a sense of guilt. To honor him, a monument was erected on the Kapuzinerplanken in O5.

I am an absolute culture freak. Therefore, the most important sights for me are: The water tower, Mannheim Palace, and the Jesuit Church.

I have already told you quite a bit about the palace and the water tower.

The Jesuit Church is considered the most significant Baroque church in the southwest. The frescoes, paintings, and the high altar are beautiful to see (not just for church fans). If you want to relax from the stress of everyday life, sit on a bench in the Jesuit Church and enjoy the silence.

If you want to learn more about the building, join one of the tours.

I really enjoy going to the movies (provided a film is playing that I like).

However, as a cake designer, I am a big fan of cakes and such, so I prefer going to Café Meerwiesen. That is my favorite café.

Alternatively, I also enjoy visiting Café Morenköpfle or Café Herrdegen.

The latter are the two oldest cafés and bakeries in Mannheim. The atmosphere there is quite old-fashioned but very cozy.

My motto is: In good weather, get outside.

In Mannheim, we have the Luisenpark and Herzogenriedpark for that purpose.

Fresh air, watching and petting animals, letting kids explore the playgrounds or meadows. There's nothing better for children, right?

Believe me, your child will fall asleep exhausted in bed at night. How do I know this? From my own experience. I also spent my free time in these parks as a child.

In bad weather, you can take your kids to the planetarium.

The Luisenpark is not only an experience for children; adults can enjoy it too. Take a little break at the tea house. The atmosphere is beautiful and very relaxing.

If you don't want to invest in the entrance fee, I can also recommend the Mannheim Beach Club. It's really beautiful for strolling along the Rhine.

On hot summer days, it's a pleasure to cool your feet in the water. In summer, you can even host a small barbecue there with friends at the grill spots.

An oasis in the heart of Mannheim is the Lower Luisenpark. There are meadows, a sports field, a large playground, and a fitness trail. There's something for everyone. The freely accessible Lower Luisenpark borders the large paid Luisenpark.

In the Mannheim district of Lindenhof, you can wonderfully relax at the Stephanienufer. The promenade is located a little outside of downtown Mannheim, right on the Rhine. The adjacent Rhine meadows invite you to picnic and relax.

You will definitely find that at the telecommunications tower. With over 212 meters, it is the tallest building in the city.

A tip: Grab your camera and head to the Mannheim Harbor.

If you prefer something flowerier and more romantic, the Luisenpark would be a wonderful alternative.

Never (!) wear a Kaiserslautern jersey to an SV Waldhof Mannheim soccer game. The hardcore fans don't find that funny at all.

Mannheim has several really good events:

Are you a fan of Carnival (or as we say, a 'Faschingsnase')? Then come to the Mannheim Fastnacht. My personal favorite event is the Night Walk, a neighborhood culture festival.

The long museum night or the Day of Open Monuments are sure to interest culture and history fans. The Mannheim City Festival is the largest free open-air event in the region.

Mannemer Dreck.

No, I'm not talking about garbage. 'Mannemer Dreck' is a Mannheim baked specialty. This macaron confection was invented in 1862 by Friedrich Bechter, a Mannheim confectioner. The real Mannemer Dreck consists only of raw materials like nuts, sugar, orange peel, lemon peel, and spices.

It is baked on wafers and covered with chocolate. You can buy Mannemer Dreck at Café Herrdegen.

The family business seems quite rustic. There, besides other delicious dishes, you'll find the best burgers. Even vegans will find something satisfying here.

Tip: Be sure to check the daily specials. You often find seasonal burger variations (for example, with pumpkin), which are super tasty.

If you've ever wondered where spaghetti ice cream comes from, it was invented by a Mannheim local of Italian descent! This is no joke.

Dario Fontanella, the son of the ice cream parlor owner of the same name, created it. Unfortunately, the invention was not taken seriously and thus was not patent protected. Fontanella has two locations in Mannheim and serves the best ice cream in the city.

Café Pfau is a small, cozy café in the Mannheim district of Neckarstadt Ost. There, you can also get homemade Bircher muesli, homemade jam, and of course, homemade cakes.

We have already talked about the family business and its burgers.

The Andalucia is a Spanish restaurant. You should try the paella there. You often experience a flamenco dance performance.

Small tip: Be sure to make a reservation. The place is very popular.

Shopping makes you hungry. You can eat really well afterward at the rooftop garden, located right above the clothing store Engelhorn.

Honestly, I'm not really into pubs. I'm more of a coffee and cake type.

Nevertheless, if I go to a pub, then:

The Roofbar is my personal favorite. It offers a wonderful view over my hometown, delicious food, and great drinks.

Tip: Go to the bar at sunset.

The Barrios. Salsa, cocktails, and Caribbean to Latin American cuisine. Great vibe like in Cuba!

The Uncle Otto Bar. It used to be one of the most famous red-light bars in Mannheim. Back then, it was still known as 'Susis Bar'. Today, it has become a trendy spot in the Jungbusch district.

Go to Andalucia. The restaurant is open until five in the morning, even during the week.

This question is hard to answer. I personally don't stay anywhere else in Mannheim other than at home.

I would recommend the Radisson Blu Hotel. It has been in Mannheim since 2017 and is located in the new urban quarter Q6/Q7. It is very centrally located in downtown Mannheim.

You can find budget accommodation at the Naturfreunde Mannheim city hostel. At €21 for a double room without breakfast, you can't go wrong.

I am a big fan of Airbnb. There is quite a large selection for Mannheim.