Palace history, museums and paths in the spa park offer different ways to explore Bad Homburg v.d.Höhe. The city’s buildings and collections bring its history particularly vividly to life; there are also exhibitions on changing nature topics and outdoor experiences.
Palace History and Museums
Bad Homburg Palace once served as the residence of the Landgraves of Hesse-Homburg and as a summer residence for the Prussian king and German Emperor Wilhelm II. Highlights of the palace complex include the imperial apartments of the last German emperor and his wife. Enjoy the view from the White Tower. Check the latest access details before your visit.
The Gothic House in the Großer Tannenwald woodland offers another perspective on the city’s history. Landgravine Elizabeth had the hunting lodge built in 1823 for her husband, Landgrave Friedrich VI Joseph. Today, it houses the Gothic House Museum. Its collections focus on the history of Hesse-Homburg and the surrounding region; exhibits on cultural and art history are also on display. The topics therefore range from the history of the landgraviate to art and culture.
The Sinclair House Museum takes a different approach, with changing thematic exhibitions on plants, animals, fungi and ecosystems. If you would rather explore nature topics in an exhibition than along a trail, this museum offers a fitting alternative to the historical collections.
Spa Park, Church and Old Town
The Russian Church is located in the spa park. It was consecrated as the Church of All Saints and remains the religious center for Russian Orthodox believers in Bad Homburg and the surrounding area. The city offers a guided tour of the spa park that includes a visit to the church. If you would like to plan this visit, check the current booking calendar beforehand.
One notable spot in the palace park is the circular park feature “Goethes Ruh,” named in honor of J. W. von Goethe. A path leads from there to the large palace pond. The old town is characterized by narrow, winding lanes and romantic courtyards, with the Ritter-von-Marx Bridge, built in the early 20th century, spanning above them. The park and old town offer contrasting settings: a path to the palace pond on one hand, and lanes and courtyards with a striking bridge on the other.
The spa park also offers seasonal activities. The miniature golf course is open to everyone; its stated opening period runs from April to early October. Check the current seasonal hours before your visit. The Thai Festival is also held there once a year. It is organized by the Royal Thai Embassy, the Royal Thai Consulate-General, the Thai tourism office, Thai Airways International and Kur- und Kongreß-GmbH Bad Homburg. For your travel plans, it is worth checking the specific event dates.
Activities and Planning Your Time
The Bad Homburg Old Course is one of the few public golf courses, although specific playing conditions apply. Players must be members of a German or foreign golf club and have a handicap recorded on their club card. Players who are not club members need a handicap of 54 and must have passed a rules test. Check practical details with the operator before playing.
For a longer hike, the 22-kilometer Hölderlin Trail connects central Bad Homburg with Frankfurt am Main and continues beyond the city. This route is quite different from visiting individual sights or walking in the palace park. Check the route before setting off and plan the hike as a separate outing.
You can tailor your stay to your interests: the palace and museums explore different chapters of the city’s history and culture, while the spa park, old town and Hölderlin Trail offer other ways to spend time outdoors. Each activity has its own conditions to consider, such as the seasonal opening period for miniature golf, the booking calendar for the guided tour or eligibility to play at the Old Course.
Discover more destinations: Glashütten, Steinbach, Friedrichsdorf, Grävenwiesbach, Königstein im Taunus, Schmitten, Neu-Anspach, Usingen.
Return to the regional travel overview: Hochtaunus.
