Schwäbisch Hall, Germany: 11 Best Things to Do and See

Schwäbisch Hall, or simply Hall, as locals call it, is also often referred to as Germany’s smallest metropolis. You’ll find it in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg, just a short distance from Stuttgart. In this guide I will share with you Schwäbisch Hall, Germany: 11 Best Things to Do and See.

Historically, the city was known as a center of the salt industry, which brought it wealth and influence. Even today, you can feel the atmosphere of the “salt city” on every corner – the Salzsiederfest is even held here annually to celebrate this tradition.

The Marktplatz square is its heart, boasting the title of the most beautiful square in all of Germany – at least according to proud local residents. The dominant feature of the square is the Evangelical Church of St. Michael, whose history dates back more than 800 years.

Schwäbisch Hall is vibrant year-round, whether during traditional markets, running races, theater festivals, or celebrations, offering unforgettable experiences to everyone who visits.

Where to Stay in Schwäbisch Hall

We can recommend the accommodation Karl V – Geschichte leben im Herzen der Altstadt. You’ll be right in the center, the price is fine, but most importantly, the staff! You won’t find better! Unfortunately, this accommodation is very often fully booked!

Schwäbisch Hall, Germany: 11 Best Things to Do and See

Even though the city is small, you definitely won’t be bored. Let’s take a look at what to see in Schwäbisch Hall.

Marktplatz – the Market Square

The most beautiful place in the entire city is the square, where you’ll also find a grand 54-step staircase leading to the church. Annually, from June to August, this staircase hosts the Freilichtspiele Schwäbisch Hall open-air theater festival.

The city has been organizing this theater festival for almost a hundred years. Famous German actors gather here, and locals often participate as extras. So, when did it all begin? It all began in 1925 with a play by Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

St. Michael’s Church

This beautiful medieval square, with the impressive St. Michael’s Church and its 54-step staircase, is the heart of the city, located on the Marktplatz.

This Gothic church, built on the site of an older Romanesque basilica, has witnessed many transformations and events, including a devastating fire in 1728. Its 46.5-meter-high tower offers a magnificent view of the city and was for centuries home to the tower guardians, whose families lived here until 1929.

Inside the church, you can admire rich sacred decorations, including an impressive 15th-century main altar, where medieval art intertwines with Gothic and Renaissance aesthetics.

Concerts are often held in the church; its organs are considered among the most significant in the region.

Hällisch-Fränkisches Museum

Whether you love history or are looking for something to do when it rains, the Hällisch-Fränkisches Museum in Schwäbisch Hall is worth a visit.

You’ll learn all about the city’s fascinating history, from its beginnings to the present day. You’ll discover how a small town transformed into a center of both business and culture. You’ll gain a better understanding of the city’s role in Germany’s history and learn more about the culture of the Hohenlohe region.

A Walk through the Historic Altstadt (Old Town)

As in other German cities, here too you can see beautiful half-timbered houses, known as Fachwerkhäuser, which are an iconic part of German architecture.

These houses feature a characteristic wooden frame construction, with walls filled with various materials – clay, stones, or bricks. This style was particularly popular between the 13th and 19th centuries, predominantly used in cities like Quedlinburg, Goslar, or Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

What makes half-timbered houses so special is their versatility and durability. The timber frame construction not only contributes to the building’s stability but also provides flexibility in case of ground movement.

Also typical for them is rich decorative ornamentation – on many houses you’ll find decorative elements carved into wood, paintings, and ornaments that reflect the cultural and social status of the inhabitants of that time.

Festivals

Schwäbisch Hall boasts a rich festival tradition, reflecting the city’s diversity. One of the most prominent celebrations is the Kuchen- und Brunnenfest festival, which commemorates the history of salt mining that brought wealth to the city.

Hall, however, can surprise in other ways – for example, during the February carnival Hallia Venezia, when the medieval streets fill with characters in charming costumes and masks, and the city briefly transforms into a German version of Venice.

Musicians at the JazzArtFestival in March bring modern tunes to the former hospital church, while in autumn, shots ring out outside the city gates during an international muzzle-loading shooting event, evoking the atmosphere of the aforementioned Theater Festival.

Art Museum Kunsthalle Würth

The Kunsthalle Würth art museum, founded thanks to the generous support of screw manufacturer and patron Reinhold Würth, is a cultural treasure of Schwäbisch Hall. This art lover, known not only in the world of industry but also among collectors, commissioned Danish architect Henning Larsen to design the gallery to naturally blend with the city’s charming historic core. Kunsthalle Würth offers seasonal exhibitions that include not only works from its own extensive collection but also exceptional pieces borrowed from major world museums.

In the nearby former Johanniterkirche (Church of the Knights Hospitaller), there is a branch of the museum where you can admire medieval art, including the masterpiece Madonna of Mercy by Hans Holbein the Younger.

View from Sudhaus Restaurant

If you want to enjoy an unforgettable view of the meandering Kocher River and the city panorama, head to the roof of the Sudhaus restaurant, which offers the most beautiful view of Schwäbisch Hall.

Johanniterkirche

This former 12th-century church, consecrated in the 19th century and later secularized, underwent extensive reconstruction and since 2008 has served as an impressive exhibition space for the collection of Old Masters from the Würth collection.

Among the most significant works are masterpieces by German and Swiss painters from the period from the late Middle Ages to the early modern period, including sculptures by the famous Tilman Riemenschneider and paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger, such as his famous Madonna of Mercy.

Einkornturm

Hike to the nearby Einkorn hill, where an old watchtower awaits you at 510 meters above sea level, offering a breathtaking view of Schwäbisch Hall and the surrounding landscape.

Pilgrims have been coming to the mountain since time immemorial, as a chapel was built there in the 15th century. Unfortunately, it’s no longer there today, having been destroyed by lightning.

Freilandmuseum Wackershofen

What to do in Schwäbisch Hall with kids? Just outside the city, you’ll find an open-air museum – a living outdoor museum that transports you back in time and shows what rural life was like in different periods.

On more than 40 hectares, you’ll find approximately 70 historic buildings, including mills, churches, old farmhouses, and even a train station.

Kids love it here because they’ll see many farm animals, and older children will certainly be interested in how people once cultivated the land and managed their farms.

The museum organizes various events, so check their website to see what’s currently happening there. Typically, you’ll find demonstrations of old crafts, historical festivals, and various themed days. There are also restaurants, so you don’t have to worry about going hungry!

Kloster Großcomburg

Großcomburg Monastery, dating back to 1079, can be found high above the Kocher River valley near Schwäbisch Hall. It was originally a Benedictine monastery, later converted into a collegiate chapter.

To this day, it has retained its fortress character thanks to massive walls and towers that protect the entire area. A major draw for visitors are two unique artistic gems – a large Romanesque chandelier, representing the heavenly Jerusalem, and a gilded altar antependium, a masterpiece of medieval goldsmith work.

In addition, you can enjoy a magnificent view from the 420-meter-long fortified walkway that surrounds the monastery and provides views of Schwäbisch Hall and the surrounding landscape