Looking for a great day trip from Kaiserslautern? Look no further than Homburg, which is around 25 miles west of Kaiserslautern and 16 miles west of Landstuhl. Rapidly approaching its 800th birthday, this picturesque market town offers so much to do – from caves and hiking to brewery tours and great restaurants!
What to do in Homburg
Not to be confused with Bad Homberg in Hesse (where the hat of the same name comes from), Homburg lies on the banks of the River Erbach. This ancient market town received its first charter in 1330.
The market square is picturesque, surrounded by fine examples of 17th century buildings. It’s a wonderful starting point from which to explore the town by foot.
Fairly close to this you can find the ruins of the 12th century Hohenburg Fortress, from which the name of the town is derived. The fortress sits like a crown atop the Schlossberg and its ruins have been somewhat restored and partially open to the public since 1981.
Close to these ruins you will also find the ruins of the Karlsberg Castle which was destroyed in 1793 (having been built between 1778 and 1785). It was acquired and slightly restored by the Karlsberg Brewery in 1975.
After visiting the castle you might wish to venture into the Schlossberg Caves, which were originally opened in the 17th century to mine quartz. Children love these caves as they get to wear helmets (adults have to as well of course, for safety reasons). There is a small entry fee (€7 for adults and €5 for students). Call to reserve spaces on the guided tour and to book an English-speaking guide if you need one.
The Karlsberg Brewery is in Homburg, and it’s highly recommended to book a tour to sample the beers produced there. Not to be confused with the Danish brewer Carlsberg, Karlsberg is one of the largest breweries in Germany. The brewery has been handed down through generations in which the current owner is the great-grandson of the brewery’s original founder.
The Homburg Flea and Antiques Market (open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is one of the biggest in Germany and the biggest in the southwestern part of the country. It usually takes place on the first Saturday of each month except in December, which is when the Christmas Market takes place. It too is definitely worth the visit.
The Römermuseum Schwarzenacker, (Roman museum) is an open-air exhibition place where you can see scenes from life in Roman times (closed during December and January). Homburg-Schwarzenacker is a perfect location for such a museum, as Schwarzenacker was at a crossroads of two military and trade routes in the Roman era. These were the routes from Metz to Mainz and from Trier to Strasbourg. Some buildings, such as the optician’s house, have been reconstructed. There is also a beautiful Baroque garden to enjoy, weather permitting. The museum is housed in the Edelhaus, built in the early 18th century. The museum is closed in December and January, and the entry fee is €7 for adults and €5 for students.
If you enjoy walking and hiking, then the countryside around Homburg is a perfect day out with its beautiful, green valleys and hills.
Where to Eat and Drink
There are wine bars aplenty in Homburg, and great restaurants that offer both standard German fares and others that definitely lean toward French cuisine (France is just a few kilometers down the road, after all).
If you like beer with your meals, then you really should head to the Homburger Brauhaus where you can sit outside or inside (depending on the weather) and enjoy the views. Try the dish of the day which is usually delicious and cheap.
Homburg by Night
Why not try Akif’s Nargile Café for a night out? You can try smoking shisha in a traditional Turkish water pipe (nargile) and sample a few cocktails from the extensive range there. Naturally the coffee (with some delicious biscuits) served at Akif’s is worth trying too!
How to get to Homburg
By car, Homburg is only about thirty minutes from Kaiserslautern, an hour and a half from Wiesbaden, and two and half hours from Stuttgart. Check with Deutsche Bahn for train details.
Main Photo Credit: License
All rights reserved by Michal Jeska
