Schiltach is a storybook town set in the Black Forest. It enjoys a picturesque setting on the River Kinzig and charms visitors with cobbled streets and timber-frame houses. Colourful flowers spill out of window boxes and give the town a postcard-perfect aesthetic. Visit local history museums, stroll along the riverbank and enjoy decadent slices of Black Forest cake.
Things to do in Schiltach
Marktplatz is the beating heart of Schiltach. Half-timbered buildings frame the triangle-shaped plaza, which is built around a decorative fountain. The largest is the 16th-century Town Hall decorated with colourful frescoes. Admire the scene from one of the sidewalk cafes that spill onto the plaza. Order a slice of Black Forest cake, a rich chocolate sponge layered with cherry jam and cream.
Stroll along Schlossbergstrasse and stop to read plaques outside historic buildings. The street slopes uphill and is lined with workshops once run by cobblers, weavers, leather tanners and other artisans. Enjoy fantastic views over the town centre when you reach the top.
Learn about local history, culture and traditions at the Museum am Markt. The museum showcases everything from heritage costumes and antique tricycles to wooden spinning wheels. Don’t miss the exhibit on Teufel von Schiltach, a folklore villain who lit a devastating fire in the 1700s.
Entertain the kids at the family-friendly Schüttesäge Museum. It focuses on the long history of forestry and rafting in Schiltach. The highlight is a replica of an enormous raft used to float logs down the River Kinzig in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Getting around Schiltach
Schiltach is compact and easy to get around on foot. The town is in Baden-Württemberg, a 1.5-hour drive from Stuttgart and one hour from Strasbourg in France. Trains run between Schiltach and Stuttgart in around 2.5 hours. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit Schiltach and explore Baden-Württemberg at your own pace. Stuttgart Airport is a two-hour drive away.