12 Things to Do in Bad Kissingen
Bad Kissingen is one of the most beautiful spa towns in Germany.
Read our guide on fun things to do in Bad Kissingen for every traveler.
Bad Kissingen is a charming Gemany spa town popular among visitors seeking health and relaxation. This renowned European health resort is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe. No matter if you come for the spa experience, rejuvenating treatment, or laid-back atmosphere, Bad Kissingen is a great addition to every Bavaria itinerary. This is why we want to share the very best things to do in Bad Kissingen when you head over.
Brunnenhalle has water fountains with various mineral springs.
See Brunnenhalle and Wandelhalle
If you've just arrived in Bad Kissingen and are unsure which place to visit first, head out to Brunnenhalle and Wandelhalle. These interconnected buildings with classicist architecture and beautiful gardens are a must-see. If you've never been to a European spa town before, this area that looks like from the 19th century offers the most traditional spa experience.
We've already visited a few of them, but this was one of the first places we wanted to see after arriving in Bad Kissingen as well. The best part is that both Brunnenhalle and Wandelhalle are free to enter. Inside the Brunnenhalle, you can sample some of the water springs like Pandur, Rakoczy, and Kissinger Bitterwasser.
Brunnenhalle is a must-see when in Bad Kissingen.
The adjacent Wandelhalle, with Art Nouveau decor, is a large hall where you can simply relax and enjoy your drink or a spa orchestra concert (twice or three times a day). Simply put, Brunnenhalle and Wandelhalle are the essence of what makes Bad Kissingen a traditional spa town.
Relax at the KissSalis Therme Bad Kissingen
KissSalis Therme Bad Kissingen was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Bad Kissingen. Last December, we visited a great thermal bath at Naters during our Zermatt ski trip, and we absolutely loved the experience. Fast forward a few months, and we arrived in Bad Kissingen to enjoy a similar treatment. It was a rainy, cold day, creating almost perfect conditions for this activity.
The wellness experience at KissSalis Therme was amazing; we loved it.
Here are three essential things you need to know about your KissSalis Therme Bad Kissingen visit. Firstly, be sure to get the combo ticket that includes thermal baths and sauna (the sauna part was the highlight for us here). The outdoor spas were just incredible and well worth the money. Secondly, make sure to rent a large towel (or bring yours). You can also bring/rent a bathing robe, which comes in handy in between your sauna baths.
Lastly, be prepared that visitors are naked in the sauna rooms (that's why you need the towel, so you can lie on it). It's a common European sauna etiquette, so it's the same not just here in Germany but also in Austria, Czechia, and even Iceland. The 3-hour ticket costs €25 per person.
Stay in Bad Kissingen Overnight
Bad Kissingen is one of those destinations where you can easily spend a few days or even an entire week. The well-maintained town center, modern thermal bath, spa treatments, mineral springs, and nice walking trails surely make up a proper spa town experience. It's a place where you come to relax and unwind as a tourist.
We loved the central location of Bristol Hotel, but the decor was pretty outdated.
When it comes to accommodation in Bad Kissingen, we sort of knew what to expect. Hotels were a bit pricier for the quality they offered, with some of them still retaining that 70s and 80s ambiance (and some even the decor). You can still find some great hotels here. So here are our tips on the best hotels in Bad Kissingen.
Kaiserhof Victoria - With a hard-to-beat location, spacious rooms, and modern spa facilities, Kaiserhof Victoria is arguably the best hotel in Bad Kissingen.
Hotel Frankenland - This 4-star hotel has modern wellness facilities, stylish rooms, great food, a central location, and on-site underground parking.
Bristol Hotel Bad Kissingen - With reasonable prices, exquisite location, and on-site parking, Bristol is one of the most popular hotels in Bad Kissingen.
Admire the Rosengarten
Bad Kissingen has its own Rose Garden, which is basically a well-landscaped park in Bad Kissingen's center. While the park was great for strolls, the roses in mid-April were not blooming yet. The garden is home to more than 160 varieties of roses (there are more than 6000 roses), but we arrived simply too early to enjoy all the beauty. We also witnessed that in places like Bamberg, Linderhof Palace, and New Palace Bayreuth. So if you want to see roses in Bad Kissingen, June and July should be your best bet.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
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Walk the Sisi Tour Trail
If you want to stay active, Sisi Tour should be on your list. This 3.3-kilometer circular trail offers a great way to explore Bad Kissingen and nearby Luitpoldpark and Altenberg. The trail is named after Empress Elisabeth (Elisabeth von Osterreich), who visited Bad Kissingen several times on recommendation from the family doctor.
Walking the Sisi Tour trail was fun, and we learned a lot about Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
This beautiful trail became part of her daily routine while in Bad Kissingen. She eventually became one of the most interesting figures in the Habsburg royal family, known for her beauty, rebellious spirit, and tragic life. You might know her story from a Sissi trilogy starring Romy Schneider. If not, follow Sisi's footsteps to learn more about her and enjoy the serenity of Bad Kissingen.
Hike to Altenberg
Even if you're not interested in Sisi's life, we encourage you to hike to Altenberg. This 284-meter forested hill is dotted with nice trails that offer a great escape for those looking for a quiet time away from the town center.
Altenberg is a lush green hill with great walking trails and lovely views of Bad Kissingen.
You should definitely explore the Sisi Tour we talked about earlier and also see Rundtempel, the Walhalla, the Sonnen-Salett, and some additional monuments. This is a nice little hiking area (the elevation gain on this hill is about 70 meters) with some lovely views of Bad Kissingen.
Discover the Great Spa Towns of Europe
Bad Kissingen is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Great Spa Towns of Europe. This list currently contains seven European countries with 11 spa towns offering relaxation, health, and cultural experiences. Bad Kissingen has a rich history, as the first records of a town with mineral springs are from the 9th century. The town became a prominent spa resort during the rule of Ludwig I of Bavaria in the 19th century.
Bad Kissingen is part of prominent UNESCO-listed European spa towns.
Among the most prominent guests who visited Bad Kissingen were King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Otto von Bismarck, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, and the Tsar Alexander II of Russia. The town gained UNESCO status in 2021. By the way, the Great Spa Towns of Europe list also includes places like Karlovy Vary, the City of Bath, and Vichy.
Taste the Mineral Springs
Bad Kissingen is home to seven mineral springs that can be beneficial to your health (digestive issues, respiratory problems, etc.). The Pandur, Rakoczy, 'Old' Luitpoldsprudel, Max Fountain, and Kissinger bitter water are the names of the main water fountains, each of them having a unique composition, taste, and healing effects (the other springs are used for spa treatments).
You can drink Rakoczy and Pandur mineral springs in Brunnenhalle for free.
The easiest way to taste one of Bad Kissinger's mineral springs is by heading to Brunnenhalle (literally Fountain Hall in English). In this beautifully decorated hall, fountain ladies will serve you one of the mineral waters, depending on your preference. There are also public fountains where you can try the healing waters without assistance (so bring a small cup with you).
Remember that you shouldn't drink more than 0.6l of Rakoczy, 0.4l of Pandurm, and 0.1 - 0.2l of Kissinger Bitterwasser per day. You can find guidance on specific springs and drinking quantities in the Brunnenhalle.
Walk along the Franconian Saale
Staying in Bad Kissingen is not a cheap thing to do, especially if you choose a luxurious hotel and indulge in spa treatments. But there are surprisingly plenty of free things to do in Bad Kissingen, meaning you can enjoy many sides of the spa town without spending too much.
Bad Kissingen has a lovely walking and cycling path along the Franconian Saale.
We were in the same shoes as we traveled around Germany on a budget. One of our favorite activities in Bad Kissingen was walking along Franconian Saale. A nice, well-maintained trail leads along this lovely river (a tributary of the Main) that is perfect for leisurely walks or even runs if you prefer a workout.
Hike to Burgruine Botenlauben
Botenlauben (sometimes Bodenlaube) is a 12th-century castle ruin about two kilometers from the town center. The castle sits 340 meters above sea level, offering beautiful views of Bad Kissingen and surrounding areas. Apart from the walls and ruined tower, there's not much left of the castle.
Botenlauben is a medieval castle ruin just outside Bad Kissingen.
While this is no Neuschwanstein or Nuremberg Castle, it's still a really cool place to visit. Plus, you won't find crowds here. It was once a home to Otto von Botenlauben and his wife, Beatrix de Courtenay. More information on castle history is available along the way. The trail is well-maintained (stroller and wheel-chair friendly), though a bit steep (there is parking right next to the castle if arriving by car). Botenlauben Castle is free to enter.
Walk Around the Town Center
Bad Kissingen has a compact town center that can be easily explored on foot. The main hot spot is Marktplatz and the area that surrounds it. This is the most picturesque part of the historic town center, where you will find several restaurants and cafes (Bratwurstglockle Bad Kissingen, Zur Post, Cafe Kaiser, etc.), stores, and traditional architecture.
Bad Kissingen has a cute, walkable historic town center with traditional Bavarian houses.
The 16th-century Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is the most notable building here. Strolling along the streets and side alleys is a lovely way to spend an hour, but remember that it doesn't take that much time to see everything here as this area is truly tiny.
Enjoy a Concert at Regentenbau
Regentenbau is one of the most iconic landmarks in Bad Kissingen. This impressive building was designed by Max Littmann and opened in 1913. The main feature of this building is the large Max-Littmann-Saal, considered to be one of the best concert halls in Europe. The acoustics in this concert hall, with more than 1100 seats, are supposed to be incredible. If you're a fan of classical music, check the official website for upcoming events.
Regentenbau is one of the most beautiful buidlings in Bad Kisingen.
The building is also home to the beautiful Art Nouveau Green Hall, which is used for smaller concerts and events. Regentbau is adjacent to Arkadenbau, where you will find a tourist information center.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
