After the Aare, Moselle and Main, it is the fourth largest tributary of the Rhine. It rises in the Schwenninger Moos nature reserve near Villingen-Schwenningen at 706 metres above sea level and flows into the Rhine near Mannheim, (95 m). The Neckar is navigable from Plochingen to Mannheim.
With his fleet, the Neckar-Käpt'n can sail upstream from Stuttgart to Plochingen. Downstream, the ships traditionally sail as far as Heilbronn. The boats have no overnight accommodation, but theoretically they could continue downstream to Mannheim, and then travel on the Rhine to Basel or Rotterdam.
The Neckar Valley Cycle Path is one of the most beautiful cycle paths in Germany, ideal for families and with almost no gradients.
More demanding tours to sporty, ambitious mountain bike routes offer numerous possibilities in the beautiful and varied low mountain landscape of the Odenwald. Wonderful resting and viewing points and the possibility - after the sporting activity is done.
The balanced mix of culture and nature: the cities on the Neckar...
Donaueschingen
At the origin of the Danube you can prepare for exciting cultural experiences and beautiful natural landscapes, ideal conditions for cyclists and hikers. Due to its central location between the Black Forest, Lake Constance and Switzerland, Donaueschingen is an ideal starting point for your start of the Neckartour.
Sights
There are many special features such as the colourful Art Nouveau buildings with the blue town hall and the Musikantenbrunnen fountain, the newly designed Residenz area, the town church in Bohemian Baroque style, the Fürstlich Fürstenberg castle with idyllic castle park, numerous museums and other sights. Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee in the beautiful Donaueschingen city centre or the unique flair with a tasty meal.
Rottweil
In the district of Rottweil, the Neckartal cycle path runs through Deißlingen to Rottweil and continues to Oberndorf and Sulz. A worthwhile detour leads from Sulz to Glatt.
Rottweil is the oldest town in Baden-Württemberg. The historic city centre takes you back to times gone by. The artfully designed fountains, the Black Gate and the high tower are like windows into different eras. Mighty townhouses shape the cityscape.
The former imperial city on the Neckar welcomes you with a magnificent townscape. Mighty town houses with unusual oriels and original engraved signs characterise the town. The museums tell of Rottweil's eventful history. The three town churches, the Holy Cross Minster, the Protestant Preacher's Church and the Chapel Church with the Chapel Tower, are of art-historical interest.
Tübingen
Exhibitions, events, museums and collections enrich the cultural life of the university city. Two indoor pools and a modern outdoor pool offer bathing fun, saunas and water aerobics. Several cinemas and film festivals fill a rainy afternoon or evening program.
Esslingen
Esslingen is located on the Neckar Valley Cycle Route, which is one of the most frequented cycle routes in Baden-Württemberg. On this route, you experience an exciting alternation of relaxing nature and old towns worth seeing.
At the height of Esslingen, cyclists and hikers are informed about the city centre via new information boards along the way. A detour is always worthwhile.
The charming old town invites you to look around and experience a guided tour of the town or to relax in one of the numerous street cafés.
Marbach
High above the Neckar, charmingly surrounded by vineyards and orchards, lies the Schillerstadt Marbach am Neckar about 20 km north of Stuttgart. With more than 15,500 inhabitants, with a well-developed infrastructure and a very lively cultural offer, Marbach is the gateway to the Bottwartal. Marbach am Neckar has made a name for itself as a literary city.
A cycling trip for connoisseurs and explorers, for people who want to discover the country and its people. The cosy beginnings in Schwenninger Moos, the poetic banks of the Hölderlinturm in Tübingen, the vineyards of the big city, the castles in the Odenwald. The most varied river bike path in Germany always keeps its guests in the mood. It makes them curious and enterprising, entices them with good wines and delicious treats.
Historical cityscape, culture, student life and modern economy: this combination makes Tübingen’s appeal as a shopping city. The flourishing retail and specialist trade is concentrated in front of the backdrop of the medieval city centre and not on the green meadow.
The Museum of Ancient Cultures in the Castle Hohentübingen presents, among other things, the oldest works of art of mankind (UNESCO World Heritage Site Ice Age Art).
Climbing the castle - a must on your first visit to the city
If you make it up the 332 steps to the top of the castle, you will get the best overview of the Neckar city. A largely original town centre full of architectural monuments, water canals almost like in Venice and excellent vineyards as far as the eye can see. Esslingen is a city with a high quality of life. There is plenty of green to breathe in.
Whether wine hiking day, music, jazz, exhibitions, open air events, theatre, cabaret, museums or Christmas market: visitors come in droves - from all over the region.
There are many vantage points around Marbach. One of the most beautiful late Gothic hall churches (Alexanderkirche) in southern Germany with the last surviving Voit organ from 1868. The Schiller bell Concordia is located on the tower.
The Burgplatz (castle square) with the walls of the former Marbach town castle is also the oldest Marbach district.
Another sight is the former town gate to the east. It is the only surviving one of formerly three gate towers in the historic old town. An exhibition on five levels tells the story of the upper gate tower and that of the Marbach town fortifications.
Neckarsulm
There is much to discover in Neckarsulm: for example, more than 180 years of bicycle, motorbike and automobile history in the German Two-Wheeler and NSU Museum. The largest historical collection of its kind can be seen in the former Deutschordensschloss.
The leisure pool "AQUAtoll" is also one of the nationally known crowd pullers. Immerse yourself in a Caribbean bathing and sauna landscape with a white-water ride, black-hole slide, whirlpools, steam baths, Kneipp pools, solariums and the Pirate World.
From a former farming town to a modern industrial location - this exciting journey through time becomes a multimedia experience in the town museum.
Neckarsulm is also the ideal place for a leisurely shopping trip. The generously designed pedestrian zone invites you to linger. In summer, the market square is the venue for open-air concerts as part of the city's cultural series "Neckarsulm - where the music plays".
Eberbach
Beautifully situated in the heart of the Neckar valley, Eberbach invites you to a successful mix of active holidays with hiking, cycling and swimming, good entertainment through the numerous events of various kinds and pure pleasure for the palate, ears and eyes.
The beautiful historic old town invites you to shop, stroll and linger.
Numerous local businesses offer a varied range of gastronomic delights, often combined with outdoor catering in beautiful surroundings. Most of the culinary delights are made from local products from Odenwald producers. They range from good plain cooking to selected creations of modern gastronomy.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. The harmonious ensemble of the castle, the old town and the river amidst the mountains inspired the poets and painters of the Romantic period and continues to fascinate millions of visitors from all over the world. Whoever comes, finds more than romance.
Favorite places and visitor magnets are Heidelberg Castle and the historic Old Bridge. The castle is easily accessible on foot or by mountain railway.
One of the most popular viewpoints is on the Heiligenberg, opposite the Heidelberg Castle. The monastery ruins of St. Michael and St. Stephen and the Thingstätte, a huge open-air stage from the time of National Socialism, characterize the summit region. From the Philosophenweg on the southern slope of the Heiligenberg you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city, river and mountains.
Mannheim
Mannheim is a wonderful place to explore by bike. Mannheim is also the perfect starting point for excursions into the surrounding area. Cycle to the summer residence of the electors in Schwetzingen or to Heidelberg's old town or medieval Ladenburg. If you're really sporty, the Neckar Valley Cycle Path takes you from Mannheim to Villingen-Schwenningen in the south of Baden-Württemberg.
TOP 10 sights in Mannheim:
- Mannheim Baroque Palace
- Little Istanbul
- Jungbusch
- Mannheim Harbour
- Multihalle
- Teahouse
- Telecommunications Tower
- Ripping Island
- Water tower
- Jesuit Church
Ladenburg
Ladenburg may be an old, but it is an extremely lively town, which is also reflected in its diverse and interesting cultural life.
There is a lot for tourists to experience. Let us guide you through the town, discover the numerous sights, explore the projects that have upgraded the town, visit the numerous museums and galleries.
There is a wide range of sights and leisure activities to choose from. You can learn all kinds of interesting facts about Ladenburg in the museums, track down Ladenburg's artists and their skills in the galleries, or you can set out in a variety of ways on your way through the beautiful Ladenburg district and the region. And last but not least, you can also make use of the numerous leisure facilities with their wonderful qualities.
Regardless of the official cycle paths, cycling around Ladenburg is pure pleasure without any gradients.
Lahnstein
The multifaceted history of Lahnstein is documented in four different themed museums, which are spread over a total of six historical exhibitions.
Whether in the Municipal Stage Lahnstein, in the Youth Culture Centre, in the Stadthalle or in the Municipal Library Lahnstein – here you can expect large and small events of all kinds!
Explore the city on a leisurely stroll along the shopping street, take advantage of the various sports facilities or explore the area with its many cycle paths.
