Now one of the wealthiest towns in Germany, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe has lots to offer. The population includes many bankers from Frankfurt — no wonder the town’s motto is Champagne, Air & Tradition. ;-)
Needless to say, this place will beat your expectations.
Originally famed for its spa and mineral waters, it continues to please its visitors along those same lines. In the heart of the Old Town (Altstadt) is the Kurpark, with more than 30 fountains on display. In the park you’ll find the very saline Elisabethenquelle Spring over which stands a great pavilion.
Further along is the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Bad, still used for therapeutic treatments today, as well as the Taunus-Therme (which is one of my personal favorites) and Seedammbad offering saunas and steam baths.
The park also houses the Spielbank — the first casino in Bad Homburg and possibly one of the oldest casinos in the world. The story follows that when gambling was banned in Germany in the late 19th century, the owner moved to Monte Carlo. The rest is history there!
The casino here re-opened around 60 years ago and is still going strong. If you fancy a glamorous evening out, make sure you dress for the occasion.
Bad Homburg was also the prime destination for not only the ruling classes in Germany, but across the globe. The King of Siam and the Tzar Nicholas II frequently visited, and Wilhelm II spent a month of every year in the splendid Schloss he had constructed on the site of an older castle. Only the White Tower of its predecessor remains in the grounds.
King Edward VII of England spent much time here as well — and actually had the fashionable “homburg” felt hat designed by hatmakers in this area. In honor of this, there is the well known Hutmuseum where you can find exhibitions of every type of hat you could imagine!
If you find yourself wanting some fresh air, then head up into the Taunus mountains. They are within easy reach of Bad Homburg town center by bus and have plenty of hiking trails. If you are up for the challenge you could find yourself at about 878 meters if you climb the highest peak — the Großer Feldberg (to be distinguished from the Feldberg — a 1493 meters high mountain in the Black Forest).