Karlsruhe parks act as a “green lung” for the city. You can spend a day with the animals at the Zoo, stroll through the Stadtgarten or gaze at the flowers of the Palace garden.
Karlsruher Zoo
The Karlsruher Zoo (Ettlinger Straße 6) is one of Germany’s most historic zoos. It is located within the Stadtgarten and fills up 55 acres worth of space.
The zoo showcases over 1,000 animals from 150 species. Some of the animal highlights include the polar bears, flamingos, peacocks, lions and chimpanzees.
There’s more fun here for the kids too. The Karlsruher Zoo features a children’s motorway, crazy golf, an adventure playground, “water organ” and a gondoletta ride.
Stadtgarten
In addition to the animals of the zoo, this Karlsruhe nature park also boasts some lovely trees and flowers. There are more than 800 trees and over and 15,000 roses in 300 varieties. The Stadtgarten, or City Garden, is known as the “green lungs” of Karlsruhe. And you’re even encouraged to get the full sensory experience with a “smell, touch and feel” garden. ;-)
Palace gardens
Karl Wilhelm was responsible for the French Baroque style gardens here. The Palace gardens at their height held over 6,000 kinds of tulips, hundreds of hyacinth and 600 types of carnations.
They are also a showcase for painted flowers as well. Karl Wilhelm had accurate paintings of these flowers commissioned and they can still be viewed today.
Botanical gardens
The 18th century Botanical Gardens can be found just a stone’s throw away from the Palace gardens. These gardens offer rare and exotic plants that are a true highlight. You can see Pincushion cactii, bamboo and a windmill palm tree.
Don’t miss the orchid house with its beautiful plant life from South America and Asia.
Ostaue Park
This Karlsruhe nature park runs along Gottesaue palace and is close to Karlsruhe University of Music. There’s plenty of green space, as well as a playground, skateboard park and basketball court.
