Saarbrucken is a state capital on the river Saar in southwestern Germany, only a few kilometres from the French border. The city passed under French administration twice in the 20th century and joined the Federal Republic in 1957, a history you notice from the food to the street names. The Volklinger Hutte ironworks nearby were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, recognised as the only intact blast furnace complex surviving from the industrial revolution. The direct route from Turkey departs from Antalya and largely carries the Turkish community living in the region.
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See flights to Saarbrücken →When to visit Saarbrücken
May to September is the easiest stretch, with daytime temperatures between 20C and 26C and the riverside terraces and the Franco German Garden in full use. The Altstadtfest at the end of August is the busiest weekend of the year. A Christmas market fills St Johanner Markt in December, and January to March is cool and wet with temperatures between 3C and 8C.
Things to do in Saarbrücken
Saarbrucken Palace
The palace on the south bank was built in baroque style in the 1740s by the architect Friedrich Joachim Stengel, destroyed in war, and completed in 1989 when Gottfried Bohm's glass and steel centre section was inserted. The remains of the medieval castle in its cellars and the palace square are open to walk through.
Ludwigskirche
Completed in 1775, the church stands at the centre of a baroque square by the same architect and counts among the most important Protestant baroque churches in Germany. Its white front and the plain wooden galleries inside were planned as a single design together with the symmetrical houses around it.
St Johanner Markt
The old market square on the north bank is the social centre of the city, and the fountain in the middle was designed by Stengel in 1759. The narrow streets leading off it are lined with 18th century houses, cafes and galleries, and this is where the evening life gathers.
Franco German Garden
Opened in 1960 as a symbol of reconciliation between the two countries, this park of about 50 hectares lies directly on the border. It holds a lake, rose gardens, a cable car and paths that cross onto the French side, and remains open to visitors from both countries.
Volklinger Hutte
The ironworks about 10 kilometres west of the city were founded in 1873, stopped production in 1986 and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. The blast furnaces, coking plant and ore bridge survive intact, the visitor route climbs to the top of the furnaces, and the site hosts large exhibitions.
Saar Loop
Near Mettlach the river bends into an almost complete loop, the Saarschleife, the best known view in the state. The Cloef viewpoint takes in the whole bend, and the treetop walk there runs about 1,250 metres and ends at a 42 metre viewing tower.
Flights from Turkey to Saarbrücken
Direct flights to Saarbrucken from Turkey leave from Antalya, operated by SunExpress, and take about 3 hours 55 minutes. Saarbrucken Airport is at Ensheim roughly 12 kilometres east of the city, about 25 minutes into town by bus. From Istanbul the route is to fly into Frankfurt or Luxembourg and continue overland, about two hours from Frankfurt by train.
Saarbrücken FAQ
How many days do you need in Saarbrucken?
One day covers the centre, the palace and the Ludwigskirche. Half a day for the Volklinger Hutte and another for the Saar loop and Mettlach makes three days a balanced trip, and Metz on the French side is an hour away by road.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Saarbrucken Airport is about 12 kilometres from the centre, roughly 25 minutes by bus. It is a small airport with a limited schedule, and Frankfurt Hahn and Luxembourg are the usual alternatives.
Do you need a visa for Germany?
Germany is in the Schengen area and a Turkish passport needs a Schengen visa obtained in advance. The same visa also covers crossing to the French side, and it is safer to start the application at least two months before travel.
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