This Bavarian town has deep connections to Albert Einstein's early life, with several museums dedicated to the physicist. Its 15th-century castle and Gothic cathedral draw many visitors.
Neu-Ulm, a city of 62,000 residents in Bavaria, sits along the Danube River opposite its older neighbor Ulm. You can stroll through the 19th-century Glacis Park, examine Edwin Scharff's bronze sculptures at his former home-turned-museum, or browse contemporary photography at the Walther Collection. The city's 1981 Botanical Garden includes specialized sections for medicinal herbs, over 200 rose varieties, and three climate-controlled greenhouses with tropical plants.
Getting Around Neu-Ulm's Districts
Neu-Ulm has 14 districts. The central district centers around Petrusplatz and Rathausplatz, where weekly markets and city festivals happen. The Wiley district has evolved from former American military barracks into an area with university housing and modern office complexes. You can reach all districts by public bus, and many areas are within walking distance of the center.
Parks and Green Spaces
Glacis Park sits in central Neu-Ulm, with its preserved 19th-century fortification walls and restored water tower from 1898. The park includes an open-air concert stage and a playground with climbing structures. At the Botanical Garden, you'll find separate gardens for medicinal plants, water lilies, and over 200 rose varieties. The farm garden section grows historical crop varieties and maintains beehives.
Museums and Art
The Edwin Scharff Museum displays the sculptor's bronze works and plaster models in his former residence. Children can experiment with clay modeling and printmaking in the adjacent children's museum. At the Walther Collection, you'll find rotating exhibitions focusing on African and Asian photography, along with video installations by contemporary artists.
Local Food Culture
The Petrusplatz market runs every Wednesday and Saturday, bringing together farmers from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The stands sell mountain cheese from Alpine dairies, fresh fish caught in the Danube and Iller rivers, and seasonal vegetables. Beer gardens across the city serve regional brews, including wheat beers in summer and bock beers in winter. Local restaurants make Swabian specialties like Kässpätzle (egg noodles with cheese) and both savory and sweet Knödel (dumplings filled with meat or fruit).
Festivals Throughout the Year
The city hosts several annual events. During the Orchideentage in March, orchid growers display rare species. The summer Kleinbrauer-Fest brings together 20 small breweries from the region. The International Danube Festival in July fills both banks of the river with music performances and art installations. In February, the König-Ludwig-Fest includes historical reenactments and medieval craft demonstrations.
