A small German town with Europe's largest theme park, Europa-Park, set between the Black Forest and Vosges mountains. Home to high-speed coasters, medieval Balthasar Castle, and wetland trails.
Rust, a small municipality in Baden-Württemberg, is home to Europa-Park, Germany's largest theme park. Here you'll race through loops at 100 km/h on the Blue Fire Megacoaster, climb through Rapunzel's interactive tower chambers, and dine in a recreated Grimm's fairy tale village. The town sits between the Black Forest and Vosges mountains, with the medieval Balthasar Castle watching over the Rhine Valley. The nearby Taubergießen floodplain reserve draws hikers and birdwatchers year-round, while Europa-Park changes its atmosphere with the seasons - from pumpkin displays in October to illuminated Christmas markets in December.
Transportation to Rust
Take a train to Ringsheim station from Basel Airport (90 minutes), then connect to Europa-Park via a 15-minute bus ride. The town's dedicated exit (57b) on the A5 motorway leads directly to major German cities. Flixbus routes 007, 008, and 011 stop at Rheinweg, 100 meters from Europa-Park's entrance.
Exploring Europa-Park
The 95-hectare park contains 16 areas, each representing a European country with authentic architecture and food. In the Iceland section, you'll accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds on the Blue Fire Megacoaster. Children can solve puzzles in Rapunzel Tower's chambers or meet characters from German folklore in the Grimm's enchanted forest. During October, you'll walk through fog-filled pathways and watch horror shows, while winter brings Christmas markets selling mulled wine and local crafts, plus ice skating rinks and skibob runs.
Taubergießen Nature Reserve
Walk along wooden boardwalks through the Taubergießen's wetlands, where the Elz River joins the Rhine. The reserve's paths lead you past beaver dams and nesting spots for kingfishers and herons. You can choose from several marked trails: the 3-kilometer riverside loop takes 45 minutes, while the full-day Black Forest connection route extends 15 kilometers through changing elevations.
Local Events and Festivals
The Rust Street Festival fills the town center with food stalls and live music during September's first weekend. Watch international dancers compete at the Euro Dance Festival in Europa-Park each February and March. From June through August, you can join the live audience of "Immer wieder Sonntags," a popular German TV show broadcast every Sunday from Europa-Park on Das Erste channel.
