Freiburg-how do you like it?
 

I am thinking about studying German at the Goethe-Institute in Freiburg and wanted to know what people's impressions were of the city. Were people friendly? Is it easy to get around? Are there a lot of young folks? How about tourists? Is getting the France easy? Is the Black Forrest very nice? Any info would be great. Danke!

I spent a few days in Freiburg when in grad school as part of a study abroad trip. I love Freiburg. It is a beautiful, small city. It was easy to get around by walking or riding the tram. Bikes were popular. There are certainly lots of young people; it has a college town feel in many ways. There are lots of pubs and beer gardens. There is a nice park with a lake as well. <BR><BR>Germans tend to be more reserved than students in the U.S. (I have known several in the U.S. and Germany), but I found them friendly enough. We went out with them on two or three occasions and had a good time. <BR><BR>Some visitors find Freiburg underwhelming as a tourist site because it only has one major thing to see - the Cathedral, but I think it has a lot of charm as a place to stay for a while. <BR><BR>Freiburg is very convenient for trips to other parts of Germany, Switzerland, and France. It has an easily accessible train station (just a ten minute or so walk from the historic center). We took a daytrip to Strasbourg, and it is only a short distance from Basel (Switzerland), with which it shares an airport. <BR><BR>We were also told that it is the sunniest city in Germany, so that says a lot for the weather.<BR><BR>Take a look at www.freiburg-online.com.

I attended a meeting with my husband in Freiburg a few years ago and loved it. The Black Forest is great, lots of hikes and so forth. France is very easy to get to (and Freiburg feels sort of French as well). People were friendly, and I had no difficulty using public transportation (our small hotel was well outside of the city center). Some tourists, but not overwhelming by any means.<BR><BR>I think Freiburg would be a great place to be a student.

I agree with the other posters. Freiburg is a wonderful little city...a real city, not a tourist attraction. 30 minutes away from Colmar in France, just hop over the river.<BR>Viel Gluck!<BR>Jan

It's definitely a great little city. It has lots and lots of bars/pubs, a large student population, and lots to see/do. It also has an international feel - you'll hear lots of French and Italian spoken in the streets, as they are the main type of tourist. Public transpo is great, if you get a "Regional Pass" it covers everything to the Swiss border. <BR>Freiburg is also close to vineyards/wintasting, you can easily visit the Black Forest (I recommend the town of Gengenbach, and the outdoor Vogstbauernhof museum), as well as Alsatia (Strasbourg, Colmar). <BR>One interesting thing is the "Medieval Torture Museum" - if you can handle it. Also, don't miss the market on Saturdays right next to the cathedral.

It is great!

My husband and I love Freiburg. We try to spend at least one night there everytime we're in Europe and are considering a house exchange there in the future. Its attraction for us is that the city isn't a overrun with tourists, and it's central to many other locations by car or train.<BR><BR>Unless it's changed within the past year or so, the market around the cathedral takes place daily. Be sure to sample the wurst there. Outstanding!

I thought the city was wonderful. Not a lot of tourists, tons of activity, beautiful country.

I spent two semesters in Freiburg and regretted that I did not choose to study in a larger city, such as Munich, Berlin, or even Frankfurt. Cultural resources and nightlife are very limited, despite the presence of the university. As another poster says, the sights are underwhelming. Though Freiburg is close to the French border, it is not on a direct train line to France --- you have to go a good distance either north or south, and then west. Same goes for reaching other parts of Germany. Sedate but picturesque Basel is the nearest large city. The Black Forest is hilly and forested, but much less impressive than, say, the Appalachians. Getting around is difficult without a car. One poster says that Freiburg is the sunniest city in Germany -- this is pure PR ("von der Sonne verwoehnt" is Baden's advertising slogan). Freiburg is situated at a rather low altitude in the Rhine Valley. As a result, it's pretty much fogged in from late October to March. That said, if you like small towns, Freiburg may be for you. On the other hand, some of the smaller Bavarian cities, such as Bamberg, Regensburg, and Nuremberg, have more to offer from a cultural and historical standpoint.

It is a fun, great town. Enjoy!