The perfect mix of uni, nature and free time activities
Schwenningen is nestled in the beautiful landscape of the Black Forest around the source of the River Neckar near the Schwenningen Moos nature reserve. If you enjoy being outdoors you'll find a lot to do here. The surrounding area is criss-crossed with hiking and cycling trails, woods and lakes, offering opportunities for an active break from everyday study or work.
There's plenty to do in the town too − from bars, cinemas, restaurants, museums and art galleries, to events in the modern Neckarhalle and of course, taking part in the traditional carnival festivities − there's something for everyone. In Schwenningen, you benefit from short distances, a safe environment and good connections − whether for day trips to Stuttgart, Freiburg or Constance, or for weekend trips to Switzerland, France or Austria.
Schwarzwald dreamland
We live where others go on holiday. The Black Forest offers a wealth of activities that are fun not only for guests, but also for locals. On the www.hochschwarzwald.de website you'll find a large selection of current events and great tips for the region!
Free time activities - for free
- Join a student club, or start one yourself, and make new friends (Reftreff student club website).
- Meet up with lots of other young people at the skate park at Klosterhof Youth Centre (Jugend- und Kulturzentrum Klosterhof)
- Get to know students from all over the world through the International Students Association (ISC on Facebook)
- Enjoy cultural performances by our students from all over the world at one of ourExternal link opens in a new window: International Festivals on campus
- Relax in one of the parks in and around Schwenningen
- Rent a bike, Schwenningen is located on several important cycling routes. (Cycle routes)
- Stroll through the weekly market, the Christmas market or an arts and crafts market. (Info on markets)
- Hike through the forests around Schwenningen, there are several long-distance hiking trails. (Hiking info)
Free time activities - for a limited budget
- Join a sports club at reduced prices. There is a huge range of offers for students by the 92 members of the Villingen-Schwenningen Sports Association
- Visit the 1,500 m² indoor bouldering center at the Klosterhof between Schwenningen and Villingen (Jugend- und Kulturzentrum Klosterhof)
- Go ice skating at the Schwenningen skating rink or to the Schwenningen indoor swimming pool
- Support the top athletes who represent the city and its sporting diversity far beyond the borders of Baden-Württemberg: Top class sport in VS
- Discover the unique festivals, great events and cultural projects that enrich life in Villingen-Schwenningen (Event and culture website of Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg region)
- Enjoy an evening full of music, dancing and fireworks at the Schwenningen “Kulturnacht” in July.
- Benefit from discounts for students on theatre, ballet and music performances from the city's cultural programme. (Calendar of events)
Last-minute tickets for students are often heavily reduced. - Take the bus to the other half of the twin city, to Villingen (Villingen video), or take the ring train to the medieval town of Rottweil (Rottweil video)
- Visit the municipal art gallery right next to the HFU. Or the airplane museum at Schwenningen airfield. You can learn a lot about the history of watchmaking in Schwenningen at the Clock Industry Museum.
- Watch a Fasnet (carnival) parade or go to one of the balls (Fasnet info).
- Take a course at the Volkshochschule adult education centre. The offer ranges from art and culture to languages. (External link opens in a new window:VHS)
- Discover more about the region and other parts of Germany on the inexpensive excursions offered by the HFU International Center.
Free time activities - for those with a bit of extra time and cash
- Go skiing on the Feldberg or try out a snowshoe hike. (External link opens in a new window:Skiing on the Feldberg) and (Snowshoeing in the Black Forest)
- Enjoy the many music festivals in summer, such as the Honbergsommer or the Southside Festival in and near Tuttlingen, the Hohentwiel Festival near Singen or the Zelt Musik Festival in Freiburg.
- Take a trip on the historic Sauschwänzlebahn steam train.
- Visit Triberg and Germany's highest waterfalls. (Triberg Waterfalls)
- Take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride in summer or a horse-drawn sleigh ride in winter.
- Try a tandem parachute jump at Schwenningen airfield.
- Spend a relaxing day in one of the region's fun and thermal baths; student discounts are available here. (Thermal baths in the Black Forest) (External link opens in a new window:Thermal baths in the Black Forest) or (Thermal baths on Lake Constance)
- Mingle with the rich and famous in Baden-Baden with its upmarket stores, thermal waters and casino. (Baden-Baden video)
- Rent a car and drive to Lake Constance. (10 things to do at Lake Constance)
- Attend a game of the Schwenninger Wild Wings, who play in the German National Ice Hockey League
- Take a train to Stuttgart, Freiburg, Strasbourg, Zurich for a day trip. (Videos of Stuttgart, Freiburg, Zürich and Straßburg)
- Visit the Europapark in Rust, one of the most famous amusement parks in Germany.
- Visit a fairytale castle in the area, e.g. Sigmaringen or Hohenzollern.
- Visit several countries in one day on a road trip, e.g., France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria.