Freiburg through the lens: Photo spots & travel tips for the sunniest city in Germany

Anyone who enjoys taking photos understandably attaches great importance to good photographic weather. With over 2,600 hours of sunshine a year, Freiburg im Breisgau is one of the sunniest cities in Germany, along with Offenburg, Pforzheim, Karlsruhe and Kempten. It is therefore not surprising that the Black Forest metropolis enjoys an excellent reputation among outdoor photographers, and that impressions of the city are well represented on social media. So it's no wonder that the Freiburg camera bag was also inspired by this special city - a stylish homage to its light conditions, urban elegance and proximity to nature. We have put together some photo hotspots for you, provide travel tips for photographers and tell you where to find photogenic restaurants and the best subjects for old town photography.

Why Freiburg is so attractive for photographers

Photographers in Freiburg quickly learn to appreciate the soft light, which is difficult to find in northern Germany, for example. The sky is already a Mediterranean blue in March, and wisteria garlands hang over Konviktstraße in April. At the end of October, the vineyards of the Kaiserstuhl glow in liquid gold. All of these are interesting motifs for the photographer, who is often unaware of what a traditional place for photography he is here. Gottlieb Theodor Hase, who was born in Erfurt, opened his studio in Freiburg in 1863 and tested the daguerreotype, one of the earliest forms of photography suitable for everyday use. Church towers, hills and streams, typical features of Freiburg's topography, served him as ideal test motifs for the still young medium. You should keep this in mind when you go in search of spots that make it worthwhile to pull out your camera today.

Anyone following in the footsteps of these early photographers today would be well advised to transport their equipment in a way that is as flexible as it is protected - high-quality camera bags that combine style and function are a practical companion for urban and natural motifs around Freiburg.

Best places to take photos in Freiburg? Photographers shouldn't miss out on these

There are beautiful places to take photos everywhere in Freiburg. The following sights are definitely not to be missed:

-Schlossberg Tower: If you are looking for an impressive panoramic view for photography, you should climb the Schlossberg Tower. There are 251 steps to the top, but it's well worth the effort. In addition to the magnificent view over the city, you can also discover the Dreisam and the surrounding vineyards from here.

-Wasserschlössle: The Wasserschlössle is a historic water tower on Waldseestraße above the Wiehre district. The location can be reached via a well-developed forest path as well as via a mountain bike route from the city center. The playful Renaissance façade with battlements and pointed arch windows immediately invites you to take photos. As the place is generally less frequented, it should also be possible to take quiet long exposures here. So take your tripod with you.

Schauinsland: The Schauinsland cable car takes photographers up the 1,284-metre-high local mountain. From here you have a view of the Rhine plain, the Vosges mountains and the Kaiserstuhl.

-Little Venice: Another popular Instagram spot is Little Venice with its idyllic Gerberau and Fischerau alleyways. These are located between the Martinstor in the west and the Schwabentor in the east. The many stone bridges, flower boxes and half-timbered façades are reflected in the water. For photographers, it is a pure joy to spend time here and collect snapshots. You can use a polarizing filter to take the glare or excessively shiny reflections off the water surfaces.

Tip for on the go: Many of the most beautiful photo spots in Freiburg are easily accessible on foot or over longer walking routes - from the Schlossberg to the Kaiserstuhl. To transport your camera and accessories safely and comfortably, it is worth taking a well-padded camera bag or a lightweight photo backpack. Models with modular interior compartments help to keep lenses, filters and batteries perfectly organized - even on longer day trips.

Other sights you should plan for

You will soon realize that one visit to Freiburg is by no means enough to capture everything worth seeing photographically. Here are a few more ideas for your trip:

-Erentrudiskapelle: The Erentrudiskapelle rises on a small plateau right next to the Kapellenberg at a height of 271 meters. The view over the district of Munzingen is interesting.

-Wiwilí bridge: If you want to capture the vibrancy of the city of Freiburg, you should also visit the Wiwilí Bridge. This connects the old town with the Stühlinger district and is very busy with cyclists.

Especially in busy places such as the Wiwilíbrücke or in the old town, it is advisable to use a camera hand strap or a robust camera belt. This allows you to keep your equipment under control even in hectic moments - and concentrate fully on the right perspective. Camera straps with cut protection, which are reinforced with an internal metal wire, are particularly suitable for this purpose.

Photogenic restaurants: enjoyment meets scenery

There are many restaurants in Freiburg where you can enjoy excellent food and, of course, taking photos makes everyone hungry at some point. But few locations offer such a spectacular view of Freiburg as Skajo in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral. The restaurant advertises itself as offering the "most beautiful terrace" in the city. If you take a seat at a table here, you won't be able to leave your camera behind for long. The motifs that surround you in this place are too tempting. In addition to the cathedral with its stone Gothic tower, there are the Vosges mountains in the background. It is actually impossible not to find an exciting motif here.

Anyone who spends a lot of time out and about taking photos will appreciate a restaurant with a view - not only from a culinary point of view, but also as a photo spot. So don't put your camera too far away when you stop off at a café. An elegant, inconspicuous photo bag ensures that your equipment remains within reach without attracting attention - handy for brief moments between the main course and the sunset over the rooftops of Freiburg.

If you are interested in regional dishes and at the same time want to let your gaze wander from the Upper Rhine to the Black Forest, you should pay a visit to the Jesuit Castle restaurant. The Jesuit Castle is located in Merzhausen on the southern outskirts of Freiburg. The unobstructed view over the rooftops of Freiburg from the castle is particularly attractive for photographers. The cuisine offers Baden wines, house roasted coffee and many regional dishes. If you want to create food close-ups with a regional focus, for example of tarte flambée, this is the place for you. For a cool refreshment, the castle café on the Lorettoberg is one of the recommendations. The sun terrace is the ideal place to take a break or look for the next photo motif above the rooftops of Freiburg.

Nature photography around Freiburg

If you are dedicated to nature photography, you should definitely explore Freiburg's surroundings. Here are some of the most important places to visit:

-Kaiserstuhl: The Kaiserstuhl offers sunny vineyards and impressive views over the Vosges mountains. It is known as a Mediterranean photo playground and is one of the warmest regions in Germany. The Kaiserstuhl is actually an extinct volcano measuring around 9x16 kilometers. Figs, chestnuts and orchids thrive here likethey do only in France. The best photo spots include the Neunlindenturm, the Texaspass and the Eichelspitze as well as the Katharinenkapelle.

-Black Forest Biosphere Reserve: The Black Forest Biosphere Reserve offers extensive meadows, lush green pastures and dense forests. Idyllic landscapes can be found everywhere here. It is a natural recreation area that is well worth seeing and has just as much to offer photographers as it does sports enthusiasts and families. You can play golf here or try your hand at fly fishing. The historic buildings, such as the monastery complex in St. Blasien, make excellent subjects for photographers.

-Dreiland: If you are in Freiburg, you must also visit Dreiland, especially for nature photography. It connects the three regions of French Alsace, the Black Forest and north-western Switzerland. The short distances between the three areas are exciting, allowing you to capture numerous and varied motifs in a relatively short time.

It is particularly helpful to have a compact tripod with you for nature shots, such as at the Kaiserstuhl or in the Black Forest biosphere reserve - and a suitable bag in which to stow it safely. Photo bags with weatherproof outer material offer protection even in the event of spontaneous weather changes - an indispensable companion for extended tours in the region.