Saarbrücken is the capital of the state of Saarland in Germany. The city sits at the heart of a metropolitan area that bounds westwards to Dillingen and northeastwards to Neunkirchen, in which most of the people of the Saarland live, the heart of the Saar-Lor-Lux region. Saarbrücken used to be the industrial and transport centre of a great coal basin. However, over the past years, the industrial importance of Saarland has declined, as the mining industry is no longer profitable. Saarbrücken is a smallish city with approximately 190,000 inhabitants on an area of 167 sq km. The city is strongly influenced by its proximity to France and the chequered history of a French-German border town. The university, trade fair and conference city is set amidst vast woods that exude Gaulish charm.
How to Get There:
Saarbrücken Airport is an international airport and is located 15 km from the city centre. Regional buses travel hourly from the airport to the main railway station and take half an hour. Frankfurt-Hahn Airport is connected to the Hauptbahnhof by bus. There are buses during the whole day and getting there takes approximately two hours. Zweibrücken Airport can be reached from the main station twice a day by a direct bus. It takes 45 minutes. An autobahn connects with the France border, taking about 2 hours from Mannheim. Saarbrücken is served by the German train system. Frankfurt and Paris are directly connected by train. Frequent travel through Germany requires one to change trains en route. Both city buses and trams provide Saarbrücken with an excellent public transport system.
What to See:
The Saarland State Theatre stages top class opera, theatre and ballet performances at three different venues. The Pavilions of the Modern Gallery were built in 1965 and are situated directly on the banks of the Saar River. The art gallery regularly features special exhibitions in addition to the permanent displays. The History Museum on the Schlossplatz is superb, to delve into the area’s past.
Where to Eat:
A Saarlandish specialty is Schwenker, a steak prepared on a special grill where the grilling rack is swung by the cook over a fire. This is often served at festivals and beergartens. Gästehaus Erfort, Hashimoto, Le Noir, and Rizzo are classy; Brasserie Schlachthof, Diel-Buchheid,Erwe and Felsenhoehe are mid-range; Alex, Alex Brasserie, Grand and Va Piano are budget eateries.
Events:
Saarbrücken is also a popular location for events. Annual highlights include the Max Ophüls Film Festival for up-and-coming directors and the Perspectives Theatre Festival, the only French theatre festival taking place in Germany. In summer, the local broadcasting company Saarländischer Rundfunk hosts the Halberg Open Air Concert on top of the Halberg Hill. Numerous internationally acclaimed rock bands perform and entrance to the concert is free of charge. Each year, the first weekend in August is reserved for the Saar Spectacle, an aquatic event, which happens to be the largest in Germany.
Hotels:
Best Western Victor's Residenz-Hotel Rodenhof and TOP Hotel La Residence are in the high-price range; Europa Hotel; Hotel Bruchwiese; Kirchberg Hotel; Hotel Faehrhaus and Hotel Meran are mid-priced and Hotel Kaiserhof and Schonbach, Zur may be considered budget class.
Over 30 holiday apartments are also available, a dozen private rooms and four Youth Hostels, all in the City area. A further lot of accommodation is available just outside city limits.
