The city of Ulm and its sister town, Neu-Ulm on the banks of the river Danube, are divided by the boundary between the Federal Lands of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. More than 170,000 people live here, with over 120,000 in the city of Ulm. Despite the boundary, both Ulm and Neu-Ulm do a lot of things together, whether in economy, tourism, culture, traffic or in providing leisure facilities. Apart from the Danube in the south, the city is has hills and forests around it. South of the Danube, plains and hills reach the northern edge of the Alps, approx. 100 km from Ulm and is visible from the city on clear days. The meeting of important traffic routes there, in the heart of Southern Germany, is of strategic value. Ulm forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Founded around 850 CE, Ulm is rich in history and traditions as a former Free Imperial City. Today, it is an economic centre due to its varied industries, and it is the seat of a university (University of Ulm, 1967).
How to Get There:
The nearest airports are Munich (90 minutes by road), Stuttgart (50 min.), Friedrichshafen, Memmingen and Augsburg. All these airports are connected by either ICE or IC trains also, to Ulm. The town centre is where the railway station is at. The city is served, among other lines, by a major European train line (Paris to Budapest via Strasbourg – Stuttgart – Ulm – Munich – Vienna ). Direct connection to Berlin is also available. Ulm is situated at the crossroads of two autobahns, one connecting the principal cities of southern Germany, Stuttgart and Munich and the other, a major motorways running from northern to southern Europe
Ulm has excellent public transportation, integrating bus and streetcar lines. Several streets in the old town are restricted to pedestrians and bicycles only. The town centre is small enough to walk around, but don’t miss the sightseeing boats on the Danube.
What to See:
Ulm Minster (German: Ulmer Münster, built 1377-1891) with the world's highest church steeple (161.53 m high and 768 steps). Choir stalls by Jörg Syrlin the Elder (1469–74), famous sculpture Schmerzensmann (Man of Sorrows) by Hans Multscher (1429); The old Fischerviertel (fishermen's quarter) on the River Blau, with half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and picturesque footbridges; The Rathaus (Town Hall), built in 1370, featuring some brilliantly-coloured murals dating from the mid-16th century. On the gable is an astronomical clock dating from 1520; Several large buildings from the late Middle Ages / renaissance used for various purposes (mainly storage of food & weapons), e.g. Schwörhaus, Kornhaus, Salzstadel, Büchsenstadel, Zeughaus, Neuer Bau; The historic district Auf dem Kreuz, a residential area with many buildings from before 1700; Albert Einstein Memorial; The Botanischer Garten der Universität Ulm, the university's botanical garden; Silo tower of the mill company Schapfenmühle (Schapfen Mill Tower); Fernmeldeturm Ulm-Ermingen; Blautopf in Blaubeuren (a small town near Ulm) and the Museum of Bread Culture in the Old City, dedicated to the 6,000-year history of bread.
Where to Eat:
The Hemperium restaurant/bar where various meals made from the (impotent) male hemp plant are served. Prices are very attractive and food is good; There are plenty of places to eat in the nice and quiet Fischerviertel, where you can get some genuine German food and beer; The Kornhäusle is a cozy small restaurant which serves crèpes (tasty salty french pancakes), also very nice; The Tagblatt opens until late and is famous for it's big salads. It has one of the nicest beergardens right next to the river Danube; The Donaustern is one of the better kebab booths in Ulm and the Gaststätte zur Stadt Heidenheim, Oststadt. Huge meals.
Drink: The Barfüßer restaurants brew their own beer. There is also one Barfüßer beer garden directly at the Donau river; The Schlössle is perhaps one of the nicest beer gardens and can be reached within a 15min walk from the city. They also serve their own beer, Schlössle Biergarten;
Events:
The Wednesday and Saturday Farmers' Market in front of the Münster and the famous "Schwörmontag". Every year on the second last Monday of July, there is a big festival in Ulm, called "Schwörmontag". It the day, the governing mayor swears a traditional oath to his people. The same day thousands of people swim and party in the river Danube and the whole city is on its feet.
Hotels:
Ulm and Neu-Ulm have over 40 hotels, four B&Bs/Inns and six vacation rentals. The high-priced range include Maritim Hotel Ulm, InterCityHotel Ulm, Comfor Hotel Frauenstrasse, Hotel Neuthor and Hotel Schiefes Haus Ulm. Mid-range hotels include the Ibis Ulm, Best Western Atrium Hotel, Hotel Garni am Romerplatz, Hotel Garni Blaubeurer Tor, Gasthaus Lamm and Hotel Garni Lehrertal.
