Brothers Grimm Festival
From May to July the park of Philippsruhe Castle becomes an open-air stage with fairy tale and theatre productions celebrating Hanau's famous sons. Over 80,000 visitors yearly.
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ℹ️Practical info — Hanau
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Brothers Grimm monument on the market square on market days (Wednesday or Saturday) for a bustling local atmosphere.
- Philippsruhe Castle is best visited on a sunny day so you can fully enjoy its sprawling riverside park and gardens.
- Follow the Fairy Tale Route (Märchenstraße) signs through the city to easily track down historic locations.
- Parking right in the center can be pricey; look for parking garages situated at the edge of the pedestrian zone.
🍽 Food
🍽
Apfelwein
Try this traditional Hessian cider in local taverns, often served in a distinctive jug called a 'Bembel'.
🍽
Handkäse mit Musik
A pungent marinated cheese dish topped with onions, typically enjoyed as a savory snack alongside Apfelwein.
🍽
Grüne Soße
Hessian green sauce made from fresh herbs, served with potatoes and eggs, widely available at traditional restaurants.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Hanau Weekly Market
One of the largest and most traditional markets in Hesse, held right under the Grimm brothers statue on the main square.
🛍
Nürnberger Straße
The main pedestrian shopping street in the city center, offering fashion boutiques and general retail.
🧘
Staatspark Wilhelmsbad
A beautiful, extensive historic landscape park featuring a ruined castle and a carousel, great for quiet strolls.
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Philippsruhe Castle Park
Take a walk along the Main river or simply relax in the baroque-style gardens surrounding the castle.
🧘
Old Botanical Garden
A small, peaceful green oasis near the city center, great for reading a book or escaping the hustle.
Water temperature…
Situated at the confluence of the Kinzig and Main rivers, Hanau is globally recognized as the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. The city of 100,000 residents celebrates its literary heritage annually with the Brothers Grimm Festival, held in the open-air amphitheater of the Philippsruhe Palace grounds. Built directly on the banks of the Main starting in 1701, this Baroque palace houses a historical museum and the interactive GrimmsMärchenReich exhibition. Another defining pillar of Hanau's history is its goldsmithing tradition, introduced in the late 16th century by Walloon and Dutch religious refugees. The German Goldsmiths' House, located in the historic Old Town Hall, currently displays both contemporary jewelry art and historical artifacts. The geometrically planned New Town, originally designed to accommodate those refugees, provides a stark architectural contrast to the Wilhelmsbad park. This late 18th-century former spa complex features an antique wooden carousel, artificial castle ruins, and the Hessian Doll Museum, offering insights into early modern leisure culture.
- Location: Hesse, Germany
- Top sights: Philippsruhe Palace · Brothers Grimm National Monument · German Goldsmiths' House
- Nearby: Erlensee (6 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 57 | 46 | 47 | 41 | 71 | 59 | 66 | 65 | 46 | 54 | 56 | 64 |
Live webcam – Hanau
See what it looks like near Hanau right now.
Hanau: Hotel & Restaurant Birkenhof**** in - Steinheim · 3 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Brothers Grimm
- Main and Kinzig
- Fairy Tale Route
- Goldsmiths
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Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
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A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:451.6 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 19–25 €Entries 22€ · Transport 0€
Your morning begins in the heart of Hanau at the marketplace, where the Brothers Grimm watch over the city. After a visit to the magnificent Goldsmiths' House, delve into the history of St. Mary's Church. Lunch is dedicated to regional cuisine in the old town lanes, followed by the artistic tradition of the Drawing Academy in the afternoon.
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10:01 · 47'
Brothers Grimm National Monument
The starting point of the German Fairy Tale Route.
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09:00→15:475.5 km ride6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 31–41 €Entries 24€ · Transport 12€
This tour combines urban Hanau with the green oases of the surrounding area. From the monument in the center, cycle relaxedly along the Main to Philippsruhe Castle. After a cultural break in the museum, the path leads through Kesselstadt to the fairytale spa complex of Wilhelmsbad, where you can end the day among old trees.
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🚲 19'2.61 km
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09:00→16:266.6 km drive7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 25–33 €Entries 28€ · Transport 1€
Experience the highlights of Hanau comfortably by car. After a stroll through the city center, drive to the baroque Philippsruhe Castle, the jewel on the banks of the Main. After an extensive tour and lunch, the drive takes you north to the Wilhelmsbad State Park. This historical spa complex offers perfect photo opportunities and a relaxed end to the day.
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Sights in the town Hanau (16)
Spielpark Hanau👨👩👧 family
A family-friendly leisure park in Hanau featuring various play equipment for children.
🌐 spielpark-hanau.de🕒 Mo-Su 09:00-19:00
Geripptes Museum🏛 museum
A museum in Hanau dedicated to the culture of apple wine and its traditional glasses.
🌐 geripptes-museum.de🕒 We-Fr 12:00-17:00; Sa 11:00-14:00
Frequently asked questions
Why is Hanau known as the Brothers Grimm City?
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were born here; a national monument stands on the market square.
Where does the German Fairy Tale Route begin?
It officially begins in Hanau and leads over 600 km to Bremen.
Is a visit to Philippsruhe Palace worth it?
Yes, the Baroque palace right on the Main river provides a historic museum and a park.
What is the German House of Goldsmiths?
A museum for jewelry art in one of the most beautiful half-timbered houses in the old town.
Is there a wildlife park in Hanau?
The Wildpark Alte Fasanerie is very popular and houses wolves and lynxes, among others.
Hanau: where is it located?
Hanau is located in Hesse, Germany.
Hanau: what is there to see?
Highlights include Philippsruhe Palace, Brothers Grimm National Monument, German Goldsmiths' House.
Hanau: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Hanau: why is it worth visiting?
Situated at the confluence of the Kinzig and Main rivers, Hanau is globally recognized as the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm.
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