Mannheim Culture & Music

Kunsthalle Mannheim

The Kunsthalle Mannheim is one of the most important art museums in Germany. The award-winning new building on Friedrichsplatz brings together classical modernism and contemporary art — from Manet and Beckmann to room-filling installations. The light-flooded building is itself a work of art.

Tip: For the changing special exhibitions, it is worth checking the programme in advance.

Mannheim Palace

The baroque Mannheim Palace is among the largest palace complexes in Europe. Once the residence of the Electors Palatine, it today houses the university and the palace museum. State rooms, the Knights' Hall and the palace church bear witness to the Electoral Palatinate splendour of the 18th century.

Lunch in the squares

Around the palace and the squares there are cafes, bistros and Electoral Palatinate taverns for a lunch break. A relaxed refuel before heading to the National Theatre in the afternoon.

National Theatre Mannheim

The National Theatre Mannheim is one of the oldest theatres in Germany — this is where Schiller's 'The Robbers' had its premiere in 1782. Drama, opera and ballet under one roof make it a cultural pillar of the city. Guided tours offer a glimpse behind the scenes of this venerable house.

Tip: If you would like to catch a performance, secure your tickets well in advance.

Water Tower and Friedrichsplatz

The Water Tower and the Art Nouveau grounds of Friedrichsplatz form one of the most beautiful ensembles in Germany. Among arcades, water features and flower beds, the afternoon can wind down in style — a rewarding stop on the way into the city centre.

A cultural evening in the city centre

In the squares and the Oststadt, restaurants, wine bars and cultural venues line up one after another. Over Electoral Palatinate or international cuisine, the first day of culture can come to a cosy close — perhaps after a visit to the theatre.

Staying in the city centre

A central location in the squares or the Oststadt keeps distances to theatres, museums and concert venues short. Ideal for taking in culture on the spur of the moment in the evening too.

Reiss-Engelhorn Museums

The Reiss-Engelhorn Museums in the squares are among the largest museums of cultural history in Germany. Spread across several buildings, they present archaeology, world cultures, art and photography. First-class special exhibitions make the museums known beyond the region.

Pop Academy in the Jungbusch

The Pop Academy Baden-Wuerttemberg in the Jungbusch is the central training institution for German pop music. Set on the connecting canal, it shapes Mannheim's reputation as a UNESCO City of Music. Around the academy you can feel the creative pulse of the young music scene.

Tip: The Jungbusch regularly hosts concerts and showcases by young bands — a look at the events programme is worthwhile.

Lunch in the Jungbusch

The Jungbusch is a melting pot of cuisines: from Turkish to vegan, from the snack stand to the trendy venue, it is all close together here. An authentic lunch in the city's most creative quarter.

Multihalle in Herzogenriedpark

The Multihalle in Herzogenriedpark is a masterpiece of architecture — the largest free-spanning timber gridshell in the world, created for the 1975 Federal Garden Show. The delicate structure is regarded as an icon of modern engineering and is used today for culture and events.

A walk along the Stephanienufer

The Stephanienufer on the Neckar offers a quiet promenade with views of the water. At sunset, many people from Mannheim stroll here along the river. A contemplative moment before the musical evening in the Jungbusch begins.

A music evening in the Jungbusch

The Jungbusch is Mannheim's nightlife quarter and the heart of the City of Music: live clubs, bars and concert venues create the mood late into the night. From pop and jazz to electro, the day of culture comes to a close over music and good food.