There are some interesting things to do in Mannheim and since it has an interesting historical connection with Heidelberg we decided that it was definitely worth spending an evening there.
After running around the Heidelberg palace with the kids we wanted something a little more slow paced. Somewhere we could catch a good meal and simultaneously enjoy a different vibe. Mannheim fit the bill perfectly.
Mannheim is a small city with a Baroque palace that is situated right in its center. Unlike the ornate castles and palaces that we see in Germany, this one is pretty much situated on flat land. Despite the fact that it was a holiday when we visited, the downtown area of the city was bustling and people were chilling everywhere.
This is why I say that Mannheim is a great place to visit no matter which day you are passing through!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclaimer for further information.
Looking for a great tour to explore Mannheim? Take the Guided Walking Tour Through Modern & Historical Mannheim!
Things To Do In Mannheim, Germany – Table Of Contents
History Of Mannheim, Germany
You may not really see it but way back in the 1600s, Mannheim was actually a fort city. In fact, the current palace stands on the exact spot where Friedrichsburg, a fortress once stood. In the 18th century, Elector Karl III Philip decided to move the Palatinate capital from Heidelberg to Mannheim. This was when the palace was constructed.
P.S. If you are a history buff, I would suggest checking out the history of Heiligenberg too!
Things To Do In Mannheim
The city is a bustling place to visit no matter when you visit. There isn’t a whole load of things to do in Mannheim but there is enough to keep your trip there interesting. Plus the city is pretty laid back. It is a great stop if you love history or just want to have a really chill day.
1. The Mannheim Baroque Palace
Visiting the Palace was one of the top things to do in Mannheim!
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 (1 Reviews) Price: $55.85 per person Duration: 1 hour 📍Meeting Point: Mannheim Baroque Palace Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
I’ve already talked about how and why the Mannheim Baroque Palace was built. Let’s talk about the palace in general. The Mannheim Baroque palace is very easy to walk to from pretty much any part of the city.
If you have been to the palace in Versailles in France you will see a similarity in architecture. The Mannheim palace is so big, it is actually the second largest baroque style palace in Europe. Yes! You guessed right! The Palace of Versailles is the biggest one.
The Mannheim Baroque Palace is now a museum and you can buy your tickets to see the inside of the palace. We arrived at the palace at 4:30 and did not want to rush through it so we chose to skip entering the palace. We will probably head back some day.
We did spend some time in the palace grounds just taking in the structure. It was also a great place for the kids to run around while we chilled. Like I said, it was a pretty laid back trip to Mannheim.
You can take a guided tour round the Mannheim Palace to get a deeper understanding about its history and past.
2. The Mannheim Palace Church
Don’t forget to put the Palace church on the list of things to do in Mannheim.
In the vicinity of the palace is the Mannheim Palace church. It was initially built as a court chapel The church is part of the Mannheim Palace. We did not get into it but we did manage to snap a photograph of its façade before we left.
3. The Jesuit Church
The Jesuit church in Mannheim is one of the prettiest buildings that I have ever seen and definitely one of my top recommendations when it comes to things to do in Mannheim Germany.
The outside of the church has a lot of sculptures which is what caught our attention as we passed by. The impressive structure can be seen from most parts of the city.
If you think that the façade of the Jesuit church is beautiful, the interiors are stunning! With a high dome there is a lot of light that filters into the church.
The walls are decorated with large green blocks of stone. I found it fascinating how people used the patterns in the stone to form a larger pattern. It makes the walls of the Jesuit church really pretty.
4. Paradeplatz
If you are looking for some of the relaxing things to do in Mannheim, think about chilling at Paradeplatz.
The Paradeplatz in Mannheim is a bustling city square. You will find a lovely bronze stone fountain at its center. There are loads of small and larger restaurants in the area and while we did visit on a holiday, there were still plenty of people around.
One of the best things to do in Mannheim is to catch a bite to eat at one of these places and just chill next to the fountain. It is a safe place for the kids to have fun and the ambiance is really good. The only downside is that you really need to keep an eye on your child because of the crowds.
Our toddlers loved the bronze fish sculptures. Other kids just played with the water. You may even catch a little music if someone is playing an instrument nearby.
5. Wasserturm
Wasserturm or Water Tower is another famous landmark in Mannheim. You will probably spot it if you are wandering around the city. Since it is tall, it is pretty unmissable. The water tower was built way back in 1889 and is located on Frederick Square. It is very pretty and worth stopping by to check out.
6. Food And Shopping Downtown
One of my favorite things to do in Mannheim was to spend time in the downtown area.
This is probably the heart of all the activity of the city and it has such a lovely laid back vibe. Everyone is strolling around, catching a bite to eat or just sitting and chatting with friends and family.
The area also has a lot of shopping if that floats your boat. Me… I was more interested in the food. So many great places to eat at and so little time.
Pro Tip: You can take a food tour with a local and experience the true Mannheim food scene!
7. Indulge In Some Unique Ice Cream
This is one of the things to do in Mannheim you just cannot miss. Ice cream!
We had some of the best ice cream ever when we were in the city. If you are in the area, you have to visit Il Gelato Vittoria. The place has amazing ice cream sundaes. From ice cream shaped like Mickey Mouse to sundaes topped with alcohol there is a lot to choose from.
You really can’t miss it. We saw everyone seated with heaped bowls of iced and the kids demanded that we stop. Lol. It had been an eventful day and we were all glad for a treat. Just a fair warning. The ice cream sundaes are huge. We shared ours and still could barely finish it.
Where To Stay In Mannheim
Mannheim is a pretty bustling town which means that it has plenty of options when it comes to places to stay. Honestly, if you ask me, there aren’t that many things to do in Mannheim to warrant staying for a long time. It does make a great base if you want to visit Heidelberg and is a very nice place to destress. These are the reasons why I recommend staying here.
NH Mannheim
⭐️ Rating: 8.5/10 (5,683 Reviews) Price: $86 per night 📍Location: 146 Seckenheimer Strasse, Mannheim Details: Read more on booking.com now!
If you are looking for a stylish and yet modern hotel to stay in, think about the NH Mannheim. The rooms are air conditioned and come well furnished with a flat screen TV, a mini bar and a lovely private bathroom.
What I really like is the soft palate and neutral colors that are used to decorate the rooms and the hotel at large. It gives the place a very cozy feeling.
“Super clean and comfortable room, quiet and well equipped. Great location close to the city center. Public transport stop right in front of the hotel, also 24/7 shop at the gas station. Overall amazing stay.”
Katarzyna (read more reviews now!)
The room rate comes with an amazing breakfast buffet which everyone raves about. It is such a great way to start off the morning before heading out to visit Mannheim or Heidelberg. It also has plenty of parking if you are driving here. It does however come with an additional cost.
If you are interested, there is even an onsite bar where you can hang out and meet other guests.
Holiday Inn Mannheim
⭐️ Rating: 8.6/10 (2,407 Reviews) Price: $101 per night 📍Location: Glücksteinallee 1, Mannheim Details: Read more on booking.com now!
One of the best places to stay if you want to be within walking distance to everything in the city is the Holiday Inn Mannheim. This hotel has all the bells and whistles and will not cost you an insane amount of money to stay at.
From concierge services to non-smoking rooms, free wifi and a bar, I found that it had everything one could need for a comfortable stay.
“You can easily access in 2 min by walk from Mannheim station. The room was modern, new and clean. I liked the bright lighting in the room, even though many hotels have dark lighting.”
Beverer (read more reviews now!)
It also has a business center should you want to work or just kick back and relax. Oh and it also has a great buffet continental and American breakfast that you can dig into in the morning.
Looking for a great tour to explore Mannheim? Take the Guided Walking Tour Through Modern & Historical Mannheim!
And there you have it. All the amazing things to do in Mannheim in a nutshell. You have to admit that the city is gorgeous and has some interesting history associated with it. It is also a great place to relax.
