What to do in Darmstadt
Hannah
Darmstadt is a city of science, therefore also a city of universities and therefore, most importantly, a city of students!
Many young people live in Darmstadt, studying or starting their new life after finishing a degree. That makes for a youthful and tolerant atmosphere and a quality of life that you’d probably not expect at first glance. How do I prove that? Well, spending a day in Darmstadt and getting to know the city better than just from the daily routes, sounds like a great idea. So here is what to do in Darmstadt:
So, I did mention Darmstadt being a city of science, didn’t I? While science might sound like something that’s just for the people with the right classes, there are some interesting things to discover – even if you are not studying physics. The European Space Agency, the ESA has its headquarters in the city and they open the doors on guided tours! Take a look at the high-end technology with which the team of the European Space Operations Centre manages the ESA network on Earth and controlled already over 60 satellites on their missions. In addition to the headquarters, the “EUMETSAT”, the European organisation for the use of meteorological satellites offers tours through their working spaces.
So, the ESA has to do something with stars and what is the best spot to look at the stars? Outside of the city, surrounded by nature! (That was an impeccable transition, wasn’t it? ;)) But really, with the “Odenwald” and the wine yards at the “Bergstraße” Darmstadt has to offer so many green places of retreat. For example the “Fischbachtal” and the mountain “Rimdidim” (which sounds to me like at least one witch is housing there) or the famous “Burg Frankenstein”.
Darmstadt is a perfect starting point for beautiful hikes or picnic day trips. Another great opportunity to connect with nature is the “Hof Oberfeld”. It is a loved field trip destination for families and a sweet address for good coffee and cake. But most important is the farm’s special offer to every fan of sustainable nutrition. You can rent your own little field! The “Hof Obernfeld” will provide the prepared ground, some young plants, seeds and all the needed equipment. For one season you can maintain your little garden, and in the end, harvest your own vegetables! No need for your own garden or professional gardening equipment. They make homegrown food available for everyone.
After a hard day of caring for your vegetables a relaxed evening activity is exactly what you need. And because there are different preferences, Darmstadt offers a variety of ideas. First of all: Staying at home. Okay, I admit “staying at home” has nothing to do with getting to know Darmstadt but let me explain. There is a film about the TU (University of Technologies) in Darmstadt, or rather it’s a comedy about two young men studying there. Especially if you are a student of the TU this film is practically a requirement.
Of course, you can also decide to go out. The “Merck Philarmonic Orchestra” gives many concerts with a wide range of concepts, especially worth seeing (or rather hearing) are their Garden concerts in the summer or the “Magic of Movies” concert. More music is to be found at the “Golden Leaves Festival” in the late summer. With their motto “Spread Love for Great Music” you can dive into a world of music, musicians, and art.
In Darmstadt’s oldest inn the “Goldene Krone,” you can enjoy music, but also poetry slams, occasional theatre, kicker, billiard or just a calm evening of sitting together with a drink. Vibrating with that special student-energy the and a good portion of the traditional “Hessisch”, the dialect of the region around Darmstadt, the “Goldene Krone” makes for a unique evening.
But Darmstadt is not only a city of science, there also exists an enthusiastic scene for board games. Every year the “Darmstadt spielt” convention takes place in the city. The special thing about this convention is that you don’t come there to buy board games, you come to borrow them. It is a day filled with cards, dice, strategy, luck, some nerdiness and hopefully a lot of fun! But the people from Darmstadt do not just play once a year. In cafés like the “Spielhaus,” you can sit with a coffee or tea, or a lent board game and spend the evening with Monopoly dollars or UNO cards. Believe me, if you haven’t played UNO in a long time, you will remember how funny this game can be, especially when playing a little more recklessly than as a child… 😉
From enjoying the calmness of nature to music, from science nerds to board game nerds, there is a place for everyone in this young community. All I can say is: Enjoy your day in Darmstadt!
All photo rights by International Campus GmbH.