The first stop on our enchanting mini-road trip along the German Fairy Tale Route is ‘Grimmstadt’ Kassel. From Brussels, it is only a five-hour drive to the city where the Brothers Grimm lived and worked for many years, and where the famous Water Games can be seen.
Kassel is located on the German Fairy Tale Route, a tourist route from Hanau to Bremen that passes through places associated with the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.
It is a medium-sized city in the north of the German state of Hesse, picturesque located along the Fulda River. In 1812, the Brothers Grimm published the first version of their famous fairy tale collection here. As a result, Kassel is often referred to as the ‘Grimmstadt’.
What to do in Kassel?
Berg Park
One of the most famous sights in Kassel is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, which was developed over a period of three centuries into a masterpiece of baroque landscape architecture. This style is characterized, among other things, by a theatrical arrangement in which the landscape tells a story.
The park is the largest mountain park in Europe and primarily attracts tourists because of the spectacular water displays that can be seen from May 1 to October 3 on Wednesdays and Sundays. At 2:30 PM, more than 750,000 liters of water cascade down from the Hercules monument. You can follow the water flow over a distance of 2.3 km until it reaches the Great Fountain almost 1.5 hours later. The sluices of the various stations are opened manually. So, you need to hurry a bit from time to time to not miss the spectacle. You follow the water from one station to the next. Access to the park is free.
Castle Wilhelmshöhe
You can also visit Schloss Wilhelmshöhe. The palace was built in the late 18th century by Landgrave Wilhelm IX of Hesse-Kassel, who made it his summer residence. Today, the palace is a museum featuring original preserved rooms and hundreds of paintings, mainly by Flemish and Dutch artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck. You can also find strange curiosities like PEZ dispensers, gnomes, old toys, traffic signs, and more.
Löwenburg Castle
The impressive Löwenburg Castle was also built by Landgrave William IX of Hesse-Kassel. Due to his passion for medieval architecture, he had this palace constructed as if it were a medieval ruin. The castle was heavily damaged during World War II but reopened to the public in 2022 after years of restoration. You can only visit the museum with a guide.
Although access to the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe is free, you do need to pay for entry to the museums.
A tip for your visit
The MeineCardPlus provides free access to this and more than 100 other attractions. You receive this card for free when you stay overnight at several accommodations in the region.
For a visit to Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, you can park at the Schlosshotel, at the Ochsenallee parking lot, or at the Herkules Visitor Center. Additionally, you can also take the bus or tram to the park.
GRIMMWELT Kassel
A visit to GRIMMWELT Kassel is a must. Here, you will learn more about the Brothers Grimm during an interactive exhibition. Follow the breadcrumbs to explore the various rooms, all named after words from the Brothers Grimm’s German dictionary. Besides being collectors of fairy tales, they were also linguists who aimed to document all German words in the Deutscher Wörterbuch, including their origin, meaning, and usage.
The museum has both a permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions. From August 23, 2025, to April 12, 2026, the exhibition ‘Ich, das Tier’ will be showcased, focusing on animals in comic stories. In addition to the exhibitions, small artists will also have their say in the museum’s #GRIMMAtelier.
A visit to the museum is possible from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Admission tickets can be purchased at the entrance. With the MeineCardPlus, you get free access.
The museum is located in a car-free zone. You can park your car in the underground parking at Friedrichsplatz. From there, it is about a ten-minute walk along the panoramic path to the museum. If you are traveling with a camper, you can park at Karlsplatz, for instance.
Kurhessen Thermal Baths
After a busy day, it’s wonderful to relax in the thermal baths of Kassel. The baths are designed in Japanese style. There are saltwater pools, jacuzzis, saunas, and – a favorite among the kids – a large slide.
The spa is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM. With the MeineCardPlus, you get two hours of free access to the swimming pool and saunas.
Where to eat in Kassel?
Kassel truly has something for everyone. We chose to have lunch at the charming Alte Wache. Here you will find classic cuisine in an extremely elegant setting. There is a separate children’s menu available. The ultimate advantage of this restaurant is its location, just a 5-minute walk from Schloss Wilhelmshöhe.
We dined at the Japanese Wasabi Sushi. The restaurant recently moved to this location, and the interior gives it a refined, modern atmosphere. On weekends, it becomes truly spectacular when they serve the food with a smoking effect.
Our guide gave us several other recommendations:
- Il Convento – Italian with flair
This Italian restaurant serves classic dishes with flavor and finesse. The restaurant is built on the remnants of an old church, giving it a unique atmosphere. Reservations are recommended! - Eckstein – hip & cozy
Eckstein feels like a mix between a bistro and a city café, with a creative menu full of surprises. From vegetarian bowls to juicy burgers, everything is prepared with care. - Junbi – bubble tea & Japanese street food vibes
Junbi has an Asian fusion kitchen: bubble tea, ramen, gyoza, or Japanese snacks. The interior is modern and colorful. - Sakura – Dining in style in Japan
Sakura is a bit fancier than Wasabi, but still accessible. Here you can choose from an extensive menu featuring sushi, sashimi, and warm Japanese dishes. Ideal for a more special dinner – and the portions are generous! - Eislust – original ice creams for warm days
A hidden gem for ice cream lovers and an absolute favorite of our guide. Eislust serves artisanal ice cream with original flavors.
Where to stay in Kassel?
We sleep at Campingplatz Kassel, just three kilometers from the city center and near the Karlsaue park. Located by the Fulda river, this modern campsite is the ideal base for a visit to the city.
There is a spacious sanitary block, a laundry room, a relaxation area, and you can even rent an electric stove. In the morning, you can pick up freshly baked rolls at the reception.
An overnight stay at the campsite includes a MeineCardPlus that grants free access to numerous activities.
Have questions or comments? Feel free to send us a message.