Hotels in Saarbrucken

Like German cities with added joie de vivre? The vibrant capital of the Saarland region in south-west Germany is just minutes from the border, giving it an undeniable French flavour. You can see it in the city’s culture, taste it in its cuisine and immerse yourself in it at St Johanner Markt, the large square teeming with vibrant cafes. With a picturesque setting on the curves of the river Saar, Saarbrucken’s architectural character is dominated by the 18th century Baroque buildings, clustered in the centre of this small but charming city.

Whether you’re here for a walk in the Deutsch-Französischer Garten or to sample the best local delicacies, you can enjoy comfort and value-for-money in great locations with a stay in our Premier Inn Saarbrucken hotels.

If you love the quaint yet vibrant feel of Saarbrucken, you’ll love the historic city of Stuttgart. It’s just two and half hours away by direct train, and it also has a beautiful central square that’s well worth a visit. If shopping’s more your thing, there’s retail therapy aplenty in the larger city of Cologne, or why not  try nearby Mannheim? Just an hour and half’s drive away, this university city has a fascinating cultural heritage to explore. But wherever your trip takes you, you’ll find a super-comfy bed ready and waiting at one of our German Premier Inn hotels. 

Idyllic, cosy cafes abound in Saarbrucken! The locals here are real foodies, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to brunch spots. Have a coffee (or a glass of bubbly French Crémant) in one of the many restaurants or pubs in the pedestrianised main square of St Johanner Markt, ideal for sitting and watching the world go by. Plus, every Saturday there’s an open-air market where farmers come to sell their wares.

Saarbrucken’s architectural flavour is all thanks to the 18th century Baroque architect Friedrich-Joachim Stengels. You’ll find examples of his work scattered throughout the town centre, but one of the finest has to be Saarbrucken Castle. This popular tourist attraction can date its history back to the year 999. It was extensively redesigned by Stengels at the behest of Prince Wilhelm Heinrich, and underwent a magnificent restoration in 1989 that gave it a state-of-the-art central block made of glass and steel. It’s now a venue for concerts, cultural events and city festivities.

Saarland Museum is home to artworks both traditional and contemporary. Its Moderne Galerie houses one of the most important collections of German impressionist, expressionist and informal art in the country. Or there’s the Stadtgalerie Saarbrucken, a Baroque building with an ever-changing roster of contemporary art exhibitions, including performances. Alternatively, you could just wander the city and discover urban art in the form of huge colourful murals painted on the facades of buildings.

Saarbrucken is known for being a leafy, scenic city with Baroque architecture set on the banks of the Saar River. Fun fact – it was once actually three separate towns! Saarbrucken as we know it today was created in 1909 by the merger of Saarbrucken, St Johann and Malstatt-Burbach. But the city is just as famous for its industrial past, because it was the transport centre of the Saar coal basin. Although the coal mines are now closed, you can still hike up to the nearby Grühlingstrasse which documents the influence of mining on the landscape and offers panoramic views of the Saar Coal Forest.

The international Saarbrucken Airport is just 15km from the city centre, but because it’s one of the smallest in Germany, you’re more likely to fly into Frankfurt. If that’s the case, you’ll find frequent shuttle buses that take you straight into Saarbrucken Dudweiler bus station. If you’re travelling by car, take the Autobahn A6 and A620. By train, Saarbrucken Central Station (Saarbrucken Hauptbahnhof) is on the Paris-Frankfurt high-speed route.

With both German and French influences, Saarbrucken boasts some of the best food in the country. Head to one of the city’s traditional restaurants and try Dibbelabbes, a baked potato dish made with dried meat, bread, eggs, leeks and garlic which is sliced and served with apple sauce. Or go to a beer garden for a Schwenkbraten, pork grilled over a swinging barbecue. For dessert, try Quetsche Kuchen (a type of plum tart) washed down by an Apfelwein (apple wine). Of course, you can also enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast at any of our Premier Inn hotels in the city too. 

This university city has a vibrant nightlife scene, buzzing with beer gardens, clubs and craft beer bars. Take your pick of the pubs in the centre of the city - and there’s no need to grab a cab because all the main venues can be reached on foot. Or head to the hip Nauwieser district (Nauwieser Viertel). By day it’s known for its independent shops, but by night the pubs and bars come alive with revellers. Just outside the city centre, the old East Harbour area has been revamped and now plays host to parties and cultural events.

Little ones won’t get bored during short breaks in Saarbrucken! This city has plenty of popular activities for kids, whether you fancy visiting the animals at Saarbrucken Zoo, riding cable cars at the Deutsch-Französischer Garten, or climbing the trees at Adventure Park Saar, located in Saarbrucken’s municipal forest.