Host Cities

Discover the starting and finish locations of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024.

These are the stages of the Lidl Deutschland Tour 2024!

Prologue: Schweinfurt

1. stage: Schweinfurt - Heilbronn

2. stage: Heilbronn - Schwäbisch Gmünd

3. stage: Schwäbisch Gmünd - Villingen Schwenningen

4. stage: Annweiler am Trifels - Saarbrücken

Schweinfurt

Industry, art and cycling history

The Deutschland Tour 2024 starts right in the heart of Lower Franconia. The independent city of Schweinfurt forms the starting point for Germany's most important cycling race with the prologue and the first stage.

Schweinfurt is refreshingly innovative, world-class in terms of art history and characterized by exciting contrasts between "industry and art" and "Franconian wine and traditional festivals".

Cycling has always played a special role in Schweinfurt. Important Schweinfurt bicycle inventions such as Ernst Sachs' freewheel hub, which made a rear brake possible and was the standard for utility bicycles for decades, originated in the district-free city.

The same goes for the bicycle pioneer Philipp Moritz Fischer, who made a decisive contribution to the development of the bicycle by means of the pedal crank and provided the impetus for the later high-wheel bicycle.

Schweinfurt has also hosted the Deutschland Tour in the past - most recently in 2006 as the finish of stage 3.

The prologue to the start of the tour will take place in Schweinfurt on August 21. In the past two years, a short city course has caused a stir in the starting towns of Weimar and St. Wendel. And it will also be exciting in Schweinfurt when just a few seconds will decide who gets the leader's jersey of the Deutschland Tour 2024 for the first time. On August 22, the first stage of the Deutschland Tour 2024 will begin in the port city on the Main.

https://www.schweinfurt.de/

Heilbronn

Anticipation for the cycling event is huge in Lidl's namesake hometown. Situated in the gentle Neckar valley, but surrounded by vineyards, the dynamic city offers the professional cyclists a challenging route. Shortly before the opening stage finish, the athletes can expect another steep double-digit climb. This makes the recovery in the lively city center all the more enjoyable.
After all, Heilbronn is a wine town, where people know how to enjoy themselves and celebrate. Preferably with friends and guests. For example, at one of the largest wine festivals in southern Germany, the Heilbronn Wine Village in September. Or at the Festival of Lights, an event in June that celebrates the inner-city Neckar as the city's lifeline with lights, lasers and live music along the gastro mile by the river.

Sport is also celebrated here. Events such as the International High Jump Meeting, the ATP Neckar Cup Heilbronn, the Trollinger Marathon and the VR Bank Triathlon Heilbronn powered by Audi will be sporting highlights in 2024, with the Deutschland Tour featuring prominently.
Heilbronn is a city that wants to be discovered. For example, there is the experimenta, Germany's largest science center, or the diverse wine experiences in the city center, at the city's wineries or in the vineyards. So it's definitely worth coming back.

But for now: a warm welcome to all athletes and guests.

www.heilbronn.de/tourismus

Schwäbisch Gmünd

Places steeped in history, beautiful landscapes, modern companies, creative and hospitable people and a tour through the charming Ostalbkreis district right into the heart of the Middle Ages: Schwäbisch Gmünd is already looking forward to welcoming the professional cyclists, fans, families and visitors to the 2024 Tour of Germany as the finish and stage town.

In a region where the cycling club invited cyclists to compete on the Gmünd race track back in 1890 and Didi Thurau and his "Kotters Racing Team" thrilled the crowds at the prologue and a stage of the Tour of Germany in the early 1980s, the fascination and passion for cycling can still be felt and experienced everywhere today.

Of course, leisure cyclists and day trippers also get their money's worth on the Ostalb and in Schwäbisch Gmünd: The Dreikaiserberge mountains beckon with unique views and plenty of history, the Rems Valley invites you to enjoy its wine and high-quality gastronomy, and in Schwäbisch Gmünd's unique historic old town, undamaged by war, you can take a relaxed stroll through the numerous picturesque alleyways to your heart's content, go shopping in the small stores, or raise a glass with friends in the cafés, restaurants and beer gardens and unwind.

Buildings of European standing, such as the Heilig-Kreuz-Münster and the impressive Johanniskirche, are just as easy to discover on a short tour of the city as the numerous museums and cultural and artistic offerings and the extraordinary tradition of gold and silver jewelry making. The people of Gmünd can also celebrate: for example at several cultural festivals or the worldwide unique tradition of age-related festivals, which have also been included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.

There is much more to discover in Gmünd and the surrounding area: a mysterious rock chapel, a medicinal plant garden of Weleda AG, a blooming city walk, a Bud Spencer outdoor pool, castles, palaces and parks. Tips, suggestions and information can be found on the homepage.

schwaebisch-gmuend.de

Villingen-Schwenningen

Welcome to Villingen-Schwenningen - the gateway to the Black Forest!

Discover the livable and lovable town, centrally located between Stuttgart and Lake Constance in the border triangle, with its many possibilities.

Explore Villingen's historic town center with 'Unserer Lieben Frau' cathedral and the cathedral fountain, charming half-timbered houses, romantic alleyways and babbling brooks. Embark on a fascinating tour into the past of the Zähringer town with its mighty fortified and gate towers and imposing town wall. In the evening, top-class cultural events await you, such as concerts in the Franziskaner Konzerthaus and theater performances in the Theater am Ring.

Schwenningen - once the largest clock town in the world! Today it is a lively district that combines urbanity and nature in perfect harmony. In Schwenningen you can experience a young community and cultural diversity in the municipal gallery and the Neckarhalle, among other places. With three universities and a wide range of educational opportunities, Schwenningen is a university location in the region.

TOP SPORT & FIGUREHEADS
Sport has always played a major role in VS. More than 23,000 members in almost 100 sports clubs play 66 different sports on or in 160 sports facilities. Right at the forefront: the Schwenninger Wild Wings, who have been successfully chasing the puck in the German Ice Hockey League for decades. FC 08 Villingen, South Baden's record cup winners in soccer, and the Black Forest Panthers, who have established themselves in the Pro B basketball league. And these are just a few examples...
From A for fishing to W for water polo - in Villingen-Schwenningen there is a sport to suit everyone.

INTACT ENVIRONMENT & NATURE
Active recreation in nature is made possible by the supra-regional cycling and hiking trails such as the Neckar Valley Cycle Path or the tours of the Black Forest Cycling Paradise. Whether racing bike, gravel bike or mountain bike - there is a suitable surface for every requirement on a tour in the Black Forest. The premium hiking trail Waldpfad Groppertal is also popular, leading along natural paths through impressive Black Forest landscapes. You can also relax and enjoy nature in the 'Schwenninger Moos' nature reserve, which is also home to the source of the Neckar.

NARRI NARRO
Experience one of the traditional customs of Villingen-Schwenningen - the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. During the fifth season, everyday life in the carnival stronghold of Villingen-Schwenningen comes to a standstill from "Schmotziger Donnerstag" to "Fasnetsdienstag".

To ensure that you enjoy your stay with us from the very first second, we offer our guests a comprehensive service through our Tourist Information.
You can find ideas for your stay in Villingen-Schwenningen around the clock on our website.
In Villingen-Schwenningen you can experience the best of Baden and Württemberg - we look forward to seeing you!

Villingen-Schwenningen

Annweiler am Trifels

Between the Palatinate Forest and vineyards on the Southern Wine Route:
Annweiler and the Trifelslandrwald

Even the journey to the Southern Wine Route will amaze you with its beautiful hilly and sun-drenched landscape, which once inspired the Impressionist Max Slevogt to paint his pictures. With vines as far as the eye can see, small villages in between and the edge of the Palatinate Forest crowned by castles behind you.

The most famous castle is the Trifels, where the English King Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned. Today, you have a fantastic view from here across the Rhine plain to the Black Forest and as far as Alsace or the mountains of the Palatinate Forest.

 

The small town of Annweiler am Trifels lies at the foot of the castle. Old half-timbered houses and mill wheels characterize the historic old town and point to the importance of the tanning trade for the medieval town. Today, visitors can discover the Museum unterm Trifels, the Trifelsbad and the Markwardanlage, a spacious park with a playground, Kneipp facility and barrier-free tour, and enjoy a relaxing time.

Then you want to get out and explore the countryside: on cycle paths of varying degrees of difficulty, from pleasure cycling through the sunny vineyards to mountain biking in the forest. On well-marked hiking trails on narrow forest paths with springy, sandy ground. And the highlight is a stop at a wine tavern, a Palatinate Forest hut or a fine restaurant. Whether Riesling or Burgundy, Saumagen or entrecote - Palatinate cuisine is simply good.

https://www.annweiler.de/de/

suedlicheweinstrasse.de

Saarbrücken

Lively. Tasteful. Creative

Saarbrücken fascinates with a lively cultural landscape, a tasteful cuisine characterized by French influences and a charming green surrounding area. In the state capital of Saarland, the region's heritage and creative change merge to create a unique living experience.

Whether state theater or youth stage, urban art, museums, galleries, festivals, nightlife and scene culture - culture pulsates in Saarbrücken with a remarkable variety of offerings. Historical testimonies and contemporary art meet here in the middle of the city and create a unique atmosphere.

Saarland joie de vivre with French charm

The Saar metropolis is also known for its excellent cuisine. The French-inspired cuisine combined with regional delicacies makes gourmet hearts beat faster. The "savoir vivre", the special Saarland joie de vivre, is best enjoyed in the cafés and bistros around the historic St. Johanner Markt.

Enjoy nature

As the greenest state capital in Germany, Saarbrücken not only invites you to go hiking, walking, cycling or mountain biking in the surrounding forests. "Der Staden", the green oasis in the middle of the city directly on the Saar, is a place of relaxation and an active meadow for young and old. While the German-French Garden park close to the city center and the centrally located zoos such as Saarbrücken Zoo or the Wildlife Park offer nature-oriented time-outs right on the doorstep.

Sports culture in Saarbrücken - active right up to the top

Saarbrücken has a vibrant sporting culture that combines sporting diversity and top-class sport. In addition to 1. FC Saarbrücken in soccer, based in Saarbrücken's Ludwigsparkstadion, table tennis and badminton are also very popular. Prominent names such as Patrick Franziska and the 1. BCB Saarbrücken Bischmisheim play a major role in this scene. In addition, Saarbrücken is proud to be the home of the Rhineland-Palatinate/Saarland Olympic Training Centre, where sports enthusiasts have the opportunity to train like professionals and realize their sporting ambitions.

Saarbrücken extends a warm welcome to all guests and athletes!

visit.saarbruecken.de