'''Tubingen''' [http://www.tuebingen.de/en/1559.html] is a small university town, located near the geographic center of Baden-Wurttemberg, roughly 30km southwest of Stuttgart.thumb|200px||The river front of Tubingen.
Understand
Tubingen's population of about 85,000 people is a mixture of students, researchers and academics, medical specialists and "Gogen" (the people whose families have been there since forever). The university and its network of hospitals are its economic lifeblood (and the biggest employer in southern Wurttemberg); Eberhard-Karls-Universitaet, founded in 1477, is reputed to be one of the top 5 German universities for studies in German, medicine and law, and Tuebingen serves as a regional medical service hub (they even have a malaria clinic).
About 20,000 students fill Tuebingen's pubs, cafe patios and university lecture halls during "lecture time" (mid of October until mid of February and mid of April until mid of July). Meanwhile, the high concentration of educated folks with lots of free time means that there are plenty of things to do for the size of the town - 16 choirs; 3 theatres; a fine little art gallery; special lecture series at the university; and, of course, constant parties hosted by the student associations of the various departments (it's almost a competition to see whether the chemists or the anthropologists do it better). The town does get quiet, though, in the breaks between semesters (Feb 15 - Apr 15, Jul 15 - Oct 15).
The city dates back to 1078 A.D. and is remarkably well-preserved; only one bomb fell in Word War II - on the house where Goethe lived (or was it Schiller?). The "old town", which lies along the Neckar river, looks much as it would have in the 1600s - its crooked, cobblestoned streets will have you walking in circles, when you're not climbing up and down the stairs built into the sidewalks! The Arts campus of the university lies nearby, while more modern science faculties and student residences perch on the large hills that surround the centre of town. Everywhere you go, there are signs of those who went before, sometimes literally ("Dr. Alzheimer worked in this building"), sometimes less so - you can find Tuebingen's traces in the writings of Hesse and Holderlin...
Tuebingen has fairly good weather compared to the rest of Germany (slightly worse than Freiburg, though). Sudden changes in the weather can make your ears pop heading up into the hills by bus, or just sitting in the marketplace in the centre of town! The medieval architecture, the students' joie de vivre, the 40% of residents who vote for the Green Party, the absurd charm of the constant festivals that wind through the streets...it's a unique little spot.
[http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/ Tuebingen University website, with English pages]
[http://www.tuebingen-info.de/ Official Tubingen Tourist Information]
Get in
By Air
Stuttgart Echterdingen is the closest airport. From there, the easiest way into Tubingen is the 828 Sprinter bus, which runs hourly and takes approx. 48 minutes to about an hour. For bus schedules, go to www.naldo.de. At the bottom left of the page under Mini-Fahrplane, type in 828 and choose the one with the RBS company.
Alternatively, take the train to Herrenberg, and then the S-Bahn train from there to the airport.
If coming from Frankfurt, it takes about 2 to 2.5 hours with at least a change in Stuttgart and sometimes in Mannheim as well. See www.bahn.de and click on the 'international' tab for English pages.
By train
The train from Stuttgart takes about 45min by IRE train or around 1hr by normal train. If you arrive at the main station of Tubingen, don't let the ugly and uninviting surroundings of the train station put you off. Just leave the station behind and keep going (north) and after 10min. walking you'll be right in the old town center.
By car
With Tubingen's terrible traffic system, lots of one-way streets and some eager ticket officers, it is best to park your car as soon as possible and then explore the city on foot or bicycle.
Get around
Best way to get around Tubingen and its surroundings is by bicycle, just like thousands of Tubingen's students. Tubingen is fairly hilly. Just don't forget to lock your bike!
Tubingen has a solid bus system, and a day pass gets you unlimited rides from 8:30AM. As of January 1, 2008, day passes cost 4? for 1 person or 7.50? for 2-5 people. After the buses stop running on Thursday through Friday nights, certain night bus routes are available throughout the city (check the posted schedules at the respective bus stops to see which bus routes stop where and when). On other nights, it is possible to call for a very inexpensive ride on the [http://www.svtue.de/sam.html shared cab service (Sammel Anruf Mietwagen, or SAM)] (page in German only).
Bus tickets can be bought on board every bus (with coins or GeldKarte/ATM Cards only - no paper bills accepted) from the machine behind the driver, or at machines at selected bus stops (but only with a GeldKarte). Note that if you already have a ticket, you can board a bus through any of the doors, as the driver does not inspect tickets upon boarding; rather, fare inspectors patrol the buses at random points during the route. If caught without a valid ticket, fares are a hefty 40?.
See
Tubingen's scenic location between the forests, the Swabian Jura (Schwabische Alb) and the river Neckar make it a beautiful stop in south-west Germany. Its flair is comparable to cities like Heidelberg or Freiburg, although Tubingen is smaller than those cities. The primary attraction is the unspoiled Altstadt (city centre) and the lively student population.
The '''city centre''', full of crooked half-timbered houses, small alleys, cobblestone roadwork and some nice old churches.
The '''river Neckar''' next to the city center, on which the students go punting (similar to what they do in Oxford or Cambridge) in summer time, occasionally with a barbecue and a crate of beer on board.
In June, there is a famous '''punt boat race''' (Stocherkahnrennen) in which more than 40 punting boats race along the river, trying not to come in last, as each crew member of the last boat has to drink half a litre of cod-liver oil. Traditionally, most of Tubingen's student fraternities participate in the race, but also private crews are allowed.
About 6 km north of Tubingen, right in the Schonbuch forest reservation, is the old '''cistercian monastery''' (founded 1187 A.D.) of Bebenhausen (http://www.bebenhausen.de/) with a small village next to it, especially nice to visit at night when part of the monastery is illuminated.
The Schloss, or castle, can be a fun place to wander around. Look at the intricately carved gate at the entrance. Skip most of the center courtyard and head up the stairs on the back side of the courtyard. This leads to a beautiful garden/courtyard, with some beautiful views from atop the wall to the left. Alternatively, go through the tunnel on the backside of the main courtyard that will take you through the backside of the castle, a much more medieval and beautiful part of the Schloss. From back here there is a path that will take you along the wall of the castle and through the woods, ending up on Haagasse very near the Marktplatz.
It's an easy day trip to see the Burg Hohenzollern [http://www.burg-hohenzollern.de/], a fairytale castle dramatically set on top of a conical hill.
Do
Tubingen is situated at the southern rim of the '''Schonbuch'''[http://www.naturpark-schoenbuch.de/], a large forest reservation area which offers some beautiful scenery for hiking, cycling, etc.
If you arrive in Tubingen at summer, make sure you take some time to stroll along the Neckar river, maybe get some ice cream and sit on the old city wall above the water.
If you are more adventurous, you might try yourself at punting: push a large wooden boat with up to 14 passengers along the river using a long wooden pole. It's not as easy as some of the professional punters make it look.
Learn
The Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen [http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/] dates from 1477, making it one of the oldest in Germany.
Vivat Lingua [http://www.vivat-lingua.de/] offers language courses including German as a foreign language.
The city is also host to several research institutes including the Max Planck Institute for Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics [http://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/], Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology [http://www.eb.tuebingen.mpg.de/], The Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the MPG [http://www.fml.tuebingen.mpg.de/], and the Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research [http://www.hih-tuebingen.de/].
Buy
Vinum, on Lange Gasse, across from the Stiftkirche, has many wines, spirits, and other things, and a great atmosphere to boot. A great place to buy a gift for someone.
Mokka, on Collegiumgasse near the Wilhemstift, is a great place to buy teas, coffees, and chocolates. Again, a great place to buy gifts for someone.
There are a some tourist shops that sell souvenirs (mugs, T-Shirts etc.): one at Holzmarkt and the other at Marktplatz
University Shop. eue Aula, Wilhelmstr.. Across the street from the Neue Aula (right by the Neue Aula bus stop) is a university shop, selling sweaters, mugs, hats, and other things with the University logo printed on it.
Eat
One of the most popular places in Tubingen is the '''Neckarmuller''', serving a regional beer brewed in Mossingen with the Swabian specialty Brezeln or an onion dish called Zwiebelkuchen. You can sit outdoors in the beergarden and enjoy the view of the Neckar and its stalk boats.
Right after the Neckarbrucke (neckar bridge) on the corner to Gartenstrasse, facing the Neckarmuller there is a Turkish restaurant called '''Kalender''', where you can order high quality doner kebap called "Scheibendoner".
One of the more special places to eat is the '''Mauganeschtle''', right next to the castle. It specializes in a special Swabian dish called "Maultasche" which is basically a large ravioli and comes in all different kinds of flavors. The restaurant is a bit posh and a little on the costly side, though.
An excellent but usually overbooked Italian restaurant is the '''Al Dente''' below the main church; try the pizza with fresh tomatoes.
Get the best french fries in town from '''X''' on Kornhausstrasse (take Marktgasse off the Marktplatz, it will take you straight to it). In summer time, hundreds of students do this, and take them along with a beer to the market place and spend a warm summer's night right there, squatting on the cobblestones.
'''Manufaktur''', on Haagtorplatz, serves large pizzas for about 5 euro.
'''Istanbul''', just on the south side of the Neckarbruecke, serves some of the best Turkish food in town.
Across the street from the city administrative building is a Thai market that serves dishes for about 5 euro. Standing room only.
On Lange Gasse, just below the Stiftskirche, is an Indian market/restaurant that has inexpensive lunch specials.
'''Wok In''', on Wilhelmstr. just by the Lustnauer Tor bus stop, serves filling, if mediocre, Chinese dishes at bargain prices.
'''El Chico''', in the same building as the Neckarmueller, serves passable Mexican food by German standards. Prices are about 10 euro per dish.
'''Kichererbse''', on Metzgergasse, serves tasty vegetarian Lebanese food.
'''Eiscafe San Marco''', in the Nonnenhaus, serves huge ice cream dishes, including a plate of spaghetti made of ice cream, ice cream "hamburgers" etc.[http://www.san-marco-tuebingen.de/ Eiscafe San Marco]
'''At night''', there are only a few places where you still can get something to eat: "X" near the marketplace, McDonalds Drive-Through on the road to Reutlingen, Burger King at the train station, a small Italian take away in Muhlstrasse, a Doner Kebap next to the Epple-Haus (central bus station) is opened until 4 a.m. on the week-ends, and of course any fuel station.
Stern. ange Gasse 4. Their kitchen is open past midnight and the food is good and cheap (around 5 Euro per meal). They have pizza, pasta, and a few other things. Doubles as a bar and live music venue. Nice atmosphere.
Delivery
There are a few places that deliver food, which may come in handy if you choose to study here for any length of time.
'''Joeys''' [http://www.joeys.de/joeys/95] is a German chain specializing in American style pizza. The crust is a bit cardboardy but it's an old standby.
'''Da Giovanni Pizzaexpress''' [http://www.giovanni-tuebingen.de/] is another pizza place that also has a more extensive selection of pasta dishes.
'''Pizza+Pasta''' [http://www.pizza-pasta.net/] the name says it all. Except the phone number and address.
'''Wienerwald''' [http://www.wienerwald.de/] delivers grilled chicken, spaetzle, and other warm dishes.
'''Goldener Drachen''', Philosophenweg 79, 0 7071 66019. Delivers relatively expensive chinese food.
'''Nordring Service''', Vogelbeerweg 4, 0 7071 9209202. Falafel, etc.
Drink
Best time to visit Tubingen is late spring or summer. Many of the pubs and cafes in the city center then have places to sit outside and hundreds of students populate the central market place until late at night, usually with beer from the nearby chip shop.
'''Schwarzlocher Hof''' [http://www.schwaerzloch.de]. A really old (1085 A.D.) homestead which is now both a restaurant and a beautiful beer garden just west of Tubingen. Go there when the sun sets and order a "Mostbowle", a local cider drink made from apple, mixed with soda.
'''Neckarmuller''', right on the bank of the Neckar by the main bridge, has a beer garden where you can sit outside under the trees and enjoy views of the river on warm nights. Beers run from ?2-?2.70. One can also buy Wursts and pretzels.
'''Storchen''' is a nice atmospheric place for a few beers. Can get very smoky, though. On Ammergasse, west of the X french fries and sausages place.
On warm nights, many students will buy a few bottles of beer or a bottle of wine and go sit in the '''Marktplatz''' and drink. Can be a very fun (and cheaper) alternative to a bar.
'''Tangente Jour''', on the steps of the Stiftkirche, can be a fun place to drink a beer or cup of coffee and people watch.
'''Schlos Cafe''' [http://www.schlosscafe-tuebingen.de/], just below the castle gate, has a cellar bar with a program of live DJs, while upstairs provides a more relaxed environment.
'''Asmara''' [http://www.asmara-bar.de/], between the Stiftskirche and Marktplatz, has live bands (and a cover charge on weekends).
'''Blauer Turm''' [http://www.blauer-turm-tuebingen.de/] is a dance club next to the Blaue Brucke movie theater.
'''Mancuso''' [http://www.mancuso-tuebingen.de/], just across the street from the Blauer Turm is a club, that hosts parties and concerts. International and local DJs play a variety of non-mainstream music (eletronic, reggae, soul, hiphop)
'''Little Italy''' is a bar across the street from the old city wall.
'''Jazz Keller''' [http://www.jazz-keller.com/], on Haaggasse just past the Marktplatz has an assortment of live music.
'''Pequenita''' is a little cosy bar at the Sternplatz with a relaxed atmosphere and sometimes DJs
'''Sudhaus''' [http://www.sudhaus-tuebingen.de/] on the outskirts of town is big a concert and party location. In the summer a very nice beer garden.
'''Epple Haus''' [http://www.epplehaus.de/] youth center. Punk, Reggae and other parties and concerts. Cheap
Sleep
There is a youth hostel right next to the river, not too far away from the city center (10 min. walk) (http://www.jugendherberge-tuebingen.de/).
Another possibility, especially in summer, is the Neckar Camping (http://www.neckarcamping.de), beautifully situated on the shore of the river Neckar and within walking distance (approx. 15 min.) of the old town.
A higher end option is the Hotel am Schloss, just below the castle and in the middle of the Old Town. Double rooms are approximately ?90.
Get out
As in most university cities, it is worth checking the blackboards at the main student cafeterias for car sharing ads. Many students take passengers to other majors cities for shared fuel expenses.
Hitchhiking to/from Stuttgart is quite common; it's best to use a sign with the city symbol (S for Stuttgart, TU for Tubingen)
Deutsche Bahn connects the main train station to the rest of Germany and Europe.
[http://www.kocherlutz.de/ Kocher Lutz] provides bus service to nearby major cities and other tourist destinations (Strasbourg, Munich, Zurich, etc.)