Fishermen’s Quarter (Fischerviertel)
Ulm, Germany, 89073
Old meets new in Ulm’s Fishermen’s Quarter, the historic artisan enclave where half-timbered houses and water-mill wheels huddle by the water’s edge alongside bijous galleries and courtyard restaurants. Crooked, tilted, and hunched, these restored buildings once belonged to Ulm’s fishermen, shipbuilders, and tanners. Today, their charm draws photographers, painters, and those who enjoy a pretty place.
The basics
The district lines two thin branches of the River Blau, both flowing into the nearby River Danube. The tiny area is so charming that it’s a staple on Ulm walking tours, where guides give the background to the city’s artisans in the Middle Ages. The area is primarily vehicle-free, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll, stopping for a coffee, drink, or a browse of the shops when passing through.
Things to know before you go
A walk through the streets here will take around 15 minutes if you don’t plan to linger.
The nearest public restrooms are a short walk away in Ulm old town on Lautenberg.
The area is paved with rough cobblestones, rendering it difficult for people who use wheelchairs.
How to get there
Head to the River Blau on the southern fringes of Ulm old town. While the district is small and loosely defined, most people consider it to be the area around the two branches of the River Blau—right on its banks. You can find it easily on foot if you’re in the old town. Public transport users can take bus No. 5 to Steinerne Brücke, while drivers can find parking spaces in the nearby Parkhaus Fischerviertel.
When to get there
A stroll through the Fishermen’s Quarter is pleasant at any time. The liveliest season is summer when festivals sometimes take place in the narrow streets. Nighttime is also a fun time to visit the area, with tour guides often dressing as historical nightwatchmen to get in the theme.
The world’s most crooked hotel
Although all the buildings in Ulm’s Fishermen’s Quarter are picturesque, one really commands attention. Make sure you pass by the Schiefes Haus, a flower-bedecked, timbered thing of beauty listed as the most crooked hotel in the world by Guinness World Records in 1997. Rooms are slanted and full of character. Add it to your “place to stay list” if you have one.
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