From crime stories to art and culinary delights – Darmstadt Marketing offers special insights into the city
Discover Darmstadt from unusual perspectives: In November 2026, Darmstadt Marketing is once again offering numerous public themed tours. The program ranges from historical crime cases and mysterious stories about the Mathildenhöhe to insights into the Science Palace and the Merck company. New this year are three culinary offerings related to the exhibition "A Step Ahead – 125 Years of Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt." The pre-Christmas season will also feature in the tours at the end of the month.
The so-called highlight tours are aimed at both visitors and residents of Darmstadt who would like to get to know their city from a different perspective.
Art and culinary delights on the Mathildenhöhe
In November, three new event formats will combine a visit to the special exhibition “A Step Ahead – 125 Years of Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt” with culinary offerings from the Café Restaurant Mathildenhöhe.
At "Art & Snacks," guests are first treated to an aperitif with small culinary surprises. This is followed by a guided tour of the exhibition, which explores the visionary ideas of the artists' colony and current design issues. The first event takes place on Wednesday, November 11, at 5:30 p.m. The event lasts 90 minutes and costs €45, including admission.
"Art & Brunch" combines a guided tour of the exhibition with a shared breakfast. After a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice, participants explore the exhibition and then enjoy a relaxing end to the morning at the Café Restaurant Mathildenhöhe. The first event is on Sunday, November 15, at 10:00 a.m. The event lasts approximately three hours and costs €47.50, including admission.
The "Art & Dinner" evening begins with an aperitif and an amuse-bouche, followed by an exclusive guided tour of the exhibition. Afterwards, a three-course meal is served at the Café Restaurant Mathildenhöhe. The first event takes place on Friday, November 20, at 5:30 p.m. The approximately four-hour event costs €87.50, including admission.
All three formats will also be offered in December 2026 and January 2027. Furthermore, they can be booked exclusively for private groups, corporate events, or special occasions.
Crime stories from Darmstadt's past
Two guided tours with tour guide Matthias Lothhammer deal with unusual and sometimes dark chapters of the city's history.
On Sunday, November 1st, the focus will be on a gang of robbers who were executed approximately 200 years ago. Under the title "Darmstadt Criminal History(ies): The Execution of a Robber Gang 200 Years Ago – A Search for Clues," Lothhammer will recount the lives of the robbers and their final days, drawing on old court records. The tour concludes at the site of the former scaffold.
A week later, on Sunday, November 8, a mysterious historical object takes center stage: the alleged death mask of William Shakespeare. The artifact, kept in Darmstadt, is said to depict the face of the English playwright after his death. However, whether it is actually Shakespeare's is disputed. The guided tour sheds light on the history of the object and the people associated with it.
Both tours last 90 minutes and cost €14.50, or €11 for concessions.
Yoga between art and architecture
Mathildenhöhe offers a special combination of movement and art on Sunday, November 8th.
In “A Step Ahead: Art & Yoga”, participants first experience a 60-minute yoga session in the museum. Movement, breathing, and mindfulness are intended to provide a new way of accessing art and architecture.
Afterwards, guests can visit the special exhibition on their own.
This offer is expressly aimed at people without yoga experience. Participants must bring their own yoga mat. The cost, including exhibition admission, is €20.
Science Castle and Old Cemetery
On Friday, November 13th, the University and State Library of TU Darmstadt in the Science Palace will open its doors for a special guided tour.
Participants will learn more about the library's holdings, services, and historical significance as a place of research and teaching. The one-hour tour begins at 5 p.m.
The following day, Saturday, November 14th, the atmosphere at the Old Cemetery will be atmospheric and mysterious. A two-hour lantern tour will focus on people who died young or whose life stories still raise questions today.
Among old gravestones and in the lantern light, personal stories and historical events come alive. Guests are welcome to bring their own lanterns.
Merck offers insights into the world of research
The Darmstadt-based science and technology company Merck is also participating in the November program with a special guided tour.
On Friday, November 20, interested parties can get to know the “World of Life Science” as part of the Merck Experience Fridays.
Interactive stations and applications using virtual and augmented reality demonstrate how scientific research is translated into practical solutions for health, everyday life and the environment.
The event starts at 1:30 p.m. and lasts approximately three and a half to four hours. Participation is free, but prior registration is required.
Only residents of Darmstadt or the surrounding region are eligible to participate. The minimum age is 14. Identity checks will be conducted upon entry to the factory premises.
From the princely residence to the Christmas market
On Sunday, November 22nd, another themed tour will focus on the dynastic connections between the House of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Russian Tsar's court.
The tour "The House of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Romanovs" leads from the grave of Landgravine Karoline in the Herrngarten to the Residenz Palace. A visit to the palace museum is also included.
With the start of Advent, the Darmstadt Christmas market finally takes center stage. Starting Saturday, November 28th, special city tours will be offered every Saturday during Advent.
Guests will learn, among other things, where the Christmas trees come from and what work goes into organizing the Christmas market. The visit concludes with a mulled wine from a local vintner or a non-alcoholic hot drink, along with a small Christmas treat.
On Sunday, November 29th, the focus will be on Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig, one of the most influential figures in Darmstadt's history. The guided tour will highlight his significance for the Mathildenhöhe artists' colony, the State Museum, and the development of the city.
All special city tours in November 2026
DATES, PRICES AND MEETING POINTS
Sunday, November 1st
3 p.m
Crime story: Execution of a gang of robbers
90 minutes · €14.50 / concession €11
Darmstadt Shop, Town Hall Foyer, Luisenstraße 12
Sunday, November 8
10 O `clock
A Step Ahead: Art & Yoga
60 minutes of yoga, followed by a visit to the exhibition · €20 including admission
Foyer of the Mathildenhöhe Exhibition Building
Sunday, November 8
3 p.m
Crime story: Shakespeare's death mask
90 minutes · €14.50 / concession €11
Entrance to the Royal Palace, large gate to the market square
Wed., November 11
5:30 p.m
A Step Ahead: Art & Snacks
90 minutes · €45 incl. admission
Foyer of the Mathildenhöhe Exhibition Building
Fri., November 13
5 p.m
University and State Library in the Science Palace
60 minutes · €11.50 / concession €9
Royal Palace, south side, large gate to the market square
Saturday, November 14
5 p.m
Old Cemetery – Lantern Tour
120 minutes · €14.50 / concession €11
Entrance Herdweg
Sunday, November 15th
10 O `clock
A Step Ahead: Art & Brunch
Approx. 3 hours · €47.50 incl. admission
Foyer of the Mathildenhöhe Exhibition Building
Fri., November 20
1:30 p.m
Merck Experience Fridays: World of Life Science
3.5 to 4 hours · Free of charge, registration required
Innovation Center, Frankfurter Straße 250, Building B31
Fri., November 20
5:30 p.m
A Step Ahead: Art & Dinner
Approx. 4 hours · €87.50 incl. admission
Foyer of the Mathildenhöhe Exhibition Building
Sunday, November 22
3 p.m
The House of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Romanovs
120 minutes · €14.50 / concession €11
House of History, Karolinenplatz
Saturday, November 28
5 p.m
Advent city tour
90 minutes · €14.50
Darmstadt Shop, Town Hall Foyer, Luisenstraße 12
Sunday, November 29
14 o'clock
Ernst Ludwig: Grand Duke, patron, visionary
120 minutes · €14.50 / concession €11
Obelisk on Wilhelminenplatz
Tickets and further information
Tickets for the paid highlight tours are only available in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the Darmstadt Shop in the town hall foyer, Luisenstraße 12, and online.
Highlight tours and tickets: https://www.darmstadt-tourismus.de/fuehrungen-highlights
Art and culinary delights: https://www.darmstadt-tourismus.de/fuehrungen-kulinarik
Further regular guided tours: https://www.darmstadt-tourismus.de/fuehrungen
(DARMSTADT – RED/DM)
