Mannheim was a convenient layover on our weekend train journey to Karlsruhe. We had just enough time for lunch, so we decided to head to one of the coolest lunch spots in the city.

Enter the Fernmedleturm Tower – a telecommunication tower that stands over 700 feet tall. It was built in the 1970s and sits on the banks of the Neckar river. We took the lift up to the Skyline restaurant, which is a revolving restaurant that sits at 400 feet within the tower. Fortunately, we found it quite empty as we didn’t think to make a reservation – a common mistake foreigners make when eating out in Germany.

The reception area, kitchen, and restrooms are all in the inner part of the restaurant. The tables are on the outer, revolving edge. The turning section is less than ten feet wide and turns quickly enough that you notice but not so fast that you’re dizzy. We enjoyed our sky high view of Mannheim, seen between the many support beams, as we ate lunch.



Most of the beams have names on them to give you an idea of what you are seeing in the distance.



For once I didn’t mind the slower pace of German meals. We lingered over our meal for nearly an hour and a half so that we could experience a full 360 degree rotation of the restaurant. While the slowly changing views made the experience worth it, the food at the Skyline restaurant was just okay. We both ordered the signature Skyline burger with fries, but the burger tasted very strange to me. I think it was simply a difference in the meat and perhaps the cooking style (or the fact that my taste buds are picky and American). I was also quite amused when we were served three ketchup packets on a platter with our meal. I do miss the bottles of ketchup that adorn American restaurant tables – just one of the many differences between Germany and the USA.

We ended up paying €50 for two meals and two soft drinks plus the €4 charge per person to take the lift up to the restaurant. There’s also an option to take the lift to the observation deck instead.

Overall, I definitely recommend the tower restaurant and I’d like to visit again. We had some time left before our next train, so we were able to fit in a few more sights in Mannheim.

We saw Friedrichsplatz as crews prepared for some Fasching celebrations.



The building behind the hastily erected Ferris wheel is the old water tower. It was built in 1886 and is nothing like American water towers with its Romanesque style, open staircase, and sculptures. It was a favorable spot for love locks.



The surrounding area is gorgeous, even in winter.



Our last stop was the Mannheimer Schloss (palace), which remains functional as the main building of the University of Mannheim.



We caught a glimpse of the Mannheimer Traditionscorps practicing at the palace. They appeared to be practicing for a Fasching parade.



We spent just under five hours in Mannheim and I’ve already bookmarked several places, including the Rose garden, the Städtischer Hauptfriedhof, and the Planetarium, in my hopes that we’ll visit again.

Have you been to Mannheim? What would you recommend?

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