Host Cities

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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