Neckar Waterfront

The Neckar waterfront in Esslingen is one of the town's most attractive areas, particularly along the Wehrneckarkanal — the medieval canal that branches off the main river and runs through the heart of the lower old town. Lined with willows and backed by the old town walls, the canal has a gentleness that contrasts pleasantly with the grander architecture above.

The waterfront is best explored on foot. A path runs along the north bank of the Neckar proper, with views across to Esslingen's skyline of towers and spires. In summer, the riverside benches and grassy banks fill up with locals; the Esslinger Schwimmbad is also nearby for those who want to swim. The old stone bridges crossing the canal — some dating back several centuries — make the area feel more like a Flemish canal town than a German one.

things to do sight
A story
The Neckar in Esslingen is still a working canal as well as a river, with the medieval Wehrneckarkanal running parallel to the main channel through the lower old town. The canal was built in the Middle Ages to power mills and to give the town's weavers a reliable water supply — at its peak, the textile industry employed most of Esslingen's population. Today the canal runs past the base of the old town walls, shaded by willows, and is crossed by a series of stone footbridges that appear unchanged since the 16th century.