Schauburg
Schauburg is one of Germany's oldest cinemas known for its diverse selection of independent and international films. With its historic charm and cozy atmosphere, it offers a unique cinematic experience for movie enthusiasts.

Filmpalast am ZKM
Located at the ZKM | Center for Art and Media, Filmpalast am ZKM is a modern cinema complex featuring state-of-the-art technology and comfortable seating. It screens a wide range of mainstream movies including blockbusters, family films, and special screenings.

Kinemathek
Kinemathek Karlsruhe is a cultural cinema known for its curated selection of arthouse films, documentaries, and classic movies. It fosters a community of film lovers by hosting discussions, film festivals, and special events throughout the year.

Universum-City Karlsruhe
Universum-City Karlsruhe is a multiplex cinema offering a diverse lineup of mainstream films including Hollywood blockbusters, action-packed thrillers, and romantic comedies. Its convenient location in the city center makes it a popular destination for moviegoers of all ages.

Karlsruhe offers a rich variety of museums, showcasing diverse cultural and artistic experiences. From the esteemed Baden State Museum to the pioneering ZKM | Center for Art and Media, there's something for everyone to explore.

ZKM | Center for Art and Media
As a leading institution at the intersection of art and technology, the ZKM hosts a wide range of exhibitions and interactive installations. Whether you're a seasoned museum-goer or just curious, the ZKM is a must-visit destination in Karlsruhe. Immerse yourself in media art or unwind with some retro gaming experiences at the center.

Baden State Museum
Delve into the cultural heritage of the Baden region through the Baden State Museum's extensive collections and rotating exhibits. Gain insights into history, art, and archaeology as you explore the museum's diverse offerings.

Municipal Gallery Karlsruhe
Dedicated to contemporary art, the Municipal Gallery showcases both emerging and established artists, contributing to Karlsruhe's dynamic art scene. Explore thought-provoking exhibitions and engage with the latest trends in contemporary art.

State Museum of Natural History
Take a journey through the natural world at the State Museum of Natural History. Discover captivating exhibits, including a vivarium housing a variety of species, and participate in educational programs suitable for visitors of all ages.

Museum beim Markt
Located in the heart of the city, Museum beim Markt provides insights into Karlsruhe's local history and traditions. Explore artifacts and displays that highlight the region's cultural heritage and historical significance.

Recognized as Germany's first and only UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts, Karlsruhe embraces innovation, creativity, and interdisciplinary collaboration in media arts. This prestigious designation underscores Karlsruhe's commitment to sustainable urban development by merging culture, technology, and creativity.

Karlsruher Schlosslichtspiele
Experience the enchanting Karlsruhe Schlosslichtspiele, illuminating the historic Karlsruhe Palace with mesmerizing light projections and multimedia displays since 2015. Blending art, technology, and history, the Schlosslichtspiele captivate visitors with intricate video mappings and interactive installations. The Schlosslichtspiele take place every evening at nightfall from mid-August to mid-September. 

ZKM
Explore the ZKM | Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, a dynamic institution blending art and technology since 1989. Dive into immersive exhibits and interactive displays pushing the boundaries of digital media and contemporary art. With its innovative programming and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, the ZKM invites visitors to engage with the evolving landscape of artistic expression in the digital age.

Germany hosts various supermarket chains, offering different shopping experiences. Discounters like Lidl, Aldi, Penny and Netto provide budget-friendly options with a more limited selection and fewer branded products.
Edeka and Rewe are more expensive than the discounters, especially when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables. However, when shopping for other groceries, you can usually find cheap no-name products here too. In contrast to the discounters, the product selection is larger.

Supermarkets remain closed on Sundays and public holidays, so it's essential to shop ahead of time. From Monday to Saturday, most supermarkets operate between 7 am and 8 am, closing between 8 pm and 10 pm, with some staying open until midnight.

Looking to cook food from your home country but not sure where to find the ingredients? Karlsruhe boasts a variety of international supermarkets catering to different culinary traditions. You'll discover a diverse selection of Asian, Turkish, Arabic, and Eastern European/Russian food in these small supermarkets scattered throughout the city.

If you're looking for fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the farmer, the farmers' market is the place to go. There are several markets in Karlsruhe in the various city districts. You can also find speciality foods and delicacies here. Below you will find the largest ones with opening hours.
 

If you're in need of room essentials or cooking utensils, IKEA offers a wide selection at affordable prices. Alternatively, second-hand department stores provide a budget-friendly option for second-hand clothes, furniture, and household goods.

Karlsruhe offers plenty of choice when looking for new clothes. In Kaiserstraße, Postgalerie and Ettlinger Tor (the largest shopping centre in Karlsruhe) in particular, you will find everything you need.

Canteens operated by the "Studierendenwerk" are conveniently located throughout the city, accepting payment via your student ID. You have the flexibility to choose the canteen that suits you best. Additionally, there is a canteen within the DHBW Karlsruhe building. For an overview of all canteens, visit the Studierendenwerk website. Meals typically range from €3 to €4, and you can also find coffee and snacks available.

The Oxford Chain are student restaurants, which offer very good and cheap food as well as cheap drinks. Charles Oxford is a burger restaurant with high quality extravagant food. The atmosphere is very nice.

Both are run by the same owner.

The Stövchen is a cult pub in Karlsruhe where you can enjoy typical German food.

Kulturküche is a place to go for lunch; it runs completely on donations and offers a fresh and alternating menu every day, while also serving as a social gathering center. For example biweekly game nights on Fridays in coorperation with the Buddy program of the KIT.

AKK (Working Group for Culture and Communication)
Located on the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology campus, the AKK hosts numerous evening events that enrich campus life, including dance courses, workshops, and open-air events. Its cultural café offers a space for students to socialize over coffee or cool drinks from 9:30 am to 5 pm on weekdays. Most events at the AKK are free, making it a great spot to hang out with friends in a student-friendly atmosphere.

Z10 Café/Bar
Run by students, Z10 offers a variety of events, including quiz evenings, concerts, and workshops, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Rooms can be rented here free of charge, requiring only a deposit that is refunded at the end. It's ideal for small celebrations or cozy game nights. Check out the upcoming events at Z10.

University Cinema KIT
Students regularly organize film screenings at KIT, featuring current films shown simultaneously in conventional cinemas, as well as classics and short films. There are also screenings with original English dubbing. Entrance is €3. Check out the films for this semester.

Die größte Nacht der Studenten
The größte Nacht der Studenten (biggest student night) takes place every spring in Karlsruhe. For a reasonable price, you can get a ticket that gets you into a variety of clubs. The event is particularly popular with students who are new to the city, allowing them to get to know the various clubs in Karlsruhe in just one night. On this night, the streets of Karlsruhe are very lively and full of students who move from one nightclub to the next.

Heimfest - HaDiKo
The HaDiKo, the largest student hall of residence in Karlsruhe with 1000 residents, celebrates the hall festival every spring. After great success in recent years, the festival will now last for 2 days. There is an outdoor stage on which various bands play and of course lots of beer, cocktails and more at favourable prices.

Parkplatzfest
The "Parkplatzfest" (car park festival), supposedly the second largest student festival in Karlsruhe, has a long tradition with around 4,000 visitors. It takes place in a car park between the halls of residence on Willy-Andreas-Allee and is organised annually by the residents of the halls of residence. It usually takes place on the last Friday in June and offers a wide range of food and drink from different floors with individually designed festival stands at student-friendly prices.
The festival ambience is enhanced by a selection of local and nationally recognised bands, creating an atmosphere of lively music and student camaraderie. Guests are invited to enjoy culinary delights while savouring the vibrant energy and relaxed atmosphere of student life. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of food, music and community spirit at the Car Park Festival.

Unifest Karlsruhe
The Unifest is the largest student-organised festival in the region with 10,000 visitors. It takes place two days every summer on the KIT campus. The Unifest is organised by the AStA festival committee - by students for students.

Halloween party - HaDiKo
The HaDiKo not only hosts the "Heimfest" but also the biggest student Halloween party. Definitely an event not to be missed!

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

As an exchange student at DHBW Karlsruhe, you can also benefit from the KIT sports program. Here, you'll find a variety of new sports to explore. You may encounter activities you haven't tried before, but don't worry—there are usually beginner courses available to introduce you to them gradually. Whether you're interested in martial arts, acrobatics, or team sports, there's likely a suitable course for you!

Please note that the sports programs are highly popular and often fill up within minutes of registration opening. If you're serious about participating in a course, it's best to seek assistance from your buddy or other students during enrollment.

In addition to the sports courses, KIT also offers the opportunity to reserve the calisthenics park for your own training, with a fee of €10 per semester. Once paid, you can train there as frequently as you'd like. There's also a swimming pool on campus, with a student admission fee of €2.

Furthermore, KIT provides a gym for students, offering 3, 6, or 12-month contract options. More information can be found here.

Free Outdoor Sport Courses

From July to August, sports are offered behind the castle on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8 am and from 8 to 9 am. For anyone who wants to start the morning in a sporty way or try something new.

In addition to the sports courses in the morning, from May there will also be free sports programmes in the evenings at various locations in Karlsruhe. You can find more information here.

Calisthenic Parks

In recent years, calisthenics parks have been constructed in nearly every neighborhood in Karlsruhe. Here's an overview:
 

Karlsruhe offers stunning hiking opportunities in the Black Forest and Palatinate Forest. Many destinations in the Black Forest are accessible for free by train on weekends for students. The S1 train provides quick access to Ettlingen, where numerous hiking trails begin. Alternatively, you can travel to the spa town of Bad Herrenalb to start your hike. The S8 train reaches beautiful Black Forest locations in under an hour, allowing you to disembark at any station between Gernsbach and Forbach and find a hiking trail.

For those who prefer group hiking experiences, there are hiking groups organized through Facebook or WhatsApp, providing an excellent opportunity to meet new people and immerse in German hiking culture.
Moreover, KIT occasionally offers a sports course where participants hike together several times a semester, providing further opportunities for group hiking experiences.