With the Black Forest, Rhine River, France, and Switzerland in easy reach, the German town of Rust has plenty of things to do involving nature and culture. But many travelers know this tiny town better for Europa-Park, right on Rust’s doorstep. The theme park’s roller coasters and rides can easily entertain you for a couple of days, but if you’re in Rust for longer, you can fill your time cruising through the Taubergiessen Nature Reserve, taking day trips to the Black Forest and Alsace, and relaxing in Baden-Württemberg’s spas.
The village of Rust is pleasant year-round, although you can expect it to be much quieter in winter. Rulantica, an indoor water park, and YULLBE, a virtual reality amusement center, are open throughout the year, but their sister theme park Europa-Park is closed in the coldest months, between mid-January and mid-March. For the rest of the year, it’s open daily. Visit in the week to avoid crowds, especially during the European school summer holidays.
Rust is tiny, and you can walk between Europa-Park and the village easily. The nearest train station is in Ringsheim, and the 5-minute Rust–Ringsheim route is serviced by theme park shuttle buses and taxis. Walking from the station is possible, but it takes the best part of an hour. If you plan to really explore the Black Forest region, a car offers more flexibility; there are more car rental options around the bigger Black Forest towns, such as Freiburg.
One of Germany’s few remaining river floodplains, Taubergiessen Nature Reserve is a veritable oasis of greenery next to the buzzing energy of Europa-Park. Many visitors tag on a trip to the nature reserve after a day at the park, but Taubergiessen is a destination in its own right, boasting hiking trails, bike rentals, a nature center, and places to sunbathe, paddle, and swim. Boat tours of the reserve are also popular, with many operators departing from Rust.
