Freiburg im Breisgau lies at the western edge of the Black Forest at an average elevation of 273 meters above sea level – between the Black Forest to the east and the Upper Rhine Plain to the west. The Dreisam flows through the city at 250–260 m; the Schlossberg directly behind the old town reaches 456 m. Freiburg is Germany's sunniest major city with over 1,800 sunshine hours per year.
That works out to roughly 896 feet above sea level. The nearby cities compared on this page average 167 m, putting Freiburg about 106 m higher.
Quick Facts
| Elevation (above sea level) | 273 m |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47.9990° N, 7.8421° E |
| Country | Germany |
| Continent | Europe |
Compare elevations – nearby cities
| City | Elevation (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart | 246 | Germany |
| Karlsruhe | 122 | Germany |
| Mannheim | 104 | Germany |
| Saarbrücken | 197 | Germany |
Cities with a similar elevation
The following cities sit at an elevation similar to Freiburg (273 m above sea level):
| City | Elevation (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Chemnitz | 300 | Germany |
| Nuremberg | 301 | Germany |
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Freiburg above sea level?
Freiburg averages 273 m above sea level. The old town sits at 250–270 m; the Schlossberg at 456 m; the Schauinsland Black Forest massif at 1,284 m.
Why is Freiburg so sunny?
Freiburg benefits from the Föhn effect at the Black Forest's western edge: the mountain barrier blocks low-pressure systems while southwest winds bring warm dry air from the Mediterranean. Freiburg exceeds 1,800 sunshine hours per year.
How high is the Schauinsland near Freiburg?
The Schauinsland in the Black Forest, reachable by the Schauinslandbahn cable car, stands at 1,284 m above sea level – the nearest Black Forest summit with panoramic views across the Rhine Plain to the Vosges.