Idstein, Germany

Idstein is a quaint German village just 20 minutes away from our home in Wiesbaden. D and I had heard this little town was perfect for a quick afternoon visit, so one scorching hot afternoon in July, we headed over to see what all the fuss was about. I have to say, Idstein was adorable. It was small, but just big enough to provide for an afternoon of snacking on bretzels and spundekäs and getting in some castle wandering.  

 

We started our visit off with lunch at Idsteiner Brauhaus, a small brewery housed in an old converted fire station. The cuisine is traditionally German, as was their small selection of beers, but the ambiance was warm and inviting. We leisurely ate our meals and sipped our dunkel hefewiezen's, then made our way into the heart of Idstein to explore the town. After stopping by the tourist information office for a map, we quickly realized there wasn't much to see in the way of notable attractions. Idstein has a small castle attached to the Rathaus and quite a few colorful, half-timbered lined alleyways, but the coolest attraction on the Marktplatz was the Schiefes Haus. Built in 1727 by the mayor of the town militia, the "crooked house" as it's more commonly known, used to house a pharmacy. Because of numerous construction deficiencies, the house has a crooked appearance, making it one of the most unique buildings still standing in Idstein. D and I continued to walk around the town, stopping at the Hexenturm (witch's tower), the Residence Palace, and the Unionskirch (town church) before throwing in the towel and calling it a day. While small and attraction-limited, Idstein was still a lovely example of quintessential German life and architecture. If you're looking for a quick day trip near Frankfurt or Wiesbaden, Idstein definitely fits the bill!