Darmstadt is a city in the southern German state of Hesse, famous for its collection of Art Nouveau buildings, which generally sprouted up at around the time the Artists' Colony was present in the city. The centre of Darmstadt is marked by the Langer Ludwig monument on Luisenplatz. Darmstadt is part of Frankfurt's wider metropolitan area, and car hire from Darmstadt means you can be in Frankfurt in just half an hour. It's also worth noting that the city's attractions span a fairly wide radius, and hiring a car from Darmstadt allows you to take in the local zoo and the renowned fossil pit without travelling for too long.
Luisenplatz is a good starting point for your visit; here you'll find the towering monument to Ludwig I and the ducal palace. Admirers of the Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) scene will love the artists' colony. Park Rosenhoehe is a nice place to take time out from the city, and then there's the imaginative entertainment venue known as ‘Centralstation' - a converted power station. Hiring a car from Darmstadt means you can be at the Vivarium Zoo in minutes on the B26. Frankfurt is half an hour north on the A5, or rent a car from Darmstadt and the UNESCO-listed Messel Pit Fossil Site is a short drive away on the L3094.
