All about asparagus in Germany - Festivals, Routes and Recipes

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Asparagus in Germany – it’s much more than just a vegetable. When the asparagus season starts, the country opens up to festivals, markets and imaginative asparagus dishes. In some villages, they elect an ”asparagus queen” and in others, they compete to see who can peel asparagus the fastest. You can drive along the asparagus roads in Germany and experience the ”white gold” firsthand.

What is asparagus?

Asparagus is a vegetable and occurs naturally in Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. The white asparagus is harvested underground, and the green asparagus is harvested above ground. Asparagus is extremely popular in the spring in Germany. For some Germans, it has gone so far as to become a status symbol in the culinary arts. 'Spargel' is the German word for asparagus.

Asparagus in Germany - green or white?

Green asparagus is most popular in the UK and the US, for example, and perhaps also in Sweden? Personally, we are most used to cooking green asparagus, which we like to fry or grill. In Germany, however, white asparagus is the most popular. White asparagus is sometimes called "white gold" or "königliche gemüse" (the king of vegetables), and is considered by many to be softer and more delicate in flavour.

"Asparagus time" - the asparagus season

The asparagus season in Germany (Spargelzeit) begins in mid-April and continues until the end of June. The season ends with a feast day in honour of John the Baptist on 24 June. During the asparagus season, restaurants compete to serve imaginative asparagus dishes and Germans eat a total of 125,000 tonnes of asparagus. While there are many Germans, this is still an impressive figure!

Why do Germans love asparagus?

The Germans' love for the elongated vegetable began in the 16th century. The Romans loved asparagus, and via the monasteries the vegetable found its way up to Germany. Over time, Germans have developed asparagus into an art, and it is no longer just something to eat, but also something to celebrate!

In the areas where asparagus is grown in Germany, 'asparagus tours' are organised, where you walk between farms and try different asparagus dishes, perhaps accompanied by a schnapps. A bit like visiting vineyards! In some villages, the tradition has been taken one step further and an 'asparagus queen' is chosen. Yes, but why not?

Schwetzingen - the capital of asparagus

Located near Heidelberg in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in south-west Germany, Schwetzingen is considered the capital of asparagus. It was here that asparagus became 'royal', after Charles I Ludwig planted asparagus in the palace garden, to be served at selected banquets.

Schwetzingen hosts an asparagus market on the first Saturday in May (4 May 2019), where you can also try different asparagus dishes, go on a guided asparagus tour by bike, look for the town's "Spargelfrau" statue or generally get asparagus crazy. And if that's not enough, you can take the Badische Spargelstrasse, which starts right here.

2 German asparagus roads

A popular way to experience the asparagus season is to drive along one of the various 'asparagus routes', which run through areas filled with farms, festivals, museums and markets.

1. Sparrisvägen Baden

The Baden Asparagus Road (Badische Spargelstrasse) runs for 136 kilometres and is loved by asparagus connoisseurs. The route starts in Schwetzingen, continues via Reilingen, Karslruhe and Rastatt, and ends in Scherzheim. In Karslruhe you can visit palaces and museums, and in Rastatt you should not miss the largest asparagus farm in Germany.

2. The Lower Saxon asparagus route

The Lower Saxon asparagus route (Niedersaechsische Spargelstrasse) is 750 kilometres long and starts and ends in Burgdorf. This gourmet route takes you through the asparagus regions of Braunschweig, Hannover and Umland, Lüneburg Heath, Mittelweser and Oldenburg Münsterland. Some of the highlights are considered to be the medieval asparagus town of Braunschweig and the asparagus museum in Nienburg.

4 German asparagus festivals

Of course, if you want to experience asparagus in Germany, it's a good idea to head to one of the many villages and towns that organise festivals and markets.

1. asparagus market in Schrobenhausen

Schrobenhausen in Bavaria is famous for its asparagus, as it is considered to have a particularly strong and nutty flavour. Every year a asparagus market, when among other things the asparagus queen is chosen. Of course, you will also find here a asparagus museum!

2. Market in the asparagus village of Walbeck

Right next to the Dutch border is the village of Walbeck, which during the asparagus season transforms into an ”asparagus village.” On the first Sunday in May, an asparagus and craft market is organized, where you are welcomed by, among other things, the ”asparagus princess.”.

3rd Asparagus Festival in Bruchsal

Bruchsal, located on the Baden asparagus route, is said to be one of the best asparagus destinations in Baden-Württemberg. Every year, an asparagus festival is held here on a weekend in May.

4th Beelitz asparagus festival

Just outside Berlin lies the asparagus town of Beelitz, where an annual festival in honor of asparagus, the Beelitzer Spargelfest, is held. The town also boasts an ”asparagus museum.”.

White asparagus recipe

The most classic is to serve white asparagus with hollandaise sauce, but there are of course thousands and thousands of other recipes. On Germanfoods.org There are a bunch of German asparagus recipes (in English) – both classic and more creative variations. How about, for example, Gin Martini with asparagus or asparagus panna cotta…? Here you will find more ideas on how to serve your asparagus:

• With spiced ham and chervil dressing
• With chopped egg and melted butter
• With hollandaise and smoked salmon
• With browned butter and almonds

More inspiration about Germany

Here you will find more reports about Germany, with inspiration for places to visit, events to discover and experiences to try:

• Oktoberfest
• German castles
• Wine festivals in Germany
• German food – dishes to try
• German specialities in different regions

Images in this post, except those labelled otherwise, are from Pixabay.