Solingen Audio Tours & City Guides Solingen speaks.
Are you listening?

Where blade artistry meets green innovation – experience Solingen's unique character.

Four Self-Guided Audio Tours to rediscover Solingen

A first taste of the best stories the city has to offer. Many more tours are waiting for you.

The Edge of Perfection: Solingen's Blade Empire – Solingen Audio-Tour
Tour 01
©
Pic by Petra Klawikowski on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The Edge of Perfection: Solingen's Blade Empire

Step into the rhythmic heartbeat of Solingen, the legendary City of Blades. On this immersive redthread tour, you will trace the razor-thin line between ancient backyard forges and massive global empires. Discover how a quiet German valley conquered the culinary world through a stubborn refusal to compromise on quality.

6 Stops
149 Min
Go to tour
Steel, Stone, and Stream: The Solingen Blade Trail – Solingen Audio-Tour
Tour 02
©
Pic by dronepicr on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Steel, Stone, and Stream: The Solingen Blade Trail

Uncover the hidden machinery behind the world-famous 'Made in Solingen' brand. This isn't a tour of factories, but a journey through a decentralized industrial landscape that turned an entire city into a workshop. From the slate-clad mansions of the merchant elite to the damp, thundering river valleys where grinders ruined their lungs, you will walk the path of the 'Liewerfrauen'—the delivery women who carried the weight of the industry on their heads. Join us to deconstruct the 'Solingen System,' a story of craftsmanship, radical inequality, and the geological destiny of the Wupper River.

5 Stops
108 Min
Go to tour
The Silent Sparks: Solingen's Stangenbus and the Future of Green Transit – Solingen Audio-Tour
Tour 03
©
Image by WA1TF0R on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Silent Sparks: Solingen's Stangenbus and the Future of Green Transit

Step into the quiet revolution of Solingen's streets. While other cities choked on diesel fumes, this resilient German town clung to its beloved 'Stangenbus'—a sprawling, electric trolleybus network born from the ashes of World War 2. Join architecture enthusiast Tom and Solingen local Alicia as they guide you through a web of overhead wires, political rebellions, and cutting-edge battery technology. Discover how a nostalgic piece of transit history became the ultimate blueprint for tomorrow's green mobility.

6 Stops
107 Min
Go to tour
The Timeless Illusion: Gräfrath's Slate and Steel – Solingen Audio-Tour
Tour 04
©
Pic by SolingenFan95 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Timeless Illusion: Gräfrath's Slate and Steel

Step out of the industrial hum of Solingen and into a village that time seemingly forgot. But don't let the picturesque slate facades and green shutters fool you. On this redthread tour, we will uncover the paradox of Gräfrath : a meticulously preserved medieval settlement that survived catastrophic fires, miraculous legends, and the relentless march of the 'City of Blades'. Discover how a quiet monastic sanctuary became entangled with global industrial dominance, and why the most peaceful streets hide a loud, messy, and fascinating past.

6 Stops
61 Min
Go to tour
City Pass

Unlock all tours of Solingen

  • All current Solingen tours included
  • All future Solingen tours included as well
  • 60 days of access from redemption – not from purchase
Now only €9.99 incl. VAT

One-time purchase – no subscription, no ongoing commitments.

Discover Solingen – Stories Worth Hearing

Red Thread is an iOS and Android app with over 1,500 guided audio tours through cities worldwide - including in Solingen.

In Solingen, you feel the deep connection between tradition and progress, especially along the Wupper River, where the first grinding mills began their work. This city is not only renowned for its world-famous blades but also for its forward-thinking heritage: Solingen is one of the last cities in Germany to operate an extensive trolleybus system, a living symbol of green mobility that has set the city's pace for decades.

From the traditional grinding workshops you can explore on the Blade Trail to the picturesque slate roofs of historic Gräfrath, which tell stories of stone and steel, Solingen offers a fascinating backdrop. With Red Thread audio tours, you can experience this versatility firsthand and discover the hidden treasures of this special city, guided by local voices like Max Kraemer and Tom Bennett.

Solingen Highlights
  • Cradle of German blade artistry
  • Historic Gräfrath with slate splendor
  • Green oases in the Bergisches Land
  • For blade enthusiasts and mobility pioneers

Start for free – Premium from €12.99/month. Compare all plans →

Learn more about Red Thread

Frequently Asked Questions about Solingen

General questions about the app, pricing and features are answered in our full FAQ on the main page.

What are the must-see attractions in Solingen?
Be sure to visit historic Gräfrath with its half-timbered houses and the German Blade Museum. A ride on Solingen's unique trolleybus system is also an experience.
Are the tours suitable for children?
Most of our tours, like "The Edge of Perfection," are designed for all ages. The stops are diverse and offer exciting insights into Solingen's history and future.
How much time should I allocate for a tour?
Our tours vary in length. For "The Timeless Illusion: Gräfrath's Slate and Steel," you'll need about 61 minutes, while "The Edge of Perfection: Solingen's Blade Empire" takes almost 2.5 hours. Plan according to your interests.
Can I create my own tours in Solingen?
Yes, with the XL or Unlimited subscription you can use our AI-powered tour creator to build your own personalized tour in Solingen on a topic of your choice. All Infos here
Can I use the Solingen tours offline?
Yes, with an XL or Unlimited subscription you can download tours for offline use.
Can I do Solingen tours together with friends?
Yes – with Together Mode (from XL plan) the whole group listens in sync on their own devices. Up to 4 people on XL, up to 10 on Unlimited.
In which other cities does Red Thread offer tours?
Further tours are available in nearby cities like Remscheid, Bergisch Gladbach, Wuppertal, or international destinations like Nice, Rome, Tokyo and many more. All cities can be found here.
Discover more

Want more Red Thread?

The main page has all the features, pricing and background info. One tap – and you get the full picture.

Go to main page

0:00 / 0:00
Tours