Thermal springs and picturesque natural surroundings are the reasons why this place, already discovered by the Romans, has maintained its high prestige throughout its history. The development of Bad Ems into a prosperous spa town can be seen in its well-preserved buildings dating from the late 17th century, a period when the spa industry was flourishing. The most significant structures from this era include the Kurhaus (spa house), the two large guesthouses Mainzer Haus and Zu den vier Türmen, and the Maria Königin Chapel. The town is dominated by numerous 19th-century buildings from the time when Bad Ems was one of the most important spa towns in Germany. Along Römerstraße, which runs parallel to the right bank of the Lahn River, buildings from the Duchy of Nassau period have been preserved, including the notable Kursaalgebäude and Kurmittelhaus.

The present-day urban landscape of Bad Ems is characterized by magnificent villas located along Wilhelmsallee and the promenade on the left bank of the river. Preserved buildings such as Balmoral Castle, Villa Monrepos, and others include not only spa-related facilities but also amenities that played an important role in spa life. One example is the Malbergbahn funicular railway, which has been used for leisure and recreation since the 19th century.

This romantic setting, nestled within a bend of the Lahn River, attracted artists for centuries, regularly hosted kings and tsars, and served as the backdrop for the famous Ems Dispatch, which sparked the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.