Our big road trip through Franconia was slowly coming to an end. After visiting 12 cities, including Coburg, Bayreuth, Dinkelsbühl, Nuremberg, and Bamberg, we now headed to Aschaffenburg. The city, located on the Main River, surprised us with charming alleys, great cafés and restaurants, some highlights worth seeing, and a distinctly Mediterranean flair.

King Ludwig I of Bavaria recognized the advantages of Aschaffenburg’s southern flair and called it his “Bavarian Nice.”. But Aschaffenburg has even more to offer. In the following article, we’ll show you the most beautiful sights in Aschaffenburg and tell you what you definitely shouldn’t miss during your visit. Enjoy browsing!

• Interesting facts about the city of Aschaffenburg
• The most beautiful sights in Aschaffenburg
• Restaurants & Cafés
• Events in Aschaffenburg
• Our hotel in Aschaffenburg
• Travel tips for Aschaffenburg

Interesting facts about the city of Aschaffenburg

As already mentioned at the beginning, Aschaffenburg is often referred to as the “Bavarian Nice.” The reasons for this are, on the one hand, the mild climate and, on the other, its beautiful location on the Main River. This nickname stems from the Mediterranean influences that the city enjoys compared to other places in Bavaria. The city is also located on the edge of the Spessart Forest, one of the largest contiguous deciduous forests in Germany. This area offers numerous opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring nature.

Aschaffenburg is also known for the imposing Johannisburg Castle. This 17th-century castle is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Germany and today houses the Municipal Castle Museum. Aschaffenburg’s old town is characterized by well-preserved half-timbered houses and narrow streets. Numerous cafés, restaurants, bars, and pubs invite you to linger and enjoy yourself. But the city also boasts unique shops.

The Most Beautiful Sights in Aschaffenburg

A number of beautiful sights and highlights await you in Aschaffenburg. We recommend at least two days to explore the city. The sights can be perfectly combined with a stroll. We’ve marked all the important spots for you on the map below.

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1. Johannisburg Palace & Palace Gardens

Let’s start with a very special sight in Aschaffenburg. The imposing and majestic Johannisburg Castle stands proudly on the banks of the Main River and forms the centerpiece of Aschaffenburg’s cultural heritage. Construction of the castle began in the early 17th century and spanned several decades.

The result is an impressive building, striking from the outside with its striking red sandstone and four magnificent towers. It served as the second residence of the Mainz electors and archbishops until 1803.

The palace’s interiors are no less impressive. You can visit a palace chapel, a picture gallery, a vestment chamber, an important collection of cork models, as well as the princely living quarters and the Municipal Palace Museum.

And don’t miss the extensive palace gardens either. This stretches from the castle to the St. Germain Terrace and awaits you with romantic arcades, small pedestrian bridges, and other architectural elements.

The palace garden’s planting focuses on southern plants such as fig trees and agaves, which contribute significantly to Aschaffenburg’s unique Mediterranean ambience. For this reason, the city is also nicknamed the “Bavarian Nice.”

Another highlight of the garden is the breakfast pavilion, a building once erected by Archbishop and Elector Friedrich Karl Joseph von Erthal. You can take a leisurely stroll from the palace to the St. Germain Terraces and then stroll along the Main promenade back towards the old town.

Information about Johannisburg Palace:

• Address: Schlossplatz 4, 63739 Aschaffenburg
• Opening hours: April-October 3: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | October 4-March: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Admission prices: €6 regular; €5 concessionary
• Palace gardens: opening hours vary; Free admission

2. The Pompejanum

On the high bank of the Main River, in the immediate vicinity of the imposing Johannisburg Palace, you will now pass a building that stands out from the surrounding landscape due to its Mediterranean appearance and, at the same time, simple architecture: The Pompejanum is a perfect replica of a Roman residential building, as found in ancient cities.

This extraordinary building project was not planned as another royal villa for King Ludwig I himself, but rather as an illustrative object. From here you have a magnificent view of the Main River and Johannisburg Castle.

Information about the Pompejanum:

• Address: Pompejanumstraße 5, 63739 Aschaffenburg
• Opening hours: April-October 3: 9am-6pm | October 4-31: 10am-4pm
• Admission prices: €6 regular; 5 € reduced

3. Along the Main Promenade

The Main Promenade is a popular place for walks, bike rides, and relaxation, and offers magnificent views of the river and the surrounding area. Numerous benches and green spaces invite you to linger and picnic.

The promenade stretches for several kilometers and connects various parts of the city, including Johannisburg Castle and the Pompejanum. The Main Promenade is also a popular location for events and festivals. In the warmer months, open-air concerts, flea markets, and other cultural events often take place here.

4. Aschaffenburg Old Town

We were able to stroll leisurely through Aschaffenburg’s old town. The city isn’t “crammed” with countless sights, which is why we never felt like we were missing anything. The old town stretches between the banks of the Main River and Schöntal Park, as well as between the town hall and the city hall.

Along the way, we repeatedly discovered historic half-timbered houses and numerous restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops. In the heart of the old town is the Theaterplatz with its sundial, watercourse, and town loggia. The following alleys and streets are also highly recommended: Dalbergstraße, Kleine Metzgergasse, Sandgasse and Pfaffengasse.

5. Abbey Basilica & Abbey Museum

Another highlight of the city is the Abbey Basilica of St. Peter and Alexander, along with the Abbey Fountain and the Abbey Museum. This impressive ensemble is located in Stiftsgasse, directly opposite Aschaffenburg’s town hall. Another eye-catcher is the Löwenapotheke (Lion Pharmacy), which was meticulously recreated in 1995 (a red and white half-timbered house).

The Abbey of St. Peter and Alexander represents the historical origins of the city of Aschaffenburg. As early as 950, a monastery-like structure was established here, and 25 years later, construction of the church began.

Not only the Romanesque cloister and the open staircase leading up from the square are worth seeing, but also the many works of art on display in the church. Next door, in the Abbey Museum, numerous exhibits from the founding of Aschaffenburg and valuable treasures from the time of the abbey are on display.

An outstanding highlight of the exhibition is the famous “Magdalene Altar” from the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder. The “Stuppach Madonna” and the “Lamentation over Christ” by Matthias Grünewald are also among the very special pieces in the Abbey Basilica.

6. Christian Schad Museum

Christian Schad (1894-1982) is undoubtedly one of the outstanding figures of modernism. His life is closely linked to the centers of the European avant-garde, including Zurich, Geneva, Rome, Vienna, and Berlin. The museum exemplifies the diverse art movements of the 20th century, from Dada, Expressionism, and New Objectivity to Magic Realism after 1945.

In 1942, Christian Schad decided to move to Aschaffenburg, where he accepted lucrative public and private commissions. This move proved to be wise, as his studio in Berlin was destroyed during the bombing war. During this difficult time, his future wife Bettina proved to be a true hero when she carried out a spectacular rescue operation.

She ensured that his valuable works of art were saved from destruction and brought them to him in Aschaffenburg. For the next four decades, Schad lived in Aschaffenburg and made an important contribution to the city’s art scene. During this time, he created many important works and established himself as a renowned artist.

The estate of Christian Schad, which was transferred to the Christian Schad Foundation in Aschaffenburg by his widow Bettina, consists of an impressive 3,200 works. This extensive holding forms the basis for the creation of the Christian Schad Museum, and abundant material is available to shape and enrich this institution. Although we didn’t know Christian Schad before our visit, we were very impressed by his story and the museum.

• Address: Pfaffengasse 26, 63739 Aschaffenburg
• Opening hours: Tuesday 10am-8pm | Wednesday to Sunday 10am-6pm
• Admission prices: €5 regular; €3.50 concessionary

7. Schöntal Park

Schöntal Park is located in the heart of the city and was laid out on 9.2 hectares in the English garden style. The highlight is not only the diverse plant life, but also the church ruins from the 16th century. You can also discover water turtles, peacocks, and geese in the park, among other animals.

If you’re in town in April, don’t miss the magnolia grove, which is in full bloom at this time of year (incidentally, it’s the largest magnolia grove in Bavaria). The park is open 24 hours a day.

8. Schönbusch Landscape Park with Palace

The Schönbusch Landscape Park was created in the late 18th century during the reign of Friedrich Karl Joseph von Erthal, Prince-Bishop of Aschaffenburg. The park was planned and designed in the style of the English landscape garden, which was very popular and widespread in Europe at the time.

The park itself also includes Schönbusch Palace, which was also commissioned by Friedrich Karl Joseph von Erthal. A 4 km circular path runs through the park, taking you to the most important highlights. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to explore the park. We’ll make up for that on our next visit.

• Address: Kleine Schönbuschallee 1, 63741 Aschaffenburg
• Opening hours: the park is open year-round
• Admission: free

Restaurants & Cafés

Café Schwarzer Riese: We discovered this café by chance. Its particularly impressive feature is its cozy and nostalgic ambiance. A wonderful oasis of peace has been created in the back courtyard, where you can enjoy delicious coffee.

Wurstbendel Wirtshaus: In the heart of the city is the Wurstbendel Wirtshaus, which stands for home-style cooking and coziness. Incidentally, Brizza, a pizza with a pretzel base, was also invented here. Be sure to try them out!

Morning Tau Flower Shop: In this lovely flower shop, you can enjoy a leisurely coffee and order a delicious piece of cake. You can also buy fresh flowers.

Frida’s Ice Cream: Ice cream is a must for any city tour. Frida’s Ice Cream serves a variety of delicious flavors (including vegan).

Union Table and Tap: The restaurant Union Table and Tap is also highly recommended. It serves international soul food with heart and matching craft beers. The salads are great, and so are the desserts.

Bar Rouge: Fancy a nightcap? The quirky Bar Rouge serves delicious cocktails prepared with great attention to detail. The atmosphere here is also very inviting.

Café Fräulein Liese: In the lovingly decorated Café Fräulein Liese, you can enjoy a delicious and affordable breakfast. In good weather, you can make yourself comfortable outside on the terrace.

Soup House: We love soups! In Aschaffenburg, we discovered the soup house in the city center and were delighted by the great selection. Large portions at fair prices. And it tastes good, too!

Kaldi: This super cute café was unfortunately closed when we were there. But the selection of cakes and tarts is supposed to be really great (including vegan options). From the outside, it also looked very cozy.

Events in Aschaffenburg

Aschaffenburg Folk Festival: Numerous rides, delicacies and a marquee with a beer garden await you at the annual folk festival. The Aschaffenburg Folk Festival traditionally opens with an impressive fireworks display against the magnificent backdrop of Johannisburg Castle, followed by a festive parade through the city center. More information here.

Aschaffenburg Bach Days: At this event, renowned international artists and ensembles, as well as up-and-coming young musicians, embark on a fascinating musical journey from Bach to the present day. More information here.

Arts and Crafts Market: The arts and crafts market has been an integral part of the historic ambience in Aschaffenburg’s castle courtyard since 1987. Since 2020, the market has been held behind the town hall and the collegiate church, where visitors can look forward to seeing talented artisans. More information here.

Aschaffenburg City Festival: On the last weekend in August, the city center transforms into a huge festival mile. Bands, musicians, DJs, a wide range of culinary offerings, and plenty of activities and programs for young and old await you. More information here.

Christmas Market: At the end of November, the Schlossplatz square is once again transformed into a beautiful Christmas setting. Festively decorated Christmas stalls, a lovingly designed nativity scene, a nostalgic children’s Ferris wheel, and much more await you. More information here.

Our Hotel in Aschaffenburg

During our time in Aschaffenburg, we stayed at the DORMERO Hotel Aschaffenburg*. This hotel is located north of the old town, not far from Schöntal Park. The rooms are all air-conditioned and feature comfortable beds with LED backlights, a seating area, TV, safe, bathroom with shower, and toiletries. Towels are also provided upon check-in. In the morning, a delicious breakfast buffet is served in the lobby. Book a room here*.

Alternatives:

• Konventchen am Stiftsberg*
• Stadtpalais am Schöntal*
• Goldammer Aschaffenburg*
• Prime Park Apartment*

Travel tips for Aschaffenburg

By car: Traveling to Aschaffenburg by car is relatively straightforward, as the city is well connected to the German motorway network. You can reach the city ideally via the A3 Frankfurt/Würzburg. From Nuremberg, it takes just under 2 hours by car, and from Frankfurt am Main, just 50 minutes. Book a rental car here*.

Distances to Aschaffenburg:

• Berlin: 579 km
• Hamburg: 512 km
• Munich: 353 km
• Cologne: 223 km
• Stuttgart: 201 km
• Nuremberg: 185 km
• Frankfurt: 42 km

By train: Aschaffenburg has a main train station (Aschaffenburg Hauptbahnhof), which is well integrated into the German rail network. You can easily travel to Aschaffenburg by train from various German cities, including Frankfurt, Würzburg, and Nuremberg. The ICE takes you to Würzburg in just 35 minutes or to Frankfurt in 30 minutes. Book train tickets now*.