Welcome to Bamberg, an incredibly enchanting Franconian city in Bavaria. During our last trip through the wonderful Franconia region, after Coburg and Kulmbach, we were able to stop in Bamberg again and explore numerous new corners. Bamberg offers a great mix of history, medieval architecture, fascinating sights, and a vibrant culture.

With its narrow streets, well-preserved historic city center, and the picturesque Regnitz River winding through the city, Bamberg offers an unforgettable experience. Learn more about everything you can experience there and which Bamberg sights we recommend in the following article. Have fun with our tips for Bamberg.

• Interesting facts about the city of Bamberg
• Sights in Bamberg
• Popular tours through Bamberg
• Some cool shops
• Restaurants & Cafés
• Events in Bamberg
• Our hotel in Bamberg
• Other hotels in the city
• Travel tips for Bamberg
• Local mobility
• Sights in Bamberg – Suitable travel reading
• Our Franconian podcast

Interesting facts about the city of Bamberg

Bamberg is a city with many fascinating facets, from its architectural beauty to its unique beer culture and its lively festivals. These interesting facts alone make it clear that Bamberg is a wonderfully diverse travel destination. Bamberg has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, thanks to its exceptionally well-preserved old town, which encompasses various architectural styles spanning nine centuries.

Bamberg is often called the “Franconian Rome” because it is spread across seven hills, similar to the Italian capital, Rome. The most famous of the seven hills is the Domberg (Cathedral Hill). This historic settlement is home to Bamberg Cathedral, the Old Court, and the New Residence. The striking Michaelsberg, with its monastery of the same name, rises in the southwest of the old town and offers breathtaking views over the city. More on that later.

Beer also plays a major role in Bamberg. The city is famous for its smoked beer, also known as “Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier.” This beer is made with malt smoked over beechwood, giving it its characteristic smoky flavor. It is an absolute must for beer lovers. The city is home to numerous breweries, beer gardens, and cellars where you can sample traditional beers and enjoy the convivial atmosphere.

You’ll quickly notice that the streets in Bamberg are rather winding and winding. This is because the city grew organically, and many of the streets follow the ancient course of the rivers. Part of Bamberg’s charm is lingering in the picturesque alleys and discovering unexpected corners. Of particular note here is “Little Venice” with its colorful half-timbered houses stretching along the idyllic Regnitz River.

Sights of Bamberg

Bamberg is rich in historical and cultural sights that will surely delight you as much as they did us. On the map below, we’ve marked some of the most beautiful attractions and highlights you can discover in Bamberg. It’s best to allow at least two full days to explore this diverse city. We loved Bamberg during our first visit as part of our Germany tour.

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1. Bamberg Old Town

Bamberg’s old town is a veritable labyrinth of winding alleys and narrow passageways. These charming alleys are lined with historic buildings, small shops, cozy cafés, and traditional breweries. More than 2,000 buildings are listed as historical monuments, giving the old town a distinctive medieval charm. You should also keep an eye on the diverse architecture, featuring styles spanning nine centuries. It ranges from Romanesque and Gothic buildings to Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The narrow alleys and cobbled streets are lined with charming half-timbered houses, picturesque squares, and magnificent town houses. Stroll through the three districts Bergstadt, Inselstadt, and Gärtnerstadt and explore the many different Bamberg sights.

The old town is particularly captivating due to its many beautiful historic house facades. Not only are the facades lovingly designed, but many of Bamberg’s doors are also small works of art. It’s wonderful to wander through the alleys on foot, armed with a camera, and simply “lose yourself” in them. ☞ Book city tours here: at GetYourGuide* | at Bamberg.info.

Highly recommended is the charming Café Zuckerstück, located at Obere Sandstraße 4. Here you can not only sip delicious coffee, but also devour homemade cakes. The café itself also sells some cool retro gadgets, furniture, and accessories. Next door is the cool Café Marle, where you can get exquisite coffee and delicious cakes.

2. The Old Town Hall

One of the top sights in Bamberg is certainly the Old Town Hall, which is located on an artificially constructed island. The Upper and Lower Bridges connect this small island to the New Town. It is arguably one of the most original town halls Germany has to offer. It was built in the 15th century and converted from Gothic to Baroque in the 18th century. You can get a particularly beautiful view of the Old Town Hall from the bridge opposite (Geyerswörthsteg).

The city’s landmark also houses one of the largest porcelain collections in Europe. The “Ludwig Bamberg Collection” consists of faience and porcelain with baroque treasures related to table culture of the 18th century. The upper floor also houses the Rococo Hall, which is primarily used for city council meetings. With its idyllic location, its ornate façade, and its historic rooms, it is an important symbol of the city’s history and culture.

• Museum opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday & Public Holidays 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Prices: Adults €6, concessions €5, children and young people up to 18 years free
• Special: Free admission for everyone on the first Sunday of the month
• Address: Old Town Hall, Obere Brücke 1, 96047 Bamberg

3. Former fishing settlement “Little Venice”

One of our highlights in Bamberg is definitely the former fishing settlement “Little Venice.” Numerous colorful half-timbered buildings from the Middle Ages are lined up here. The pretty, tiny gardens make this sight even more charming. A regular excursion boat departs near the Old Town Hall, taking you right past this unique row of houses (☞ more information can be found here).

You can also walk, of course! The best way to get there is to stroll from the Old Town Hall towards “Am Kranen” (the bronze bust of Igor Mitoraj makes a cool photo opportunity) and then continue into “Fischerei” Street. From there, cross the bridge on Markusstraße to the other side. In our opinion, this is where you have the best view of “Little Venice.”

And as if all that weren’t beautiful enough, you can also get active on the Regnitz River and explore the area by canoe or SUP. And if you want to take it easy, you can take the city bus line 910 to all of Bamberg’s most important sights (☞ for the brochure).

4. Bamberg Cathedral

As mentioned at the beginning, Bamberg was built on seven hills (like the city of Rome). There’s something to discover on each of these seven hills, such as the Bamberg Cathedral on the Domberg. This imperial cathedral is one of the top sights in Bamberg and should not be missed on your trip.

The four-towered cathedral awaits you with various highlights, such as the beautifully decorated portals, the high tomb of the holy imperial couple Kunigunde and Henry II, the famous “Bamberg Rider”, the Mary altar by Veit Stoss and the papal tomb of Clement II. Opening and tour times can be found here: ☞ Visiting times Bamberg Cathedral.

5. The New Residence & Rose Garden

Opposite the cathedral is the New Residence, which awaits you with over 40 magnificent rooms. Inside, you’ll find beautiful furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as impressive stucco ceilings and frescoes. Check out the high-quality collection of Old German and Baroque paintings in the State Gallery and marvel at the Electoral Rooms and the impressive Imperial Hall.

From the Rose Garden in the inner courtyard, you have a fantastic view of Bamberg. The Rose Garden awaits you in the summer months with over 70 beds and around 4,500 roses. You can also sip a delicious coffee among all the fragrant roses in the Café Rosengarten and rest your tired legs a little.

Visitor Information

• Opening Hours: April – October 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | October 4 – March 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Prices: €6 regular; €5 concessionary; children and young people up to 18 years free
• Rose Garden: admission to the Rose Garden is free
• Address: Neue Residenz, Domplatz 8, 96049 Bamberg

6. Detour to Michaelsberg Monastery

Another attraction in Bamberg is the Michaelsberg Monastery, which is located on one of the city’s seven hills. This monastery was founded in 1015 and still impresses today with its imposing building and beautiful Baroque details. Highlights include the baroque church façade, the unique open staircase, the tomb of St. Otto, as well as the “Heavenly Garden” and the extensive ceiling painting.

Right behind the monastery, you’ll find a terrace with a beautiful panoramic view of Bamberg. Here, you can enjoy wonderful views over the city and stroll through the beautiful garden with fountains and pavilions. Wine is grown on the slopes of the monastery, which you can also purchase in the monastery shop on Michaelsberg. The Bamberg Silvaner tastes truly excellent and is sure to make a great souvenir for friends and family.

If you take a trip to Michaelsberg Monastery, we recommend returning to the old town via the Benedictine Path. This path leads through the former Baroque garden lane, past picturesque fountains and the newly planted vineyard. This route will quickly take you back to Bamberg’s beautiful old town.

7. Bamberg City Park “Hain”

If you need a short break from the hustle and bustle of the city, we recommend a detour to the City Park “Hain”, which is only about a 13-minute walk south of the Old Town Hall. Here, between the right and left branches of the Regnitz River, you can relax and simply take a deep breath. There are many walking paths, benches, the Botanical Garden, and the popular river bathing area in Bamberg’s Theresienhain, the Hainbad.

8. Bamberg Sights – Venetian Gondola Ride

Another top Bamberg attraction is a gondola ride on the Regnitz River. Because of the gondolas rocking on the river, Bamberg is also nicknamed “Little Venice.” You immediately get the feeling of being in the middle of Venice. This Italian flair seems a bit quirky in a German city like Bamberg, but it fits in perfectly with the visual image.

This is also what makes the city so unique. If you’d like to cruise through Bamberg in a gondola, you can do so every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are available at the tourist information office for €15 per person (more info here). If you’d like to rent a private gondola, check out: ☞ La Gondola piccola Veneziana.

9. The Gardening City

Centuries ago, Bamberg’s gardeners exported their products—be they onion sets, seeds, licorice, or other goods. The many cultivated areas are unique in Germany, as they are mostly located in the heart of the city rather than on the outskirts. On a tour of the district, you’ll learn many facts about the old gardening tradition, interesting stories from the everyday life of gardeners, and see a typical gardener’s cottage in the Gardener and Häcker Museum.

With ☞ this beautiful overview, you can see the entire route and start your tour. If you’re interested in a guided tour of the Gardener’s Town, take a look here: ☞ offers for guided tours of the Gardener’s Town. You can also still buy your vegetables directly from the gardeners today. For example, in Sebastian Niedermaier’s lovely farm shop, which is located on Mittelstraße. In his garden, up to 80 crops grow in the fields, including 13 different varieties of tomatoes. Crazy, right?

We also visited what is probably the most colorful brewery in Bamberg. In a small backyard in the Gardeners’ Town is the so-called Hop Garden. This traditional family-run nursery cultivates not only hops, but also vegetables, medicinal plants, and herbs. This is how unique and creative beers are created. Spirits and lemonades are also lovingly handcrafted in the Hop Garden. You can end the evening in comfort in their cozy garden.

10. The Secret Beer Capital

And did you know that Bamberg is the “secret” beer capital? There are around a dozen family-run breweries in Bamberg (there are another 60 breweries in the district) that produce specialty beers using traditional artisanal methods. One example is the well-known, historic Schlenkerla smoked beer brewery.

In this brewery, you can get a true specialty, namely the unique Bamberg smoked beer. This beer is tapped from oak barrels according to old tradition. As always, it’s a matter of personal taste – you either like smoked beer or you don’t.

But it’s not just the beer that tastes good, but also the food in the adjoining inns. And no matter whether you visit the Keesmann Brewery, the Gasthof Spezial, the Schlenkerla Brewery, the Klosterbräu, or the Greifenklau, your physical well-being is a top priority.

We were recommended the Spezial-Keller. It’s located next to the observatory, just a few minutes’ walk from the old town. Here you’ll also experience one of the most beautiful views of the city, the Imperial Cathedral, and the Michaelsberg Monastery. In summer, you can enjoy a smoked beer in the large beer garden and enjoy the balmy evening hours.

Right next to the Altenburg Castle, which is located on one of the seven hills, Bamberg’s highest beer garden awaits you with a wonderful view of the city. The menu includes hearty dishes (schnitzel and the like) as well as mixed bread platters, various beers, and other drinks.

Tip: Bamberg Specialties

Would you like to try some of Bamberg’s specialties? Then get the specialty voucher. This voucher entitles you to the following Franconian delicacies: melt-in-the-mouth chocolates, a typical Leberkäse (liver sausage), a smoky Schlenkerla (smoked sausage), a Bamberger Hörnla (cheese pastry), and a glass of Bamberger Silvaner from the Michelsberg vineyard. This voucher also makes an excellent gift. ☞ Click here for the voucher.

Popular tours through Bamberg

• 2-hour walking tour through the city: at GetYourGuide* | at Bamberg.info
• Bamberg: Atmospheric Medieval Tour: at GetYourGuide* | at Bamberg.info
• 1-hour theater tour with a costumed guide: at GetYourGuide*
• Bamberg: Self-guided Bierschmecker® Tour: at GetYourGuide* | at Bamberg.info
• Altenburg Castle tour: at GetYourGuide* | at Bamberg.info

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Some cool shops

There are some really cool shops in Bamberg. In the following table, we’ve listed some cool addresses for you. Do you know of a great shop that’s missing from our list? Feel free to leave us a comment.

Restaurants & Cafés

The exciting city of Bamberg is, of course, also home to numerous great restaurants, cafés, and bars. In the following list, you’ll find our recommendations for you to try on your next trip.

Restaurant Kleehof: The Kleehof Restaurant in the Gärtnerstadt district is located right next to the Hotel Europa and has an idyllic courtyard. The dishes are prepared fresh and with great attention to detail. Whether soups, salads, fish, or meat dishes—there’s something for everyone. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are also on the menu.

Kaffeehaus Krumm&Schief: At the Kaffeehaus Krumm & Schief, you can get virtually anything a coffee lover could desire. In a super cool and cozy atmosphere, you can order incredibly good coffee, lemonade, and even cake. Be sure to try the cinnamon rolls… mmm, delicious!

Little Italy Bamberg: As the name suggests, at Little Italy you can get mainly pasta, pizza, and traditional dishes with culinary influences from the New York district of Little Italy. The lovingly decorated restaurant invites you to linger in the heart of Bamberg’s old town.

Vegan Food Rebels Bamberg: At the Vegan Food Rebels, you can expect a variety of vegan dishes, such as various versions of kebabs, chili cheese fries, schnitzel with mushroom cream sauce, currywurst, as well as beer, coffee, cake, wine, and other delicious cold drinks. Here you’ll also get large portions at reasonable prices.

Events in Bamberg

Bamberg hosts many different events, festivals, and gatherings throughout the year. Here are some of the most well-known and popular:

Blues and Jazz Festival: Every August, Bamberg’s city center transforms into a kind of “German New Orleans.” Some of the best-known and best blues and jazz musicians, as well as regional bands, present their music to a wide audience here. This event is one of the largest open-air blues and jazz festivals in Europe. And best of all: admission to approximately 70 concerts is free. Next event: August 4 to 13, 2023. More information here.

Bamberg zaubert: The “Bamberg zaubert” event always takes place on the third weekend in July. The alleys of Bamberg’s city center are transformed into a giant stage for magicians, jugglers, clowns, acrobats, street artists, mimes, fire dancers, and comedians. Numerous fire shows also take place in the evening. Admission is free. More information here.

73rd Sandkerwa®: The popular Bamberg Sandkerwa® takes place for the 73rd time at the end of August. The folk festival is one of the largest and most beautiful in Bavaria and takes place over five consecutive days. On Kerwas Sunday, the traditional and very entertaining fishermen’s jousting tournament takes place. Participants attempt to push each other off their boats into the water. A large and colorful final fireworks display takes place on Monday. More information here.

Zwiebeltreter Festival: The Zwiebeltreter Festival takes place at the beginning of September in the heart of the Gardener’s Town. A long weekend (September 8th – 11th, 2023) full of music and delicacies awaits you. Admission to this festival is also completely free. More information here.

Our Hotel in Bamberg

During our last trip, we stayed at the Hotel Europa*, which is just a 12-minute walk from the main train station and 10 to 15 minutes from the historic old town. The hotel has an idyllic courtyard and large rooms with a TV, bathroom with shower, towels, and free Wi-Fi.

The entire hotel staff is extremely courteous and friendly. In the Kleehof restaurant, you can enjoy delicious dishes in the evening or end the day at the bar. In the morning, an extensive and delicious breakfast buffet awaits you. Book a room here*.

Other hotels in the city

Would you like to stay overnight in Bamberg and are still looking for a nice place to stay? We’ve selected a few hotels for you that we would also book ourselves. Location, amenities, and price are important to us. Do you have another hotel tip for us? Then please let us know in the comments.

Book a room here*

This hotel is located in the quiet Wunderburg district and is just a 10-minute walk from the historic old town. All rooms feature a TV, a comfortable bed, a seating area, and a bathroom with a shower. A continental breakfast awaits you in the morning.

4 out of 5 points* on Tripadvisor

Book a room here*

Want a truly stylish place to stay? The limehome Bamberg is located on the Green Market and just a few minutes’ walk from the old town. Superbly modern suites with a TV, bathroom and shower, kitchenette, and sleeping and living areas await you here.

8.9 out of 10 points on Booking.com

Book a room here*

We also think this vacation apartment is absolutely beautiful. It’s only 300 meters from the Imperial Cathedral and thus very centrally located. The apartment has been furnished with great attention to detail and features a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom with shower. Wi-Fi is also available here, of course.

9.3 out of 10 points on Booking.com

Book a room here*

The Hotel Nepomuk welcomes you in a charming half-timbered house, directly on the riverbank on the Obere Mühlbrücke. The rooms offer a beautiful view of Bamberg’s old town and await you with a TV, seating area, and bathroom. From the hotel terrace, you can also enjoy a beautiful view and end the day with a delicious cocktail.

4.5 out of 5 points* on Tripadvisor

Travel tips for Bamberg

By train: We love traveling by train. This is also the best way to reach Bamberg. From Hamburg, it’s only about 4.5 hours,From Cologne 3.5 hours, from Berlin 2.5 hours, from Leipzig 1.5 hours and from Munich 1 hour and 50 minutes. No matter which region of Germany you are coming from, you don’t need to plan that much time for the journey to Bamberg. Tickets are available from just €23.90. ☞ Click here to book*.

By car: Of course, you can also drive to Bamberg. The city is located directly at the intersection of the A70 and A73 motorways. From Berlin, take the A9 towards Munich, and from Hamburg, take the A7 towards Ulm. The journey takes just under 4.5 hours from Berlin, 4 hours from Cologne, 5.5 hours from Hamburg and 2.5 hours from Munich.

By bus: Don’t feel like driving or traveling by train? No problem! Numerous long-distance buses also go to Bamberg. Flixbus offers 80 bus connections connecting Bamberg with other cities in Germany and Europe. Tickets start at just €3. You should, of course, allow some extra time for this. ☞ Book tickets here*.

By plane: We do not promote air travel within Germany, as we find short-haul flights completely unnecessary.

Local mobility

Bamberg and its many famous sights are wonderful to explore on foot. Of course, you can also take the bus or rent a bike. 28 bus lines run through the city and the surrounding area. A day ticket costs only €4.80 per person or €7.80 for 1 to 6 people (☞ more information here).

In the city center, you’ll find “Rent-a-Bike-Bamberg,” where you can rent excellent bikes. A little further north, you can also rent a bike from “Radl dran Bamberg” for just €14 a day. Be sure to explore the picturesque surroundings during a bike tour. ☞ To the bike rental.

Bamberg Sights – Suitable Travel Reading

Want to learn more about Bamberg? The compact, pocket-sized Dumont travel guide* offers 120 pages of sights and numerous insider tips. The book is divided into 15 chapters and takes you through the beautiful city on the Regnitz River. You’ll get even more inspiration with the book “111 Must-See Places in and Around Bamberg*.”

Our Franconia Podcast

Our Franconia tour is now available for your ears. In our first episode, we talk about Coburg, Bamberg, Kulmbach, Bayreuth, and Nuremberg. Have a listen!

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