Our tour through the Franconia region of Bavaria took us from Coburg and Bamberg to Bayreuth. This city is particularly known for its cultural history and its world-famous Bayreuth Festival. Every year, music lovers from all over the world flock to Bayreuth to immerse themselves in the musical world of composer Richard Wagner. But Bayreuth isn’t just an El Dorado for music lovers – art, theater, and literature also have their place here.
The city not only awaited us with plenty of music and culture, but also with some great Bayreuth sights. These include the Bayreuth Festival Hall, the impressive opera house, the cozy old town, the baroque gardens of the Hermitage, and the fascinating beer experience at Maisel & Friends. In the following article, we’ll tell you what you absolutely shouldn’t miss in Bayreuth. Enjoy browsing!
- Interesting facts about the city of Bayreuth
- The most beautiful sights in Bayreuth
- Restaurants & cafés in Bayreuth
- Events in Bayreuth
- Our hotel in Bayreuth
- Travel tips for Bayreuth
- Our Franconian podcast
Interesting facts about the city of Bayreuth
Bayreuth is located in Upper Franconia in northern Bavaria and has a population of around 75,000. So, the city is neither big nor small. It’s just right, somehow. Bayreuth is famous for its cultural significance and is known worldwide as the home of the Bayreuth Festival, an annual festival founded in 1876 by Richard Wagner that features performances of his operas. Bayreuth is also an important city for German beer culture and is home to several breweries, including the Bayreuth Brewery and the Maisel & Friends Brewery. Here, traditional brewing methods are combined with modern influences to create unique taste experiences. We’ll come back to this later in the Bayreuth Sightseeing section.
Bayreuth, by the way, is the destination of the famous Castle Road. This road winds its way for over 780 kilometers from the Baroque Mannheim Palace through Heidelberg, the Hohenlohe region, and large parts of Franconia to Bayreuth. It connects around 60 castles and palaces and is particularly popular for excursions in vintage cars, convertibles, or motorcycles. Thanks to the cycle path, you can also easily cover this route by bike.
The Most Beautiful Sights in Bayreuth
Bayreuth has many attractions to offer, from historic buildings to beautiful gardens and parks. Here are some of the most beautiful sights you definitely shouldn’t miss during your visit to Bayreuth. We’ve also marked all the important highlights and spots for you on the map below.
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1. Margravial Opera House
The Margravial Opera House absolutely blew us away. Even though festivals, operas, and theater performances hadn’t exactly been our interests up to now, the opera hall was so impressive that it left us speechless for the first few minutes. Especially since the building didn’t suggest anything so gigantic from the outside. The hall is decorated with an opulent ceiling painting, gilded decorations, and richly decorated boxes. WOW!
The Bayreuth Opera House is an outstanding example of Baroque architecture and one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It was built between 1746 and 1750 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An interactive, very modern exhibition introduces you to the history and technology of the opera house. Be sure to take the time to visit the opera house. Highly recommended!
- Opening hours: April – September 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | October – March 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Admission: €8 for adults; Reduced 7 €
- Guided tours: For themed tours, see here
2. Beautiful Old Town with Market Square
The Old Town of Bayreuth is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture of the period. This includes the Market Square, the oldest part of the city, with its historic buildings and monuments. The Old Town is home to many cozy cafés, restaurants, and shops where you can find local products and specialties. Be sure to plan some time for a stroll through the narrow alleys and cobbled streets of Bayreuth’s old town.
We recommend Kämmereigasse, Spitalgasse, Friedrichstraße, the church square at the Holy Trinity Church, Sophienstraße, Maximilianstraße, and Von-Römer-Straße. The best thing to do is simply let yourself go and discover the many charming corners of the old town. The church square is especially beautiful in the evening. There you’ll find, among other things, the cool “Bar am Kirchplatz” and the popular “Leon’s” gastro pub.
3. Bayreuth Castle Terraces & Canale Grande
Not far from the Opera House are the Bayreuth Castle Terraces, located on the beautiful “Grand Canal”. A small bridge leads over the old mill canal, which was freed from its concrete cover a good 20 years ago. At the opening, a Venetian gondola sailed on the canal, which is why the locals eventually called it the “Grand Canal.” Smart-ass mode off!
From the bridge, you have a beautiful view of the stairs, which lead up to the castle church, among other things, and of the surrounding baroque buildings. The castle terraces are beautifully planted and feature several sculptures. Bayreuth residents like to meet here to end the day in a relaxed atmosphere. The ice cream parlor “Eis Opera Bayreuth” is popular here, where you can choose from a wide variety of ice cream flavors.
4. Bayreuth Festival Hall
The Bayreuth Festival Hall is a world-famous opera house built specifically for the performance of Richard Wagner’s operas. The building was designed by Wagner himself and built between 1872 and 1875. It has unique acoustics and is an important landmark in Bayreuth due to its architecture and history.
The Festival Hall is best known for the Bayreuth Festival, an annual music festival founded by Richard Wagner that features performances of his operas. Every summer, visitors come from all over the world to experience this event. Outside of the festival, you can visit the Festival Hall as part of a guided tour: see the tours.
5. New Palace and Court Garden
The New Palace at the Hofgarten in Bayreuth is an impressive Baroque palace built in the 18th century. It is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and is located in the immediate vicinity of the Old Town. The palace was built under Margrave Friedrich of Brandenburg-Bayreuth and served as the residence of the Margraves of Bayreuth. It is also known for its magnificent rooms, including the Cabinet of Mirror Shards, the Japanese Room, and the beautiful Palm Room.
The New Palace is surrounded by a beautiful court garden, which was laid out in the 18th century in the “English style”. The city’s “green lung” invites you to take a leisurely stroll and is ideal for a break from the hustle and bustle. We found the Swan Island and the Large Island with the Water Horse and Poseidon to be the most beautiful.
- New Palace opening hours: April – September 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; October – March 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Admission: €5.50; concessions €4.50
- Guided tours: every 30 minutes; Duration: approx. 30 minutes (advance booking is recommended)
- Phone: 0921 75969-21
6. Bayreuth Open-Air Gallery & Graffiti
It was only by chance that we stumbled across all the graffiti in the city. Bayreuth actually has a lot to offer in terms of street and urban art. Around 35 art objects, such as sculptures and graffiti, can be easily explored on foot. You can find a city map with the registered works of art as well as the option to book a guided tour here: Art in public spaces in Bayreuth.
If you stop by Maisel’s Beer Experience World, you should definitely take a look at the associated “Liebesbier Urban Art Hotel.” More than 50 artists from all over the world have transformed the hotel into a huge work of art. A masterpiece lurks around every corner! It’s best to stay overnight in this super cool hotel, because you’ll also find individual works of art on the walls in the rooms. Book a room here*.
7. Maisel’s Beer Experience World
For beer lovers, the Maisel & Friends Erlebniswelt is highly recommended. The grounds include the super-stylish Liebesbier Urban Art Hotel*, the brewery itself, a restaurant, a shop with countless beers, a café with a roastery, and much more. In the brewery, you can learn all about the art of brewing and experience the entire production process firsthand, both with an audio guide and on a guided tour.
At the end of the tour, you can not only sample Maisel’s own beer – the attached restaurant has a huge beer menu (120 beers on tap), the likes of which we’ve never seen anywhere else. There are also official beer tasting events, which you can find on the following page: Events at Maisel & Friends.
The ambiance in the restaurant and on the terrace is truly stylish and cozy. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try the food ourselves due to lack of time, but it looked absolutely delicious from a distance (the Google reviews speak for themselves). You can pick up a souvenir or two in the in-house shop.
8. Holy Trinity City Church
The Holy Trinity City Church is one of the most famous churches in Bayreuth and is located near the Margravial Opera House. Built in the 18th century in the Baroque style, the church is known for its magnificent architecture and historic works of art. Inside, visitors will find a variety of works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and frescoes, reflecting the history of the church and its congregation.
You can climb the church tower as part of a guided tour. Tours are available on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., and on Fridays at 8 p.m. during the summer months of July and August. Admission is free; only a donation is requested. You can find current information here: City Church Tower Tour.
9. The Richard Wagner Museum & Haus Wahnfried
The Richard Wagner Museum in Bayreuth is an impressive museum dedicated to the life and work of the famous composer Richard Wagner. It is located in the Villa Wahnfried, Wagner’s former home, which he and his family lived in from 1874 until his death in 1883. With the audio guide, you can experience the works, creativity, and influence of Richard Wagner in Bayreuth in detail in an interactive way.
In the new museum building, you will also gain insight into the history of the Bayreuth Festival. In the Siegfried Wagner House next door, Wagner’s ideological history during the Nazi era was researched and exhibited. All three areas and exhibitions are included in the admission price.
- Opening hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; July & August until 6 p.m.
- Admission: €8 for adults; Reduced: €6
- More information here: official website
10. Excursion to the Hermitage in Bayreuth
After you’ve explored the city, it’s time to get to know the beautiful surroundings. The best way to do this is by renting a bike. You can rent a bike from the tourist information office and from there cycle directly along the Red Main River towards the Hermitage. You’ll quickly forget all about the big city, and by the time you arrive at the cozy lake stage, you’ll be in the holiday mood. Without stopping at the lake and kiosk, the journey to the Hermitage takes a leisurely 20 minutes.
The Hermitage in Bayreuth is a historic park located on the outskirts of Bayreuth. The park was created in the 18th century by Margrave Friedrich von Bayreuth and covers an area of approximately 40 hectares. Numerous gardens, sculptures, temples, and pavilions, surrounded by beautiful scenery, await you here.
Another highlight of the Hermitage is the oval New Palace. Together with the generous fountain and sculptures, it is a popular photo subject. We had perfect weather and ordered coffee and cake at the Café Orangerie. With a view of the beautiful fountain in front of the palace, we thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Also visit the Old Palace, the Upper Grotto, and the Lower Grotto.
Information about the Hermitage:
- Hermitage opening hours: the park is open year-round
- Upper Grotto water features: from May to mid-October, every hour between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Lower Grotto water features: every 15 minutes later
- Admission: free for the park
Restaurants and Cafés in Bayreuth
Café Kraftraum: The menu features particularly healthy and balanced dishes that are carefully prepared and served with fresh ingredients. Absolutely delicious! The atmosphere is also lovely.
Pizzeria “Der Holzofen”: One of the best pizzas we’ve had in a long time. Delicious crust, generous portions, and great staff. Highly recommended!
Café Freudenherz: Small, sweet, unassuming! This description probably best describes this little shop-café. After feasting, you can also browse leisurely here!
Café Heimathafen: This cool café doesn’t just offer coffee and cake. You can also sit here until late in the evening and enjoy a beer or a long drink.
Café Florian: This café is more of a restaurant with a small beer garden than a traditional café. From breakfast to salads, schnitzel, burgers, and vegetarian dishes, there are some delicious options on the menu.
Oskar: This place was probably the most recommended to us! In THE inn in town, Franconian cuisine is naturally very important. Franconian. Hearty. Rustic! Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to try it in person.
Restaurant Lohmühle: It’s a popular restaurant with locals and visitors alike. Here, the charming ambiance of the half-timbered house combines with regional cuisine and outstanding preparation. Make a reservation in advance!
Events in Bayreuth
Bayreuth Festival: Probably Bayreuth’s most famous event, known far beyond the country. The Bayreuth Festival takes place annually in July and August in the Bayreuth Festival Hall. Read more here.
Bayreuth Easter Festival: An annual music festival held during the Easter season. It presents a mix of classical music, jazz, and world music and attracts musicians from all over the world. Read more here.
Bayreuth Citizens’ Festival: This annual street festival with numerous events such as live music, art exhibitions, and more transforms the city center into the biggest party stage of the year. Read more here.
Volksfest: It is a traditional Bavarian folk festival held every August. There are many rides, food stalls, music, and entertainment for the whole family. Read more here.
Christkindlesmarkt: A traditional Christmas market held every December. There are many stalls selling Christmas decorations, gifts, and countless delicacies. Read more here.
Our hotel in Bayreuth
The charming Hotel Lohmühle* is a four-star hotel in the center of Bayreuth, housed in a historic building dating back to the 18th century. Great importance is placed on environmental protection and sustainability, and the hotel has even received several certificates in this area. From the main train station, it’s only a 15-minute walk to the hotel. This also houses the Lohmühle restaurant, which is very popular with locals and visitors. Be sure to make a reservation in advance!
Our room was simply but comfortably furnished and featured a bathroom with shower and toilet, a comfortable double bed, a wardrobe, a seating area, and a TV. Visually, we found the hotel a bit old-fashioned. Next time, we’d probably book the cool Liebesbier Urban Art Hotel*. But that’s purely a matter of taste. To the Hotel Lohmühle*.
Travel Tips for Bayreuth
There are various ways to get to Bayreuth, depending on your starting point and your preferred mode of travel. We’ve compiled some information for you:
By car: Bayreuth can be reached via the A9 and A70 motorways. From Munich, it takes around 2 hours 15 minutes, from Frankfurt 2 hours 30 minutes, and from Leipzig just under 2 hours.
Distances to Bayreuth:
- Hamburg: 566 km
- Cologne: 461 km
- Berlin: 358 km
- Dresden: 234 km
- Stuttgart: 282 km
- Munich: 233 km
- Nuremberg: 89 km
By train: We recommend traveling by train. The fast train connections to Bayreuth run via Nuremberg, the main hub. You will find many train connections with stops in Munich and Nuremberg. From there, you can continue on to Bayreuth by regional train. Click here for tickets*.
By bus: Long-distance buses also take you to Nuremberg, from where you can then comfortably travel on to Bayreuth. Tickets from Munich start at €9.99, and from Berlin for just €21.99. It’s best to check out the Flixbus* website.
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. Check it out!
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