10 top sights in Bamberg: what to see
Bamberg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) has preserved a medieval old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city stands on seven hills and on the banks of the Regnitz river, which is why it is often called the "Franconian Rome".
Below are 10 places worth seeing in Bamberg in one or two days.
What to see in Bamberg: 10 places
What to see | Where |
|---|---|
1. Bamberg Cathedral | Cathedral Square |
2. Alte Hofhaltung | Cathedral Square |
3. New Residence and the Rose Garden | Cathedral Square |
4. St. Stephen's Church | Bergstadt |
5. Altenburg Castle | Altenburg hill |
6. Schlenkerla and smoked beer | old town |
7. Old Town Hall | Regnitz river |
8. Little Venice | Regnitz bank |
9. Natural History Museum | old town |
10. Seehof Palace | Memmelsdorf |
1. Bamberg Cathedral
A 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with four towers and the city's main landmark. Inside are the famous Bamberg Horseman and the tomb of Emperor Henry II and his wife Cunigunde.
2. Alte Hofhaltung
The old residence of the prince-bishops next to the cathedral. It now houses the Historical Museum of Bamberg, and its half-timbered courtyard is one of the prettiest in town.
3. New Residence and the Rose Garden
Opposite the cathedral stands the Baroque New Residence of the prince-bishops. Its courtyard holds an 18th-century rose garden with thousands of roses and a terrace overlooking the old town roofs.
4. St. Stephen's Church
A church in the Bergstadt quarter on Bamberg's hills with a Baroque interior, easy to combine with a walk from the cathedral.
5. Altenburg Castle
A medieval castle on the highest of Bamberg's seven hills, once a residence of the bishops. People come up for the panorama of the city and the Regnitz valley.
6. Schlenkerla and smoked beer
Bamberg is famous for its smoked beer, Rauchbier. The best-known place to try it is the historic Schlenkerla tavern in the old town.
7. Old Town Hall
The town hall stands right in the middle of the Regnitz river on an artificial island between two bridges. Its facades are covered with Baroque frescoes, with a half-timbered annex on one side.
8. Little Venice
A row of colourful fishermen's houses along the Regnitz with balconies and small gardens by the water. The best view is from the Markusbrücke bridge or a boat.
9. Natural History Museum
Founded at the end of the 18th century, the museum keeps its historic Bird Hall with hundreds of birds in antique cabinets.
10. Seehof Palace
The Baroque summer residence of the prince-bishops in Memmelsdorf, about 5 km from central Bamberg, surrounded by a park with fountains and sculptures.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Bamberg in one day?
The cathedral and Cathedral Square with the Alte Hofhaltung and the Rose Garden, the Old Town Hall on the river, Little Venice and the Schlenkerla tavern.
How do I get to Bamberg?
By train from Nuremberg in about 40-60 minutes or from Munich in about 2 hours.