Bamberg, Germany is a city of extraordinary medieval charm. Located in northern Bavaria, Bamberg is often called “Franconian Rome” because, like Rome, it is built on seven hills, each crowned with a church. The city boasts a rich history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant beer culture, making it a must-visit for history lovers and travelers seeking authentic old-world charm.
Bamberg, Germany is best known for its stunning medieval architecture, well-preserved Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and its unique beer culture, particularly Rauchbier (smoked beer).
Founded in the 10th century, Bamberg rose to prominence under Emperor Henry II, who envisioned it as a “second Rome.” He made it an important religious and political center, and in 1007, Bamberg became the seat of a bishopric. Over the centuries, it flourished as a hub of trade, culture, and art, reaching its peak in the Middle Ages and Baroque periods. Unlike many other German cities, Bamberg was largely spared from destruction in World War II, allowing its historic buildings to remain intact.
Bamberg offers visitors a fairy-tale atmosphere, stunning medieval streets, and a rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring historic churches, charming alleyways, or enjoying a beer in a traditional beer cellar, Bamberg is a city that feels like stepping back in time.
Visit Notes
We visited Bamberg as a day trip stop while driving between Nuremberg and Würzburg on a bright and sunny morning in late May. We arrived in Bamberg around 8 am, parked the car in a garage near the Konzerthalle (the garage is called Tiefgarage Konzert- und Kongresshalle in Google maps). The parking garage was easy to get to, with plenty of parking inside. We walked to the old town along the river on a lovely and scenic bike path. The path took us past the beautiful row of houses known as “Little Venice” (Klein Venedig) so we stopped to get some photos before all the people arrived. We spent the next hour walking through the very peaceful, early-morning old town and stopped to appreciate the Altes Rathaus on its little island.
We arrived at the Neue Residenz when it opened at 9 am and got our tickets. We were the only people there and thoroughly enjoyed our tour through the building all by ourselves. After we were done inside, we went out to enjoy the Rose Garden. For the first twenty minutes or so we were very nearly alone in the garden as well. By the time we were done, a couple of tour buses had arrived in town and there were more people milling about.
Next, we went to the Old Court, just across the plaza. Unfortunately, there was a large stage assembled and we couldn’t see the beautiful timbered facade and flower boxes, so we left and went next door to the Bamberg Cathedral. We spent maybe 20-30 minutes inside, it’s not very large.
Our next stop was a little cafe for some pastries. We chose the Café Hörnla, around the corner from the Upper Parish Church. The pastries were excellent. We munched on them while making the trek to the Altenburg Castle. There is a path from town, through some fields, up a hill to the castle. It’s very scenic and has great views of the Bamberg skyline. The hill near the castle seemed to be a problem for some people, but if you’re in reasonable shape you should be fine. There is a parking lot near the castle, so you could drive if so inclined.
The Altenburg castle has a cafe inside for food and drink. When we visited on a weekend there were kids participating in guided activities and lots of locals sipping beer and enjoying the weather. There is a tower there you can climb, it costs a couple Euro and it’s on an honor system, so have some change with you.
Around 1pm we made our way back to town for lunch at Bolero Bamberg. It’s a little Spanish tapas place with loads of outdoor seating (as well as indoors) and really great tapas. They do take reservations if you’re so inclined.
After lunch, we made our way back to the Upper Parish church to check out the inside. I liked it better than the cathedral, much more ornate, and not a tour bus full of tourists to be found.
Back in the old town the streets were now packed with people. Locals were standing in the streets drinking smoked beer and enjoying the weather. There were street musicians and a generally laid back vibe. We walked around for a bit more before finally returning to the car and departing.
I loved Bamberg. I’m told that the majority of the old town survived WWII in tact, and it certainly feels authentically medieval. I was shocked that some of the buildings were still standing given their obvious lean. Walking through the town early in the morning, you could almost imagine you had traveled through time. There isn’t a huge number of attractions in town, but everything that is there is worth visiting. One of the reasons I chose Bamberg to visit was because of The Hangman’s Daughter book series by Oliver Pötzsch. They take place in Bamberg in the 17th century, and the author weaves in real details of life in Bamberg at that time. I highly recommend the books if you are interested in historical fiction.
List of Sights in Bamberg
Photos
When viewing all photos from a city, the photos are tagged with the sight name (for instance, the name of a church or museum) and most photos will also have GPS information attached, so you can see approximately where the photo was taken. To see this data, open the individual photo and click the “information” icon on the left side of the screen.
Meticulous Meanderings 