In the heart of Upper Franconia, Germany lies the town of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the town’s amazingly preserved appearance and its link with the Slavs. Almost everywhere you set your eyes to in the town has a medieval ambiance, thanks to the buildings and architectural wonders that have been standing in the place from the 10th century until today. If you are a photographer or simply someone who loves to see the architectural marvels of the olden days, then the town is a must-see place. Some of the most famous structures to see here are Neue Residenz, Altenburg Castle, Michaelsberg Abbey, and Klein-Venedig, also known as Little Venice. If you are planning to head over to this beautiful town, you need to first know where to go to enjoy it fully. As such, we’ve written this article for you to help you in deciding the things to do in Bamberg, Germany. Read on to learn more.
1. Check out the masterpieces at Historisches Museum
Going to a museum is a great way to warm up to a destination’s culture and that is why the first place on our list is Historical Museum of Bamberg, also known locally as Historisches Museum. It is a place where you’ll learn about the history of Germany from their wide range of collections from the olden days to the present which serves as a record of time and knowledge. So if you’re up to learn a thing or two about the history and culture of Germany, here’s the place to be.
Historisches Museum
Address: Domplatz 7, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Historisches Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 8 USD
2. Admire the architecture of Obere Pfarre
Posted by Aleks Kwint on Monday, 26 August 2019
Obere Pfarre is a Gothic church built in the late 13th century which is still standing up to this day. It is well-preserved and serves as a tourist spot, a historical spot, and a religious site. The church has gone through a lot aside from standing the test of time; it has undergone several renovations, a bombing in the Second World War, but it still managed to survive. This is the reason why you should visit the church when you’re in Bamberg: to see one of the few buildings from the olden days that still remain standing.
Obere Pfarre
Address: Frauenpl., 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Obere Pfarre
3. Explore the amazing Gallery of German Art at Neue Residenz
Bamberg has a lot to offer when it comes to artworks. One of the most famous places you can visit is the Neue Residenz. It was built in the early 1600s and is now a popular tourist spot for people who would like to be fascinated by the beauty of the artworks back in the 17th century. Its walls and ceilings are adorned by fresco paintings which are truly Instagram-worthy works of art that you can take pictures of and share on your social media wall.
Neue Residenz
Address: Domplatz 8, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Neue Residenz
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 5 USD
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4. Dine with a beautiful garden view at Rosengarten
Posted by Café im Rosengarten on Thursday, 4 May 2017
At Rosengarten, you can relax while drinking your favorite coffee or munching on your favorite German food. Because of the calming effect of the beautiful garden filled with red roses, you’re sure to always have a relaxing dining experience. Rally your friends to this restaurant as they offer buffet and accept reservation for a minimum of a 30-people group.
Rosengarten
Address: Domplatz 8, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Rosengarten
Opening hours: 11am - 6pm (daily)
5. Tour the magnificent Alte Hofhaltung
Alte Hofhaltung is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Bamberg. Its name literally means ‘The Old Court’. It is a place where the bishops in Germany lived back in the 15th century. The place is an architectural wonder which will surely entice passionate photographers. In addition, the place has an in-house museum where you can learn a thing or two about the history of the place. If you want a more convenient trip, we recommend taking a bus or go there via a car, as Alte Hofhaltung is situated in an uphill location.
Alte Hofhaltung
Address: Domplatz 7, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Alte Hofhaltung
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 4 USD
6. Marvel at the incredible Bamberg Cathedral
Bamberg Cathedral is a haven for art and architecture enthusiasts. The cathedral houses sculptures from the Hohenstaufen era, an equestrian statue called the “Bamberg Horseman”, and other precious works. The building itself is a fusion between Gothic and Roman architectural style. From its facade to its intricate interior, the cathedral is a wonderful sight to behold on your trip to Bamberg.
Bamberg Cathedral
Address: Domplatz 2, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Bamberg Cathedral
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 5 USD
7. Witness the beauty of Michaelsberg Abbey
Michaelsberg Abbey was built back in the year 1000 and was originally intended to be a Benedictine monastery. The building later became a shelter for the less fortunate, and today, it serves as a tourist spot for visitors from different parts of the globe where they can be fascinated by the artistic and architectural skills of the people back in the olden days. Another thing that makes Michaelsberg Abbey a great place to visit is because it is situated on top of a hill, giving visitors a stunning view of the surroundings of Bamberg. At the moment, inside visitors are not allowed inside due to ongoing renovation but you can still see the place from the outside.
Michaelsberg Abbey
Address: Michelsberg 10, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Michaelsberg Abbey
8. Visit the refined E. T. A. Hoffmanns House
E. T. A. Hoffmanns House serves as a tribute as to the German writer and composer, E. T. A. Hoffmanns who lived from 1776-1822. The museum has many different “themed” exhibitions inspired by his works, such as the Nutcracker and The Mouse King, and The Golden Pot. The artwork present in the little museum can be seen as dark, and every nook and cranny of the place has a work of art on display. The entrance fee is relatively inexpensive, so it would not hurt to visit the house even if you’re on a budget.
E. T. A. Hoffmanns House
Address: Schillerplatz 26, 96047 Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany
Website: E. T. A. Hoffmanns House
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
9. Appreciate the artworks at Diocesan Museum
Diocesan Museum is known to have a wide array of artworks, liturgical instruments, and medieval clothing. One of the most famous collection in the museum is the Imperial Star Cloak, a cloak once given to Emperor Heinrich II as a gift. Audios for different languages are available for people who aren’t able to speak or understand the German language. Picture-taking inside the museum is strictly prohibited, but don’t let that be a deal-breaker for visiting the place, because seeing the relics of the past far outweighs the ability to take a picture of them. Children can visit the museum free of charge, while adults need to only pay a few bucks.
Diocesan Museum
Address: Domplatz 5, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Diocesan Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 5 USD
10. Have a good time at Bowlinghaus Bamberg
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Bowling, food, drinks, and more. Bowlinghaus Bamberg is a breath of fresh air with the many historical sites found in Bamberg. A tour shouldn’t be filled with museums and architectural wonders from the olden days, sometimes, you also need to party! They serve American and Italian food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and aside from being a bowling house, you and your friends can also play billiards here! If you feel like you can eat more than usual, feel free to avail of their spare ribs buffet!
Bowlinghaus Bamberg
Address: Moosstraße 91-97, 96050 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Bowlinghaus Bamberg
Opening hours: Sun - Tue, Thu: 4pm - 11pm; Wed: 4pm - 1am; Fri: 2am - 1am; Sat: 2pm - 2am
Price: From 1 USD
11. Buy fresh goodies at Grüner Markt
Grüner Markt
Posted by André Dicker on Wednesday, 4 January 2017
If you’re looking to buy plant-based food, go to the pedestrian zone of the town of Bamberg and look for Grüner Markt (which literally means Green Market). They sell fresh vegetables and fruits and everything else in between. It is near the statue of Neptune locally known as the Gabelman, where you can take a selfie after shopping for your essentials and cravings in the well-stocked market.
Grüner Markt
Address: 96047 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Grüner Markt
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 6pm (closed on Sun)
12. Taste smoked beer at Schlenkerla
If you want to have a taste of German smoked beer, the place to be in Bamberg is Schlenkerla brewery. Serving beer since the 1400s, and thus with hundreds and hundreds of years of experience, you’re sure to taste the highest quality of smoked beer in the town. They brew their beer in the traditional way with their recipe unchanged! So if you take a shot of their beer, you’re practically drinking what the folks in the 15th century were drinking! How cool is that?
Schlenkerla
Address: Dominican Street 6, Bamberg, Germany
Website: Schlenkerla
Opening hours: 9.30am - 11.30pm (daily)
13. Dine and drink at Restaurant Altenburg
Auch Bier und Wein stehen bei uns bereit......
Posted by Restaurant Altenburg on Sunday, 29 July 2018
Here’s another place where you can fill the void of in your tummy, whether it’s the void for food or void for alcohol: Altenburg. The place has been existing since the year 1100s and they are still serving the German people, as well as all the visitors from all over the globe. Some of the foods that they are serving are the famous German food currywurst, rump steak from Angus beef, Sliced veal, and more! They also have a wide selection of wines, such as Johann Hugo Riesling Spätlese dry, Frühburgunder dry, and many more!
Altenburg
Address: Altenburg 1, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Altenburg
Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 12pm - 8.30pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 8.30pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
14. Be amazed by Altes Rathaus
One of the most “Instagrammable” buildings in the town of Bamberg, Altes Rathaus is situated on the Regnitz River, connecting two parts of the town. If you are filling your Instagram with a lot of historical buildings and all things of beauty, you may want to add the Altes Rathaus to your collection! You can either enjoy the view from the outside, or pay to enter inside.
Altes Rathaus
Address: Obere Brücke, 96047 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Altes Rathaus
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: 3 USD
15. See the well-preserved Bamberger Kreuzweg
One of the most fascinating works of art in Bamberg is the Way of The Cross figure, also known locally as Bamberger Kreuzweg. It was donated by Heinrich Marschalk von Raueneck to Bamberg in the early 1500s. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the town. Due to its hundreds of years of history, historically inclined people as well as art enthusiasts flock to this wonderful religious work of art. Definitely, Bamberger Kreuzweg is worth a visit on your trip.
16. Relax at Klein Venedig
Sehr schön. Sehenswürdig. Immer wieder gerne.
Posted by Johann Hess on Sunday, 26 May 2019
If you’re looking for a place where you can just chill out and relax and not worry about anything at all, then you can go to Klein Venedig, also known as Little Venice. The river is beautiful and calming–a perfect place to rest and just be. You can enjoy the sights with the company of your friends over bottles of beer, or you can also stay there solo if you’re more of an introvert.
Klein Venedig
Address: Am Leinritt, 96047 Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
17. Learn about beer history at Franconian Brewery Museum
Posted by Fränkisches Brauereimuseum on Thursday, 17 May 2018
Have you ever wondered how beers are made? If your favorite alcoholic beverage is none other than beer, then more likely than not, you are also passionate to learn a thing or two about the history and science of making beer! If that is the case, then head over to Franconian Brewery Museum where you will learn all things you wish to know about crafting beer. They have over 1850 exhibits, all dedicated to the knowledge of beer! Who knows, after your visit, you might be able to brew your own beer in your own backyard!
Franconian Brewery Museum
Address: Michelsberg 10B, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Franconian Brewery Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 1pm - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 4 USD
18. Have a good time at Kachelofen
Kachelofen has been serving locals and tourists for over 30 years already. They are best known for their wide selection of alcoholic beverages and their tasty dishes. Some of the dishes they serve include Bavarian liver dumpling soup, homemade pheasant sausages, and Sherry-Matjes with fried potatoes. They also serve vegetarian dishes such as fresh stone mushrooms in a noodle nest. Of course, dinner at Kachelofen wouldn’t be complete without a serving or two of their smoked beer. This is yet another restaurant where you can have a good time with your friends or even by yourself.
Kachelofen
Address: Obere Sandstraße 1, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Kachelofen
Opening hours: 10am - 12am (daily)
19. Drink cocktails all you want at Das Schwarze Schaf
Marvins World Class Semifinal Drink 'Scottish Grantler' Kommt vorbei und gönnt euch! #makeitworldclass #bambergrasiert #worldclass2019 #taliskeristimmertiki
Posted by Das schwarze Schaf on Friday, 12 April 2019
If we’re talking about cocktails, one of the most well-known places in Bamberg is Das Schwarze Schaf. They serve a wide array of cocktails that you won’t easily find in other bars. Not only is the cocktail bar famous for its liquors,\ but it is also known for its cozy ambiance that will make you want to stay for hours even if you’re alone. So, if you’re looking to satisfy your thirst for some good-time concoctions, head over to Das Schwarze Schaf and enjoy!
Das Schwarze Schaf
Address: Schranne 7, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Website: Das Schwarze Schaf
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 7pm - 1am; Fri - Sat: 7pm - 2am
Enjoy the fun and historic town of Bamberg
Bamberg has several historic places as well as places where you can sample the city’s buzzing life. With the fusion of historical landmarks and places to have a good time, Bamburg is a place to make you forget your worries even for just a while. So get ready as there are still many things to do in Bamberg, Germany waiting to be discovered!
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