10 Wonderful Things to Do in Bamberg, Germany

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Word of mouth often has a big influence on me when visiting well-covered regions like Bavaria. Having never really explored Bavaria much, I didn’t mind experiencing popular destinations like Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The other big destination that I’d heard great things about was the wonderful town of Bamberg. Even though I’d only seen the same few attractions photographed over and over, people assured me there were plenty of things to do in Bamberg. They weren’t wrong.

With several waterways and the town built upon seven hills, Bamberg’s the kind of place where there’s something new to see around every corner. Visiting Bamberg you’ll be hit with a barrage of grand historical attractions and too many scenic viewpoints to name. Here’s an idea of what to do in Bamberg should you decide to see this Bavarian delight and don’t know where to start your sightseeing.

Old Town Hall

When you visit Bamberg, there’s no way you can miss the town’s most iconic attraction. Sitting on a tiny island connected by grand bridges is the Bamberg Old Town Hall. In German the Altes Rathaus, this historical landmark is as unusual as it is stunning. And we’re not just talking about the idea of putting the town hall out on an island.

The Old Town Hall is unusual because of its odd mix of styles. On its southern end you have the yellow and white half-timbered building which quickly catches your eye. What’s a little more subtle is the full-length frescoes that cover the sides of the building. When you’re crossing the bridges to the Old Town Hall, be sure to stop and take time to appreciate just how detailed and three-dimensional the artwork is.

Old Town

Going past the Old Town Hall will bring you into Bamberg’s dense Old Town. With its collection of narrow streets and tall historic buildings, this is the key part of the town that earned Bamberg UNESCO recognition in the form of World Heritage status.

Known as the Bamberg Altstadt in German, you’ll find countless pretty buildings and spots through here. It’s definitely a place that’s perfect for some aimless wandering, or a guided walking tour if you’re short on time. Even when tour groups come through, you won’t have too much trouble finding quieter areas to escape them.

Bamberg Cathedral

While you’re in Bamberg sightseeing, you’re bound to find your way to Domplatz. This large, empty square sits just up the hill from the Old Town Hall and is home to some major landmarks. Chief among them is the Bamberg Cathedral, for which the square is named. The town’s first cathedral was finished in 1012, but the beauty that stands today is from the 13th century.

Unfortunately, the cathedral is undergoing renovations right through to the end of 2020 which sadly means unsightly scaffolding. Even still it makes an impression, thanks to its four towers and you can visit inside as well. You’ll see several imperial tombs inside the Bamberg Cathedral, as well as an interesting stone statue, known as the Bamberg Horseman. Well worth a look, especially if this is the only church in the town you visit.

The Old Court

The next landmark around Domplatz you can visit is the Old Court or Alte Hofhaltung. This striking building complex has a history that dates back to 16th century. It was used as the residence of the town’s bishop for over a hundred years and rests on the site of Bamberg’s former imperial palace.

Even though today it’s now home to the Museum of History, you can still freely admire its striking arch gateway and its main courtyard surrounded by half-timbered buildings. Of course, to learn more about Bamberg it’s best to head into the museum.

New Residence Palace

One last major Bamberg attraction found on Domplatz is the New Residence palace. The town’s Prince Bishop moved his residence to this palace in the 17th century, which explains its grand baroque design.

As I was looking to save time and money, I didn’t tour the palace halls, but the photos of the interior look suitably glamorous. What I did see was the palace’s fantastic Rose Garden. Spring was yet to take full effect here, but the neatly trimmed hedges were enough to establish the garden’s importance.

What made the garden stand out to me though was the views you got from its terrace. Perched just over the town’s rooftops, it’s an easy place to go for a Bamberg panorama.

Michelsberg Abbey

The other major historical landmark directly overlooking the old town is the Michelsberg Abbey. Situated on another of Bamberg’s seven hills, this immense building is impossible to miss. But sadly, the timing of my Bamberg trip couldn’t haven been worse as the Michelsberg Abbey was also covered in scaffolding. These renovations are quite long term though and aren’t due to be finished until 2021.

All of this goes to say that the abbey and its church were not much to look at. Thankfully, its terrace gardens are a different story. Walking to the back of the abbey you’ll be greeted with yet more town views. This time though you’re looking out over fruit trees and vineyards which makes you feel like you’ve left the town behind. You’re also able to see down into the town a little better and even spot attractions like the following …

Little Venice

Moving down towards the heart of the town we have the stunningly pretty Little Venice. Running along the Linker Regnitzarm is a row of houses that showcase Bamberg’s traditional side. Each narrow house, some of which are half-timbered, has their own little garden wedged up against the riverbank.

The whole scene feels made for a postcard which is how this former fisherman’s district earned its nickname. I really enjoyed walking along the far bank and just admiring the view. Seems like a river cruise here would be an even better way to see it all.

Back over in the Island District near the modern town centre, we have the lively Grüner Markt square. Although it may be surrounded by retail stores and cafes, it’s still a worthwhile place to see. For starters, there’s the Neptune Fountain and the Church of St Martin both make it quite scenic.

But it’s also the fact that this is the beating heart of town life. It was here that the local Monday market was happening and also where I enjoyed a tasty Bamberger Bratwurst from one of the local kiosks. The point is, remember that there are places worth exploring in this part of the town as well.

Altenburg Hill

For every viewpoint you find in Bamberg, there’s another, higher one. This is why my favourite viewpoint of Bamberg isn’t actually in the town at all. To reach it you need to walk up Altenburger Strasse until you find some open fields. Follow the walking track into the fields and you’re rewarded with a phenomenal view.

This is the Altenburg Hill or at least a point part of the way up it. From there you can see all of Bamberg, even the Bamberg Cathedral and the Michelsberg Monastery. With a nice breeze and not another soul in sight, it’s perfect if you just want to sit on a bench and look out over the town.

Altenburg Castle

The other big reason to climb up Altenburg Hill is that sitting at the top surrounded by forest is Altenburg Castle. While the current castle is only several hundred years old, this spot has been home to castles since before the 12th century. But there are still traces of its medieval past and there’s a medieval atmosphere once you step through its gate.

Visitors are free to explore the ramparts and courtyards, but you’ll need a tour or to eat at the restaurant to see inside. Through the gaps in the trees, you can see all of Bamberg and the surrounding region from up here. It’s a bit of a walk from the centre of Bamberg but worth it if you have time.

Travel Tips for Visiting Bamberg

Now that you know what to see in Bamberg, let’s take a look at the Bamberg info here that will help with your visit.

First, let’s look at how to get to Bamberg with public transport. Coming by train is going to likely be your best option, with Nuremberg the nearest big city. That trip is just 45 minutes direct with frequent departures. Of course, Bamberg is connected by train to other cities as well, like Munich and Wurzburg.

Then there’s where to stay in Bamberg, if you decide not to go on a day trip from Nuremberg or Munich. I didn’t find many options for accommodation in Bamberg at the time of my trip, so I used Airbnb. I imagine booking in advance helps quite a lot, as there is a decent selection of apartments and hotels in Bamberg. Just poor luck in my case it seems.

If you’ve been before, what other things to do in Bamberg Germany would you recommend? Does this look like a place you’d like to include in your next trip to Bavaria? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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