- Bamberg is about 40-60 minutes from Nuremberg by train
- Try Rauchbier, the smoked beer brewed in the town
- The Old Town Hall sits on an island in the River Regnitz
- The old town escaped major wartime damage and is UNESCO-listed
- Airports
- Nuremberg (NUE), Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA)
- Best time to go
- May-September and December
- Type
- Town
Bamberg is one of Germany's most beautiful small towns, with a medieval and baroque centre that came through the Second World War largely intact. Built on seven hills like Rome, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its Old Town Hall, perched on an island in the middle of the river, is one of the most photographed buildings in Bavaria.
It is also a beer lover's dream, with many breweries and a distinctive smoked beer. See our Bavaria guide and the Germany guide for more.
Things to do
- Old Town Hall – built on an island in the River Regnitz, with painted walls and a half-timbered annexe.
- Bamberg Cathedral – a Romanesque and Gothic cathedral, home of the mysterious Bamberg Horseman statue.
- New Residence – a baroque palace with a rose garden overlooking the town.
- Little Venice – a row of old fishermen's houses along the river.
- Michaelsberg Abbey – a former monastery on a hill with views over the rooftops.
- Brewery taverns – try Rauchbier at historic taverns such as Schlenkerla.
- Old Court – the former imperial palace courtyard beside the cathedral.
- Beer cellars – in summer, locals drink at shady hillside beer gardens known as Keller.
Where to stay
- Island town (Inselstadt) – between the river branches, close to shops and restaurants.
- Cathedral hill (Bergstadt) – quieter, historic and near the cathedral.
- Near the station – practical for trains, a short walk to the centre.
Getting there
Fly to Nuremberg, Munich or Frankfurt. From Nuremberg, trains take about 40 minutes to an hour. From Munich allow around two hours by ICE, and from Frankfurt roughly two to three hours by train.
Best time to visit
May to September is beer garden season, when the hillside cellars are open. The Sandkerwa festival in late summer brings crowds to the old town. December sees a Christmas market and nativity scene trail around town churches.
Rauchbier tastes of smoked bacon to many first-timers. Try a small glass before committing.
Top attractions in Bamberg
LandmarkBrandenburg Gate
Berlin's neoclassical city gate, crowned by the Quadriga, once trapped behind the Wall and now the symbol of a reunited…
LandmarkEast Side Gallery
The longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, painted in 1990 by artists from around the world and now an open-air…
LandmarkNeuschwanstein Castle
King Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle on a crag in the Bavarian Alps, the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Bamberg on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Bamberg a day trip from Nuremberg?
Yes. It is under an hour away by train, so it is easy to visit in a day.
What is Rauchbier?
A smoked beer made with malt dried over a beechwood fire. It is Bamberg's speciality.
How long should I spend in Bamberg?
One or two days is enough to explore the old town, cathedral and a few breweries.
Was Bamberg damaged in the war?
Only lightly compared with many German cities, which is why its historic centre is so complete.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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