We are planning a trip in July. We will arrive in Bamberg in the afternoon. We are planning to spend 3 nights there seeing Bamberg and the surrounding areas. We then plan to spend a day in Nuremburg continuing to Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber. We were thinking of 3 additional nights between Nuremberg and Rothenburg, or nearby villages. How would you divide the time? 1 Night in Nuremberg and 2 in the Bamberg area or the reverse? Are we allowing too much time in this area. We are continuing to Innsbruck from there.
Posted by
Paradise
8019 posts
We were thinking of 3 additional nights between Nuremberg and Rothenburg, or nearby villages.
I suppose this means 6 nights total in the area. Do I have this right?
The greater region around the cities you mention is known as Franconia. Map:
https://images.mygermancity.com/maps/franconia.png
And no - 6 nights would not be too much time considering the number of options Franconia offers. You haven't mentioned...
Würzburg
Somerhausen, Ochsenfurt and Marktbreit, nice old-world towns along the Main River near Würzburg
Iphofen (old walled town full of winemakers and artists east of Würzburg)
Bad Wimpfen and the Franconian Open-Air Museum
There are other nice places to visit too, enough that you will have to pick and choose with just 6 nights.
Rick Steves doesn't cover this area fully, so have a look at Tripadvisor for details on these places.
Here's a train map that covers much of Franconia and most of the destinations mentioned, all of which are accessible by train.
https://images.gutefrage.net/media/fragen-antworten/bilder/459443150/0_full.jpg?v=1655930239000
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2598 posts
3-19 July is the Kiliani folk festival in Wurzburg. If that's within your time frame you should make plans to attend.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you. Yes 6 nights total. We're not sure where the best places for overnights would be. I forgot to mention that we will be travelling by train. Thanks for the info on the Kiliani folk festival in Wurzburg. I will look into that.
Posted by
7 posts
If you already have a few flexible nights in that area, I honestly wouldn’t skip Regensburg. We were there just a month ago and were absolutely blown away. The old town is beautifully preserved, very walkable, and full of atmosphere. It feels lively but not overwhelming, and it’s a great place to slow down and just enjoy being there.
If you’d like more detailed suggestions or tips, feel free to send me a private message — happy to help!
Posted by
Germany
354 posts
Perhaps you can do a daytrip to the Fränkische Schweiz(Franconia Switzerland) from Bamberg
Car recommended ca 60km/1hr southeast of Bamberg
Public Transport 1hr from Bamberg by train to Ebermannstadt there Bus 40min to Pottenstein via Gößweinstein and Tüchersfeld
See Villages like Pottenstein Gößweinstein and Tüchersfeld
Posted by
88 posts
We based in Nuremberg and did many day trips from there- Rothenberg, Bamberg, Regensberg. Hotel Victoria is wonderful! It is super clean, has an awesome breakfast and is perfectly located - close to the train station. Highly recommend!
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1939 posts
I like danio's idea of staying in Nuremberg for six nights. Wurzburg, Iphofen, Rothenburg, Bamberg, Coburg, Bayreuth and Amberg are easy enough to reach. Nuremberg itself. Regensburg is fairly close by.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
3008 posts
I stayed a little north of Bamberg in Lichtenfels for a few days and visited Coburg and Kronach, both nice cities with interesting castles
Posted by
West Michigan
634 posts
I'm surprised someone hasn't already said this. One night in Rothenburg would be better than visiting during mid-day along with a zillion other busses full of tourists. Get a room near the Rathaus and enjoy walking around the town in the evening. The Night Watchman Tour is liked by everyone, us included.
Posted by
Duluth, MN🌲
11496 posts
I agree about using Nuremberg as a base. It works out very well as it sits right in the middle of many of your potential destinations with a very good central train system. I did that when I was in Germany in 2022, and it was easy to get to Regensburg and Bamberg for day trips. I did not go to Rothenburg as I had been there before, but it's pretty easily done from there as well. Maybe a little bit more effort than the others, but it's worth it. And definitely Würzburg is a good choice.
If you're interested at all in art, check out Tilman Riemenschneider's incredibly beautiful wooden Holy Blood Altar in St. Jacob's Church in Rothenburg and his other sculptures in Würzburg, where he lived and worked. He also created the gorgeous limestone tomb of Emperor Henry II and Empress Cunigunde in Bamberg's cathedral, which is well worth a look.
Posted by
UK Hoddesdon
11 posts
Stay 2 nights in Rothenburg and 1 in Nuremberg. Rothenburg is magical at night, plus it's a better home base for exploring the Romantic Road.