February 12, 2022, 6:19 am | Read time: 6 minutes

Germany’s Most Beautiful Old Town

According to a 2019 TRAVELBOOK reader poll with more than 146,000 votes, Bamberg has Germany’s most beautiful old town. Since 1993, it has also been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, impressing with centuries-old landmarks like the cathedral and countless romantic half-timbered houses. It’s no wonder that Bamberg’s old town was the clear winner of the poll with more than 4,500 votes.

Also interesting: THIS is Germany’s most beautiful old town

Strolling through the narrow streets, you can feel a special, relaxed atmosphere throughout the old town and marvel at how effortlessly past and present blend into a harmonious mix.

The Secret Beer Capital of Germany

Spanning 142 hectares, Bamberg not only encompasses the three historic old town districts of Bergstadt, Inselstadt, and Gartenstadt, but also treasures that make Bamberg a true highlight for tourists worldwide: the breweries–nine in the old town alone–producing nearly 50 different beers, with the Bamberger Rauchbier particularly renowned. Bamberg is often referred to as the secret beer capital of Germany.

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Visitors to Bamberg will find it impossible to resist the allure of beer. The breweries, with their attached taverns, also excel in food. Whether enjoying at Fässla, the Keesmann Brewery, Schlenkerla, Gasthof Spezial, Greifenklau, Ambräusianum, Klosterbräu, Kaiserdom, or Mahrs Bräu, culinary delight is a top priority in Bamberg.

Here, you don’t just drink; you “go to the cellar.” This saying originates from the fact that brewmasters still partially cool their beer in rock cellars underground. Alongside the aroma of beer, a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere pervades the city as the world toasts together and enjoys a Seidla (Bamberger term for a large beer)–or perhaps a few more.

Bakeries with Affordable Delicacies

When it comes to Bamberg’s attractions, one must not forget the numerous bakeries scattered throughout the old town. These bakeries offer freshly baked delicacies every morning and throughout the day at prices that leave city dwellers pleasantly surprised. The special thing: In most bakeries here, the goods are still made in-house, which is unfortunately no longer a given.

Here E.T.A. Hoffmann Met a Talking Dog

And as if Bamberg weren’t romantic enough, both the Main-Danube Canal and the Regnitz flow through the city, where everyone gathers, especially in summer. The nearby park, the Hain, is also incredibly beautiful, where writer E.T.A. Hoffmann is said to have once encountered a talking dog named Berganza. It speaks volumes that the feeling of life emanating from this park is simply described by locals as “Hain-Sein.”

Even the Doors Are Works of Art

Visitors are also amazed by the countless, sometimes crooked half-timbered houses that no fairy tale writer could have imagined better. A walk through Bamberg reveals many magnificent sights like the Old Town Hall, the Böttingerhaus, Geyerswörth Castle, or the Kaiserdom. But even seemingly simple things like doors are small works of art in Bamberg. Photographer Alexander Roßbach has even dedicated a portrait to them.

The Legendary Sandkerwa

Bamberg’s wild heart beats on Sandstraße, where life especially in the evenings pulses deep into the night, with young people gathering to listen to live music, dance, and drink. The Sandkerwa, the annual folk festival held here in August, is legendary, at least throughout Germany.

Every evening, however, there’s another highlight to savor at Ahörnla: a juicy crust roast sandwich, or as the Bamberger would say: a Krustenbratla-Brötla.

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Here, Almost Everything Has a Charming “La” Added

In general, the locals and their city are so charming because they add the syllable “-la” to almost everything when speaking. Thus, the already old-fashioned farewell greeting Ade becomes Adela, and a croissant here is not a croissant but a Hörnla.

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Bamberg Is the Home of the “Sams”

Those who want to get to know Bamberg better can join one of the countless city tours–the local tourist information provides friendly and competent advice, ensuring there’s something for everyone. History enthusiasts can learn about the time of the witch burnings, one of the darkest chapters in Bamberg’s history. Meanwhile, children and adults alike will enjoy a “Sams tour”–the “Sams” books by author Paul Maar and the film about the charming mythical creature are set in Bamberg.

Romance awaits on a gondola tour on the Regnitz, while a bike or Segway tour offers a sporty option. Those preferring a more relaxed pace can take Bamberg’s city bus line 910 to many attractions. Additionally, numerous museums and galleries beckon, and nowhere else will you find so many antique dealers in one place as in Bamberg’s old town.

The Bamberg Surroundings Entice with Nature and Breweries

Despite all the romance, one must note: Bamberg is particularly crowded with visitors in the summer, which even led author Tommy Jaud to make some sharp jabs in his novel “Resturlaub.” The good news: The surrounding area also has plenty to offer, especially nature–and even more breweries. Around 60 additional taverns with about 400 different beers await “big city-weary” guests. Moreover, several excellent bike paths run through the region. Whether you visit Bamberg for an extended stay or just as a stopover on a longer tour, it will definitely be an experience you’ll want to repeat as soon as possible.