Top 6 things to do in Bamberg

When you think of visiting Germany, the cities of Berlin, Munich and Hamburg often come to the top of the list. However, there is one city in the northern part of Bavaria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which caught Navaway’s eye and which we thought you should know about in this article. The town in question is Bamberg. Its historic landscapes and unique architecture make it an ideal place to visit, and getting lost in its streets is one of the most attractive tourist activities. A little anecdote: the city is also known for its many breweries. If you’re a beer lover, you’re in for a treat… Don’t wait any longer to discover some of the activities we’ve selected for you to ensure you have a memorable stay in Bamberg.

What to do in Bamberg

1. St Peter and St George’s Cathedral

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Every city has a landmark that is a must-see. Bamberg, as unique as it is, is most famous for St Peter and St George’s Cathedral. Famed for its many renovations and extensions, it is a veritable jewel, a perfect example of Romanesque architecture. Founded in the 11th century, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city, with a few touches of Gothic elements giving it an original style. During your visit, pay attention to all the details, from the floor to the ceiling, including the rose windows and intricate structures: the four distinctive towers that dominate the townscape and the sculpture of the Bamberg horseman literally turn the heads of visitors, who don’t hesitate to immortalise the moment with the click of a camera. You will also find the tombs of Emperor Henry II and his wife Cunegonde.

2. Little Venice

Category: €€/Cultural/Insolite

Description: Who said that the Venice of Italy was the only city where romance was the order of the day? In Bamberg, more precisely in the Klein Venedig district, nicknamed “Little Venice”, you’ll find a place that’s as cute as it is pleasant. If you’re travelling and your main aim is to relax and spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the honking of car horns, then you’ve come to the right place. You’ll be able to stroll around while taking in the picturesque views, and it’s best to do so at the end of the day or even in the early evening, so you have time to catch the last rays of sunshine as they fade away. The little extra that makes visitors melt? You can take a boat trip, which allows you to discover the city from a whole new angle.

3. Bamberg Historical Museum

Category: €/Cultural

Description: What would a visit to Bamberg be without exploring one of its many museums? The best way to find out more about the city’s past and its many twists and turns is to visit the Historical Museum. For history buffs or those who are generally driven by what we call “curiosity”, you’ll be delighted to wander through all the sections dedicated to key periods such as the Renaissance and the Middle Ages. In addition to this, you will have the opportunity to leaf through some of the invaluable historical documents tracing the history of the town and describing the development of Bamberg, and more closely of Germany, while observing the archaeological artefacts. It’s always important to keep a record of the past, isn’t it? It allows us to learn lessons about the future and better understand the present.

4. Enjoy a gastronomic experience

Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomic

Description: Food is one of the most beautiful things on this earth ^^. In the city of Bamberg, there are a whole host of places where “festivity and gastronomy” come together: starting with the local markets. Are you looking for new flavours and like to cook your own meals? Then head for the traditional markets that open their doors in spring and summer. Where fresh produce is most common. You can explore the many stalls and buy everything you need to make typical German dishes. Ripe fruit and vegetables as well as homemade sausages and other cold meats are real delicacies to be savoured. And don’t forget to try the local cheeses, whose distinctive aroma will tantalise your nostrils. And of course, when it comes to drinks, you can visit one of the local breweries to enjoy a smoked beer called “Rauchbier”. You can combine modern creations with traditional varieties in a single glass!

5. Visit the Altstadt old town

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Many travellers say that “Bamberg is the most authentic city in Bavaria”. This is particularly true of the Old Town: it has a turbulent history, but has managed to preserve its architecture and the quality of its conservation. The best way to get around is on foot, although you can hire a car and drive around the old town. By walking, you’ll be more aware of your surroundings and you’ll find it easier to pass through the narrow streets that are impossible to cross in a four-wheeled vehicle. The old town is fun to visit, with its many colourful little houses lined up side by side in a medieval atmosphere. It’s like stepping back into the past, but in the present.

6. Rose Garden

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: The big city isn’t the only thing to see in Bamberg. The Rose Garden in the inner courtyard of the New Residence offers you a breathtaking view of the old town and Michaelsberg. But if there’s one thing the place is best known for, it’s one of the most beautiful gardens in the whole of Bamberg. Here you’ll find trees with huge trunks and branches providing valuable shade, fragrant flowers in a rainbow of colours on the ground, and numerous shrubs. This is the kind of setting in which you will set foot. It’s a place that encourages reflection, the need to escape and refocus on oneself. Many visitors come here for a stroll, to read their favourite novel, or simply to wander along the narrow paths while playing their favourite playlist.