Best of Bamberg
Bamberg was one of my favorite stops on our Christmas Market River Cruise. We spent one day here and it was pure magic!
As we entered Bamberg’s charming Old Town, the sky began casting down delicate flakes, as if nature itself had decided to add a touch of winter's magic to the pages of the Bamberg Fairytale! It took only moments for me to fall in love with its cobblestone streets full of authentic charm.
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EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET PACKING GUIDE
Known as the “city of seven hills,” Bamberg is in Northern Bavaria. You can easily reach Bamberg by train. I recommend booking your train tickets ahead of time since you usually get a better price by booking in advance. Train tickets generally open up around six months ahead of time.
For the BEST memorable day in BAMBERG, start with breakfast at a local cafe, then consider taking a walking tour of Bamberg. We learned so many intriguing historical facts about the city from our local tour guide. Click here to join a guided walking tour.
Explore the Old Town, visiting Bamberg Cathedral and New Residenz. Take a leisurely walk along the Regnitz River and admire the picturesque bridges. Enjoy lunch at a traditional Franconian restaurant, trying local specialties like Schäuferla (pork shoulder), Bratwurst, or the local specialty, Bamberger Zwiebel… A baked onion concoction stuffed with minced meat, bacon, and beer gravy served with mashed potatoes. In the afternoon, visit Schloss Seehof or the Altenburg Castle for panoramic city views. End your day with a brewery tour and tasting at one of Bamberg's historic breweries. Bamberg’s pride and joy is its famous smokey beer called Rauchbier.
The Best of Bamberg:
Old Town
Bamberg’s old town is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. You’ll want to spend time wandering around Old Town. Visit the farmers market and lovely shops selling beautiful items.
Bamberger Weihnachtsmarkt
We were so excited to experience Bamberg's Christmas Market! It’s a smaller market, which is probably why I loved it so much! The market takes place in the pedestrian zone at Maximiliansplatz, which makes for a peaceful atmosphere without any traffic. As we visited the Christmas Market… as if on cue, it started to snow! ❄️ We had to pinch ourselves to make sure what we were experiencing was real. Even the air smelled of freshly baked gingerbread. The Bamberg exhibitors honor the tradition that dates back to the 19th century with a display of traditional handcrafted goods.
Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall in Bamberg, Germany, is a stunning architectural gem on an island in the middle of the Regnitz River. It's a must-visit landmark and one of the best things to see in Bamberg! Known for its unique location and beautiful frescoes. Legend says that the reigning bishop-prince refused to grant land for a new town hall. Citizens created an artificial island and built their floating town hall as a symbol of rebellion. The town hall can be seen in the movie The Three Musketeers.
The sculpture Centurione I was created by the Polish artist Igor Mitoraj in 1987. It stands near the Old Town Hall of Bamberg at the eastern end of the Lower Bridge.
Bamberg was built on 7 hills. This will become apparent once you climb Cathedral Hill. From there you’ll visit Bamberg Cathedral and have a magnificent view of the old town.
Bamberg Cathedral
Bamberg Cathedral, also known as the Bamberger Dom, was completed in the 13th century. It has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries. The cathedral is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, featuring four imposing towers and intricate stone carvings. Bamberg Cathedral is the final resting place of Emperor Henry II and his wife, Empress Cunigunde. Their elaborate tombs are major attractions within the cathedral.
New Residence Palace
The New Residence Palace is a grand Baroque building that once served as the residence of Bamberg's prince-bishops. Visit its opulent interiors, including the stunning Rose Hall. There is also an art gallery that you will get to see as part of your tour. You can only visit with a guide. Tours start every 15 minutes.
New Residence Rose Garden
Behind the New Residence (Neue Residenz) Palace is the Rose Garden. The garden has charming pathways with beautifully landscaped manicured hedges and vibrant roses.
From the Rose Garden, you can enjoy panoramic views of Bamberg's Old Town, including iconic landmarks such as Bamberg Cathedral and the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall).
Alte Hofhaltung
This is the town’s oldest palace and court, named Alte Hofhaltung. The old court is the place where the prince-bishops resided before the construction of the New Residence. What you see today, is a little part of the former old Court buildings. The first buildings (no longer in existence) were built in the early 1100s. The current Gothic half-timbered houses have been there since the 15th century. The Old Court of Bamberg is now home to the Historic Museum. This courtyard was used in the 2011 filming of The Three Musketeers.
Little Venice
Visit Bambergs Klein Venedig (Little Venice)! On the waterfront, you’ll find a row of half-timbered houses, once inhabited by fishermen and their families. There is a path along the river where you can walk along the banks of the river.
Altenburg Castle
Sits on the tallest of the seven hills of Bamberg, overlooking the town. This medieval fortress offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into Bamberg's past.
Schloss Seehof
Located on the outskirts of Bamberg near Memmelsdorf, Schloss Seehof was the summer home and hunting lodge for prince-bishop Marquard Sebastian von Schenk von Stauffenberg. If you don’t have a car take bus #907 to the village of Memmelsdorf. This magnificent baroque Palace has beautiful gardens that are also worth seeing. If you visit in the afternoon enjoy tea time at the restaurant.
Hope you enjoy my list of the BEST things to do in BAMBERG!
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Bamberg was one of my favorite stops on our Christmas Market River Cruise.
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