Location: Coburg
Top Things to do in Coburg
10 Things to Do in Coburg That You Shouldn't Miss
At the top of Bavaria and dating back to at least the 11th century, Coburg sat undiscovered by many late 20th century tourists, surrounded as it was on three sides by the former East Germany. The town’s main attraction, impossible to miss since it overlooks the town, is the 13th century Veste Coburg Castle, one of Germany’s largest and most beautiful. Sometimes called the Franconian Crown, today it’s home to three museums. Reformer Martin Luther, then an outlaw, spent five months here in 1530.
Restaurants in Coburg
1. Veste Coburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
The “Fränkische Krone” (Franconian Crown) is one of the largest medieval castle buildings in Germany. Martin Luther lived within its walls in 1530. Today, internationally significant art collections are housed there.
Reviewed By Kelly B - Baltimore, Maryland
Spent the afternoon here and visited the temporary Luther exhibition, which is quite good, as well as the art collections and historic rooms. Aside from the spectacular location itself, full of sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, the castle has several intriguing and unique things to see. The Luther chapel and rooms are, obviously, part of its claim to fame, but the castle houses a surprising art collection, including some pieces by Tilman Riemenschneider, the Renaissance master sculptor from Würzburg. The jaw-dropping wood-inlay work in the Marquetry Hunting Room is incredible. Take some time to wander around the battlements for views of the countryside and the castle structure itself.
2. Marktplatz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
In the centre of the historical old town with historically preserved architecture: City Hall, City House, court pharmacy (first and therefore Coburg’s oldest pharmacy), statue of Prince Albert. Every Wednesday and Saturday a weekly market takes place here and during Advent is the Coburg Christmas market.
3. Schloss Ehrenburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
It was the city residence of the dukes of Coburg from 1547 to 1918. Splendid chambers, the living rooms of Queen Victoria, the large hall, Gobelin room, red room, throne room, palace chapel, royal living rooms with precious furniture, and numerous portraits portray the impressive family connections of the Coburg dukes.
Reviewed By WasOnce - Bucks County, Pennsylvania
What an outstanding treasure! We followed behind the German language tour with a young man who spoke very good English. In a sense, it was like having a private tour of the palace. Incredible that so much of what is seen is original to the palace. The tour was about an hour long and unlike some of the other palaces we have toured in Europe (read: Pitti Palace in Florence, Residenz in Munich) we didn't come away numb and overwhelmed by a bazillion rooms that all started to look the same. This was such a worthwhile excursion!
4. Hofgarten
Overall Ratings
5 based on 46 reviews
The court garden is a generously sized landscaped park between the Coburg Fortress and Schlossplatz (Palace Square). The court garden was built during the reign of Duke Albrecht of Saxony-Coburg, and dates back to the baroque era. Many monuments are found there, as well as the mausoleum of the dukes.
Reviewed By Alastair N - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
If you want to visit Veste Coburg, the large fortress above the town, the walking route takes you through the Hofgarten, and there is enough going on there to distract you for a while, from statues to small buildings to views of the town below. There were lots of people just walking and jogging through it, as well as children playing. It's a good place just to enjoy the Sunshine on a summer's day.
5. Schloss Rosenau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Owned by the master of the mint of Rosenau from the 15th century up to 1698; as of 1806, expansion as summer residence of the Coburg dukes in an English (neo)Gothic style. Birthplace of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland.
Reviewed By Danielle D - Munich, Germany
Not far away from Coburg, it complements very well the visit of the ducal city. The castle, which saw the birth of Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Queen Victoria of England's cousin and future husband, is indeed a very romantic sight with its neo-gothic structure. It can only be visited with a 1-hour guided tour in German, but the guide tries very hard to help you in English by translating bits and pieces if you don't understand (and if the group is not too large). We were very lucky and got a private tour since we were the only ones at the door at the given time. The next tour was also private with only a couple accompanying the guide. Check the tour schedule to optimize your time since there is a tour every hour.
Photos are allowed (without flash) but not videos - I don't understand why ...
Parking available nearby.
You have to wear slippers over your shoes to preserve the wooden floors, so you learn to "skate" very quickly! It must make it fun for kids!
Entrance price included in the CoBook (cost 15 euros and available at the Tourist Office in Coburg).
The park is said to be very pleasant, too, but we unfortunately ran out of time to visit it, too. For the next visit in Coburg, then!
GPS coordinates: Schloss Rosenau: 50.29795, 11.02254
6. Schloss Callenberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Neo-Gothic construction, first mentioned in 1122, from 1862 to today it has been owned by the ducal family of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha. The “Ducal Art Collection” is housed there with noble home decor, Roentgen furniture, palace chapel and rose garden. The German Rifle Museum is housed in the west wing.
Reviewed By DonPaulo - Richmond, Virginia
We were drawn by curiosity and a photo exhibition. Castle entry with the exhibition was only 5 Euro. If you are fascinated by the British royal family, the castle becomes much more interesting, as there is seemingly a portrait of every member of the family, except for 'black sheep.' The extensive marksmanship exhibit is among the least interesting I have ever seen and worth skipping. What is quite nice is the view of the countryside. The castle is relatively new and derived from more interesting and more important structures. There are the usual firearms, porcelain and rich furnishings, but nothing stands out above what you expect in a castle of this sort; if anything it seems a little less grand. The staff (one lady) was very pleasant, helpful and attentive.
7. Evangelische Stadtkirche St. Moriz
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Main evangelical church. Late gothic hall construction; interior finished in baroque style in the mid 18th century; in the choir is a 13m high alabaster epitaph of Duke Johann Friedrich the Middle by Nikolaus Berger. Martin Luther preached here in 1530.
Reviewed By pastenseland - Englewood, Tennessee
This may have been my ancestors home church before they left Coburg in 1709. Unfortunately I visited on a holiday and nobody was there to help with the ancestry, but the church was awe inspiring to look at.
8. Landestheater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Former court theatre (550 seats), dedicated on September 17, 1840. triple-wing building with year-round programme, such as opera, operetta, musicals, plays, Concerts, ballet, late night shows, children’s and youth theatre.
Reviewed By gladwewent17 - Durham, New Hampshire
We recently attended the opera "Dorian Gray" at this theater. (Although not German speakers, we knew the play, so it was fine.) What a splendid setting - interior and exterior. The music, voices, sets, and costumes were brilliant. Champagne and other beverages, available between acts, added to the evening's charm. Guests dress up but formal attire is no longer required. Parking was convenient and everyone seemed to go out afterwards! The chandeliers add to the elegance. What a resource for the city of Coburg!
9. Coburger Puppenmuseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Currently closed for renovations. Former residence of the orientalist and poet Friedrich Ruckert (1820 – 1826). 1000 antique dolls, puppets, tea dolls, the grandmother of the Barbie doll, antique toys displayed chronologically from 1800 – 1956 in more than 30 rooms; tours by live dolls.
Reviewed By Maria S
This is right around the corner from the Residenz, is inexpensive, and a lovely museum. There are dolls from many eras. It was a perfect complement to the Residenz. I appreciated the fact, that, once again, Germany always remembers to notice that a major world war happened. It's one wall of one room, but still powerful. Don't miss the video of the swimming doll.
10. Schlossplatz
Overall Ratings
4 based on 28 reviews
Representative square with Duke Ernst 1 monument, surrounded by Ehrenburg Castel, the state theatre, riding stables (studio stage of the state theatre), Marstall, arcades, Edinburgh Palace (head office of IHK Coburg). Event square for various events like HUK Summer Open Airs, Palace Square Festival and others.
Reviewed By Arara - Spain
The Schlossplatz is the big open space in front of Schloss Ehrenburg. Part of it is used as a parking lot nowadays, but it still allows you to walk there and have a nice view of the Schloss Ehrenburg. It is also close to the town center and next to the Hofgarten, the park which seperates the Veste Coburg on the hill from the town center below. A nice place to take pictures of Schloss Ehrenburg. During the Samba Festival in July, when we visited it, it is full of people and music groups playing drums, dancing samba and capoeira.
