Top Things to do in Franconia
Top Hotels in Franconia
What to do and see in Franconia, Bavaria: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Discover the best top things to do in Franconia, Germany including Altstadt, Rothenburg Town Hall (Rathaus), Fortress Marienberg, Stammhaus Dassler, The Residenz, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Hermitage Castle (Altes Schloss Ermitage), St. Lorenz Church, Frankonian Open Air Museum, Reichsparteigelande (Nazi Party Rally Grounds).
Restaurants in Franconia
1. Altstadt
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,384 reviews
Rothenburg has made a concerted effort to preserve its medieval heritage, and Old Town reflects the historic fruits of this labor.
Reviewed By johnbJ2216LG - Northville, United States
Christmas market we took our granddaughter to see the Christmas markets in Germany in the city and the Christmas market was a wonderful experience. The time itself without the Christmas market is a worthwhile experience because it had very little damage from the war And a lot of the structures are still intact if you are in Germany it’s a definite place you have to visit
2. Rothenburg Town Hall (Rathaus)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,430 reviews
The city hall of this picturesque, undeveloped village reflects its anachronistic spirit.
Reviewed By smichelini2017 - Tampa, United States
Centered in the old walled city. It was festooned with colorful Christmas Market decorations and market stands serving everything from seasonal favorites like spiced wine to open fire roasted bratwursts, chestnuts, and more. Specialty shops included Christmas gifts and regional traditional decorations. The Rathouse serves as a beautiful backdrop for the Christmas Market.
3. Fortress Marienberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,216 reviews
This castle, the city's most prominent symbol since the 12th century, includes a museum, restaurant and formal gardens.
Reviewed By lucianonecar - Berlin, Germany
The opportunity to walk up the hill and experience the views, touch the walls, walk through adorned entrance doors, and see other aspects of the fortress from outside was unique. A must-do for those who come to Würzburg.
4. Stammhaus Dassler
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
5. The Residenz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,636 reviews
This palace served as the home for Würzburg's powerful prince-bishops during the Enlightenment and is known for its extravagant artistic design and Baroque architecture.
Reviewed By monideepad - Bangalore District, India
We walked ahead and reached the Würzburg Residence with the Courtyard Gardens and the Residence Square. A very strong representation of the 18th-century Baroque palace architecture, the Würzburg Residence has been listed has World Heritage Site since 1981. As soon as we had stepped in through one of the three monumental gates, we realised that we had indeed saved the best for the last... Once within the Courtyard Gardens, we were appalled by its beauty and wonderstruck to see how thoughtfully it had been planned within the fortifications. Known to be one of the finest Baroque Gardens that Germany can boast of, the Courtyard Garden is made up of three sections, South Garden inside the gate, the East Garden, the and the Nursery The part of the Courtyard Garden or ‘Hofgarten’ close to the Residence or ‘Residenz’ comprises the east part. It is grand and in formal Baroque style with the terraces that create an illusion of spaciousness. As we moved further towards the south end, we noticed a transition in its style towards an English garden, with perfectly trimmed sharply conical 18th Century Yew trees, with sculptures at their base, with mini forests and meadows and an orangery at the far back. Monumental sculptures, statues of Greek Gods, figures, vases, urns decorate the park which has cute white benches. I was particularly smitten by the fountain because of the frozen water around. A small branch was lying on top of the frozen water and it was a spectacular sight. The Nursery is like a rough park. I could not help wondering how lush green and colourful the Courtyard Garden would look when in full bloom. The Courtyard Gardens could be visited free of charge, but for visiting the Residence, one has to take a guided tour. The baroque palace, Würzburg Residence, was built in 1720 at the request of Bishop Johann. The palace is made of yellow sandstone and hence emits a golden glow. I am very fond of palace tours as I am invariably intrigued about its interiors. Photographs were not permitted but I brought back memories of this Franconian Versailles which boasts of grand rooms, more than three hundred in number, spread over three wings; the central main, the north and the south wings. I was mesmerised by the ornately elegant golden and marble church ‘Hofkirche’, which was built for the exclusive use of the prince bishop, the grand, wide staircase, the ceiling decorated with frescoes, the alter decorated with paintings of Tiepolo, the chapel and the Imperial Hall; all of which bear the impressions of Baroque, Rococo or Neoclassical architecture and art. It goes without saying that Residence too was very badly damaged during the World War II, but thankfully, it was eventually restored.
6. Germanisches Nationalmuseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 805 reviews
The Germanisches Nationalmuseum is the largest museum of cultural history in the German-speaking region. Setting nation-wide standards through its scientific and scholarly achievements, it carries the reputation of a dependable reference point in the museum landscape. The museum investigates art and culture in German-speaking areas in an internationally integrated and innovative way, offering educational experiences in dialogue form. Insights and results are situated within their historical contexts. The exhibition captivates visitors by the aura and presence of the original, awakening curiosity in art and culture through the narrative around it.
Reviewed By ElleKaye73 - Chicago, United States
The first globe ever made is here! This well-laid out museum has something for everyone, from bronze age implements to medical weapons, to Durer artwork. We spent about 3 hours here, well worth the visit!
7. Hermitage Castle (Altes Schloss Ermitage)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By cmbreuer2016 - Queensland, Australia
We visited in winter, a lot of the statues and fountains were covered but it was still stunning. I imagine that in a few months the gardens and parklands would be wonderful. It is well worth a visit.
8. St. Lorenz Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,688 reviews
During services and special events St. Lorenz church is closed for sightseeing
Reviewed By 604karenm - Louisiana, United States
Beautiful architecture! Don't miss the sacrament house sculpted by Adam Kraft. The incredible art survived the Reformation because families had donated these priceless items to preserve the memory of their loved ones.
9. Frankonian Open Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Museum under the open sky A walk around the Fränkisches Freilandmuseum is like travelling back in time through the past 700 years of rural life in Franconia. More than one hundred buildings, most of them furnished with authentic furniture from their period – farmsteads, craftsmen’s cottages, shepherd’s hut, barns, stables, bakeries, drying houses for fruit and flax, a school, a municipal building and a manor house – make for an amazing journey of discovery, showing how Franconian people lived, worked and built their homes in times gone by. Walk from village to village The buildings are arranged in sevengroups, representing different regions and themes. So, walking around the museum site feels a bit like walking from village to village, as people would have done in the past. Of particular interest are the “Middle Ages” group and the “Town” group, located in Bad Windsheim’s old town, with the Spitalkirche (hospital church), the “Museum Kirche in Franken”.
Reviewed By ghanbg - Nuremberg, Germany
This is a remarkable open air museum - a collection of farm buildings from various centuries. Very spacious, lovely grounds, historically interesting and engaging. Also nice for kids, who will love exploring some of the buildings insides. There are places on the property to grab a bite + some cool playgrounds. The place is a bit off the beaten tourist tracks (for non-Germans), but if you have a chance to pass through, do visit it.
10. Reichsparteigelande (Nazi Party Rally Grounds)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,785 reviews
Reviewed By E9817ZXchrisw - Sydney, Australia
Anyone that knows anything about history will know this place. What I never realised was the scale of the grounds that the rally grounds occupy. From the museum located in the Kongressehalle to the walk around the lake to discover the Grand Avenue and Zeppelin Field, the history here is well worth a look. I can only imagine what this place may have looked like had it had been completed. Everything is on a grand scale.
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