For beer drinkers, Bamberg is heaven on earth. Although it really is a small city, it has many breweries, some of which have their own pub alongside. One particular recommendation is the smoked beer, characterised by the special taste which is the result of drying the barley over an open flame. You can catch a glimpse of the brewing process in the two brewery restaurants Schlenkerla and Spezial.
The entire of Bamberg's Old Town has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. On a walk through the historic town centre you will discover many points of architectural interest. The Neue Residenz, a palace built in the 17th century, is characterised by Renaissance and Baroque styles.
Opposite the palace you will find the Alte Hofhaltung, an estate with residential and farm buildings featuring Gothic and Renaissance stylistic traits and in which you can find countless historical artefacts. A few steps from here you will find the Kaiserdom, a Gothic-Romantic cathedral from the 13th century, embellished with various examples of medieval religious art. Here you will also find the Bamberg Horseman, a sculpture of a horse and his unknown rider.
Over the summer months, Bamberg makes for an excellent short trip, during which you can go to one of the many concerts in the Sinfonie an der Regnitz concert hall. The E.T.A. Hoffmann Theatre offers a wide-ranging programme, from classical theatre pieces to operettas to musicals. In addition, there is a variety of small theatres and event venues offering diverse, if smaller performances, of, for example, Flamenco or live jazz. On your city trip to Bamberg during the summer you can also go to some of the festivals held in the city, for example, the six day-long Sandkerwa in August will entertain you with live music, beer and various delicious dishes.
Around the Kaiserdom you will find the city's shopping quarter, where you can buy souvenirs such as artwork, ceramic ware, glasses, and vases, as well as antique clocks, watches and jewellery.
The city is situated amongst seven hills in Bavarian Upper Franconia. The city's geography is similar to that of the Italian capital and, as a result, Bamberg is often called the "Franconian Rome". Bamberg is easy to reach by train from surrounding cities, and the ICE delivers you quickly to the city from Berlin and Munich. A bus network connects Bamberg's Old Town with the suburbs and surrounding areas.
