A week in Franconia allows two base accommodations: Nuremberg or Erlangen for the first days, Bamberg or Forchheim for the second part. One week comfortably covers Fränkische Schweiz, the Kellerwald, Bamberg's breweries, Erlangen during Bergkirchweih season, and a day trip to Kulmbach or Bayreuth. No car needed for the core route.
The Principle
- Maximum two accommodations for the whole week
- No daily obligations — better to know one region well than seven superficially
- Distances are short: Nuremberg to Bamberg is 50 minutes by train. You don't need to move base to see everything.
- Drinking beer and exploring places takes time. Two breweries a day is enough.
First Half (Days 1–3) — Base: Nuremberg
Day 1 — Nuremberg
Arrive, check in. Walk the old town in the afternoon — the castle, Hauptmarkt, the medieval lanes. Evening: Altstadthof for the Rotbier — the historic Nuremberg beer style, still brewed in the old town. Dinner: Nürnberger Rostbratwürste (three in a roll with sweet mustard) or Schäufele if you're hungry.
Day 2 — Nuremberg or Fürth
A second day in the Nuremberg area. Either go deeper into Nuremberg — Germanisches Nationalmuseum, the Documentation Centre, more pub exploring — or take the U-Bahn to Fürth (10 minutes) for its distinct character and local brewing tradition. This is a recovery day. A week where you race every day is not a good week.
Day 3 — Erlangen
20 minutes by S-Bahn. University city with its own atmosphere. At Whitsun: the Bergkirchweih on the Burgberg — Bavaria's oldest beer festival, since 1755. At any other time of year: Erlangen's pubs and the Schlossplatz in the afternoon, back to Nuremberg in the evening.
Move Base
After Day 3: pack up, take the train to Forchheim or Ebermannstadt. One accommodation in the heart of Fränkische Schweiz for the rest of the week. Beer cellars and hiking trails are directly reachable — no car needed for the cellars, useful for the more distant breweries.
Hotels Forchheim* → Hotels Ebermannstadt* →
Second Half (Days 4–7) — Base: Forchheim / Ebermannstadt
Day 4 — Forchheimer Kellerwald
Check in to the new base. Afternoon: explore the Forchheimer Kellerwald on foot — over 20 beer cellars on a single hill, all walkable from the old town. Take it easy: Day 5 is the big excursion day.
Day 5 — Fränkische Schweiz: Beer Cellars and Breweries
Rental car or train into the Wiesent valley. Two or three cellars, a brewery lunch, a short walk if the weather cooperates. Not more. A good beer cellar day ends satisfied, not exhausted. Brauerei Rittmayer in Hallerndorf for the Kellerbier with a view; Aufseß (30 km, Guinness record village) if there's still energy and interest.
Day 6 — Bamberg
10 minutes by train from Forchheim. A full day in Bamberg. Schlenkerla for the Rauchbier, Mahrs Bräu for the Ungespundetes direct from the wooden barrel. Lunch at a brewery pub. Walk the old town in the afternoon — UNESCO heritage site, the Altes Rathaus on its bridge, the Dom. Evening: one more Bamberg brewery if you're not done.
Day 7 — Free Day and Departure
No programme. Back to the cellar that was good yesterday. A walk. A brewery breakfast. Or depart early if you must. A last Seidla at the station is not embarrassing. If time allows before departure: Kulmbach is 40 minutes from Bamberg by train — Mönchshof Brewery Museum and the EKU history.