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 FrÀnkische 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: NĂŒrnberger RostbratwĂŒrste (three in a roll with sweet mustard) or SchĂ€ufele if you're hungry.

Day 2 — Nuremberg or FĂŒrth

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 FĂŒrth (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 FrĂ€nkische 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 — FrĂ€nkische 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 BrĂ€u 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.

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