Limmersdorfer Lindenkirchweih: Die Linde wurde im 17. Jahrhundert gepflanzt
Experience Franconia

Hikes, raft trips, climbing and mountain bike tours, castles, festivals and fossils: 13 experiences that you should definitely not miss in Franconia

Reading time: 10 minutes

13 Must-Do Experiences in Franconia

Wanderer auf dem Taubertalwanderweg bei Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Liebliches Taubertal Panoramic Trail

Between Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Freudenberg am Main, this path links cultural and scenic highlights of the region to create an experience tour. It has the distinction of being a “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality walking trail.
liebliches-taubertal.de

Wanderer auf dem Staffelberg

"Gottesgarten" circuit

The Staffelberg mountain and the Vierzehnheiligen church – well-known landmarks in Franconia – lure visitors to the landscapes of the Gottesgarten (God’s Garden), a region in the Upper Main valley. The southern circuit offers views of the Main valley as far as the Fichtelgebirge mountains and the Thuringian Forest. The northern loop encompasses the quiet, tranquil side north of the Main river.
obermain-jura.de (only in German)

Kletterfelsen in der Bärenschlucht in der Fränkischen Schweiz

Climbing in Franconian Switzerland

Climbers from all over the world love Franconian Switzerland - hardly surprising given that there are around 12,000 climbing routes on around 800 individual rocks. The limestone rocks of the Franconian Jura Mountains have crevasses, chimneys, walls, edges and overhands, creating a challenging and varied climbing experience.
fraenkische-schweiz.com

Boating

Rivers like the Regnitz and the Pegnitz, the Wiesent, the Tauber, the Altmühl and the Saale as well as sections of the Main are tailor-made for boating.
frankentourismus.de (only in German)

Floßfahrt auf der Wilden Rodach im Frankenwald

River trips

“Jumping in at the deep end” is the legendary dare for summer river trips on the Wild Rodach River in the Franconian Forest.
flossfahrt-wallenfels.de (only in German)

Schloss Mainberg bei Schweinfurt

Friedrich Rückert walking trail

Friedrich Rückert (1788–1866) was a German poet, linguist and translator. He is Franconia’s greatest poet and one of the founders of German Orientalism. Following in his footsteps, the path leads 145 km through the charming natural surroundings of the Haßberge mountains from Schweinfurt, his place of birth, to Coburg.
hassberge-tourismus.de

Mit Hammer und Meißel auf Fossilienjagd im Naturpark Altmühltal

Fossils/Open Quarries

In the Nature Park Altmühltal, there are numerous quarries where limestone slabs were once mined. The limestone slabs were formed in the lagoons of the Jurassic Sea and contain many fossils. In open quarries, such as those at Mühlheim or Blumenberg, visitors can learn more about this rock.
naturpark-altmuehltal.de

Blick in den Burghof der Cadolzburg

The Castle Road

The rich and varied route criss-crosses Franconia from the southwest to the northeast - from Rothenburg an der Tauber via Ansbach, Roth, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Coburg, Kronach and Kulmbach to Bayreuth It passes 70 castles, palaces and residences. Length: 803 km, with the car or by bicycle.
burgenstrasse.de

Der Schneeberg ist der höchste Berg des Fichtelgebirges

Franconian Mountain Path

The walking tour along the 428 km Franconian Mountain Path starts in the Franconian Forest, in Untereichenstein, and ends in the Pegnitz valley near Hersbruck in the district of Nuremberg. Cultural attractions such as those in Bayreuth, Pottenstein and Waldsassen lie directly on the route.
fraenkischer-gebirgsweg.de (only in German)

Sonnenuntergang auf der Kösseine, mit Blick auf ein weitläufiges Granit-Blockmeer

Mountain biking in the Fichtelgebirge

Steep climbs, mountain peaks and differences in altitude of up to 400 metres - covering an entire length of 240 km, this is an attractive and well-designed mountain bike network.
fichtelgebirge.bayern

Limmersdorfer Lindenkirchweih: Das Tanzlindenfest ist immaterielles Kulturerbe

Limmersdorfer Lindenkirchweih

This typical Franconian parish fair has been going since at least 1729, and is centred around a lime tree. Every year, a dance is held in the crown of this ancient, gnarled tree. It is around 16 metres high with a trunk diameter of 5 metres, and the dance platform is around 4 metres up.
Lindenkirchweih

12

Kiliani Folk Festival

The Würzburg Kiliani Folk Festival (called the “Mess”) is the largest folk festival in Lower Franconia and takes place in July each year, when visitors are entranced by its many fairground rides and speciality food and drink.
wuerzburg.de

Die Wandelhalle in Bad Kissingen ist die größte Trinkkurhalle in Europa

Spas and baths

Rest, relaxation, well-being: these are the aims of the 19 healing baths and spa resorts in the “Franconia Health Park”, some of which have a long tradition of bathing: Bad Brückenau, Bad Steben, Bad Alexanderbad, Bad Kissingen and many more.
frankentourismus.de (only in German)

Fancy more tips from Franconia?

Mural „Wir sind Langwasser…wir sind bunt”

Street Art in Bavaria

Street art makes grey concrete blossom! Subways and building façades in Bavaria are pimped up legally, often on public commission. 18 must-sees!

Read more
UNESCO Welterbe: Bad Kissingen

10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

This listicle introduces you to all ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bavaria, i.e. monuments, architectural ensembles and cities

Read more
Die Buchenegger Wasserfälle südlich von Oberstaufen

Bavarias 16 most beautiful waterfalls

When water runs riot in the vertical: 16 roaringly beautiful tips. From the highest waterfall in Germany to the romantic Mini in Franconia

Read more
Aussicht auf den Taubenbergturm

12 Tips for Remote Viewers

Look over here! You don't need high alpine peaks to see into the distance. Here are 12 great lookout towers in Bavaria for the best views

Read more
Winterwanderung auf dem 1. Premium-Winterwanderweg Deutschlands

16 Winter Hiking Tours

Skis, boards and snowshoes aside! All senses are served during relaxed winter hiking. Here are 16 insider tips for tours in Bavaria

Read more
Auftritt des mechanischen Drachen beim historischen Further Drachenstich in Furth im Wald

16 Historical Festivals in Bavaria

We show how Bavaria's history comes to life again in lovingly staged parades or historical spectacles

Read more

News from Bavaria

Get first-hand tips on stories, travel reports and events!