How to Experience Franconia, Germany’s Best-Kept Secret

Feast on juicy schäufele, a slow-cooked pork shoulder dish smothered in rich gravy with a side of kartoffelknödel (buttery potato dumplings) and tender sauerkraut. For the best of the best, head to Mann’s Brau in Bamberg, and don’t forget to wash it all down with a stein of their house dunkel beer.

Get your brat fix with some lip-smacking Frankische bratwurst, prepared the old school blue zipfel way: boiled in a brothy, vinegar-onion slush. For something sweet, treat yourself to lebkuchen, the original gingerbread best enjoyed in its place of inception: Nuremberg.

Simply put, Franconia is the beer country within the beer country. In fact, the region boasts the highest concentration of breweries in Europe, and Upper Franconia takes the cake (erm, pint?) for the highest concentration of breweries worldwide.

The region boasts a kaleidoscope of different beers and brewing traditions, but the most notable is traditional smoked beer. Pop into the 13th-century pub Schlenkerla in Bamberg to savor the drink in the form of their famous rauchbier, a traditional Franconian beer brewed from malted barley that has been dried over a crackling fire.

Bottled in signature emerald green bocksbeutel, Franconian wine—the floral and refreshing silvaner, in particular—is one of Germany’s best kept secrets.

Take in Wuerzburg’s rich history and winemaking culture at Staatlicher Hofkeller. Complete with hand-painted wooden barriques and a tangle of ancient cellar tunnels, Staatlicher Hofkeller dates to 1128, making it one of the world’s oldest wineries.

Or, take to the far fringes of Wuerzburg to visit the 15th-century Weingut Schloss Sommerhausen, where the Steinmann family has been cultivating some of the region’s finest wines for 14 generations.

Bayreuth is crowned by its 18th-century Margravial Opera House—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and arguably the most beautiful baroque structure in the world, boasting delicate stucco cherubs, a lavish canvas ceiling, and an atmosphere warmed by candlelight.

Take an immersive stroll around the musical city to explore the storied opera theater and its connection to legendary composer Richard Wagner, whose legacy is felt throughout the town to this day. Visiting in summer? Don’t miss the 147-years-running Bayreuther Festspiele, a month-long, world-renowned music festival thought up by Wagner himself.

Complete with a UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Town full of historic gems, from its 13th-century Bamberg Cathedral to its iconic Altes Rathaus with pastel frescoes, and a sleepy Gardener’s District of candy-colored homes, Bamberg is nothing short of enchanting.

Meander along the river through a former fisherman’s village, now affectionately called Klein Venedig, or Little Venice, before marveling at the Neue Residenz, a 17th-century palace decked out in rococo sculptures and a blanket of scarlet blooms in its renaissance rose garden.

Trek through the Franconia Mountain Path to immerse yourself in a trio of wonders: the Franconia Forest, Fichtel Mountains, and aptly named Franconian Switzerland. Or how about the cycling trip of a lifetime? Marrying two of Franconia’s biggest strengths, old-world charm and unspoiled nature, the Tauber Altmühl cycling trail winds through the heart of Franconia’s Lakes Region and quaint, romantic villages like Rothenburg ob Der Tauber.

Better yet, experience rural Franconia’s scenic trails and family beer houses with a guided hike—stunning views and delicious regional specialties guaranteed.

As one of the focal points of World War II, a large portion of Nuremberg’s history is tragic. To fully understand the city’s past, from its role in the Holy Roman Empire to its importance under the Third Reich, it’s best to embark on a local-led history tour.

For dining, many folks find their way to Zum Gulden Stern, which has been serving pints and fire-roasted sausages since 1419. Finish on a sweet note with a baked specialty, lebkuchen from Lebkuchen Schmidt.

From the sprawling Wuerzburg Residenz, home to a ceiling fresco that’s record-breaking in size (and downright gorgeous), to the long-forgotten Karlsburg Castle ruins that tower over Karlstadt, there’s plenty of magic surrounding the region’s palaces—overgrown and otherwise.

Consider yourself a true castle aficionado? Rent a car and cruise around the Franconian portion of Germany’s iconic Castle Road, which includes gems such as Plassenburg Castle in Kulmbach, the grandiose Residence of Ansbach, and the Coburg Fortress.