Würzburg, Germany: What to Do, See, and Eat
A city rich in history and culture, Würzburg, has always been a favorite city of mine in Germany. I lived here for three years and continue to come back time and time again. There is something about this city that makes me want to explore more. Würzburg has one of the most beautiful Residence’s in all of Europe, from here you can walk through the old district, cross the Old Main Bridge, and hike up to the Marienberg Fortress, a huge medieval castle perched on top of the hill overlooking all of Würzburg.
Perhaps it’s the size of the city I love so much. With a population just a little over 126,000 it makes for the perfect sized city, not to overcrowded, yet big enough you will never get bored. Is drinking of interest to you? Perfect! Würzburg has a great brewery. Vineyards surround the city, so you know there is great wine to be found. Do you enjoy German food as much as I do? Würzburg all the good Bavarian food like Schweinehaxe, klöse suppe, bratwurst, on and on. I love Würzburg and it will always be among my favorite cities!
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Würzburg is known for the Residence, a UNESCO site and the Marienberg, the huge castle sitting on top a hill overlooking the city. Like most cities in Germany, Würzburg has a rich history that goes back over a thousand years.
Where the Marienberg now stands, there was another castle there build by the Celts and then the Franks took over before the area became Christianized by missionaries from Ireland.
One of Würzburg’s most popular Saints is St. Kilian. St. Kilian is well known throughout the city, there is a statue of him on the Old Main Brucke (bridge), there is the St. Kilian’s Abbey, and there is even a fest that takes place in Würzburg, known as Kiliani Fest. St. Kilian was an Irish bishop and apostle in Franconia. While on his way to Rome through Gaul territory, he stopped in Würzburg in hopes of converting the Duke here to Christianity who was a Pagan at the time. St. Kilian mentioned to the Duke that he violated his scripture by marrying the widow of his brother. She was not to happy about that and murdered St. Kilian.
The Marienberg Fortress was built for the Prince Bishops, but over time, it became to small. One of the Prince Bishop’s had an idea and wanted to construct a second building something similar to Versailles. From here, the Residence was constructed. After years of war both the Fortress and Residence were continuously being rebuilt. The Prince Bishops reached their downfall after continuous war, Würzburg then became a member of Bavaria.
Fast-Forward to WWII, Würzburg was almost completely destroyed, about 90% of the city was turned to rubble after bombing raids on March 16, 1945. Most cathedrals were destroyed as well as the Fortress and Residence. Thankfully, workers at the Residence had enough time to collect all the valuables and stash them in safe locations. Through photographs and descriptions, the city of Würzburg was able to rebuild itself after WWII. Like most cities in Germany, the cities were so well built according to historical records that you would never know they were almost entirely wiped out. The fortress still looks as if it is a thousand years old.
Würzburg, Germany on a Map
Würzburg lies in Lower Franconia in the state of Bavaria along the Main River. It is about a 1.5 hour car ride east of Frankfurt or 3 hours north of München (Munich). There is no real airport nearby, but they do have a great Hauptbahnhoff (main train station) 🚊.
Things to Do and See in Würzburg
There are countless things to do in Würzburg. Where do I start? If you only have 24 hours in Würzburg you have to check out the Residence (Residenz in German), Festung Marienberg (Würzburg Castle), churches, and wander around the city. But there is so much more to explore in Würzburg. Listed here are some of my favorite attractions and hidden gems in Würzburg.
Don't Miss the Käppele
One hidden gem in Würzburg is the Käppele ⛪️. The Käppele can actually be seen almost anywhere you stand in Würzburg. It sits on a hill near the castle. I say hidden gem, because the entrance is difficult to find so most visitors will only enjoy it from a distance without actually visiting the Kappele itself.
The Käppele is a very cute pilgrimage church. The inside is stunning as the interior is so decorative and unique.
To get to the Käppele, Instead of going right after the bridge toward the fortress, you would turn left and pass a few residential areas before hiking up to the Käppele. On the way up there are several steps that zigzag past 14 stations of the cross that are represented by small chapels. From several viewpoints on the way to the Käppele there are gorgeous views of the Marienberg Fortress.
Escape the City and go on a Nature Hike
If you look at a map of Würzburg, there is a lot of nature surrounding the city🌳. There are vineyards on the outskirts of the city and many forested areas beyond that, not to mention you can walk along the Main river for hours on end.
To really escape the city, just a few kilometers out are dense forests where you can hike for hours and hours.
Last time we visited Germany back in October of 2022, my cousin took us to the Waldkugel (Natulehrpfad). We did a short hike, no more then an hour but the air was fresh and it felt great to discover something new, get some exercise, and enjoy nature.
Exercise and Get Fresh Air Along the Main River
The Main River flows directly through the city of Würzburg. Würzburg has done an incredible job at creating a path and parks along the river. The path is several kilometers long, even connecting to other smaller towns.
Along the path and parks on the Main River, there are camp grounds, parks for children, exercise equipment, and even spots to get into the river for a nice swim.
Jill and I usually end up walking about 2 kilometers along the trail every time from a bus station to downtown. It’s always an enjoyable walk and nice to see that many people use the trail.
Get Lost in Würzburg's Downtown Area
When visiting Würzburg, I highly recommend knocking out the main attractions like the Residence and castle but some of my best discoveries of the city have been made simply by walking around random streets and alley ways. Würzburg is not a gridded city, there are roads and small streets branching in every direction.
I’d recommend putting time aside and just walk, go inside some of the churches, sit down at some of the small hidden restaurants, you never know what you will find.
Last time we were in Germany, we found a beautiful park with unique flowers and plants, we found an awesome German restaurant with an old timey theme, and found a great Döner Kebab place.
Hike to Festung Marienberg and Enjoy the City Views
Within walking distance from The Residence, is the Festung Marienberg (Marienberg Fortress or Würzburg Castle) 🏰. Upon entering Würzburg from the autobahn, you can’t help but notice the gigantic castle that sits on a hill overlooking the city.
Like the Residence, the Marienberg Fortress is a symbol of Würzburg 🏰 and an important and historical landmark.
On the current site where the Marienberg Fortress is today, there used to be an old Celtic Castle. In the 6th century the Franks dominated the area a placed a church at the current site. Over time, a castle was built around the church and expanded.
Unfortunately, during WWII, the Würzburg Castle was almost entirely destroyed. The castle has been rebuilt since to the point you would still think it’s hundreds of years old.
Today, the Marienberg Fortress is a popular tourist destination in Würzburg. Many visitors including myself choose to walk to the fortress from Würzburg’s altstadt. If parking at the Residence, you walk through town, cross the Old Main Bridge, and make your way up the hill to the entrance of the castle. For those that have difficulty walking or you’ve done this so many times already, conveniently there is a road and parking lot on the back side of the castle.
If visiting the Würzburg Castle, I recommend walking the castle grounds, visit the castle gardens, and enjoy the views of Würzburg. Visitors can look inside the church and see the tombs of buried Saints and walk into the central tower. There are tours at specific times where you can go inside the well house. For more information on hours and prices for tours, I recommend viewing the Stadt Würzburg website.
Sample Bavarian Food at the Markplatz
Don’t forget to visit the Marktplatz or Market Square, right next to the beautiful Marienkapelle and City Library. There is always something going on, whether it be a wine festival, the Christmas Market, or just vendors selling local goods. I like to come here and just order a bratwurst 🌭 and beer 🍺 at one of the food stalls.
Stroll the Gardens, Visit the Museum, and Admire the Würzburg Residence
The Residence is probably the most notable building in all of Würzburg even more so then the prominent Würzburg castle. The Residence is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A giant parking space dominates the front of the Residence. It’s convenient and cheap to park here but I feel it takes a way a little bit of the beauty of the Residence itself. To make up for the parking lot, there are gorgeous gardens on one side and behind the Residence. These gardens change and are maintained throughout the year. Besides the beauty of the gardens, the best thing about the gardens is that they are entirely free to visit and walk around.
Another free and highly recommended feature of the Residence in Würzburg is the Hofkirche der Residenz Würzburg (Court Church of the Residence). This is one of the most remarkable churches I’ve seen in Germany. The interior is elaborate with every inch of it covered in beautiful paintings, gold, and marble.
If visiting Würzburg and the Residence, I highly recommend taking the tour to learn more about this magnificent building and learning more about the history of both the Residence and Würzburg. While attending the tour visitors learn a lot about the Prince-Bishops who called the Residence home, more about the city of Würzburg, and more on the destruction of the city during WWII. Thankfully, individuals working at the Residence during WWII were able to store most of the valuable artifacts and paintings. There were pictures of the building as well, so it was restored to its former glory after WWII ended.
For more information on the Residence to include tour admission and hours, I recommend visiting the Residenz und Hofgarten Würzburg website.
Facts about the Residence
- The Residence is huge and houses nearly 400 rooms.
- One of the most fascinating rooms is home to the Grand Baroque Staircase with a fascinating mural painting on the ceiling.
- The Residence was completed in 1744.
- During WWII, much of the Residence was destroyed. The central building remained, but other sections of the Residence to include the roofs were destroyed by fire.
- In 1981, The Residence was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Churches, there are Many to See
Würzburg is considered to have the most churches of a city of its size ⛪️. I believe there are over 70, so I can’t continue along without mentioning some of of my most recommended churches to visit in Würzburg. I’ve mentioned the chapel in the Residence is a must as well as the Kappele, but the skyline is dominated by other huge cathedrals that are well worth exploring.
The Neumünster church is a very old church dating back to 1065. The Cathedral physically can’t be missed as it is in the heart of the downtown area. St. Kilian’s sarcophagus is in the crypt of this church.
The Marienkapelle, one of my favorites by the local market stands out because of its notable red and white exterior. This Roman Catholic church was built in the 14th century. Like many buildings and churches in Würzburg, this church was heavily destroyed during WWII. It was reconstructed in the 1950’s.
Another church worth visiting in Würzburg is the Würzburger Dom. This cathedral was built in dedication to St. Kilian. Apparently this is the fourth largest Roman Catholic church in Germany. There has been a church at this location since at least the year 787. But the cathedral was built around 1045.
Walk the Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge)
I’ve mentioned the Alte Mainbrücke a few times now and have not really said what it is. Alte Mainbrücke translates to the Old Main Bridge, Main being the river that flows through Würzburg. This bridge is another symbol of Würzburg and chances are, if you are going to the fortress, you will walk across the bridge. The bridge is old, it was built in the early 1470’s and had twelve statues placed along the bridge three hundred years later.
The Mainbrücke is a pedestrian bridge and has become a very popular gathering site during the warm months. When I grew up here, this was never a thing until recently. There is a small restaurant here that serves wine. Now hundreds of people gather here with a glass of wine and hang out on the bridge. It is amazing at night since the Marienberg is lit up.
Recommended Places to Eat and Drink around Würzburg
Würzburg is not a known foodie destination, but you can find all your traditional German and European eats here. Würzburg even has their own brewery, Würzburger Hofbrau. After living and spending time here, I have a few spots that I absolutely love when it comes to eating and drinking!
Alter Kranen
One of my favorites, based on the inexpensive yet delicious food and beautiful views. This restaurant is located right along the Main River in the heart of the city. I tend to opt for outside seating, they have a wonderful atmosphere here. For first timers, especially if new to Germany, order the schweineshaxe, a huge pork knuckle with crackling skin and tender meat. You can read more about schweineshaxe in my Favorite Food Post. Their haxe is amazing especially when paired with a good heffeweizen (wheat beer).
Anatolia Kebab House and Istanbul Kebab
Döner Kebab is my favorite fast food in the world and Würzburg has several great places that sell amazing Döner Kebabs. The two that stand out the most to me are Anatolia Kebab House and Istanbul Kebab. Anatolia Kebab House was a nice mom and pop shop that made excellent Dürüm. Istanbul Kebab had phenomenal Döner Kebabs. Both locations were quick and easy.
Café Bar Lenz
If you are looking for a great breakfast in Würzburg, then I recommend checking out Café Bar Lenz. This café is a popular place among the locals, so reservations are recommended.
Cafe Bar Lenz has great coffee, I got a Nutella Latte which blew me away! For breakfast, I recommend their platters. The platters came with a basket of bread and other food items depending on the platter.
Hans Im Glück
In the mood for a burger in a unique but cool atmosphere? I recommend going to Hans Im Glück. I know a good burger and was a bit skeptical coming here. Germany isn’t exactly known for burgers. But this was recommended by my cousin. She is a vegan so they had a nice selection of vegan options on the menu.
I ordered the Käse and Speck (Cheese and Bacon) Burger with fries and was pleasantly surprised. The burger patty had a unique taste to it, the buns was buttery and crisp, and the fries were perfectly cooked and seasoned. I also enjoyed their variety of sauces provided on each table. The restaurant itself was unique as there were aspen trees set up all throughout the restaurant. Overall, if dining in Würzburg again and I am craving a burger, I’d definitely come back to Hans Im Glück.
Locanda Pizza & Pasta
It has been a while since I’ve been to Locanda Pizza. From what I remember, the pizza was delicious and huge! The pizzas extend past the plates they serve. Locanda has both outdoor and indoor seating.
Restaurant Hubland
When it comes to Greek Food, Germany has spoiled me. The Greek Food here is probably the best outside of Greece. Restaurant Hubland is somewhat off the beaten path, not really near the downtown area, but it is well worth going to. Come here when the weather gets warmer as they have an impressive outside area. I always order the Gyros Spezial, this dish is served in most Greek restaurants. The Spezial at Hubland is fantastic! Meat from the spit, drenched in metaxa sauce and baked in the oven with cheese, Oh man, so good!! It usually comes with fries, I like to dunk in the sauce, one of my favorite meals of all time. Bonus – at Greek Restaurants you usually get a shot of Ouzo at the end to settle the tummy.
Würzburg Hofbräu
No trip to Würzburg is complete without a visit to Würzburg Hofbräu. Würzburg has their own brewery and their beers are fantastic! Either get a beer straight from the source or purchase a Würzburg Hofbräu beer at any supermarket and drink one while walking around. Most restaurants in the local area will serve their beer as well.
Is Würzburg Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, Würzburg is worth visiting. In fact, Würzburg is one of my favorite cities in Germany. There is so much to do in Würzburg, I’d even recommend spending a minimum of one day in Würzburg if not longer. There is the Residence, a UNESCO site in Würzburg, the Marienberg Fortress, Old Main Bridge, and so much more. I hope this post on Würzburg provides enough of a reason for visitors to come and explore one of my favorite cities.
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9 Comments
Joey
Brandon, thanks for sharing this post about Würzburg, it sounds like a very cool place! I might check it out on my next visit to Germany 😊
zimminaround
I am surprised you have not been to Würzburg. I highly recommend it, it’s one of my favorite cities and there is so much to see and do here.
Evelyn
homesick
zimminaround
I miss Würzburg too. One of my favorite cities. I always feel at home when I visit.
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SusanB
Brandon,
Your advice to stay in Würzburg’s old town was spot on. We were there May 5 & 6 and stayed at the Dorint Hotel. We left our rental car in the Tiefgarage and walked to everything. May 6 woke up to pouring rain, but it stopped before we walked to the Residenz for the 11am English Tour. The Dorint is pricy, but worth it. Recently renovated with a great breakfast buffet. Rain kept away on the Old Main bridge – scenic and a fun atmosphere. End of day rain returned, but by that time we didn’t care. A really cool city,
Thanks,
Susan
zimminaround
Susan,
I am so glad you enjoyed Würzburg. Würzburg is a very walkable city when in the city center. Did you walk up to the castle? I always expect rain when in Germany. Thankfully there are a lot of indoor activities you can do in case it rains all day. Safe Travels!
Thanks,
Brandon