In this guide we include tips on what to do, accommodation, tourist attractions, restaurants and other information for your best visit to Würzburg in Bavaria and considered the first city of the Romantic Road in Germany.
We toured its main tourist attractions such as the Würzburg Residence, the Marienberg Fortress, the Old Main Bridge, Marienkapelle and other beautiful places.
A trip to Würzburg can be part of the plan to get to know the entire Romantic Road in Germany, the best known tourist route in the country, or even a weekend or holiday day trip.
We write about 8 of the best attractions on the Romantic Road in Germany with up-to-date tips, be sure to check it out.
Where is the city of Würzburg in Germany
Würzburg, or in Portuguese Wurzburg or Vurzburg, is a city in the north of the state of Bavaria, Germany and is located in the administrative region of Lower Franconia. Wurzburg is an independent city or urban district, ie it has district status.
Würzburg is 120 km from Frankfurt (approx. 1h 15min journey). I haven’t taken the train to the city yet, but you can search for an option on the Deutsch Bahn (the train journey takes around 2 hours). Taking the capital of the country as a reference, it is 492 Km from Berlin and even though it is far away, it is possible to go there by car (approx. 5h), whereas in relation to other cities, it is 148 Km from Stuttgart (approx. 1h 30min) and 277 Km from Munich (approx. 3h).
How to go to Würzburg in Germany
The best way to travel in Germany is very much up to you. We alternated a lot between using the country’s excellent railway network and also taking advantage of the no less excellent German roads and highways (who has never heard of the Autobahns with no speed limit, right?).
Germany Romantic Route
The German Romantic Road is the name given to a travel itinerary in southern Germany that crosses the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in>. It passes through 460 kilometers and 29 cities, starting in Würzburg to Füssen (where is the famous Neuschwanstein Castle) linking various historical attractions and picturesque castles.
Würzburg is part of the suggested itinerary and we have a complete and well-detailed travel guide with tips on how to get to know Germany’s Romantic Road, be sure to check it out.
Suggestions for activities and tours on the German Romantic Road and Würzburg in Germany:
Where to stay in Würzburg in Germany – Hotel, hostel and Bed & Breakfast
Although it is not very common to choose the city of Würzburg as a base to visit the Rota Romântica (it is much more common, for example, to stay at Frankfurt e make a round trip), there are some options for accommodation.
Tips for accommodation close to the center of Würzburg and worth knowing:
- Zur Stadt Mainz
- Semmelstr. 39, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
- 8.1 – Very good out of 546 ratings
- Guest Comments: It’s a very good hotel with friendly staff, it’s in a great location, the rooms are very clean and nice. We really enjoyed our stay. In-room coffee maker is a great bonus.
- Mercure Hotel Würzburg am Mainufer
- Dreikronenstrasse 27, 97082 Wurzburg, Germany
- 8.1 – Very good in 2019 ratings
- Guest Comments: The hotel is close to the castle, making it a good starting point for the walk into the centre. It has an easy garage, making it possible to leave the car and tour the historic site, even after checking out.
- Hotel Residence
- Juliuspromenade 1, 97070 Wurzburg, Germany
- 8.0 – Very Good from 1,267 ratings
- Guest Comments: Central, well located, comfortable bed, good price. There is no on-site parking but it has a discounted partnership with a nearby public car park.
- Hotel Würzburger Hof ****
- Barbarossaplatz 2, 97070 Wurzburg, Germany
- 8.3 – Very Good from 1,876 ratings
- Guest comments: We were very well received with 02 glasses of white wine from the region and little things to snack on. Large room, with anteroom, tastefully decorated, attentive staff, very tasty breakfast served in a refined lounge, excellent location!
- Franziskaner
- Franziskanerplatz 2, 97070 Wurzburg, Germany
- 8.1 – Very Good out of 1,410 ratings
- Guest Comments: Very clean room, comfortable beds, bathroom with enclosed shower stall. The hotel offers 5 star service. Great. Highly recommend.
- Best Western Premier Hotel Rebstock
- Neubaustraße 7, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
- 8.5 – Very Good from 1,181 ratings
- Guest comments: Although the hotel was under renovation, I thought the room was great, the bed was super comfortable, bathroom with great shower, all amenities. Good breakfast in bed. Very helpfull staff. Good location, close to the center.
There are also some other options for accommodation in hotels, hostels and inns, be sure to check it out at Booking.com page.
What to do in Würzburg in Germany
In the year 704, Würzburg was mentioned for the first time as a fortification “Virteburh” due to its castle (“in castello Virteburh”). And already in the Middle Ages, the city was already an important economic, spiritual and sovereign center. Its national importance remained high until the Industrial Revolution. An impressive cityscape was created, comparable to ancient cities in Central Europe such as Krakow.
In 1814 the city became part of Bavaria.
This was badly damaged in World War II, particularly by the bombing of March 16, 1945, from 9:15 pm to 9:42 pm, which destroyed 80% of the city centre. At least 4,500 people died from air strikes, enemy action and injuries in military hospitals.
Soon afterwards, during the reconstruction, important individual monuments such as most of the churches in the old town were rebuilt.
The Würzburg Residence, which was also severely damaged in the war and later restored, was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.
Main tourist attractions
We have listed below some of the tourist attractions that can be included in your travel itinerary in Würzburg.
Detailing more what can be visited:
- Residenz Würzburg (Residence Würzburg)
- The Würzburg Residence is a baroque palace on the outskirts of central Würzburg built in 1744 and its interior completed in 1781, during the Schönborn period under the direction of Balthasar Neumann. It served as the seat of the Prince Bishops of Würzburg until the ecclesiastical territories were dissolved by secularization.
- The palace is one of the main works of the southern German Baroque and must be considered one of the most important residential buildings of the late Baroque period in the European context, putting it in line with Schönbrunn in Vienna and the Palace of Versailles near Paris.
- In 1981, UNESCO classified the building, including the Residenzplatz and outbuildings, as a World Heritage Site.
- One of its main attractions is the “Hall of Mirrors” rebuilt between 1979 and 1987 considered the “most perfect work of Rococo space art”.
- Its Hofgarten and Orangerie gardens are beautiful and worth a stroll.
- Festung Marienberg (Fortress of Marienberg)
- The Fortress of Marienberg (also called Marienfeste) was enlarged in the Gothic period and later in the Renaissance and is the city’s most famous landmark.
- The complex, which served as the seat of the former government of the Bishopric of Würzburg until the 18th century, was Schloss Marienberg. It is an old fortification and a former prince-bishop’s palace on the mountain called Marienberg, also known as Frauenberg, 100 meters up on the banks of the Main river.
- Die Alte Mainbrücke (The Old Main Bridge)
- The Old Point of Würzburg was the only crossing of the River Main until 1886. Built in 1476, it is characterized by figures of saints that were added from 1725.
- Also enjoy the view from the Alte Mainbrücke to the Festung Marienberg, it’s really beautiful. The bridge connects the historic center to the Fortress.
- In addition to enjoying the view, it is a tradition for both tourists and city residents to take advantage of the fact that the bridge only allows pedestrians to cross and have a glass (or a few) of wine, bought in the bars that are there.
- St.-Kilians-Dom zu Würzburg (Würzburg Cathedral)
- The St.-Kilians-Dom zu Würzburg or Dom St. Kilian, built around 1040, is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Kilian, who was an Irish missionary bishop and the apostle of Franconia (Franconia is now the northern part of Bavaria), where he began his work in the second half of the 19th century. century.
- The cathedral is the episcopal church of the Diocese of Würzburg. With its double-towered facade and a total length of 105 meters, it is the fourth largest Romanesque church in Germany and a masterpiece of German architecture at the time of the Salian emperors.
- Other Churches of Würzburg
- The city has other churches that are worth visiting both for their exterior architecture and the wealth of details and internal works. Some of them:
- Neumünster – Also known as Neumünster St. Johannes Evangelist und St. Johannes der Täufer, is a collegiate church from 1605. With several expansions and renovations, its last major work took place in 1725, when the interior was redesigned in Baroque style by the brothers Johann Baptist Zimmermann and Dominikus Zimmermann. After being heavily damaged during World War II, it still underwent restorations and modernizations.
- Käppele – The Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Heimsuchung (“Mary’s Visitation Pilgrimage Church”), also known as Käppele (“Little Chapel”) was built in the 18th century in Rococo style on Nikolausberg, a hill above the city of Würzburg.
- Marienkapelle – A 14th-century Gothic church on the north side of Marktplatz, which has several works by sculptor and sculptor Tilmann Riemenschneider. Despite its size, it is not considered a cathedral by decision of the local bishops. Its origin is directly related to the murder of the Jews of Würzburg in 1349, when the church was built on the same site as the existing Synagogue.
- The city has other churches that are worth visiting both for their exterior architecture and the wealth of details and internal works. Some of them:
In addition to the points listed, be sure to explore the center of Würzburg and marvel at the city’s alleys and buildings, in particular its historic square, the Marktplatz, other small churches, medieval houses and the banks of the river Main.
Würzburg 1 day itinerary tip in Germany
Our suggested itinerary in Würzburg is to divide your itinerary into two parts:
- Start the day by strolling around Residenz Würzburg and its Hofgarten and Orangerie gardens, walk to Marktplatz , getting to know the historic center of the city.
Take a break for lunch
- Wander around the city’s historic churches, especially St. Kilians and Marienkapelle.
- From the center, continue your walk to the Alte Mainbrücke towards the Festung Marienberg.
There’s still a lot to see in Würzburg, if you still have time, look for other parts of the city that you haven’t visited.
And after that you continue your journey to the next town on German Romantic Road.
Suggestions for guided tours and excursions in Würzburg that are worth researching:
Where to eat in Würzburg in Germany – Tips for bars and restaurants
If you’re traveling in Germany, I believe you should look for restaurants specializing in the country’s traditional cuisine or even a Biergarten for a German beer.
In Würzburg we only saw a few options:
- Restaurant & Weinhaus Stachel
- Gressengasse 1, 97070 Wurzburg, Bavaria Germany
- 4.5 out of 552 reviews
- Customer Review: Very nice and interesting restaurant. It has a cozy atmosphere and the attendants are very helpful and friendly. Good food, especially the Franconian and wild boar sausages. It all went down nicely with a good dunkel.
- Backoefele
- Ursulinergasse 2, 97070 Wurzburg, Bavaria Germany
- 4.0 out of 922 reviews
- Customers’ comments: Ambience and typical food from the region. All dishes excellent and dessert too. Best restaurant I’ve been to on the romantic route.
- Bratwurststand Knupfing
- Unterer Markt, 97070 Wurzburg, Bavaria Germany
- 4.5 out of 134 reviews
- Customer Review: Great Bratwurst, wonderful people watching, and a fantastic open air plaza to enjoy your meal. Grab a beer, enjoy the weather and smile.
- Buergerspital Weinstuben
- Theaterstr. 19, 97070 Wurzburg, Bavaria Germany
- 4.0 out of 594 reviews
- Customer Review: We were there for lunch. They served cold starters and some hot dishes. It was tasty, but it’s only one person to serve and prepare the dishes. As it was late, it was empty. it worked, albeit slowly.
- Weinstuben Juliusspital
- Juliuspromenade 19, 97070 Wurzburg, Bavaria Germany
- 4.0 out of 459 reviews
- Customer Review: Wonderful German food! Ditto wine list. Pay attention to the ice bucket where they put the typical bottles of German Silvaner and Riesling wine: it has 2 recyclable ice creams on the sides!
Vale ver no TripAdvisor website some options for restaurants, bars, Biergarten and cafes nearby in other cities.
Watch a video with images of Würzburg in Germany
Video description: Directly on the Main and surrounded by vineyards. This is how the Franconian wine metropolis and university town of Würzburg is located. Lisa Kestel is there for a day and presents a city with many qualities. She visits the Prince-Bishop’s residence, Fortress Marienberg and shows us modern places of art and culture. And on the Old Main Bridge she meets artist Phil Splash and paints herself. Würzburg in Bavaria is part of Germany’s Romantic Road.
* Photos from TripAdvisor, Wurzburg official website and Wikipedia.
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