Discover Romantic Franconia

Romantic Franconia brings together the Frankenhöhe Nature Park and the area along the Romantic Road. These two focal points shape the trip: here, the emphasis is on landscapes and trails; there, on historic places and their townscapes. The Frankenhöhe Nature Park covers a large part of the holiday region. So when planning, you can start with specific experiences—such as architecture, hiking, cycling or regional cuisine—and then decide which focus best suits your trip.

Experience townscapes and history

The Romantic Road runs through Romantic Franconia and passes, among other places, Rothenburg, Schillingsfürst, Feuchtwangen and Dinkelsbühl. Rothenburg has a thick town wall lined with towers, winding lanes and old half-timbered houses. Dinkelsbühl showcases medieval architecture with towers, gates and walls. The two townscapes offer different points of interest: Rothenburg’s character is also shaped by its lanes and half-timbered houses, while Dinkelsbühl’s towers and gates stand out alongside its walls.

In Ansbach, guided tours of the magnificent rooms in the Residence include, among other things, the two-storey banqueting hall with its ceiling fresco by Carlo Carlone, the apartments of the Margrave and Margravine, and the guest apartments. Current tour arrangements may vary. The Ruffenhofen Roman Park offers another way to explore Roman history outdoors: visitors can walk across the site and along former Roman roads.

Hiking and cycling

The European Watershed Trail runs from Ansbach to Schnelldorf along the European watershed through the Frankenhöhe Nature Park. It is 97 kilometres long and has been awarded the “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality hiking trail designation. Ansbach and Schnelldorf are directly connected by rail, making it easier to travel to and from the trail. Check train connections before setting off if you are including both places in your plans.

There is plenty of choice for leisure cyclists too: Romantic Franconia has a network of uniformly signposted cycle routes extending some 1,500 kilometres. Hiking a 97-kilometre award-winning route and cycling on an extensive regional network are two different ways to plan an active trip. Your choice may also play a part in deciding where to stay.

Regional cuisine and seasonal offers

The Frankenhöhe Lamb Weeks begin in spring. Local shepherds supply lambs from the herb-rich slopes of the Frankenhöhe to country inns, where they are prepared as specialities. At the Regional Buffet, a quality seal identifies dishes made with ingredients sourced from direct marketers participating in the Regional Buffet. Participating businesses may change.

In Feuchtwangen, restaurants serve specialities made from emmer, an ancient grain, during the Emmer Gourmet Summer. An emmer field walk with tasting is also offered. Dates and participating businesses may change for these seasonal food programmes. If you would like to include one in your trip, check the current dates before making plans.

Choose the right focus for your trip

If the Frankenhöhe Lamb Weeks or the Emmer Gourmet Summer is the deciding factor, plan your travel dates around the event dates. If the European Watershed Trail is the main focus, include the start and end points and the train connection in your travel arrangements. This way, you can look for places to stay that fit your actual travel plans instead of weighing all options against the same criteria.

Discover more destinations: Landsberg am Lech, Bayreuth, Erding, Upper Bavaria, Franconian Switzerland, Deggendorf, Lichtenfels, Aichach-Friedberg.

Return to the main travel overview: Bavaria.