Franconian Switzerland
Bright rock towers, castles perched on hilltops, and a string of small breweries — Franconia's Switzerland is a climber's paradise, hiker's haven, and beer country all in one.
AI-generated illustrative imageThe Fränkische Schweiz lies in the triangle between Bamberg, Bayreuth and Nürnberg, in the northern Frankenjura. The Wiesent and its tributary valleys have shaped a karst landscape of bizarre limestone cliffs, countless caves and wooded heights, above which old castles stand. In the villages, beer has been brewed for centuries in many small breweries. The cliffs attract climbers, the valleys hikers and cyclists.
What you ought to see — my picks.
Teufelshöhle Pottenstein
One of Germany's largest stalactite caves, located directly at the picturesque rock town of Pottenstein.
Gößweinstein
Balthasar Neumann's pilgrimage basilica and the castle high above the Wiesent valley — inspiration for Wagner's Grail castle.
Wiesenttal
The main valley of the region: kayaking routes, rock faces and the Museumsdampfbahn Fränkische Schweiz heritage steam railway between Ebermannstadt and Behringersmühle.
Walberla
The free-standing table mountain (Ehrenbürg) above the Regnitz valley — a classic viewpoint, surrounded by blooming cherry trees in spring.
Breweries of Aufseß
Four breweries for around 1,500 inhabitants — world record; the brewery trail connects them over 14 kilometers.
Burg Rabenstein
Medieval castle above the Ailsbachtal with falconry and the Sophienhöhle cave right next door.
