The district of Bayreuth presents an unusually clearly defined theme: In July 2000, the Garden Art Museum at Schloss Fantaisie opened as Germany’s first museum dedicated exclusively to the history of garden art. Schloss Fantaisie’s park brings together design elements from the Rococo, Sensibility and Historicism periods. Here, a distinctive perspective on garden art meets a variety of historical design styles.
Landscapes and routes in the district of Bayreuth
In the west and south, the Franconian Switzerland region shapes the district with varied, picturesque landscapes. In the north, dark forests and granite boulder fields in the Fichtelgebirge define the landscape. These contrasting features give the region more than one unified character: the landscape that appeals to you most can be a good starting point for planning your excursions.
For outdoor activities, the district has a well-maintained network of around 1,400 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, hiking paths and cycle routes. Long-distance and themed routes take cyclists across the district and through different natural areas, highlighting their distinctive features and tourist attractions. Local circular cycle routes add to the network and make it possible to plan shorter trips within a smaller area. This gives you a choice of both long-distance routes and shorter planning options, without implying that both involve the same kind of journey.
A range of outdoor activities come together at the Ochsenkopf: well-marked hiking trails, the all-weather Alpine Coaster toboggan run, a mountain cart track, the North and South gondola lifts, and downhill and singletrack trails. Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy a 1,900-metre-long south-facing slope and four groomed alpine ski runs. Some have snowmaking facilities and floodlighting until 10 pm. The slopes, trails and facilities offer a variety of options on the same mountain, without implying a single set itinerary for a visit.
The approximately 40-hectare wildlife enclosure in Veldenstein Forest offers a different way to experience nature. Easy-to-walk paths let you observe native forest animals in their natural surroundings. The paths and wildlife viewing make this a different kind of outdoor experience from a cycling route or a winter sports activity.
Garden art, caves and museums
Caves, too, offer different ways to visit. The Devil’s Cave can only be visited as part of a guided tour. By contrast, at “Sophie at Night,” visitors can explore the three chambers of Sophienhöhle Cave at their own pace, without a group tour; lighting effects and music accompany the experience. This difference in how the visits are conducted can help you choose between a guided tour and this special independent experience.
Other cultural attractions have their own distinct focus: The Franconian Switzerland Museum in Tüchersfeld is housed in the so-called Judenhof, a complex of buildings dating from the 18th century. The German Camera Museum in Plech has more than 15,000 exhibits. Together, these places show how varied museum visits in the district can be—from an ensemble of 18th-century buildings to an extensive camera collection.
Local dining
The region’s character is also reflected in its many beer gardens, which are often associated with on-site breweries, butcher shops or bakeries. Traditional inns offer Franconian dining rooms and regional specialities. Beer gardens and dining rooms thus provide two different settings for a meal: the former often connected with local businesses, the latter centred on a Franconian inn and regional cuisine.
Discover more destinations: Warmensteinach, Schnabelwaid, Waischenfeld, Fichtelberg, Pottenstein, Goldkronach, Bischofsgrün, Bindlach, Bayreuth, Bad Berneck im Fichtelgebirge, Mehlmeisel, Pegnitz, Weidenberg, Ahorntal, Mistelgau, Heinersreuth, Hollfeld, Betzenstein, Hummeltal, Gefrees, Creußen, Glashütten, Eckersdorf, Emtmannsberg, Seybothenreuth.
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