Hof brings together a listed ensemble of classical façades, museum collections, gardens and Untreusee with its water activities. During your stay, you can balance city history, green spaces and waterside recreation. The Hofer Wärschtlamo tradition adds a local food story to these themes.

City history among façades, a tower and collections

In the Biedermeier quarter, classical house façades define the listed ensemble around Ludwigstraße, Klosterstraße and Maxplatz. Hof’s town hall tower is 32 metres high and is considered a landmark of the city. Climbing its 152 steps rewards you with panoramic views. As access details may change, check in advance whether the climb is available during your visit.

Museums also offer different perspectives on the city: the Museum Bayerisches Vogtland has permanent exhibitions on the history of Hof and the Bavarian Vogtland. The Johann-Christian-Reinhart-Cabinett displays works by painter Johann Christian Reinhart from the city’s art collection. The historical context reaches further back: the area was fortified around 1230, and Hof remained under the rule of the Hohenzollern principality of Bayreuth until 1791.

When choosing accommodation in Hof, your preferred focus may be the deciding factor: would you mainly like to explore architecture and collections, enjoy gardens and parkland, or spend time by the water? These themes can help guide your travel planning, but do not imply any particular accommodation features.

Gardens, a park and wildlife

The Botanical Garden Hof features a range of garden areas in close succession, each with its own theme. These include a geometrically laid-out rose garden with a medicinal plant section, an alpine garden, a water lily pond, a shade garden and extensive perennial beds. Admission is free. Check practical visitor information before your visit.

Theresienstein Citizens’ Park is considered Bavaria’s oldest citizens’ park. Its landscaped grounds include pavilions, temples, ponds, monuments and Haus Theresienstein. The Botanical Garden and Hof Zoo are also at Theresienstein, a hill near the city centre. The zoo features animals from every continent. It also has a playground and educational programmes for kindergartens, schools and other interested visitors; if you are making specific plans, check the latest programme information.

Untreusee and the Saale cycling and recreation area

At Untreusee, water sports meet activities along the shore. Activities available there include swimming, surfing, sailing, rowing and kayaking. Visitors can also walk, cycle or jog around the lake. Water access and safety conditions may change seasonally, so check local conditions before taking part in water activities.

The Saale cycling and recreation area offers a different way to enjoy cycling and water tours: its cycling station has charging facilities for bicycles and rest areas for cycling tourists. Its water platform serves as a landing point for canoe tours. The station opens onto the Saale Cycle Route and Hof city centre; nearby sights can be reached via a short route. The offerings at Untreusee and the Saale cycling and recreation area are therefore distinct: Untreusee focuses on a range of water sports and paths around the lake, while the Saale area offers a cycling station and canoe tours.

A local food story from Hof

The Hofer Wärschtlamo tradition, which dates back to 1871, is also part of the local culture. Warm sausages are served from a brass kettle in a Hofer bread roll. Along with the museums and Biedermeier quarter, this example shows how Hof can be discovered not only through its architectural history but also through its own food culture.

Discover more destinations: Schwarzenbach An Der Saale, Gattendorf, Schwarzenbach Am Wald, Helmbrechts, Schauenstein, Bad Steben, Berg, Geroldsgrün.

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