Franconia – Culture.Nature.Joy.
Travel Highlights for 2025
Sixteen unique vacation regions, one travel destination: That's Franconia! Franconia, located in the northern part of Bavaria, is a prime destination for nature lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and those looking for authentic culinary experiences. It offers a remarkable blend of scenic landscapes, historical sites, charming half-timbered houses, stunning baroque architecture, urban lifestyle, outdoor adventures, and sustainable travel options. Here’s what to look forward to in the travel year 2025:
Nature Parks and Active Adventures
Franconia is home to ten nature parks that cover nearly half of the region's total area, offering diverse landscapes like the mysterious moors of Rhön, the Franconian Forest, and the juniper heathlands in the Altmühltal Nature Park. Visitors can explore these areas sustainably, thanks to eco-friendly transport options such as rental e-bikes, shuttle buses, and local train services. Nature enthusiasts can stay in unique accommodations like treehouse hotels and shepherd’s wagons for an immersive experience. For those who prefer outdoor activities, Franconia's riverside cycling routes, such as the Main, Regnitz, and Tauber-Altmühl routes, offer exceptional riding experiences. Hikers will enjoy the 261-kilometer Celtic Experience Trail and over 50 premium hiking trails across the region, which have earned high marks for quality and scenic beauty (www.frankentourismus.com/specials/sustainable-vacations).
Cultural Highlights and Historic Celebrations
The year 2025 marks the 500th anniversary of the Peasants' War, with special exhibitions, reenactments, and lectures in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Würzburg, and other historic locations.
Franconia is also home to five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Bamberg’s old city, the Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth, Bad Kissingen as part of the "Great Spa Towns of Europe" and the Residenz Castle in Würzburg. Another World Heritage Site is the Limes, the ancient Roman wall that is a testament to Franconia’s importance in ancient times (www.frankentourismus.com/specials/unesco-world-heritage).
The Romantic Road and Castle Road are two of Germany's most captivating scenic routes, each offering a unique journey through history and culture. The Romantic Road stretches from Würzburg to Füssen, guiding travelers through charming medieval towns and picturesque landscapes. The Castle Road, from Mannheim to Bayreuth, showcases over 70 majestic castles and palaces, immersing visitors in the architectural splendor of medieval fortresses and baroque residences. Together, these routes provide an unforgettable exploration of Germany's rich cultural heritage and historical treasures (www.romantischestrasse.de, www.burgenstrasse.de).
Shalom Franconia! – Discovering Jewish Heritage in Franconia
Franconia is home to a rich Jewish heritage, with thriving Jewish communities in cities such as Fürth, Würzburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Hof, Nuremberg, and Erlangen. These communities continue a legacy that began over 1,000 years ago, telling the story of a deeply intertwined past.
As one of the most significant centers of Jewish culture in Europe, Franconia was home to influential medieval scholars and later became a hub for industrialization, with Jewish factory owners and merchants playing pivotal roles. Jewish traders brought essential goods to rural communities, while Jewish financiers supported the grandiose ambitions of Catholic prince-bishops. These stories, along with many others, illustrate the vital role Jewish life has played in shaping Franconian history.
The "Shalom Franconia!" initiative invites visitors to explore this rich shared history. Rather than simply presenting a chronological narrative, it highlights key aspects of Jewish life and culture in Franconia, from the medieval period to the present. This journey will inspire curiosity about Jewish heritage and showcase where these cultural connections can be experienced today—in museums, synagogues, community centers, and through guided tours, festivals, and events (www.frankentourismus.com/specials/culture/jewish-culture).
Christmas time is wonderful in Franconia
Immerse yourself in the enchanting scents of exotic spices and sweet gingerbread as you wander through lovingly decorated stalls. The peaceful sounds of Christmas music invite you to reflect on the beauty of the Advent season. In Franconia, Christmas markets - like the world-renowned Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg or the Reiterlesmarket in Rothenburg ob der Tauber - offer a truly magical and romantic holiday experience.
Celebrate Christmas in cities like Ansbach, Aschaffenburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Coburg, Dinkelsbühl, Eichstätt, Erlangen, Forchheim, Fürth, Kulmbach, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Schweinfurt, and Würzburg, and experience the wonder of a Franconian winter in a variety of charming ways (www.frankentourismus.com/specials/christmas-markets).
Culinary Delights and Wellness Escapes
Franconia is known for its rich culinary traditions, featuring regional dishes, local beers, and wine produced from its picturesque vineyards. The region is also renowned for wellness tourism, with 19 health resorts and spa towns offering modern wellness programs alongside traditional healing methods. Notably, Bad Königshofen’s natural healing lake celebrates 20 years in 2025, providing a unique, chlorine-free swimming experience.
Special Events
Other notable events include the German Choral Festival in Nuremberg, which brings together choirs from across the country, and the 45th Erlangen Poetry Festival, one of the most prestigious literary gatherings in the German-speaking world. Additionally, art lovers can enjoy a unique exhibition at the Georg Schäfer Museum in Schweinfurt, marking its 25th anniversary with a display of over 5,000 graphic works from its collection.
Franconia promises a travel experience filled with discovery, whether it's through exploring its natural parks, delving into its rich history, or savoring its culinary delights.
Contact Information:
FrankenTourismus
Pretzfelder Straße 15, 90425 Nuremberg
Tel: +49 911/941510, Fax 0911/9415110
info@frankentourismus.de, www.frankentourismus.com
Media Service (Picture Database, Press Releases and More):
https://medienservice.frankentourismus.com/trade-media
www.frankentourismus.com
medienservice.frankentourismus.com/trade-media/
October 15
