Nestled in the heart of the Franconian vineyards, Würzburg is a romantic German city brimming with bars, restaurants and wine cellars. Along the pedestrianised streets of the cobbled centre, traditional Bavarian houses sit alongside Gothic churches and Baroque buildings, such as the UNESCO-listed 18th-century Residenz palace on the right bank. In the evening, Würzburg comes alive with wine-sipping locals and an energetic university crowd, while the reflections of the glowing lamps on the city's old bridge twinkle in the Main River.
Book a modern Würzburg hostel close to the centre with an on-site bar and a large outdoor terrace. After a day strolling through palaces and gardens, you can sit back with a cold German beer in the sunshine or whip up a tasty meal in a communal kitchen. In the morning, meet other travellers in a shared dining area for a free breakfast. Hostels in Würzburg have a mix of welcoming mixed dorms and private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Würzburg's old town sits on the right bank, with the Residenz on one side and the river on the other. The pedestrianised Old Main Bridge, built between 1473-1543, connects the centre's winding streets with the hilly left bank. Here, the 18th-century Marienberg Fortress overlooks the city, surrounded by manicured gardens. For a taste of Würzburg's nightlife, head to Sandstrasse to the south of the historic centre. This is where you'll find bars and live music venues that are popular with students and travellers alike.
To try some Bavarian food, wander through the old town's Market Square, right next to the 15th-century St Mary’s Chapel. Here you'll find stalls selling local sausages such as Würzburg’s very own Winzerbratwurst. For modern art, walk up river to the Kulturspeicher museum. This former grain storage building has been transformed into a huge gallery overlooking the docks. To sample some of the regional wines, you can take a day trip by bus to a nearby vineyard and treat your taste buds surrounded by the rolling hills.
From Frankfurt Airport, you can catch a direct train to Würzburg. Intercity-Express services run every hour and take under 2 hours to reach the city's main train station (the Hauptbahnhof). This is also where you'll arrive if you travel by bus. As a small city with a pedestrianised centre, Würzburg is easy to explore on foot. There's also an easy-to-use tram system and plenty of bike rental points dotted about the old town.
