Discover Würzburg : World Heritage Baroque Palace on the Romantic Road

I’ve been wanting to write about this trip for ages because Würzburg is simply stunning! When I decided to create this site, Würzburg was one of the first places I listed, but I focused on more recent travels to capture fresh memories. However, I couldn’t resist any longer—I had to bring out my photos and notes and relive this incredible two-day visit! Even though I visited in 2019, I’ve updated all the travel info so it’s current for you.

What makes Würzburg special?

⭐️ Starting point of the Romantic Road: A famous German route

⭐️ Baroque Würzburg Residence: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, stunning both inside and out

⭐️ Gorgeous cherry blossoms in the Residence Garden during spring!

Where is Würzburg?

Würzburg is located in Bavaria, on the banks of the Main River (the same one that flows through Frankfurt). It’s near Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Nuremberg, so you can easily combine these destinations.

Distances from Major German Cities to Würzburg

From nearby cities	🚗 By car	🚆 Public transport
Frankfurt am Main	~ 1.5 hours	ICE train ~1 hr
Nuremberg (Nürnberg)	~ 1.5 hours	~ 1 hour
Rothenburg o.d.T.	~ 50 minutes	~ 1 hour
Munich (München)	~ 3 hours	ICE train ~1 hr

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a must-visit on the Romantic Road. Check out this post for more info:

🔗 Rothenburg Travel Guide: Must-See Sights & Unique Souvenirs

Planning Guide: Map & Itinerary

Here’s a Würzburg sightseeing map I’ve prepared for you. Just click the star to save it to your Google Maps for easy planning!

We stayed in Würzburg for one night and parked our car at the hotel. On the first day, we explored most of the old town on foot. On the second day, we loaded our luggage into the car and drove to two major attractions.

Our itinerary
Day 1: Depart Frankfurt → Hotel Check-in → 📍Old Main Bridge (Alte Mainbrücke) → 📍New Munster (Neumünster) → 📍St Mary’s Chapel (Marienkapelle) → 📍Falkenhaus → Riverside walk → 🍺 Dinner → 📍Würzburg City Hall (Rathaus) → Back to hotel
Day 2: Hotel Check-out → 📍Marienberg Fortress (Festung Marienberg) → 📍Würzburg Residence (Residenz Würzburg) → 📍Court Garden (Hofgarten) → Depart Würzburg

Must-Visit Sights in Würzburg

📍 Old Main Bridge (Alte Mainbrücke)

Our first day exploring Würzburg’s old town began with a walk across the famous Old Main Bridge after arriving from Frankfurt and parking at our hotel.

We started our day by exploring the old town of Würzburg on foot. Our first stop was the Old Main Bridge. The Main River flows through Würzburg, the same one that flows through Frankfurt. The Old Main Bridge was built in the 15th century and is the oldest bridge on the Main River. It is also a landmark of Würzburg.

The bridge is full of tourists, many are standing on the bridge drinking and enjoying the river view. Walking on the bridge is like being on the Ponte Sant’Angelo in Rome or the Charles Bridge in Prague. There are statues on both sides of the bridge, and there are a total of twelve statues of saints on the Old Main Bridge.

The statue of St. Johannes von Nepomuk, the martyred saint, is a familiar sight around Germany! In addition to Würzburg, I also found him on the old bridge in Limburg an der Lahn. This saint from Bohemia is known for his dedication to confidentiality, said to have been martyred for refusing to reveal the confessions of the queen (who the king suspected of infidelity… quite a story!).

🔗 Travel Guide to Limburg an der Lahn: Beautiful Old Town and Cathedral

📍 Würzburg Cathedral (Dom St. Kilian)

We passed by Würzburg Cathedral, the fourth largest Romanesque church in Germany. It was built around 1040, and it is no wonder that it is a thousand-year-old city!

Most of the buildings in Würzburg that we see today were rebuilt after World War II. On March 16, 1945, the British Air Force dropped 1,207 tons of bombs on Würzburg in 20 minutes, killing 5,000 people and destroying 90% of the buildings, including many medieval half-timbered houses. Würzburg Cathedral was no exception. The exterior of the cathedral was rebuilt in the old style, and you can visit it if you have time. The interior is also very beautiful.

📍 New Munster (Neumünster, Würzburg)

Despite its name, “New Munster” (Neumünster) is far from new—it dates back to the 11th century. Remember St. Totnan from the Main Bridge? St. Totnan and other missionaries were martyred here in 689, and Neumünster was built on their burial site.

Architecturally, Neumünster has an impressive dome, beautiful Baroque exterior and interior design from the 18th century. Inside, you’ll also find an early sandstone Madonna sculpture by Tilman Riemenschneider, a well-known German sculptor. Keep in mind this was an early piece, so it’s simpler than his later works.

Neumünster was one of the lucky buildings to survive the bombings with its structure mostly intact, although much of the interior was burned. Still, some exceptional medieval and Baroque artworks remain.

📍 St Mary’s Chapel (Marienkapelle, Würzburg)

St Mary’s Chapel was built in 1377 and completed in 1480. It is a late Gothic architectural masterpiece in this city. Because it was built by citizens on their own initiative and for atonement, and doesn’t have a parish, it could only be called a “chapel” and not a “church”.

The sculptures in the arched area at the entrance are very beautiful, especially the Adam and Eve sculptures by the famed German sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider. However, what you see is a replica, and the original is kept in the Lower Franconian Museum.

St Mary’s Chapel was heavily damaged during WWII, so what you see today was reconstructed afterward.

📍 Falkenhaus

Right next to St Mary’s Chapel, you’ll find Falkenhaus.

In the Middle Ages, Falkenhaus was the residence of the cathedral priest. In the 18th century, it became the property of an innkeeper. After the owner died, his widow, Barbara, had the brilliant idea to hire Bavarian painters to decorate the exterior in a stunning Rococo style. The curved roof and ornate details make Falkenhaus one of the most beautiful examples of Rococo architecture in all of southern Germany.

The city of Würzburg purchased Falkenhaus in 1939. But like many buildings in Würzburg, Falkenhaus was destroyed in the 1945 air raids: completely burnt and and part of its facade collapsed. Thankfully, using old photographs as a reference, the city was able to rebuild the Falkenhaus to its former glory. Today, it serves as a tourist information center and a public library.

We actually stumbled upon the Falkenhaus without knowing its history. But we couldn’t resist snapping a photo of the falcon perched on the roof. It wasn’t until later that we learned about its fascinating past.

📍 Strolling Along the Main River

Take a leisurely stroll along the Main River and soak in the charm of this ancient city!

There were so many people relaxing by the river, sunbathing, and chatting. We joined in the vibe with a quick selfie!

As we walked along the river, we spotted an old crane. This ancient structure was once used to lift goods from boats onto land.

📍 Würzburg City Hall (Rathaus)

For dinner, we enjoyed a meal at Restaurant & Weinhaus Stachel (details below), and on the way back to the hotel, we came across Würzburg Town Hall (Rathaus). Inside, we noticed some exhibition boards, including information on the World War II air raid history.

And that wraps up Day 1! We explored all of these sites on foot since the city’s attractions are close together. 🙂

Keep scrolling down to read for Day 2, where we visit two absolute must-sees (including an UNESCO World Heritage site)!

📍 Marienberg Fortress (Festung Marienberg)

People have lived on Marienberg Hill since the late Bronze Age. The fortress itself was almost completely destroyed during WWII bombings in 1945, and its reconstruction took until 1990.

Prince’s Garden (Fürstengarten)

(Whisper: I’m not really into the fortress’s history, but I came here for the panoramic views of Würzburg and the Main River!)

From the Prince’s Garden (Fürstengarten) on Marienberg Fortress, you get a panoramic view of the old town and the river.

Fürstengarten — Opening Hours and Access

The Fürstengarten, with its scenic gardening and views over Würzburg, is well worth the visit. It’s generally open daily from mid-April to October.

Latest 2024 Update: The Fürstengarten is currently undergoing renovations and is closed until further notice. Check the official website for the latest updates before you go.

Getting there: 🚗 By car, paid parking is available at the fortress on the hill. 🚌 If you’re taking the bus, you can find routes on Deutsche Bahn or the WVV website; just enter “Festung Marienberg, Würzburg” as your destination. (Buses to the hill operate only from April to October.)

📍 Würzburg Residence (Residenz Würzburg): A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Finally, introducing Würzburg’s most iconic site!

In 1981, Würzburg Residence, along with its Court Gardens and Residence Square, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Built in the 18th century, Würzburg Residence is often considered the most exceptional and most harmonious of all Baroque palaces, as well as one of Europe’s most magnificent royal residences. Its creativity, ambitious design, and the international collaboration of its architects make it truly one of a kind.

When I visited in 2019, photography wasn’t allowed inside, so I couldn’t take my own photos. But for this post, I requested permission to use official images so you can get a glimpse of its splendor!

Würzburg Residence — Grand Staircase: The World’s Largest Ceiling Fresco

This stunning fresco, covering the ceiling of the Grand Staircase (German: Treppenhaus), is the world’s largest continuous ceiling painting, measuring 677 square meters. Italian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted it between 1752 and 1753, symbolizing the four continents (Africa, Asia, America, and Europe).

I remember our guide pointing out an amusing detail: “The artist had never actually seen an elephant, so when he painted Africa, the elephant’s ears were a little out of proportion!”

I even picked up a 500-piece puzzle of this ceiling fresco from the gift shop.

Würzburg Residence — Imperial Hall : A Masterpiece of Baroque Art and Architecture

The Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal) is one of the most iconic rooms in Würzburg Residence. Designed by renowned architect Balthasar Neumann, it features twenty red marble half-columns nearly nine meters high, supporting a magnificent oval dome. You really have to experience the Baroque magnificence here in person!

Würzburg Residence — Mirror Cabinet

Taking a guided tour really brings out the rich history and meaning behind each artwork!

One of the highlights for me was seeing the Mirror Cabinet (Spiegelkabinett), a Rococo masterpiece that was carefully restored after WWII.

Our guide explained: “Knowing an air raid was likely, they took photos of the room and disassembled each mirror piece by piece. After the war, the mirrors were reinstalled according to the photos and a famous watercolor painting, perfectly restoring the palace’s mirror room!”

(Since photos weren’t allowed, I don’t have any of my own for this part.)

Würzburg Residence: Tickets, Guided Tour Info, and Opening Hours

Tickets include the cost of the guided tour, and there are two English tours each day: one at 11:00 a.m. and one at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets are only available for purchase on-site, so we bought ours when we arrived. We then strolled through the palace gardens, snapped some photos, enjoyed a bite at the café, and returned for the tour at our scheduled time.

The tour is optional—you’re welcome to explore on your own after buying a ticket if you prefer.

Ticket Prices:

Adult	€9
Reduced	€8
Under 18	Free

Opening Hours:

Months	Open Hours	Last Entry
April–Oct	Daily 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	5:15 p.m.
Nov–March	Daily 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	4:00 p.m.

Note: The Würzburg Residence is open year-round, with just a few exceptions. It’s closed on January 1st, Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), December 24th and 25th, and December 31st.

Updated for 2024, but check the official website for the latest on ticket prices and hours.

Getting to Würzburg Residence

🚗 By car: You can drive right up to the palace, and there are 400 parking spaces available, so parking won’t be an issue.

🚆 By Public Transportation: Take the Deutsche Bahn to Würzburg Central Station (Würzburg Hauptbahnhof) and walk about 20 minutes (1.3 km) to the Residence. I don’t have experiences of taking public transportation in Würzburg, but you could refer to the website of the local tram and bus company: www.wvv.de

📍 Würzburg Court Garden (Hofgarten Würzburg)

The Würzburg Court Garden is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Residence. This place is simply breathtaking! If you’re visiting in spring, you might even catch the cherry blossoms. Weather varies year by year, but for reference, we visited in late April.

Following are the pictures taken by myself ↓

The cherry blossoms are so pretty! I wish I’d brought a nicer outfit for photos. Any mom will know that after having a baby, there’s a period where you have plenty of clothes in the closet but not much you feel like wearing. But with all the chores afterward, you eventually lose the baby weight! XD

Würzburg Restaurant Recommendations

Restaurant & Weinhaus Stachel (Located in the Old Town)

This restaurant is located in the heart of Würzburg’s Old Town and has fantastic Google reviews. The food quality, presentation, and ambiance are all outstanding—we really enjoyed our dinner here!

We arrived at around 5 PM, the restaurant was fully booked (it’s quite popular!). The waitress told us that if we could finish our meal by 8 PM, they’d have a table for us. We had plenty of time, so we agreed and sat down.

For the main course, we each ordered a fish dish and a lamb dish. The presentation was beautiful, and the flavors were amazing! For dessert, I chose their homemade chocolate cake. The service was super friendly, and everything came out so quickly! Definitely remember to make a reservation!

Address: Gressengasse 1, 97070 Würzburg

B. Neumann Restaurant & Biergarten (Located at the Würzburg Residence)

This restaurant is in the Würzburg Residence area, excellent location! After buying tickets, we had some time to kill before our guided tour started, and we didn’t want to walk far away, so we decided to eat here. As the restaurant located inside a famous tourist spot, I thought it would be overpriced, but I was pleasantly surprised! The prices were fair, and the food was delicious. If you’re looking for a place to eat near the attraction, it’s a great option.

Address: Residenzpl. 1, 97070 Würzburg

Accommodation in Würzburg

Review – Hotel Grüner Baum

We chose this hotel because of its convenient location and the fact that they offer baby cots and parking spaces. After staying one night, I would say overall it was a good experience!

What I didn’t like

👎🏻 This is something personal, and different from person to person. The bed was a bit too soft for me, and it didn’t really support my lower back. However, I still slept well and felt fully energized the next day.

What I liked

✔️ Great view from the room – you can already see most of the main sights.

✔️ The front desk staff were incredibly friendly.

✔️ The location was perfect – most of the sights are within walking distance.

✔️ The breakfast was delicious.

✔️ The baby cot was already set up when we checked in.

✔️ The bathroom felt newly renovated.

The breakfast room had a charming atmosphere, almost like being in medieval Europe.

Conclusion

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