Here's a map of the Erlangen/Nürnberg/
Bamberg/Fränkische Schweiz area (1 MB full size)
Here's a map of the Erlangen/Nürnberg/
Bamberg/Fränkische Schweiz area (1 MB full size)
Some information about Erlangen and Nuremberg:
Erlangen has ca. 100,000 inhabitants and is near the beautiful "Frankonian Switzerland" ("Fränkische Schweiz") landscape. Lovely medieval towns like Bamberg, Bayreuth, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Würzburg, and Regensburg are close by.
A trip to the beautiful medieval town of
Bamberg, ca 40 km north of Erlangen, is warmly recommended.
Bamberg has recently been designated by the
UNESCO as one of the ca. 380
"World Cultural Heritages".
Trains to Bamberg depart every ca. 20 min. from the Erlangen railroad station. Click here to figure out specific train departure dates.
We also recommend a trip to the
"Franconian Switzerland"
("Fränkische Schweiz"), a landscape north of Erlangen.
Lovely small towns, even built into craggy rock formations are
among the highlights.
The "Devil's Cave" ("Teufelshöhle") near the picturesque town of Pottenstein (see photos) will overwhelm you by bizarre stalactite and stalagmite rocks in an unreal world! Caution: the cave temperature is only 10oC (50oF)!
Getting to Pottenstein and the Devil's Cave (1km south of Pottenstein) is somewhat elaborate (several train/bus changes), but highly romantic. Here's a suggestion for a sightseeing trip. Please accept that we do not warrant the data given below.
Take the train at 9:08 from Erlangen to Forchheim (arrival 9:18).
Switch to the train 9:35 from Forchheim to Ebermannstadt
(arrival 9:57).
Switch to the bus 10:00 from Ebermannstadt to Pottenstein/Teufelshöhle
(arrival 10:46). This bus tour will lead through the beautiful valley
of the River Wiesent.
Arriving at Teufelshöhle, have a guided tour through the cave first
(duration ca. 45 min.). Have a walk in north direction to the
town of Pottenstein then (1km). Go for lunch to one of the many
Pottenstein restaurants - taste the Franconian specialties.
Next, have a wandering trip through the valley of the River
Püttlach.
After ca. 2 km, go right up the mountain and move back in
Pottenstein direction. Being up on the mountain you will have
a beautiful view over the "Fränkische Schweiz" region.
You will eventually arrive at the
Pottenstein castle. Have a visit - it's worth while.
Move back in south direction to Teufelshöhle then. The bus leading back to Ebermannstadt will depart at Teufelshöhle at 15:59 (arrival 16:47). In Ebermannstadt, take the train to Forchheim at 17:02 (arrival 17:23). In Forchheim, take the train back to Erlangen at 17:40 (arrival 17:49).
Here's a wanderer's map of the Pottenstein/Teufelshöhle/
Gößweinstein area (350 kB full size)
We wish you a pleasant journey!
Of course, there are many more tourist attractions in Fränkische
Schweiz, e.g. the beautiful basilika of
Gößweinstein. There are specific bus routes
to Gößweinstein which may be looked up at the
Fränkische Schweiz homepage or by contacting the
Fränkische Schweiz tourist office:
Tourismuszentrale Fränkische Schweiz
Postfach 1262 (Oberes Tor)
D-91317 Ebermannstadt
Phone +49-(0)-9194-797779
FAX +49-(0)-9194-797776
E-mail
fraenkische-schweiz@t-online.de
The Erlangen/Bamberg area is famous for its many breweries (more than 200!). Many small breweries may be found in the surrounding villages. All kinds of beer may be found, from smoked beer (originating from the Bamberg "Schlenkerla" brewery) over Lager to Pils type beer. We recommend to have a visit to some of these breweries and taste the liquid specialties.
Here's a map of breweries in the Erlangen/Bamberg area
(300 kB full size).
