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Richard Wagner's Festival Theater (Festspielhaus) in Bayreuth

For the city in Lebanon, see Beirut.

The festival city of Bayreuth in Upper Franconia (Oberfranken) is relatively quiet most of the year until the Richard Wagner Festival settles in for 30 days every summer. Bayreuth features a wealth of impressive baroque and rococo architecture, as well as freshly-brewed Franconian beer in the local Biergartens. Although the city remains fairly tame compared to the much larger cities in Germany, the presence of almost 10,000 students at the University of Bayreuth means an active nightlife is not difficult to find.

Understand

History

The town of Bayreuth first emerged during the Middle Ages, with a typical Bavarian street market in the center of town. In its early history, Bayreuth was only a small village in the Hohenzollern Empire and suffered many plagues and wars. The town was completely destroyed during the Hussite war in 1430, suffered major plagues even until 1602, and incurred major damage by fires in 1605 and 1621. Margrave Christian from Kulmbach moved his residence here in 1603, and after the Thirty Years' War the town began to develop as a more important city with more distinct baroque architecture. When Margrave Friedrich married Wilhelmine, the sister of King Frederick II of Prussia, Bayreuth began to develop its current appearance.

Margravine Wilhelmine was an active lover of the arts and architecture. She commissioned famous Italian architects to design the Margravial Operahouse, which was the largest in Germany for over a century. It still stands today as one of the most ornate baroque opera houses in the world. In addition, Wilhelmine expanded the Margrave's summer residence and gardens and commissioned the architecturally impressive New Palace. During the reign of Friedrich and Wilhelmine, the arts flourished in Bayreuth. The magnificent opera house even attracted Richard Wagner to Bayreuth in 1872 until his death 11 years later. Since then the city has had an integral relationship with Richard Wagner. The Richard Wagner Festival started in 1876 to commemorate and perform the works of the famous composer. During the Nazi rule, Hilter considered Bayreuth one of the most important cultural centers in Germany, and as such, Bayreuth was heavily bombed during World War II. In the last half century, Bayreuth has rebuilt, continued the Richard Wagner Festival and grown quietly, mostly around the University, which was established in 1975.

Orientation

Bayreuth is famous in Germany as the host of the Richard Wagner Festival (Festspiele) each year from July to August. In that respect, most of the tourist industry has evolved around the life and times of Richard Wagner as well as Margravine Wilhelmine, one of the major contributors in bringing the arts to Bayreuth. For most of the year, Bayreuth is quiet, somewhat out of the way of the major tourist itineraries. However, during the Festspiele, the town fills to capacity; hotels are nearly impossible to book and the traffic almost slows to a stop. Winter is normally overcast and wet, with temperatures not deviating too far from freezing. The springtime can be relatively cool, but the weather slowly becomes more pleasant and is welcomed by numerous street fairs and festivals (See Events). Summer is also pleasant, punctuated by occasional hot days. During the warmer seasons, outdoor cafes and Biergartens abound in the cobblestoned city center.

The Tourist Information office provides lots of very detailed information. They are located at Luitpoldplatz 9, between the city center and the train station (office hours M-F 9AM-6PM & Sa 9:30AM-1PM yearlong, also Su 10AM-2PM May - Oct). The offer a two-hour city tour (in German) daily at 10:30AM (only Saturdays from Nov-Apr) for €5.50. The meeting point is the TI office. For visiting the sights and taking the buses, they offer the Bayreuth Card, which provides three days of free bus travel, the city tour, and entry to 9 different museums (11.50 €, available at the TI, at many attractions, and at some hotels). Combination tickets are also available for the Margravial Operahouse and New Palace for €8, and the Kombikarte Bayreuth allows entry to any three city museums for €10. The TI office also provides city maps and city/regional maps for bicyclists.

Get in

By train

The Hauptbahnhof (main train station)

Frequent train services connect Bayreuth to other regions of Franconia and Northern Bavaria. However many long distance services have either been discontinued or rerouted to other stations in recent years. Bayreuth is part of the VGN network and within that region bus and train day tickets covering large areas are relatively inexpensive to get you to and from say Nürnberg you would have to pay only 18€ for a group of up to 2 adults and 4 kids (under 18 years old). The Bayern ticket is also a cheap option for groups up to five (no age restrictions) starting at 23€ for one person and 3€ for every additional one. Regular services exist seven days a week to and from

  • Nuremberg
    • Regional-Express (RE) trains once an hour (66 minutes travel time). Many times these trains separate en route, so make certain to board the correct train segment.
  • Würzburg
    • Direct RE trains every two hours (2.5 hours)
    • Otherwise a change in Nuremberg or Lichtenfels is necessary
  • Dresden - change in Hof
  • Bamberg - 1.5 hours by RE, sometimes a change in Lichtenfels is necessary

The Hauptbahnhof (main train station) is located approximately 1 km north of the city center, easily accessed by foot. Several buses also run from the train station to the central bus station (named ZOH in Bayreuth not ZOB as in most other places in Germany) in the town center (Lines 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, and 13).

On foot

The central bus station (ZOH) is where all local bus routes meet

Several hiking trails go through Bayreuth. Some of them themed around a special topic (eg. Jean Paul, a local author or a beer-themed trail)

By car

Bayreuth is easily accessible on the autobahn A9, approximately 70 km north of Nuremberg and 40 km south of Hof.

By plane

The nearest airport with regular commercial service is in Nuremberg. Many international flights arrive in Germany via Frankfurt or Munich, however. The nearby Airport Bayreuth is available for private planes or to charter planes.

By bus

Several companies serve domestic long distance lines to and from Bayreuth. If you are traveling in a group and your destination or point of departure is within the Bundesland of Bavaria taking the "Bayern-Ticket" may well work out cheaper than the bus.

Get around

Detail of Bayreuth's city centre

The bus network around Bayreuth provides extensive coverage of the city and surrounding areas, with most buses running in 20-minute intervals. The central bus station (Zentrale Omnibus Haltestelle, ZOH) is located one block north of Maximilianstrasse near the city hall (Rathaus). As Bayreuth is a member of the VGN tariff union schedules and rates are available at their website. Day passes (Tageskarte) are available.

Compared to larger cities, Bayreuth is relatively easy to tackle by car. The pedestrian-only area in the center of town is confined to a few streets, and parking garages are easy to find.

Biking is easy and convenient in Bayreuth. Many scenic bike paths radiate from Bayreuth into the surrounding areas.

Most sights of interest are easily reached by foot within the city. Exceptions to this are the Festspielhaus and the Eremitage, both of which are easily accessed by bus or bike.

See

Attractions

Most attractions in Bayreuth hail from the residence of Margravine Wilhelmine and her husband Margrave Friedrich. A diligent supporter of the arts and culture, Wilhelmine brought Italian architects and French builders to construct many of the town's historical landmarks. As such, much of the architecture reflects heavy baroque and rococo influences. With its wide pedestrian streets, the city center is easy to stroll, and provides a pleasant contrast to many other Bavarian towns loaded with medieval architecture. During the summer many cafes and ice cream parlors set up outdoor seating on the main shopping streets, Maximilianstrasse, Sophienstrasse, and Von-Römer-Strasse. The attractions below can easily be combined with cheaper combination tickets. A ticket to the Margravial Operahouse and New Palace are available for €8. In addition, a ticket to visit any three attractions (Kombikarte Bayreuth) is available for €10, either from the ticket office or the tourist information.

Bayreuth's Operahouse
  • 1 Festival Theater (Festspielhaus), Festspielhügel 1-2 (Bus 5 to Am Festspielhaus), ☏ +49 9 21 7 87 80. Open Daily except Mon. 10AM and 2PM (Dec-Apr) or 10AM, 11AM, 2PM, and 3PM (Sept-Oct). Built in 1872, this opera house still ranks among the best in the world in design and acoustics. Home to the Richard Wagner Festival every summer (see Events below). Just north of the main train station, take bus 5 to Am Festspielhaus. The grounds are crowded, tours seldom, and tickets rare during the annual Richard Wagner Festival in late July–August each year. €5. 
  • 2 Margravial Opera House (Markgräfliches Opernhaus), Opernstr. 8, ☏ +49 9 21 7 59 69 22, . Open Daily 9AM-6PM (Apr-Sept) or 10AM-4PM (Oct-Mar). The baroque opera house, commissioned by Margravine Wilhelmine and designed by famous Giuseppe Galli Bibiena and son Carlo from Italy, was completed in 1748 and remained Germany's largest opera house until 1871. This ornate opera house partially drew Richard Wagner's attention to Bayreuth. 2012 the opera house was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Now it is closed for extensive refurbishment, a process which is expected to take several years to complete. However, the Foyer can still be visited. €2.50. 
  • 3 New Palace (Neues Schloss), Ludwigstr. 21, ☏ +49 9 21 7 59 69 21, . Open Daily except Mon. 9AM-6PM (Apr-Sept) or 10AM-4PM (Oct-Mar). The new residence of the Margrave Friedrich and his wife Wilhelmine after their old residence burnt down. It was designed and built by the French builder Joseph Saint-Pierre, and completed in 1754. The entrance fee includes entrance to the two museums inside: The Museum "Margravine Wilhelmine's Bayreuth" and the museum "Bayreuth Faience - Rummel Collection," featuring porcelain manufactured in Bayreuth in the 18th century. Rooms of interest include the Garden Rooms, Cedar Room, Old Music Room, and the Cabinet of Fragmented Mirrors (designed by Wilhelmine herself). €5. 
  • 4 Garden Museum Fantaisie Palace and Park (Schloss and Park Fantaisie), Bambergerstr. 3, 95488 Eckersdorf/Donndorf (Take bus 8231, 8433, 8446, or 8449 towards Donndorf to stop Fantaisie), ☏ +49 9 21 73 14 00 11. Open Daily except Mon. 9AM-6PM (Apr-Sept) or 10AM-4PM (Oct 1st-15th), closed Oct. 16th to Apr 1st. The 18th century palace designed by the daughter of Margrave Friedrich and Margravine Wilhelmine, features Germany's first garden design museum. Located 5 km west of Bayreuth, take bus 8231, 8433, 8446, or 8449 towards Donndorf to stop Fantaisie. €3.50 (entrance to the park is free). 
  • 5 Hermitage/Old Palace (Eremitage/Altes Schloss), Eremitage 1 (Take Bus 2 or 3 to Eremitage), ☏ +49 9 21 7 59 69 37, . Open Daily 9AM-6PM (Apr-Sept) or 10AM-4PM (Oct 1st-15th), closed Oct. 16th to Apr 1st. The old palace of Margrave Georg Wilhelm on the outskirts of town, the palace was expanded and the gardens created by Wilhelmine as a summer residence. The ornate fountains begin their waterworks on the hour from 10AM to 5PM. Guided tours are available. The Eremitage is approximately 6 km outside Bayreuth, take bus 2 or 3 to Eremitage. €4.50 (Old Palace, entrance to the park is free). 

Churches

Spitalkirche
  • 6 Castle Church and Tower (Schlosskirche and Schlossturm), Schlossberglein 5, 95444 Bayreuth, ☏ +49 9 21 885 88. Opens for prearranged tours. The court chapel and tower were also commissioned and built by Friedrich and Wilhelmine, completed in 1758. The burial vault of the Friedrich and Wilhelmine is located here. The spiral staircase in the tower features a ramp to bring supplies up to the guardroom, which has a great view over the town and to the nearby Fichtelgebirge. €1. 
  • 7 Spitalkirche (Spitalkirche) (At the west end of the main market street Maximilianstrasse). 
  • 8 Stadtkirche (Stadtkirche). 
  • 9 Ordenskirche (In the center of the St. Georgen district in the northern part of the city). The main church of the formerly independent city of St. Georgen was completed in 1718. free. 

Museums

For a town of its size, Bayreuth is rich in museums; over two dozen can be found in and around the city. Noteworthy among the many are the Richard Wagner Museum and Franz-Liszt-Museum, documenting the lives of these prominent German and Hungarian composers, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Maisel's Brewery and Cooper's Museum, as well as the museums located in the New Palace: Bayreuther Faiences - The Rummel Collection, The State Galleries and Margravine Wilhelmine's Bayreuth. Every fall the museums offer a Bayreuth Museum Night (Bayreuther Museumsnacht). On this night, a single ticket allows entry to every museum in the city from 8PM until 2AM. (Typically either late October or early November, see Tourist Information or the website [1] (German only) for more precise information)

  • 10 Archeological Museum (Archäologisches Museum), Ludwigstr. 21 (Italian Building of the New Palace), ☏ +49 9 21-6 53 07. End of April to beginning of November: 10AM-3PM on Saturdays, or by appointment. Archeological finds from Upper Franconia and laid out in eight rooms, spanning the stone age through the middle ages. Most text descriptions might be only in German. €1. 
  • Bayreuther Faiences - The Rummel Collection (Sammlung Bayreuther Fayencen), In the New Palace, ☏ +49 9 21-7 59 69 21. A collection of porcelain manufactured in Bayreuth between 1716 and 1788. See New Palace above for more information. 
  • British American Tobacco's Historical Collection (Tabakhistorische Sammlung der B.A.T.), Maximilianstr. 33, ☏ +49 9 21-7 64 53 10. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM; Jul - Aug: also open Mondays. A collection of over 500 objects from British American Tobacco. The history of tobacco culture is presented, encompassing smoking, pipe, and chewing tobacco. This museum is part of the Museum of Art. €1.60. 
  • 11 Catacombs of Bayreuth's Aktien Brewery (Katakomben der Bayreuther AKTIEN-Brauerei), Kulmbacherstr. 60, ☏ +49 9 21-401-234, . Tours Saturdays at 4PM, or group tours by prior arrangement. Aktien Breweries provides an interesting tour through the sandstone beer caverns that operated from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Since the caverns stay very cool throughout the year, appropriate clothing is recommended. 
  • 12 Fire Brigade Museum (Feuerwehrmuseum), An der Feuerwache 4, ☏ +49 9 21-4 82 99. Open upon prior arrangement. A collection of fire engines from different eras and regions. Currently due to renovation (as of Dec. 2014) 
  • 13 Franz-Liszt-Museum, Wahnfriedstr. 9, ☏ +49 9 21-5 16 64 88. Sep - Jun: 10AM-noon & 2PM-5PM; Jul - Aug: 10AM-5PM. The house of Franz Liszt, the famous Hungarian composer and father-in-law to Richard Wagner. Very near the Richard Wagner museum. €1.60. 
  • 15 German Typewriter Museum (Deutsches Schreibmaschinenmuseum), Bernecker Str. 11, ☏ +49 9 21-2 34 45. M-F by telephone appointment. A collection of typewriters dating back to 1864. The collection in Bayreuth began in 1936, and has expanded ever since. Free. 
  • 16 Historical Museum (Historisches Museum), Kirchplatz 6, ☏ +49 9 21-7 64 01 11, . Tu-Su 10AM-5PM; Jul - Aug: also open Mondays. This museum chronicles the history of Bayreuth from a small Bavarian village to one of the most culturally-important small cities in Germany. The 17th century building provides a suitable setting for the historical collections. €1,60. 
  • 18 Jean Paul Museum, Wahnfriedstr. 1, ☏ +49 9 21-5 07 14 44, . Sep - Jun: 10AM-noon & 2PM-5PM; Jul - Aug: 10AM-5PM. A small museum dedicated to the life and works of the German poet, who lived his last years from 1804-1825 in Bayreuth. The museum is in the former residence of Richard Wagner's daughter Eva. €1.60. 
  • Little Poster Museum (Kleines Plakatmuseum), Maximilianstr. 33, ☏ +49 9 21-7 64 53 10. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM; Jul - Aug: also open Mondays & Sundays. A collection of contemporary poster art primarily concerning popular culture advertisements (such as movie and performance advertisements). The collection is part of the Museum of Art. 
  • 19 Maisel's Brewery and Coopers Museum (Maisel's Brauerei und Büttnerei Museum), Kulmbacherstr. 40, ☏ +49 9 21-40 12 34, . Daily 2PM. The Guinness Book Of World Records' Most Comprehensive Beer Museum occupies the first brewery building of Maisel's Brewery (taken out of commission in the 1970s). The 90 minute tour covers the entirety of the brewing process, and of course finishes with a glass of Maisel's Weissbier. Group tours for 12 or more people can be booked by calling in advance. €4. 
  • 20 Museum of Agricultural Tools and Equipment (Museum für bäuerliche Arbeitsgeräte), Adolf-Wächter-Str. 17, ☏ +49 9 21-5 75 15. May - Oct: M-F 9:30AM-noon, Su 2PM-5PM; Rest of the year and for groups, irregularly or by appointment. A collection of agricultural equipment highlighting the tools and techniques of farmers from Upper Franconia. What started as a private collection by Günter Schmidt was taken over by the city and offered as a public museum starting in 1972. Housed in a historic farmhouse. €1.50. 
  • 21 Museum of Art (Kunstmuseum), Maximilianstr. 33, ☏ +49 9 21-7 64 53 10. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM; Jul - Aug: also open Mondays. Housed in the former city hall's Renaissance-style building, the Museum of Art offers alternating collections of sculpture and painting. €1,60. 
  • 22 Museum of Natural History (Urwelt-Museum Oberfranken), Kanzleistr. 1, ☏ +49 9 21-51 12 11, . Tu-Su 10AM-5PM; Jul - Aug: also open Mondays. The museum in the main pedestrian shopping area highlights the life, geology and minerology during the last 500 million years of Upper Franconia. In front of the museum looms a giant dinosaur statue, along the main shopping street. €2. 
  • Museum of Wilhelmine's Bayreuth, Museum Das Bayreuth der Wilhelmine. Museum highlighting the life and culture of Bayreuth during the time of Margravine Wilhelmine. The collections are part of the New Palace, see above for more information. 
  • 23 Natural Science Museum (Naturkundemuseum), Karolinenreuther Str. 58, ☏ +49 9 21-75 94 20. Nov - Feb: Tu-F 9AM-4PM, Su 10AM-3PM; Mar - Oct: Tu-F 9AM-4PM, Sa-Su 1PM-5PM. This small museum in a farmhouse just outside the city describes the flora and fauna of Bayreuth and Upper Franconia. The museum is especially designed to engage and educate children. €1.50. 
  • 24 Richard Wagner Museum, Richard-Wagner-Str. 48, ☏ +49 9 21-7 57 28 16. Apr - Oct: 9AM-5PM M,W,F,Sa,Su, & 9AM-8PM Tu,Th; Nov - Mar: 10AM-5PM daily. The composer's old residence (Wahnfried House, Haus Wahnfried) has been converted to a museum chronicling his life and works. The composer, his wife, and their dog are buried in the garden. The museum may be of lesser interest to non-German speakers, as it has few English translations. Currently closed due to renovation and expansion works, but the graves can still be visited. €4 Sept - Jun, €4.50 Jul - Aug. 
  • State Gallery in the New Palace (Staatsgalerie im Neuen Schloss), Ludwigstraße 21 (In the New Palace), ☏ +49 9 21-7 59 69-0. Apr - Sept: 9AM-6PM daily; Oct - Mar: 10AM-4PM (closed M). Occupying three rooms of the palace, this exhibition features 80 works of art from the late baroque. €4, entrance fee is included with entrance to the New Palace. 

Parks

  • 25 Court Garden (Hofgarten) (Behind the Neues Schloss). Open 24 hours a day year round. The court garden of the Neues Schloss, this park provides a welcome bit of green in the middle of the city. On sunny days, you can find many residents here relaxing or exercising with a little sport. Free. 
  • 26 Ecological Botanical Gardens (Ökologisch-Botanischer Garten), Universitätsstraße 30 (directly south of the University's campus). The concept behind the Ecological Botanical Gardens is to show plants in an environment that represents their natural habitats as closely as possible. Hence, it is structured in multiple sections, representing different ecosystems from different parts of the world. Opening hours depend on the season and day of the week (closed on Saturdays); the greenhouses have slightly shorter opening hours than the rest of the gardens. Details at the bottom of this page (note that the English version appears to be outdated). Free. 
  • Hermitage (Eremitage). See Hermitage/Old Palace above for information. 
  • 27 Tierpark Röhrensee, Pottensteiner Straße. Park surrounding a small lake (the Röhrensee). It has a small Zoo and a large playground. Free. 

Do

Drink some of the local wheat beer - Hefeweizen - it is perhaps the best sipping beer in the world.

When traveling in summer, make sure not to miss the beautiful Theta beergarden. It is in the hills above Bayreuth and it's hard to get there. But even taking a taxi would be worth it. For active people it is possible to do a very nice hike here from the Festspielhaus. This would also give you the opportunity to climb the old Siegesturm (= victory tower), which provides a scenic view over (almost) the whole city (free, closed in winter).

Catch a movie at the 7-screen Cineplex at the Rotmain-Center (see the Buy section).

Cool off in the Kreuzsteinbad public swimming pool (Universitätsstr. at Frankengutstr., take bus #6) or warm up at the Lohengrin Thermal Baths (take bus #3) outside of town.

Nightlife is not the thing Bayreuth is famous for. A really good place for concerts and parties is the Glashaus on the university campus, while a few good pubs can be found near the city center.

Events

Bayreuth is home to the Richard Wagner Festival for 30 days every year in July and August, when his operas are performed at the Festspielhaus. During the festival, huge crowds flock to Bayreuth for a chance to see the performances. It is estimated that the waiting time for tickets is between five and ten years. For inquiries, contact the Tourist Information office for ideas on the best ways to obtain tickets. Sometimes (with a little luck), last minute tickets can become available.

Maisel's brewery also hosts a Wheat Beer Festival every year in either April or May. (More information on the dates can be found through the Tourist Information or at Maisel's website. The festival usually extends over a long weekend (Thursday - Sunday) and features various bands and festivities each day. Entrance is normally always free. A Fun Run and kids programs are also offered.

Learn

The young University of Bayreuth was established in 1975 and currently has an enrollment approaching 10,000 students. More information can be found here.

Buy

The city center (especially Maximilianstrasse) has no lack of smaller shops as well as some larger stores. Slightly west of the center is the Rotmain-Center, a large shopping center with many options. The center is easily reached on foot and is targeted towards families.

There is also a souvenir shop run by the tourist information office near the center ( Bayreuth Shop, Kanzleistraße 6, ☏ +49 9 21 1507797, . M-F 10AM-6PM Sa 10AM-2PM. Note: It is not located at the TI Office ).

Eat

The traditional pair of Bayreuther Bratwürste in a bread roll, as sold around the city center.

Bayreuth's status as a university city means that a wide variety of restaurants populate the city, including typical Franconian Wirtshäuser, pizza parlors and Asian cuisine (including specifically Chinese, Japanese, and Thai), as well as the normal fast food fare in the train station and along the pedestrian streets. Small food stands (Imbiss) dot the pedestrian areas and offer quick hot meals for those in a rush (the traditional Franconian choice would be a pair of Bayreuther Bratwürste). If you're looking for halal food, the numerous Döner places around the city centre are your safest bet. Most of the hotels listed below also have an attached restaurant or Biergarten, open for anyone to visit. Listed below is a small sampling of the restaurants in Bayreuth. For more options, ask around or just take a stroll through the city.

  • 1 Chinatown, Ludwigstr (Directly next to Hansl's Pizzeria). One of the better Chinese restaurants in the city, Chinatown offers a large selection at reasonable prices. 
  • 2 Enchilada, Hindenburgstr. 3, ☏ +49 921-66 177. This chain Mexican restaurant offers up traditional Mexican and Latin American fare and a lively atmosphere. 
  • 3 Hansl's Holzofenpizzeria (Hansl's Wood Oven Pizzeria), Friedrichstr. 15, ☏ +49 921-54344. 10AM-10:30PM. Small but popular pizzeria at the intersection of Ludwigstr. and Friedrichstr. In warmer months, the outdoor seating provides a great dinner atmosphere. Small/large pizza from €3/4.5. 
  • 4 Kraftraum, Sophienstr. 16, ☏ +49 921-800 2515. M-F 08:00-01:00, Sa-Su 09:00-01:00. A vegetarian restaurant/bistro/café/bar with a large menu, as well as breakfast and a great weekend brunch. From €5. (updated Aug 2015)
  • 6 Oskar, Maximilianstrasse 33, ☏ +49 921-5160553. Oskar offers a typical Franconian fair, with a central location right on the main pedestrian street. Mains starting around €9. 
  • 7 Señor Taco, Friedrichstr. 13, ☏ +49 921-79315115, . Home-made Mexican-style fast food. from 3.50€. (updated Aug 2015)

Drink

  • 1 Dubliner Irish Pub, Erlanger Str. 2, ☏ +49 921-512630. Bayreuth's Irish Pub, featuring many Irish drinks and even some good Irish food. Occasional live music. Mondays is half-priced drinks. 
  • 2 Glashaus (On the university campus, ask around), ☏ +49 921-552198. A popular club on campus offering many different concerts, films, and other events. You will have to become a member to take part, but that's really just a formality (and a small fee). Membership fee is 1€ for a single month, entrance fees depend on the event (may be free).. 
  • 3 Herzogkeller, Hindenburgstr. 9, ☏ +49 921-4 34 19. A Biergarten located outside the city center, just past the brewery. Closed during the winter season. 
  • 4 Rosa Rosa, Von-Römer-Str. 2, ☏ +49 921-68502. A cozy pub serving local brews and good food specials. Get there early as the seats normally fill up quickly. 

Sleep

Bayreuth's sleeping options are relatively reasonable in price and quality. Be warned, during the Richard Wagner Festival prices can go through the roof. The Tourist Information can help you locate many other smaller guest houses in and around Bayreuth. (Organized by price in each category)

Youth Hostel

  • 1 Bayreuth Youth Hostel (Jugendherberge Bayreuth), Universitätsstr. 28 (Take bus 4 or 6 to Universitätsstr.), ☏ +49 9 21-76 43 80, . The youth hostel provides adequate accommodation at very reasonable prices. As with all hostels, most beds are in dorm rooms, and the rate includes a bed, sheets, and a breakfast. Dinners are also available nightly. Guests over 27 will pay a slight surcharge. Caution, many times in summer large groups of school children will visit, making the hostel very loud. From €20. 

Hotels in the City

  • 3 Goldener Löwe, Kulmbacher Str. 30, ☏ +49 9 21-746060. Nice mixture of cozy and modern with a restaurant that draws its ingredients mainly from local sources. Located near the Brewery Museum and the Maisel's brewery, it's just a short walk away from the Rotmaincenter or the inner city. Single room from €32, double room from €65. 
  • 4 Gasthof Kolb, Wendelhöfen 8, ☏ +49 9 21-24216, . Small family-run guest house in the northern part of Bayreuth with restaurant and an attached Biergarten. Located near the Bezirkskrankenhaus at the edge of the city, the Gasthof Kolb lies within walking distance to the forests around the Hohe Warte as well as the Festival Theater. Single room from €41, double room from €74. 
  • 5 Hotel Bürgerreuth, An der Bürgerreuth 20 (just a few hundred metres north of the Festival Theatre), ☏ +49 9 21-7840-0. A small hotel with only 8 rooms, located in a quiet area (unless it's festival season). Single room from €49, double room from €70. 
  • 8 Hotel Lohmühle, Badstr. 37, ☏ +49 9 21-5306-0. This self-proclaimed "Franconian" hotel sits a short walk from the city center. Single room from €73, double room from €109. 
  • 9 Hotel Rheingold, Austraße 2 (Follow the signs to the underground parking lot "Unteres Tor" (P5), they will directly lead you to the hotel.), ☏ +49 921-990085-0, . Re-opened in 2013 after complete renovation, claimed to be entirely barrier-free. Single room from €75, double room from 85€. 
  • 11 Hotel Goldener Anker, Opernstr. 6, ☏ +49 9 21-65051. Highly reviewed hotel very near the Margravial Operahouse, featuring wireless internet and on-site parking. Single room from €98, double room from €168. 

Hotels Outside the City Center

  • 13 Hotel-Gasthof Opel, Bayreuther Str. 1, 95500 Heinersreuth, ☏ +49 9 21-41884, . This hotel occupies a 19th century building around 3 km from the center of Bayreuth and run by the Opel family. Free wireless internet and free parking is available. From €42. 
  • 15 Grunau Hotel, Kemnather Straße 27, ☏ +49 9 21-7980-0. Larger hotel located 3.5 km east of the city center. Features wireless internet and bicycle rental. From €65. 

Go next

Take a trip to the nearby tiny town of Aufsess, which the Guinness Book of World Records recognizes as the town with the most breweries per capita! There's even a beer trail that you can hike with stops at all the local biergartens.

Visit Bamberg to see the medieval town and try the local smoked beer (Rauchbier).

Take an adventure in the Franconian Switzerland (Fränkische Schweiz) and experience the beautiful local flora, fauna, and scenery. possible activities include hiking, mountain-climbing and canoeing.

Nuremberg is also nearby, and an easy, exciting day trip.

Routes through Bayreuth
Berlin ← Leipzig ←  N  S  → Nuremberg → Munich
Merges into ← Bamberg ←  W  E  → Kulmbach → Merges into



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