Würzburg is a historic, brilliantly lavish, and quintessential European city in the center of Germany’s wine capital Franconia.
It rests on the divine Main River, and its bridges add to its scenic charm.
This city in Germany’s Bavaria state boasts all things classic and is blessed with the most generous chunks of royal and ancient history.
It’s known worldwide for its posh beauty and rococo and baroque architecture.
With a seemingly endless number of Romanesque cathedrals and Gothic chapels, mouth-watering hotdogs and local delicacies, palaces and residences like the heritage Würzburg Residenz, holy shrines on hilltops, art galleries, and captivating regal gardens, Würzburg is here for a win.
Are you looking forward to exploring this enchanting city?
Here’s a list of the best things to do in Würzburg, Germany:
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Undoubtedly the city’s most popular attraction, the Würzburg Residenz is a palatial architectural masterpiece located in Residenzplatz.
Germany proudly celebrates it as one of the earliest baroque buildings made for princes and bishops in the 18th century.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built between 1720 and 1744.
One of its most noteworthy features is the world’s most enormous fresco ceiling built by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in the royal staircase hall.
During the World Wars, this monument was heavily affected and took around 40 years to rebuild.
Fortunately, it was successfully restored to its former glory and is now a living piece of German history.
The Würzburg Residenz also houses a memorial room with war exhibits.
At present, around 40 rooms are on display for tourists.
There is a royal Hall of Mirrors, an exquisite white hall built in a rococo stucco pattern, and endless memorabilia for visitors to check out.
There are shops around the area, and guided tours of the standard rooms are readily available.
However, one can always tour the place on their own with the help of guidebooks.
Walk through the zigzagging staircase of the Treppenhaus and soak in the royalty here.
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Created around the eighth century, Festung Marienberg or Marienberg Fortress is a mystic fort located above the banks of the mighty Main River.
This fort served as a seat for bishops and princes for more than five centuries—more specifically, from the 13th century until the Würzburg Residenz was created.
This hilly area was once home to the Bronze Age Hill Fort.
Once you climb up the fort, make sure to visit the Bibra Apartment, which holds primary attention here for its tapestry works, furniture collection, and more.
The antique garden and its views of the city are also joys to behold.
This building passed through the Renaissance and baroque architectural waves to its present marvelous form.
The Marienkirche, also known as St. Mary’s Church is located here and is one of the oldest round churches in Germany.
Do not forget to stroll through the dungeons and travel back in time with the golden open hallways of the fort.
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Located on the grounds of the Würzbrug Residenz, Hofkirche is a different world in itself.
Its sacral baroque architecture presents this place as a supreme example of the heritage style.
The curved walls and oval vaults on both stories make this church look nothing short of magical.
There are gilt work patterns embedded into the walls, seats, and practically every part of the church you can lay your eyes on.
The rococo stucco style is mingled into this architectural bliss, too.
The palettes of the hall are white, covered with intricate gold motifs, bars, and designs.
Hofkirche represents fine marble work as well, as the ceilings and pillars are made entirely out of marble.
The six noteworthy statues inside the church were also made with Genoa marble.
Many of the works you’ll see, including the altar, were created by Antonio Bossi.
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An architectural landmark in Würzburg, the Alte Mainbrucke is a charming favorite among tourists who visit the city.
Unlike the usual monumental landmark spots, this area is built around the Main River and is frequented by bustling and enthusiastic crowds of tourists and locals, both day and night.
This pedestrian bridge houses 12 gilded statues of emperors, bishops, princes, and saints.
On the left bank are the fisherman’s quarters, which can be visited, too.
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The bridge beautifully joins the old town and the new Würzburg.
However, at present, this bridge is primarily used for socializing.
In summers, people come and talk to passing strangers while holding tall glasses of Franconian red wine.
The Alte Mainbrucke also offers unparalleled skyline views of the city.
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German markets are adored by Europeans as well as world globe trotters.
The Market Square, located beside the Marienkapelle Church, is a typically German, top-notch shopping area.
The best way to immerse yourself in Würzburg’s roots is to visit the Market Square and shop for local groceries, ethnic souvenirs, and memorabilia like a local on a busy evening.
This marketplace, however, looks more like a populated empire than a bazaar, with its old Germanic architecture and crimson walls.
Once you reach the place, start shopping to your heart’s content, and purchase everything from sausages to flowers, books to clothing, and cheese to baked goods.
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Bring your cameras with you, for you cannot afford to miss capturing this location on film.
Situated adjacent to the Market Square, the Marienkapelle is a 14th-century church.
This shrine is built in the quintessential late Gothic form of architecture.
However, the coloring of this church is not conventionally Gothic.
It is built in a crimson red palette with a white base, making it the church’s main point of attraction and attention.
There are tinted glass windows, pointed blood-red fort peaks, and a vast hallway to amaze the visitors.
German sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider contributed to most of the place’s gothic art beauty.
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Nature lovers will find their favorite spot in the biggest division of the Marienburg Fortress—a breathtaking, picture-perfect garden.
Fürstengarten Marienberg, also called the Prince’s Garden, was created back in the 17th century by Prince Bishop Johann Philipp von Schönborn.
This cozy little garden is one of its kind, with flower beds arranged both beautifully and nearly.
Fürstengarten Marienberg is located at the fortress complex’s eastern flank area at an elevated location that provides spectacular views of the city in an angular panoramic manner.
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If traveling miles to see monuments tires you out, you are in for a treat.
The proximity of Würzburg’s glorious locations to one another helps you see so many things in such little time.
The Martin Von Wagner Museum is located just to the right of the Würzburg Residenz.
This structure was built in 1832 and proudly houses the art collections of the University of Würzburg, one of the largest university art collections in the entire continent of Europe.
There are noteworthy antiquities, including exhibits from 2,400 years ago.
These mostly belong to Ancient Greece, Egypt, and imperial Rome.
One of the world’s largest collections of ancient vases is located here, too.
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The ancient and turbulent Main River is considered to be the pride of Würzburg.
Running in a flow below the old bridge of Alte Maincrucke, it is a broad river filled with activities to fulfill your day.
However, different people come here with a variety of interests.
Come to the Alte Maincrucke, and start chatting with a trusted local to learn about the mysteries of the river.
You can sit by the bank and have a nice picnic with your family, too.
Taking a drive through the Romantische Strasse is one of the most refreshing things to do in Würzburg.
It is a fine attraction for lovers of travel, history, and castles.
The Romantic Road is a road that connects Würzburg to the countryside and places like Frankfurt.
The city offers ample modes of transportation, and for a few euros, you can take a bus trip that will take you through gorgeous teal valleys, mighty forts, lakes, and palaces.
It is a 220-mile road where you’ll spot a new attraction every 20 minutes.
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It is almost customary to try the best quality wine at the finest possible location when you are in Germany’s wine region.
While you’re at it, the most quirky and unique combination would be trying a wine collection at an old hospital.
The Juliusspital Weingut Vineyards used to be a hospital.
This ancient structure was built in the 1500s, and the ancient walls carefully hold some of the oldest wines.
Purchase some wine for friends and for your home, as the collection is splendid here.
Beside the vineyard, you’ll find a regal dining area where you can enjoy the full flavors of royal travel and touring.
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When you’re in the land of churches and shrines, you surely won’t tire of touring the city’s stunning cathedrals.
The broad and beautiful Würzburg Cathedral has withstood the test of time and continues shining brightly even today.
Much like other German works of architecture, this place was heavily damaged during the World Wars.
However, it still manages to protect mystic architecture and art by people like Tilman Riemenschneider or Balthazar Neumann.
With a length of more than 100 meters, it proudly stands as the fourth-largest Romanesque church in Germany.
The architecture is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic, with vibrant colors on the tall forts.
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Commonly known as the Käppele, the Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Heimsuchung is a pilgrimage church located at the top of a hill.
You have to hike your way to the hilltop, and once you do, the magical view makes everything worth it.
The church took 30 years to create and assemble and features bud domes instead of sharp-peaked forts.
Its stunning interiors are marbled white with gold.
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Take a break from sculptures, and dive into the lap of natural beauty at this botanical garden.
The University of Würzburg houses this garden, which was built in the 17th century, initially as a medical garden.
At present, a tourist can see up to as many as 10,000 species of plants at the garden, which is locally known as the Botanischer Garten der Universität Würzburg.
These include exotic varieties from Asia and the Middle East, as well as regional favorites and valuables.
Collections from Japan garner a special interest from tourists, which is attributed to naturalist Phillipp Franz von Siebold, who studied Japanese flora and fauna.
There are multiple greenhouses, a herbarium, and alpine houses.
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Schloss Veitshöchheim, or Veitshöchheim Palace, is another glory of Bavaria that was laid out in the early 18th century.
It is located in Veitshöchheim, 15 minutes away from Würzburg, and used to be a summer home for all royalty and Bavarian kings.
The Duke of Tuscany used the private apartments here.
It is presently cherished for the signature stucco style of architecture, with bright white and mustard hues.
The palace also rejoices in possessing stucco work by Antonio Bossi and sculptures created by Johann Peter Wagner.
The garden has arresting views, with more than 300 sculptures, pavilions, arbors, and magical grottoes.
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