Würzburg
Baroque, wine and a neighbourhood on your doorstep
What we tell guests when they ask what to do here. Without opening hours or ticket prices – those change, our recommendations do not.
Sanderau, our neighbourhood
Sanderau is the oldest district outside the former city walls and today the most densely populated quarter in Würzburg – which feels far less crowded than it sounds. It is a neighbourhood of period facades and short distances, without any tourist bustle: bakeries, cafés, a butcher and shops are all within walking distance, the Ringpark green belt adjoins to the north, and the riverbank begins around the corner.
With the university's law and economics faculties nearby, the mix is pleasantly lively. For guests that means good local shops, quiet nights, and company in the evening if you want it.
On the doorstep: the Sandermare swimming pool, the Sanderrasen sports ground with a running track for a morning lap, the Graf-Luckner pond – and, from mid-April to September, the lawns and city beach along the Ludwigkai. The old town is a few tram stops away, or a twenty-minute walk along the river. The riverside route is the prettier one.
Würzburg in a day
The Residence
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and deservedly so: above the staircase stretches Tiepolo's ceiling fresco, the largest continuous fresco in the world. The court garden behind is freely accessible and worth an evening stroll.
Old Main Bridge
The Brückenschoppen is as much a part of Würzburg as the water beneath it: a glass of Franconian wine among the statues of saints, the old town behind you, the fortress ahead.
Marienberg Fortress
Up through the vineyards, a good twenty minutes on foot. At the top, the best view of the city, plus the Museum für Franken and the prince's garden.
The Käppele
Balthasar Neumann's pilgrimage church on the Nikolausberg, reached by a Stations of the Cross path. You can see it from your loggia – the walk up is worth it anyway.
Wine, without detours
Würzburg is a wine city, and an unusual one: its great wine estates sit right in the centre. Both the Juliusspital and the Bürgerspital run a wine tavern where you can eat Franconian food and drink wine from their own vineyards – unpretentious and remarkably fair for what you get. If you would rather be outdoors, walk the vineyard trail above the city: one to two hours through the vines, ideally ending somewhere with something to drink.
One tip for first-timers: Franconian Silvaner comes in the flat, round Bocksbeutel bottle, is dry, and goes with almost everything. If you take one bottle home, take that one.
The Würzburg year
If your dates are still flexible, it is worth a look at the festival calendar. The Africa Festival comes to the river meadows in May, the Wine Village to the market square in late May and early June, and the Mozart Festival fills the Residence throughout June. July brings the Kiliani funfair, high summer the Hafensommer concerts at the old harbour, and September the Stramu street music festival with around a hundred thousand visitors. Our own highlight falls in November: the Night of the Open Wine Cellars. Bürgerspital, Juliusspital, the Staatlicher Hofkeller and Weingut am Stein open their vaults for one evening, with a shuttle bus running between them. If you get to pick a single date, pick that one. From late November the Christmas market fills the squares of the old town.
At these times the city is full and the apartment books up early – do enquire a few months ahead. If you prefer things quieter, January and February have a charm of their own, and that is when our rates are friendliest.
Getting here and parking
By train: Würzburg Hauptbahnhof is an ICE stop on the Frankfurt–Nuremberg line. From there the tram reaches the Sanderau stop "Fechenbachstraße" in a few minutes. Würzburg Süd station lies within the district itself and is served by regional trains – for many connections, the shorter route.
By car: Via the A3 or A7 motorways; exits are signposted. There is free parking in the neighbouring streets, a few minutes' walk from the front door. You do not need to tell us in advance that you are driving.
Once here: Würzburg is easy to explore on foot and by tram. You will not really need a car during your stay.
Sounds like your next weekend?
Tell us your preferred dates – we will reply with availability and the final price.