When you think of Franconia, Silvaner and the famous "Bocksbeutel" usually come to mind – not for nothing, as the wine country is known for both. But there's so much more to Franconia, especially in autumn. When the vineyards slowly turn red and the grape harvest is in full swing, nature beckons with long walks and hikes. With a little luck, you can see the many vintners hard at work on the steep luscious slopes. From the white Silvaner to the red Domina – numerous wine varieties grow in the Franconian climate and are just waiting to be sampled at the numerous inns and wineries.

Franconian Silvaner tastes best from the traditional "Bocksbeutel" bottle. © Hotel & Organic Winery Bausewein

Anyone who appreciates unspoiled nature and biodiversity should visit one of the ten nature parks in Franconia. These extend over almost half the region. Guests can also explore the parks together with a nature park ranger and learn interesting facts about the flora and fauna. From dense forests to mystical castle ruins – the variety of landscapes is unique. Alternatively, you can get on your bike and explore the towns of Franconia along the rivers, which entice with particularly charming and historic centers.

Dense forests await in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park. There are dedicated trails fo mountain bikers in search of a little more adventure. © Fichtelgebirge Tourist Office / Mixplor

Gourmets can look forward to tasty delights in the wine region. Small and large wineries are happy to open their doors to travelers and let them peek behind the scenes, obligatory wine tastings included! The many smaller wineries are especially worth visiting. If you're interested, check out the "Franconia - Wine.Beautiful.Country" guide, among other resources.

Franconia: excursion tips

Königsberg

The sleepy Königsberg presents its historical importance. The old town is under monument protection and the houses have been lovingly renovated. Romantic half-timbered buildings are lined up next to each other. You can stroll leisurely along the cobblestones and admire the facades or the late Gothic St. Mary's Church in the center. The show distillery at Rosenhof allows you to taste the finest schnapps from FeinDestillerie Bimbach 24. Those who want to stick around for a while can cozy up in one of two charming apartments at Rosenhof, which are decorated with local art. On a guided tour, you can learn a lot about the eventful history and personalities of the small town, such as the mathematician Regiomontanus.

Cobblestone streets, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and historic charm through and through – this is the town of Königsberg. © Anett Wiegand

Iphofen

Surrounded by an imposing city wall, you'll find a mix of tradition and modernity in Iphofen. While the architecture is deliberately half-timbered, modern elements such as the vinotheque or the Knauf Museum attract visitors. In the latter, you can see an exhibition on Marilyn Monroe until November 6, 2022. On a guided tour of the city, you can learn interesting facts about the region and the history of the city. A historical vineyard invites you to take a walk or a bike ride through the grapevines in good weather, while you learn everything about the region's viticulture at the individual stations of the wine hiking trail. Equipped with a wine from the local winegrowers and a picnic, you can enjoy a glass of wine in nature and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding area. A visit to the winery Ilmbacher Hof is highly recommended as well.

 

 

 

 

 

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Franconia: Where to stay

Many wineries offer apartments and vacation homes. Another recommendation is the Hotel & Bioweingut Bausewein. The charming little hotel attaches great importance to naturalness and sustainability and scores with loving service – and of course excellent wine. Directly in Iphofen, it's the ideal starting point for tours into the vineyards.

The hotel of the organic winery Bausewein may be small, but has charm in spades. © Hotel & Organic Winery Bausewein

Hotel & Organic Winery Bausewein
Breite Gasse 1, 97346 Iphofen
biobausewein.de

You can find more information about the tourism region Franconia here >