Forchheim
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Forchheim is a small town in Franconia with an interesting old town.
Understand
Get in
By train
Forchheim has regular S-Bahn service from Nuremberg and Erlangen as well as Bamberg and is part of the VGN network. The is located east of to the center.By plane
The next airport is in Nuremberg (NUE) and is connected to the main station via the subway (~12 minutes) which is part of the VGN network as is the S-Bahn from there to Forchheim. Other airports offer more connections, but you will still pass through Nuremberg when taking the train to Forchheim.By car
Both B470 (busy on weekends in the summer) and A73 offer connections to Forchheim.By boat
The Main Danube Canal passes through Forchheim.Get around
As Forchheim is rather small and wasn't built with the automobile in mind, walking is a good way to see the old town. If you stay longer a car or bike might be a good idea, especially for day trips that can't be done by train.
See
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phone: +49 9191 714327address: Kapellenstraße 16
Town HallBuilt in the 15th and 16th century.
Kellerberg23 beer gardens in on an idyllic wooded hillside. Site of the world famous beer and music festival "the Annafest" taking place annually over 10 days at the end of July.
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Burgruine Streitburg
address: WiesenttalThis ruined castle is on a hill right next to the hill Neideck stands on (see below) "Streit" means "quarrel" in German and the tale goes that the two neighboring castles had a quarrel with each other leading to the destruction of both. The actual history doesn't confirm that tale but locals like to tell it regardless. -
Burgruine Neideck
address: WiesenttalNext to Streitburg on a neighboring hill, this castle ("Neid" means envy) is said to have fallen victim to the same quarrel as Streitburg although, again, the actual history was different.
Do
Regular events
Annafest is probably the most noteworthy event in town and regionally second only to the Bergkrichweih in Erlangen. It is usually held around late July, early August and draws crowds from throughout the region.Eat
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Zollhaus
phone: +49 9191 970990address: Hauptstraße 4
Drink
Forchheim retains four breweries that all produce mostly for a rather local market. If you like beer, sample them all and take a bottle or two home.
Sleep
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phone: +49 9191 4511address: Kirchplatz 3
Go next
- Forchheim is the perfect entry point for (though not located inside of) Franconian Switzerland
- If you enjoy old towns Bamberg makes for a fascinating - and easy - day trip, as there is a direct train connection