"APPRECIATING VALUES - DISCOVERING TREASURES"
.This is the motto of the Burgenstraße, which leads from Heidelberg/Schwetzingen to Bayreuth and is one of the oldest holiday routes in Germany. About 60 castles and palaces can be admired along the 840-kilometre-long route. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities for an individual and relaxed stroll through the past, whether by car, camper van, bicycle or classic car.
Welcome to Spalt and Eichstätt!
.
Spalt – Wernfels Castle (c) Town of Spalt / Tourism
Eichstätt – Willibaldsburg Castle
The Castle Road has grown: new additions from 2026 are the beer and hop town of Spalt in the Franconian Lake District with Wernfels Castle, and the baroque, bishopric and university town of Eichstätt in the Altmühl Valley with Willibaldsburg Castle. In addition to these historic buildings, both places hold numerous treasures that are well worth discovering ... read more
Discover the Castle Road with your motorhome
The Castle Road is ideal for a trip with a motorhome. The "Discovery tours along the Castle Road with the Camper" brochure guides you to over 40 pitches along the route. Read more - Get here free of charge
You will feel completely comfortable ...
in the Premium Partner Hotels at the Castle Road. What close affinity to the Castle Road they have, what they stand for und what they offer, you will find here.
Detailed information about all hotels can also be found in our English-language brochure ‘Hotel Recommendations for Connoisseurs’. It is available free of charge in our online shop (just scroll down to ‘Alle Artikel’).
Schwetzingen – Flowering barometer shows a dream in pink
The blossoming of the Japanese ornamental cherry trees in the Schwetzingen Palace Gardens is the first sure sign of spring's arrival. For a few days, the large cherry orchard in front of the mosque is transformed into a stunning sea of pink blossoms. The blossom barometer shows how far the blossoms have progressed.
150 years of the Bayreuth Festival
There is a good reason why the New York Times has named Bayreuth one of the '52 places to go in 2026': the 150th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival, which once again makes the city a mecca for opera fans from all over the world. The celebrations extend beyond the Green Hill: under the banner 'Festival150', 150 stages across the city and district will span the spectrum from Wagner’s works to the present day with music, theatre and art throughout the year. Hojotoho!
Mosbach: Double Anniversary
50 years is a reason to celebrate, 1,200 years all the more so – and so in 2026 Mosbach will be able to mark two town anniversaries at once: its status as a district town since 1976 and its first documented mention in 826. Highlights in the festival calendar include the Festival of Lights on 10–11 July and Classic Car Day on 9 August. Always worth a visit: the popular themed markets – with a different theme every month. We hope you enjoy joining in the celebrations!
Bamberg: Church and Art
Bamberg, too, has two reasons to celebrate in 2026: the ‘comeback’ of the former monastery church of St Michael - after years of renovation, one of the most significant landmarks of this UNESCO World Heritage city is now shining in new splendour. And the 250th anniversary of the birth of E.T.A. Hoffmann, who spent formative years here. A diverse cultural programme will celebrate the writer, composer and painter.
Coburg: 200 years of the Dual Duchy
The Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was established in 1826 and became world-famous for its family ties to many noble houses. It goes without saying that Coburg is celebrating this anniversary in style: from 22 May, the focus will be on a major exhibition in the art collections of the Veste Coburg, accompanied by a range of other events. Together, they paint a multifaceted picture of this unusual duchy.
Pottenstein: 100 Years of the Felsenbad
‘The Felsenbad Pottenstein in Franconian Switzerland is an insider’s tip for the perfect summer’s day,’ declared the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in 2025 – a full year too early for the 100th anniversary of one of Germany’s most beautiful outdoor swimming pools. Nestled within a bizarre rocky landscape, those seeking refreshment have been able to enjoy swimming here since 1926 in an Art Nouveau setting, and since 2001 even in a natural swimming pond – complete with a floating stage, beer garden and café terrace.
Rothenburg: Town, Landscape & Nature
Rothenburg’s picturesque setting high above the Tauber Valley has always defined the town’s character. The themed year ‘Rothenburg – Town.Landscape.Nature’ highlights just how closely the landscape, cultural history and the experience of nature are intertwined here. A programme featuring people who love their landscape and bring it to life, from winegrowers to storytellers.
A journey back in time
The Castle Road – 840 kilometres of cultural and historical spectacle. Watch our promotional film now to get a glimpse of the magnificent, mysterious, moving and surprising discoveries that await you between Mannheim and Bayreuth!
Sie sehen das Video nicht? Dann stimmen Sie bitte der Nutzung von YouTube zu.
Inspiring travel experiences
They spark curiosity about regions and places, provide specific tips for travel planning and keep memories alive: travel blogs and programmes. Read and see here what bloggers and TV teams have experienced on the Castle Road, what recommendations they make and what insider information they have in store.
To the blogs
To the TV programmes