Coburg's sights: royal time out in Upper Franconia

Who has the most beautiful market square in Bavaria?

Let's set off on a journey to the most magnificent places in the former royal seat of Coburg! It's just a ten-minute walk from the railway station to the historic market square in the heart of the town of 41,000 inhabitants. Turn right onto Lossaustraße, continue across the Itz and from there straight ahead onto Viktoriastraße. From here, the path leads straight into Judengasse, which winds its way through the charming old town along the pastel-coloured house facades and ends at Bavaria's most beautiful market square. GEO magazine honoured it with this title in 2018 - and rightly so!

The striking buildings shine out at you in all their splendour, as if taken from an illustrated book. At the centre of the cobbled square is the mighty bronze statue of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He owes his prominence solely to his wedding strategy: in 1840, the Coburg prince married Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland - the most important monarch of her time. The Queen donated the monument in memory of her husband, who died far too young. The "Grandmother of Europe" herself travelled to the ceremonial unveiling in August 1865. This epithet goes back to her many descendants, who are still represented in the European aristocracy today, such as her great-great-granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II.

Coburg's culinary highlights: savouring bratwurst against a historic backdrop

Looking south from the Albert statue, you will see the 15th century town hall, which was later decorated in rococo style. The gable above the town hall clock is adorned with the town's patron saint, St Mauritius. His marshal's baton is exactly 31 cm long and is still the standard measure for the Coburg bratwurst. Among the locals, the figure is only known as the "Bratwurstmännle". Enjoy the speciality sizzled over pine cones right here at one of the stands while you take in the colourful, different architectural styles around you. Behind the Albert monument on the north side of the square is the town hall, another Coburg sight not to be missed. Framed by two magnificent Coburg oriels, the free-standing Renaissance building from the 16th century stands out with the knight figures on the roof proudly towering into the sky.

A Coburg Bussi "to go"

Before you continue your tour of Coburg's best sights, take a quick turn into Rosengasse at the southern end of the market square and pick up a "Coburger Schmätzchen" from the court purveyor Feyler. Don't worry, they don't hand out kisses, but a gingerbread flavour refined with twelve spices, invented by master baker Wilhelm Feyler in 1892. Even the Swedish royal family has the sweet treat from Coburg delivered to their court.

With the sweet treats in your luggage, the route leads back to the market square past the town hall into Herrngasse, where you will find the tourist information centre on the right after a few metres. Here you will receive expert advice and a free city map and can take part in a guided tour of the old town at 11 a.m. (advance booking required). Those who prefer to explore the city on their own can be accompanied on an audio walk via an app. Directly opposite the tourist information centre is the stop for the yellow-green Bimmelbahn, which takes you up to the Veste Coburg castle complex in 15 minutes. The journey times can be found on the website.

Idyllic nature experience in the middle of the city

The next attraction in Coburg on your route is the Veste. Walk from Herrngasse through Theatergasse to Theaterplatz, where you have the option of taking the number 5 bus from Theaterplatz with your Bayern-Ticket and "climbing" the Veste Coburg in 15 minutes (the bus up to the Veste runs every two hours). Or you can walk the 1.5 kilometres through the almost 30-hectare Hofgarten. The entrance is located to the east of the castle square and leads up the steps along the elongated arcades. The path to the castle complex is signposted with grey steles and takes between 30 and 45 minutes. There is plenty to discover in the extensive idyllic landscape park: romantic garden pavilions, the large adventure playground and a fragrant rose garden - embedded in spacious meadows and gently rolling hills. Nature reigns supreme here with its cosy spots and almost 65 tree species. Have you heard of the cake tree? It owes its name to its fallen leaves, which smell of gingerbread. You can read even more curiosities about the flora and fauna in the Hofgarten on the information boards at this Coburg attraction. If you want to find out more, pay a visit to the Natural History Museum. With over 700,000 artefacts, it is considered the most extensive in northern Bavaria.

Culture and Franconian cuisine with a breathtaking view

You've made it! After 167 metres in altitude, it lies proudly and majestically before you, the highlight among the sights: the Veste Coburg. The castle owes its majestic nickname "Franconian Crown" to its location on a dolomite rock, visible from afar. The breathtaking panoramic view over the Thuringian Forest to the Franconian Jura is correspondingly unique. To the east, the view extends as far as the Franconian Forest. Equipped with iron gates, pitch pits and cannons, the fortress has successfully withstood numerous attacks. The oldest surviving parts of the imposing building date back to 1225, and the historic architecture captivates visitors from the very first moment. Follow in the footsteps of the blue-blooded inside the Veste and marvel at the extensive art collectionsof the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha: gilded wedding carriages, gleaming knights' armour, around 2,700 glasses, sculptures and princely rooms can all be discovered here.

Feasting with a view of Coburg

If you're hungry, the castle tavern is the place to be. In fine weather, the magnificent terrace view invites you to savour hearty Franconian delicacies. You can also enjoy a hearty meal in a rustic atmosphere inside. Don't forget to try the "Coburger Rutscher" - a dumpling speciality which, thanks to its consistency, almost "slides down the palate" by itself and provides a real feeling of happiness with its delicious taste.

After your eventful castle adventure, it's back to the railway station. From there, take the train back home full of majestic impressions.