Share the article
Last updated
Not every destination with flowing canals should be compared to Venice, a truly iconic city.
It’s understandable that this might come to mind, but there’s no way every city full of scenic canals can live up to the hype.
Take San Antonio for example. This cultural Texas city’s most notable attraction, outside of the historic Alamo, looks nothing like Venice, even with boat tours meandering through the cityscape.
But there may be an exception to the rule, as a storybook German city is being hyped as the country’s greatest hidden gem.
Lined with picturesque canals and century-old pubs, this beautiful town oozes charm and character like the German ‘Little Venice‘.
Welcome to Bamberg: Germany’s best hidden gem
Without a doubt, the Bavarian state of Germany is one of the most beautiful in the country.
Home to much bigger names like the beautiful city of Munich, there are also dozens of charming treasures to discover.
Bamberg is one of many, but this one stands out the most.
‘Little Venice’ is not the only name this beautiful city has adopted; it is also known as ‘Frankish Rome’, the seven hills, each with its own church or castle in the Franconia region.
You’ll be in the same sentence as Venice and Rome and you know it’s packed with goodies! But let’s start with the basics.
Bamberg dates back centuries with records going back to 902 AD! Of course, not all structures have survived that long, but the small town is very well preserved, which is all part of the appeal of such a place.
Moreover, the beautiful town has been recognized and preserved by UNESCO more than 1400 monumental buildings, an insurmountable number for a city with fewer than 80,000 inhabitants.
The city will have you ‘oohing’ and ‘ahhing’ through picturesque cobbled streets lined with striking historic buildings such as Bamberg Cathedral, which is over 1000 years old and looks amazing for its age!
Best of all, this miracle is free to enter.
Real Venice vibes ‘Little Venice’
Venice has seen its fair share of headlines where concerns about global warming and overtourism have overshadowed how wonderful the city is to visit.
Now that Venice is not exactly the most hospitable host to tourists with a new entrance fee and various complaints, travelers have started looking for alternatives.
Bamberg has flown under the radar, but in fact exceeds the standard for such an honor.
As a top attraction, the Regnitz River is well maintained so that locals and tourists alike can enjoy it as the waterway branches into the man-made canals of ‘Little Venice’.
Better yet, like Venice, you can enjoy a romantic ride on the water and take in the sights of this beautiful, lesser-known gem.
Booking a short cruise is easy via multiple operators where tickets may not cost more than $16 per passenger.
This area is not very large, so expect these tours to last a maximum of half an hour.
No better place for local beer
Is it just me, or does beer taste better on holiday?
The same goes for wine, cocktails and whatever dish you choose that day.
However, Bamberg is the mecca for beer, especially if you like traditional pubs.
Bamberg offers a friendly atmosphere, although some students here occasionally liven up the drinking scene, but nothing over the top like the wild streets of Berlin.
While many travelers go to Munich for the Oktoberfest lederhosen in tow, don’t sleep on Bamberg.
Besides, you don’t have to lederhosen to fit in. Bamberg has been a beer mecca for centuries, where centuries-old pubs are still active.
For example, a few breweries are competing with the claim of being the oldest. Zum Sternla claims to have been around since 1380 and Schlenkerla Brewery claims to have been founded in 1405.
Wherever your beer adventure takes you, a must is trying the city’s famous, unique smoked beer.
It may sound strange, but tasters claim hints of ham with a flavor ranging from “mild to robust.”
The above Schlenkerla is one of the pubs known to serve this strange, yet very popular specialty.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
