Erlangen - a weekend visit
Erlangen is a city that combines tradition and innovation, relaxation and adventure. A city that attracts visitors with its charming mix of historical splendour and modern flair and is well worth a visit.
Erlangen is located in one of the most beautiful regions of Bavaria, in the picturesque Franconian countryside. Surrounded by rolling hills, vast forests and idyllic river landscapes, the city is an ideal base for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its geographical proximity to Nuremberg, only about 20 kilometres to the south, makes Erlangen a perfect destination for those who enjoy the tranquillity of a smaller city but still want quick access to the amenities and sights of a larger metropolis. Good transport links, including an efficient train service, allow travellers to explore the region and its surroundings with ease.
The new town of Erlangen is a planned town with chequerboard-straight streets and a uniformly closed façade appearance. The new town was built for the Huguenots who came to the city as religious refugees and is still well preserved today. The centre of this part of the city is the market/castle square and the Huguenot square.
The historic old town, which lies to the north of the new town, was destroyed by fire. As a result, the historically longer-settled area has much younger buildings than the new town.
Enjoy Franconian hospitality in cosy beer gardens and restaurants offering a variety of local specialities. Erlangen is not only a place of learning and culture, but also a paradise for those seeking relaxation. The surrounding countryside invites you to go on long cycle tours and hikes.
What you can discover in Erlangen
Erlangen is very different from other Franconian towns. Although half-timbered houses can also be found here, they are less obvious. Its history as the first baroque planned town and the sights in Erlangen are particularly noteworthy.
Fancy a good craft beer in a cosy atmosphere? The Steinbach Bräu in Erlangen offers its own beer, good food and even a small beer museum.
It glitters and twinkles, music plays softly and the unmistakable smell of Christmas floats through the air. Time to discover the Christmas markets in Erlangen.
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Booking.comTravel information about Erlangen
Arrival at Erlangen
By aeroplane
Nuremberg Airport is not far from Erlangen. From there it is easy to get to Nuremberg Central Station by underground and from there by S-Bahn or Regional Express to Erlangen.
By train
The city has a railway station with numerous regional connections to the region. ICE trains also stop here every two hours on their way from Munich to Berlin.
By bus
The bus stop for long-distance coaches is located near Erlangen railway station. Several long-distance bus providers stop here.
By car
Erlangen is located on the A3 motorway (Würzburg – Regensburg) and the A73 (Frankenschnellweg).
By boat
It is possible to reach the city by water via the Main-Danube Canal.
On the way in Erlangen
On foot
The city centre is not very large and can be easily explored on foot.
By bike
The city centre is relatively small, flat and has a well-developed network of cycle paths. The vast majority of the numerous one-way streets can be used by cyclists in both directions.
By car
Numerous one-way streets, narrow streets, pedestrian zones and hardly any parking spaces make driving in the city centre less than attractive. There is a large car park behind the station where you can leave your car.
By bus
The city centre is connected to the Greater Nuremberg transport network. It is possible to use various means of transport, such as bus, train, S-Bahn or U-Bahn, with a ticket from this transport association.
In Erlangen there are buses that connect the individual areas with each other.
Best time to visit Erlangen
In terms of climate, the best time to visit Erlangen is typically the late spring months (May to June) and early autumn (September to October). During these periods, you can enjoy pleasantly warm temperatures that are ideal for exploring the city and its surroundings on foot.
Summer (July to August) can also be a good time, especially for visitors who prefer warm weather. It can get very warm at times during these months and as this is also the main tourist season, more people come to the city.
Winter in Erlangen can be cold, but the city offers a special charm at this time of year, especially around Christmas, with traditional Christmas markets and festive events.