Wurzburg On a Budget
Wurzburg is in Franconia, in northern Bavaria. The city dates back to the 10th century when it served as the home for many important prince-bishops. It is famous as the location of the Residence, which is considered one of the finest palaces in Europe. The city also has one of the oldest churches in Germany that was originally built in the 8th century. The fortress of Festung Marienberg surrounds the church. The city was heavily destroyed during bombings in 1945. About 80% of the city's buildings were destroyed, but it has been completely rebuilt today. Still, much of the original architecture has been lost.Wurzburg has a temperate climate with four separate seasons. The hottest months are usually July and August when high temperatures hover around 22 degrees Celsius. This is also when most tourists visit the city, as the temperatures are pleasant and it is perfect for being outside. The coldest months are December and January. Lows at night are often below freezing. It can rain anytime of year, but winter months are prone to both rain and snow. August and September are the driest months.
Sights
Make sure you visit the Wurzburger Residence, which is one of the nicest palaces in all of Europe. It has a beautiful staircase which is rumored to be the largest in the world. The palace has been designated on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are over 300 rooms in the entire palace which is divided into three wings. There is also a chapel which you can visit with the price of admission. You're also free to walk around the nice gardens which are behind the palace.Also head to Festung Marienberg which offers beautiful views overlooking the city. The castle itself is free and open to the public but there is a museum with an entry fee. Much of the museum is in German so if you do not speak the language you will likely miss some important points.
Neighborhoods
Wurburg's Old Town is where you'll find the oldest buildings, outdoor cafes, and shopping areas. Grombuhl is near the railroad station and is a popular area for medical students because of the nearby medical campus. Lindleinsmuhle is near downtown but is more quiet and residential with some shopping areas. Frauenland is popular with students because of its proximity to the University of Hubland. The Sanderau is well connected with tram routes and Heidingsfeld is on the river Main in the southern part of the city. Heuchelhof is on the edge of the city. Other neighborhoods include Rottenbauer, Versbach, Durrbach and Lengfeld.Activities
A popular time to head to Wurzburg is during the Wurzburger Weinfest which is one of the area's largest wine fairs. There's also the Africa Festival which highlights African culture and takes place every year in either May or June.Food and Dining
Food in Wurzburg is quite good and you'll find restaurants ranging from high end to budget cafes. The nicest restaurant is a few kilometers outside of town, called the Schloss Steinburg. It also offers great views of the area, and the food is delicious, so it is well worth the expensive price. There are also some very good and reasonably priced restaurants in the center of town.Wurzburg also has a significant student population so you'll find many budget options catering to that crowd as well. These restaurants are mostly concentrated in the southern section of town on Sanderstrasse. Popular options include Unicafe, Cafe Muck, and Cafe Kult. There are also some decent Indian and Chinese restaurants. For Mexican food, head to Joe's and Enchilada.
Transportation
The best prices for buses and trains in Germany can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout Europe.You can easily rely on the city's public transportation system to explore most areas. It includes both buses and trams, but if you have your own car, driving is not difficult either. The trams run every seven to fifteen minutes and the buses usually run every twenty minutes. You can purchase tickets at any of the ticket machines, or from bus drivers. You cannot buy a ticket once you board a tram. There are day passes and family passes available. Family passes are good for two adults and up to four children under the age of 15. Bus route 9 connects the Residence and the Marienberg Festung by traveling through the city center. This is a convenient route for tourists. If you plan to drive, do pick up a map at a tourist information center before beginning your exploration though.
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