A two-storey ballroom with a ceiling fresco by Carlo Carlone is one of the state rooms of Ansbach Residence. During guided tours, you can see, among other things, the apartments of the Margrave and Margravine, as well as the guest apartments. Tour options may vary, so check the current visitor information. This glimpse into the state rooms is a cultural introduction to a destination shaped just as much by its landscape and historic places: Romantic Franconia encompasses the Frankenhöhe Nature Park and the area along the Romantic Road.

Hiking, cycling and Roman traces

The European Watershed Trail runs from Ansbach to Schnelldorf along the European watershed through the Frankenhöhe Nature Park. It is 97 kilometres long and has been awarded the “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality hiking trail certification. The starting and finishing points, Ansbach and Schnelldorf, are directly connected by rail, making it easy to travel to and from the trail. Check train connections before your trip so your plans reflect the current service.

When choosing between hiking and cycling, it helps to consider the difference in scale: the Watershed Trail is a single 97-kilometre hiking route, while Romantic Franconia has a network of around 1,500 kilometres of uniformly marked cycling routes for recreational cyclists. The Frankenhöhe Nature Park covers a large part of the holiday region. If you are interested in Roman traces, you can walk around the site and along former Roman roads at the Ruffenhofen Roman Park.

Towns and buildings along the Romantic Road

The Romantic Road passes through Romantic Franconia, including Rothenburg, Schillingsfürst, Feuchtwangen and Dinkelsbühl. Rothenburg is characterised by its historic townscape, with thick town walls topped by towers, winding little lanes and old half-timbered houses. Dinkelsbühl showcases medieval architecture with towers, gates and walls. The descriptions emphasise different features: Rothenburg’s image includes not only its fortifications but also its lanes and half-timbered houses, while Dinkelsbühl is characterised by its towers, gates and walls. As you plan your trip, you can consider which architectural impressions interest you most.

Seasonal cuisine and regional ingredients

Regional cuisine also offers specific seasonal occasions. The Frankenhöhe Lamb Weeks begin in spring: local shepherds supply lambs raised on the herb-rich slopes of the Frankenhöhe to country inns, where they are prepared as specialities. Dates and participating inns may change. Check the latest information if you would like to plan your visit around the event.

At Regionalbuffet, dishes at participating inns are marked with a quality seal when the ingredients used come from Regionalbuffet direct marketers. The seal therefore provides a specific indication of the origin of the ingredients used in each dish.

In Feuchtwangen, restaurants offer culinary specialities made from Emmer, an ancient grain, during the Emmer Indulgence Summer. The programme also includes a walk through an Emmer field with a tasting. This combines the enjoyment of the food with an introduction to the grain used to prepare the specialities. As this is a seasonal programme and dates and participating businesses may vary, check the latest information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Amberg, Augsburg, Lindau, Fürth, Allgäu, Dachau, Upper Bavaria, Franconian Forest

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