Bayreuth

Archaeological Museum

Archäologisches Museum

Archaeological finds from Upper Franconia and laid out in eight rooms, spanning the stone age through the middle ages. Most text descriptions might be only in German.

End of April to beginning of November: Sat 10:00-15:00, or by appointment·€1

Auf der Theta

Located in a former farm house outside town, this is about as traditional as it gets in terms of beer gardens in Bayreuth. In the summer, you'll find an interesting mixture of all kinds of people here: bikers, hikers, families, university students, suits, hippies … They have their own amber colored beer brewed for them by a local brewery not far away. Drinks and cold dishes you'll have to order and pick up yourself at the counter. The choice of hot foods depends on what time it is, what day, what season, but at least they will be brought to your table. If you don't like the heavy Franconian cuisine, maybe try the Flammkuchen or grilled fish from the black kitchen. And yes, of course you may bring your own Brotzeit instead as well. Cash only!

Thu Fri 13:00–21:00, Sat 11:30–21:00, Sun PH 11:30–20:00. Closed Jan to mid-Mar and May 1st

Bayreuth Shop

Bayreuth's souvenir shop, run by the tourist information office.

All year: Mon-Fri 09:00-19:00 & Sat 09:00-16:00, May - Oct also Sun 10:00-14:00

Bonsai

The regular westernized Asian cuisine you'll normally find in Germany, vegan options available.

daily 11:30-20:30·Mains from €6.50

Castle Church and Tower

Schlosskirche and Schlossturm

The court chapel and tower were also commissioned and built by Friedrich and Wilhelmine, completed in 1758. The burial vault of the Friedrich and Wilhelmine is located here. The spiral staircase in the tower features a ramp to bring supplies up to the guardroom, which has a great view over the town and to the nearby Fichtelgebirge.

Opens for prearranged tours·€1

Catacombs of Bayreuth's Aktien Brewery

Katakomben der Bayreuther AKTIEN-Brauerei

Aktien Breweries provides an interesting tour through the sandstone beer caverns that operated from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Since the caverns stay very cool throughout the year, appropriate clothing is recommended.

Tours Saturdays at 16:00, or group tours by prior arrangement

Court Garden

Hofgarten

The court garden of the Neues Schloss, this park provides a welcome bit of green in the middle of the city. On sunny days, you can find many residents here relaxing or exercising with a little sport.

Open 24 hours a day year round·Free

Dubliner Irish Pub

Bayreuth's Irish Pub, featuring Irish beer, British cider, a large selection of whisk(e)y (ask for specialities not on the menu) and even some Irish Stew. Occasional live music.

Mon–Thu from 19:00, Fri Sat from 18:00 (open end)

Ecological Botanical Gardens

Ökologisch-Botanischer Garten

The concept behind the Ecological Botanical Gardens is to show plants in an environment that represents their natural habitats as closely as possible. Hence, it is structured in multiple sections, representing different ecosystems from different parts of the world. Opening hours depend on the season and day of the week (closed on Saturdays); the greenhouses have slightly shorter opening hours than the rest of the gardens.

Free

Eule

Traditional Franconian cuisine with a modern touch. The Eule has a rich history: it was Richard Wagner's favourite pub, and hundreds of artists followed his lead over the years, as evidenced by photo-covered walls.

Sat 11:00-14:00, Tue-Sat 17:00-21:30·Mains start around €18

Fabrik

Bayreuth's main dance club and your number one address for electronic music.

Fri Sat 23:00-05:00·Entrance fee varies

Fantaisie Palace Garden Museum

Schloss and Park Fantaisie

The 18th-century palace designed by the daughter of Margrave Friedrich and Margravine Wilhelmine, features Germany's first garden design museum.

Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·€3.50 (entrance to the park is free)

Festival Theater

Festspielhaus

Built in 1872, this opera house still ranks among the best in the world in design and acoustics. Home to the Richard Wagner Festival every summer (see Events below). Just north of the main train station, take bus 305 to Am Festspielhaus. The grounds are crowded, tours seldom, and tickets rare during the annual Richard Wagner Festival in late July–August each year.

Dec-Apr: Tue-Sun 10:00-14:00; Sep-Oct: Tue-Sun 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, and 15:00·€5

Fire Brigade Museum

Feuerwehrmuseum

A collection of fire engines from different eras and regions.

Open upon prior arrangement

Franz-Liszt-Museum

The house of Franz Liszt, the famous Hungarian composer and father-in-law to Richard Wagner. Very near the Richard Wagner museum.

Sep - Jun: 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00; Jul - Aug: 10:00-17:00·€2

Frisco

Bayreuth's other dance club with a themed events and a broader range of music — check.the website before you go.

20:00-03:00 (may vary)

German Freemason Museum

Deutsches Freimaurer-Museum

A museum run by the German Freemasons presenting the history of the organization.

Tue-Fri 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00; Sat 10:00-12:00

German Typewriter Museum

Deutsches Schreibmaschinenmuseum

A collection of typewriters dating back to 1864. The collection in Bayreuth began in 1936, and has expanded ever since.

Mon-Fri by telephone appointment·Free

Glashaus

Run entirely by volunteer university students, the Glashaus is the cultural heart of the campus. During the semester, it is the perfect spot for an afternoon-study break with a mug of fair-trade coffee or tea. In the evening, it turns into a popular location for a wide variety of cultural (an not so cultural) events: concerts (from electro to metal, from reggae to punk), open mic sessions, movies, readings, talks, poetry- and science-slams. You will have to become a member to take part, but that's really just a formality (and a small fee).

Membership fee is €1 for a single month, entrance fees depend on the event (may be free)

Hansl's Holzofenpizzeria

Hansl's Wood Oven Pizzeria

Small but popular pizzeria at the intersection of Ludwigstr. and Friedrichstr. In warmer months, the outdoor seating provides a great dinner atmosphere.

Open now · closes 10:30 pm·Small/large pizza from €6.40/8.10

Hermitage/Old Palace

Eremitage/Altes Schloss

The old palace of Margrave Georg Wilhelm on the outskirts of town, the palace was expanded and the gardens created by Wilhelmine as a summer residence. The ornate fountains begin their waterworks on the hour from 10:00 to 17:00. Guided tours are available.

Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·€4.50 (Old Palace, entrance to the park is free)

Herzogkeller

Bayreuth's largest Biergarten dates back until 1889. Was built as the Bierkeller of the Bayreuther Bierbrauerei, which today is part of the Maisel's group.

Daily from 16:00, closed during the winter season·Beer €2.90

Historical Museum

Historisches Museum

This museum chronicles the history of Bayreuth from a small Franconian village to one of the most culturally-important small cities in Germany. The 17th century building provides a suitable setting for the historical collections.

Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00; Jul - Aug: also open Mondays·€1.60

Jean Paul Museum

A small museum dedicated to the life and works of the German poet, who lived his last years from 1804-1825 in Bayreuth. The museum is in the former residence of Richard Wagner's daughter Eva.

Sep - Jun: 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00; Jul - Aug: 10:00-17:00·€1.60

Kanapee

For decades, the infamous Kanapee has been a pillar of Bayreuth's nightlife — mostly because it's inexpensive and open late. You might go there on purpose if you're looking for a place that plays Rock and Metal. More likely though, some locals you just met will try to drag you there early in the morning when everything else is closed and you still haven't had enough. Go with them.

Open now · closes 5 am tomorrow·Beer from €2.60

Kraftraum

Well-established meat-free restaurant/bistro/café/bar with a large menu, as well as breakfast and a great weekend brunch. Great alternative to the heavy Franconian cuisine.

Daily 09:00-23:00, kitchen open 09:00-13:30 and 17:30-21:00·From €10

Kreuzsteinbad

Kreuzer

The Kreuzsteinbad is a classic outdoor swimming pool as you may find it in any German town. Nothing fancy, but dearly loved by residents, university students and travellers alike, not only because of the incredibly low entrance fees. It has been modernized and features a 50 m competition pool for serious swimming, a wave pool, diving tower, water slide and a children's pool. There's a playground for children and courts for playing beach volleyball, basket ball, football and badminton, but also plenty of lawn to enjoy some lazy time in the sun. Bringing your own food and drinks is allowed (no glass bottles, though!) – and probably a good idea unless you want to survive the day on fries and ice cream. If you want to use the lockers you'll have to bring your own padlock or borrow one from the front desk (for a deposit of €10). If you plan to only spend a few hours, consider coming after 17:00, as entrance fees will be even cheaper then!

May to Sep: daily 07:00–20:00·Grown-up whole-day ticket: €4.30

Liebesbier

In a renovated part of the old Maisel's brewery building, the Liebesbier offers a huge selection of regional and international craft beer. It's a bit on the pricey side, but the excellent food and rustic-modern atmosphere easily make up for that.

Open now · closes midnight tomorrow

Lohengrin Therme

The Lohengrin Therme is all about Wellness and relaxation. It consists of three sections: the thermal baths with different kinds of pools and tubs, the large sauna area and the spa where you can book massages and other treatments. The sauna and the spa are clothes-free zones, towels and bathing gowns can be rented for €2 and €4, respectively. Children younger than 6 are not allowed in any section. The spa has an additional minimum age of 14 and is ladies-only on Tuesdays (except holidays).

thermal baths daily 09:00–22:00, sauna and spa open at 11:00·From €9 for 2 hours in the thermal baths to €21 for a day pass including sauna

Maisel's Brewery and Coopers Museum

Maisel's Brauerei und Büttnerei Museum

The Guinness Book Of World Records' Most Comprehensive Beer Museum occupies the first brewery building of Maisel's Brewery (taken out of commission in the 1970s). The 90-minute tour covers the entirety of the brewing process, and of course finishes with a glass of Maisel's Weissbier. Group tours for 12 or more people can be booked by calling in advance.

Daily 14:00·€4