Parks and the outdoors in Erlangen

Parks and the outdoors in Erlangen

1. See

   Botanical Garden

   A nice place for a walk especially in rainy weather or winter. Visit the greenhouses. The garden offers an artificial stalactite cave, called Neischl-Grotte (which however is not always open).

2. See

   Burgberg garden, including the Heinrich Kirchner sculpture park

   Between villas, it spans about 30,000 m² and has many old trees. At its upper end, it contains a viewpoint and the best view over the city. A further highlight are the bronze sculptures by Erlangen artist Heinrich Kirchner.

3. See

   Dechsendorfer Weiher

   Großer Bischofsweiher

   The "Dechsi" as it is frequently called has in the past had problems with algal blooms and was famously immortalised in an absurdist song by local band J.B.O. purporting the existence of a Great White Shark in said body of water. The Algal blooms were fixed through extensive redesigns of the lake, including routing one of its tributaries around it, but you can see maintenance work done on some of those installations from time to time. The Dechsi is frequently the site of events like "Rock am See" or "Klassik am See". Even when swimming is not possible, you can rent boats of various kinds or simply jogg around the lake.

4. Eat

   Entla's Keller

   One of the best known Keller during Bergkirchweih this one focuses on the food at least as much as the beer ("Entla" is Franconian for duck). It is also the only one to be open all summer long and it is as good a place as any to sample traditional Franconian cuisine and the unique Bierkeller experience. In 2021 they announced plans to open their own small scale brewery inside the tunnels under the mountain to brew beer for their beer garden sold except during the Bergkirchweih (when the large volume would overwhelm the small-scale operation).

   April - last September Sun 11:00-23:00·Bratwurst €2, Schäuferle €9

5. Drink

   Erlanger Teehaus

   A good place for a tea or cake in the comfortable rooms or nice garden; it also offers good breakfast.

   Mon-Fri 08:00–22:00, Sat 08:00–20:00, Sun 10:00-19:00

6. Eat

   Ritter St. Georg

   A nice place for Franconian food, somewhat south of the centre in the district of Bruck, next to the river Regnitz.

   From 09:00 daily, kitchen open 11:30-14:00, 18:00-21:30; holidays only till 21:00

7. See

   Schwabachanlage

   A park around the tiny river Schwabach which begins at the northern end of the old town and spans across Palmsanlage up to the borough of “Sieglitzhof”. It contains open playing grounds (including a water playground for children, located next to the footbridge Steg an der Bleiche near the neurological clinic of the university hospital, to get there take either of the paths next to the house Schwabachanlage 1a) and sports areas and is popular amongst walkers, joggers and bikers.

8. See

   Sculpture park "An der Wied" (Tennenlohe)

   A presentation of a large variety of modern sculptures throughout the former village of Tennenlohe (which has been annexed to Erlangen). The best way to experience this is to take the circular route displayed on the map, starting at Tennenlohe's little lake (which is next to the bus stop, at the intersection of An der Wied and Sebastianstraße).

9. See

   Urwildpferde (primary wild horses)

   A fenced area within the nature reserve of the Tennenlohe forest (you can go around the area and cross a bridge at about the middle of the area); this gives you a nice walk in a foresty area even without the horses.

10. See

    Walderlebniszentrum Tennenlohe (forest experience centre)

    It offers a presentation and workshop targeted at children to adults to give them a lively feeling about the woods, their backgrounds and importance; during the summer weekends, it also features a café.

    Nov-Feb: Mon-Thu 07:30-16:00, Fri 07:30-14:00, Sun and holidays 11:00-17:00. Mar-Oct: Mon-Thu 07:30-16:00, Fri 07:30-18:00, Sat 13:00-16:00, Sun 11:00-18:00·Free

11. Do

    Wöhrmühlinsel

    An island in the river Regnitz which was redesigned as an event space in time for the summer of 2020. It hosts all manner of open air events during the summer season.

12. Eat

    Zum Pleitegeier

    This is a kind of institution in Erlangen. Plainly decorated, however young in mind. The courtyard becomes a beer garden in summer. Cheap salads, unconventional pizza and small to bigger plates with adequate drink prices make the Pleitegeier a popular meeting spot.

    daily 18:00-02:00

13. See

    aromatic garden

    Near the clinic and the university buildings next to the auditorium maximum and is part of the university's research collection Herbarium Erlangense. Take a walk around the intertwined paths and offers a variety of well-known and less well-known aromatic and spice plants as well as a marsh area.

14. Eat

    Biergarten am Röthelheim

    A nice beer garden somewhat south of the centre.

    10:00-23:00 (inhouse until 00:00)

15. See

    Orangerie Erlangen

    In the Schlossgarten park.

16. Do Not mapped

    Classical music by the lake

    Held every summer. At Dechsendorfer Weiher (see under ).

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Erlangen (CC BY-SA 4.0).