Bayreuth, Germany: 10 Things You’ll Love About It

Last updated on August 14th, 2024 at 06:08 am

Bayreuth in Germany’s northern Bavaria was a delightful find for us.

We had no prior plans to visit Bayreuth when we were in Germany because it was only nearby Nuremberg (Nürnberg) that was part of our itinerary. However, we found ourselves needing to visit a shop, the nearest branch of which happened to be located in Bayreuth. So, to make a long story short, we found ourselves boarding the express train to this strapping Franconian town on a beautiful weekday.

About Bayreuth, Germany

Bayreuth, pronounced “bye-roit”, is a small town in the region of Franconia in northern Bavaria.

Bavaria is the largest state in Germany and is known for its historic cities, exquisite palaces, beer halls, and vibrant festivals.

Bayreuth, like most Franconian towns, is a place of cultural pilgrimage, particularly of the musical kind for fans of the famous 19th-century German composer Richard Wagner. Wagner lived and composed in Bayreuth.

Nuremberg to Bayreuth

Bayreuth is around 40 minutes to an hour by train from the larger city of Nuremberg.

We rode the faster 40-minute train and arrived in time for the mid-morning quiet.

What greeted us when we arrived was a peaceful, classic German town with impressive architecture, rich cultural history, quaint squares, great beer, and friendly people. We were charmed.

See the top 10 things we love about Bayreuth, which make it a must-visit when in the area.

Related Article: The Most Beautiful Towns in Germany You Need to See

10 Things to Love About Bayreuth

1. Quintessential German Village

Bustling market squares, cobbled lanes, outdoor cafes, and Biergartens—Bayreuth is a quintessential German village.

Despite having been heavily bombed during World War 2, it has since been rebuilt to reflect its previous status as Germany’s most important cultural center.

2. Right Size

Bayreuth is a compact town with all the major attractions located near the city center and near each other. It can easily be explored on foot.

We love places where we can see the sights on foot because for one, it helps us save on transportation costs, and second, walking around, in my opinion, is a more intimate way of getting to know a place better.

3. Majestic Palaces

There are two palaces worth seeing in Bayreuth: the Hermitage (Old Palace) and the Neues Schloss (New Palace).

Because we were there for a limited time, we were able to see only the grounds of the Neues Schloss. Neues Schloss‘ facade was remarkable and if that were any indication, then the inside would be a grand affair as well.

4. Bayreuth Opera House

Bayreuth is home to the glorious Margravial Opera House, the opulent Baroque-style opera house that drew Richard Wagner into town. It was built in the mid-18th century for Margravine Wilhelmine. With its Baroque and Rococo interiors, it is a beautiful and ornate building. Its English-style gardens add to its grandness.

Wagner Festival in Bayreuth

Speaking of Richard Wagner, Bayreuth is famous for hosting the annual music festival or Opernfest of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle which begins in late July and runs until late August. It is called the Bayreuth Festival or the Wagner Festival, which was started by Richard Wagner himself in 1876. It is an important cultural event in Germany and the world of classical music.

The festival is held at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, an iconic opera house known for its acoustics and unique design. Wagner personally supervised its construction, ensuring that it had excellent sound quality and an orchestra pit hidden from the audience’s view.

The festival typically features Wagner’s major works, such as Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Parsifal, and Der Ring des Nibelungen.

It draws opera lovers and Wagner enthusiasts from around the globe so tickets are in high demand and quite difficult to obtain. Tickets must be booked a year in advance as walk-ins are not usually allowed. In the remote event that they are, prices can reach double that of the original amount.

5. Diverse Museums

Bayreuth boasts plenty of interesting museums—from archaeology to art to history and much more.

We were able to see only two: the Franz Liszt Museum and the German Freemason Museum.  The latter was only a short walk from the former, so we dropped by as well.

Franz Liszt Museum

Franz Liszt was a 19th-century Hungarian composer and piano virtuoso, who was also Richard Wagner’s father-in-law. He lived the last years of his life in Bayreuth, and today his old house is open to the public as a museum.

Since I play the piano, I am familiar with Liszt’s works and got excited upon learning that his house, now a museum, is in the neighborhood. You bet that was our first stop after we were through with our official business in town.

Villa Wahnfried

There is also a museum dedicated to Richard Wagner in his former home, the Villa Wahnfried. Wagner took up residence in town in 1872.

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6. Lovely Garden

Bayreuth’s own Hofgarten isn’t as large as Munich’s famed English Garden, but it’s as scenic, idyllic and lovely. The weather was fine during our trip and we had a good time there taking in nature’s beauty in between our sightseeing.

7. Amazing Architecture

Wilhelmine, the Margravine of Bayreuth back in the day, was a lover of the arts and architecture, and that can be seen in many of the town’s historical landmarks. Bayreuth is peppered with remarkable Baroque and Rococo-style buildings, which is a big departure from the usual half-timbered structures you see in other towns in Bavaria and in most of Germany.

8. Affordable

Prices in Bayreuth are reasonable. This includes attraction passes, food, dining, and shopping. For instance, a museum pass at the Franz Liszt Museum costs only so much. We took advantage of the cheap prices and bought a few souvenirs for ourselves and family and friends back home.

9. Friendly Locals

People in this town are friendly, with ready smiles on their faces. They’re helpful with directions, too, and we were pleasantly surprised when, without us asking for it, a few approached and offered help.

10. Peace and Quiet

Bayreuth is a fusion of interesting sights and relative serenity. Except for the 30-day Richard Wagner festival every summer when people flock to this town, it enjoys peace and quiet most of the year.

We love this easy, laid-back atmosphere that allows us to enjoy the attractions at our leisure. I would say it is a nice town to get a mini-vacation from one’s vacation should the non-stop sightseeing tire one down.

Activities

For a more meaningful Bayreuth sightseeing experience, booking these guided activities well in advance of your trip would be beneficial.

Where to Stay in Bayreuth

These are some highly-rated places to stay in Bayreuth.

• Friedrichs Apartments Bayreuth
• Villa Friedrich

Wrap Up

Bayreuth is a lovely town and one of our favorites in Germany. We hope you get to experience it as well, if you haven’t already, that is.

And if you have visited Bayreuth, let us know how you find it!

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As always, happy and safe travels!

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