How to Visit Coburg Castle (Veste Coburg)
Our guide includes all the information you need to have a stress-free trip to Coburg Castle.
Coburg Castle is one of the most beautiful castles you can visit in Germany.
And we must admit that it was the pictures of a fortress towering above Coburg that convinced us to include this little town in our Bavaria itinerary.
While the town itself is definitely picturesque, the imposing castle sitting on a nearby hill is on another level.
Apart from the few pictures, we had no idea what we would find there once we got there.
So, if you're wondering what it is like to visit Coburg Castle and whether it's worth a trip, you've come to the right place.
Visiting the Coburg Castle
We arrived in Coburg early in the morning, but the castle hadn't opened yet.
The early start gave us the opportunity to walk around the town a bit and enjoy the streets without tourists before heading out to the castle.
The town center was far from quiet, though, as it was a regular weekday, and people were rushing to their jobs.
Anyway, it was a cold morning, so we welcomed the opportunity to warm up our bodies during the walk uphill with open arms.
Hofgarten
We started the walk at the Ehrenburg Palace, another must-see attraction for tourists visiting this lovely town.
The paved path took us through a beautiful castle park that is ideal for morning walks, picnics, and views.
If you happen to visit Coburg in summer (or just on a warm sunny day), this is an ideal place to get away from the busy streets.
There are other entry points to the park, but those walking from the town center will most likely enter the park right from the Schlossplatz.
This is still an easy walk for any person with a moderate fitness level, but the 1.5-kilometer trail with an elevation gain of 150 meters did raise our heart rate (and we guessed that this would be a great place for a morning run if we lived there).
By the time we reached the main castle gate, we completely forgot about the chilly air.
Another reason was that the park was lush green and absolutely beautiful during mid-spring, as well as the views along the way.
There are a few trails that lead to the castle, but you can't get lost here. Basically, all you need to do is keep going up.
If you love history, follow the Reformation Path with interpretive signs.
History
Known as the Franconian Crown, Veste Coburg is a great place to visit for every history lover.
The first record of the structures dates back to 1056, though this wasn't the impregnable fortress yet but a simple chapel and later monastery.
The original structures were transformed into a castle in the 15th century.
Coburg rose to importance between the 15th and 16th centuries during the rule of the Electors of Saxony.
One of the most interesting bits of history we learned about Veste Coburg was that Martin Luther stayed here during the Reformation in 1530.
If you have never heard about him, note that he was a German priest and one of the most influential characters of the Protestant Reformation.
Like Hus (who had a big impact on our hometown, Tabor) a century before him, he challenged the Catholic Church to make it pure again.
Not surprisingly, the main reason why Luther stayed at Coburg was his personal safety.
Another tidbit of trivia that also caught our interest was the fact that the fortifications were expanded during the Hussite Wars.
In the following centuries, the castle changed owners a few times and was heavily altered until it was eventually restored by Bodo Ebhardt to resemble its original state.
Today, the castle is open to the public and welcomes visitors from all over the world, though we have a feeling that the locals are a vast majority here.
Coburg Castle
Coburg Castle is a typical medieval fortress. It's strategically positioned atop a hill while overlooking the town and surrounding areas.
Even if you don't plan to go inside (which would be a shame), you should still climb to the castle and at least enjoy the views from the top.
This could be a good idea if you're visiting Germany on a budget or just don't have enough time for the tour.
Self-Guided Tour
Coburg Castle can be easily explored on your own.
After purchasing tickets at the site (interestingly, online ticket purchasing was not available at the time of our visit), we had to leave our daypack in the locker that was available there for free.
You need a coin to lock it or ask for a token if you don't have it.
This is quite common in Germany; we experienced it in New Palace Bayreuth or Wurzburg Residence, for instance.
Today, the Coburg Castle experience is about admiring decorated rooms housing a huge collection of items connected to the fort's history (that's why it's called Kunst Sammlungen der Veste Coburg).
It's like a visiting museum set within beautifully furnished castle rooms.
The exhibits included paintings, glassware, hunting trophies, weapons, armor, coins, medals, etc., basically all the items we're used to seeing in similar places.
Despite the overwhelming number of items, we enjoyed most of the displays there.
The last exhibit we wanted to mention featured really cool carriages and sleighs that we don't recall seeing anywhere else.
The highlight here is the two bridal carriages from the 16th century, some of Europe's oldest carriages.
The Baroque-era sleighs used during Coburg's festivities were pretty cool as well. Of course, this is still, most importantly, a castle.
Among the most notable rooms we toured were the Intarsia Hunting Room, featuring exquisite panel work, and the red-colored Prince's Hall, or Great Courtroom, the largest room in the castle.
There's a one-way system, so we always knew where we were heading (unlike some large museums such as the Germanishes National Museum or Deutsches Museum, where it's easy to get lost if you're not paying attention).
Photography
By the way, photography is allowed at Coburg Castle.
Guided Tours
We toured the castle independently, but this was not the only way to see it.
Coburg Castle offers a good range of guided tours, from basic tours (usually 75 minutes) to tours focused on Martin Luther, religion, costumes, etc.
Most of the tours are also available in English (not all of them, though) and cost a few additional Euros.
Courtyards and Walls
After we emerged back in the courtyard, it was time to explore the castle's exteriors. Again, you can explore this area on your own.
While it's not apparent from the photos, it was pretty cold and windy, so we were glad we had packed a few extra layers.
The views from the top were pretty stunning, and not just the valley but the compound itself was interesting, too.
We would have stayed longer if it weren't for the chilly temperatures.
Apart from the views, we took pictures of a few cannons that once protected the fortress from enemies.
Honestly, we were glad that the dark clouds on the horizon hadn't brought any rain yet.
While you can enjoy a visit to Coburg Castle on a rainy day, exploring the ramparts will be the least favorite part of the experience.
Then, we headed back to the entrance hall to pick up our daypack and continued back to town.
We still wanted to see a few places before continuing to Bad Kissingen.
After three hours at the castle, hunger finally caught up with us, so we headed to the Marktplatz, where we couldn't miss the opportunity to try the traditional Coburger Bratwurst.
Opening Hours
Coburg Castle is open daily between 23 March and 3 November from 9:30 AM to 5 PM, which is similar to other German castles.
In winter (November to March), the castle is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
The courtyards are open from April to October until 6:30 PM and from 5:30 PM in the off-season.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Coburg Castle is €9 for adults, which seemed reasonable for what we got.
The exhibits were quite interesting and probably worth the money even on their own.
You can explore the courtyards and ramparts for free, though we do recommend taking the self-guided tour to learn everything about the castle.
How Much Time Do I Need
We spent around three hours at Coburg Castle, including the 40-50 minute walk from and back to the town.
If you're pressed for time, two hours for Coburg Castle should be enough, but we do believe that your experience will be rushed.
Don't forget that the walk back and forth will eat up a big chunk of your allocated time.
And if you have mobility issues or come with your family and will push a stroller, this might become a lengthier walk.
When to Go
You can visit Coburg Castle year-round, so just make sure to check the seasonal opening times before you go.
That said, Coburg is absolutely beautiful in late spring and early spring.
We visited the castle in mid-April, and it was a really cold day with changeable weather (and heavy rain in the afternoon that started before we reached Bad Kissingen).
Summer is the peak season at Coburg Castle, so you should expect the complex to be busier during this period.
You can visit the castle in winter, but you should keep in mind that Bavaria is cold at this time of the year (and the days are really short).
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Wear
Make sure to bring comfortable clothes and shoes according to the weather.
It was cold and windy when we were there, and we were glad we packed our trusty down jacket (in mid-April) and rain jacket as it rained later in the day.
Our last piece of advice is that you should remember that the castle is on the hill, and you'll likely sweat when walking uphill.
Bring a comfortable daypack and adjust your clothing based on how comfortable you feel on the way up.
How to Get There
There are several ways to get to Coburg Castle, including by car, bus, bike, or foot. If you're already in the town, walking is the best option.
Car
You can easily get to Coburg Castle by car. It's about 60 kilometers north of Bamberg, 110 kilometers northeast of Wurzburg, 115 kilometers north of Nuremberg, and 280 kilometers north of Munich.
Driving in Germany is easy, even for first-time visitors, and we had no trouble reaching the town from Nuremberg with an overnight stop at Bamberg.
We use Rentalcars.com, a reliable rental website that helps you compare prices, find the best car rental deals, and make reservations for your next trip.
Parking
Coburg Castle has two parking areas. There is a tiny car park right next to Coburg Castle.
It costs around €2 per car per day, and you need to arrive early to secure space here.
About 750 meters east of here is another parking called Parkplatz Brandensteinsebene.
It's also paid (2€ per day), but much larger, so finding an empty space here is much simpler.
This is an easy 10-minute walk compared to the hike from the town center.
Alternatively, you can follow in our footsteps and leave the car in the town center, which has several large garages and parking lots.
For instance, we left our car in Parkhaus Post Coburg.
Bus
You can take a bus 1405 from Coburg's town center to Veste.
The journey takes about twenty minutes. It's better to stay active and walk there rather than sit on the bus for about the same amount of time.
On Foot
Getting to Coburg Castle on foot is incredibly easy, but you need to be prepared that this is not a flat trail.
The incline is gradual, though, so anyone moderately fit should be able to tackle the walk from the town center in less than 30 minutes.
Taxi
If you arrive in Coburg by train or bus, you can easily take a taxi to the castle from the station (or almost everywhere else).
As it's common with taxis, this option saves time but is more expensive.
Veste Coburg Express
Veste Express, run by Geckobahn, is a hop-on hop-off bus (which looks like a small train) connecting the historic Old Town (Hernagasse stop) with the castle, including more than 25 stops.
This is a great way to get to Coburg Castle for families or tourists who are pressed for time and want to see as much of the town as possible.
Where to Stay
If you plan on spending a night in Coburg, you'll need a comfortable place to stay.
Coburg Veste is located on a prominent hill, and there are no accommodation options in this area.
Obviously, you can't spend the night at the castle itself.
This means all the hotels are located in the town, about a 20-minute walk from the fortress.
If you're moderately fit, that is not a big deal as this is a lovely walk (or you can use other means of transport if needed).
So here are our tips on the best hotels in the town within walking distance from Coburg Veste.
Mid-range | ibis Styles Coburg - Situated in the town center, only a short walk from the main train station, ibis Styles Coburg is a great place to stay. It features modern, functional, air-conditioned rooms, a buffet or continental breakfast, and helpful staff. Veste Coburg is about two kilometers from the hotel.
Mid-range | Hotel Goldene Traube - This centrally located hotel near the main square is one of the most popular choices in the town center. The hotel, with a history stretching back to 1585, has cozy, individually decorated rooms, a quiet location, and a parking garage. Veste Coburg is less than two kilometers from the hotel.
Is Coburg Castle Worth Visiting?
Coburg Castle was one of the most impressive and well-preserved castles we've visited on our trip to Bavaria.
We had no idea what to expect from our visit, so we were pleasantly surprised by this medieval gem we found in Upper Franconia.
The museum part is well worth the admission, and the castle offers a very different overall experience from places like the High Castle of Fussen or Neuschwanstein, which we also had a chance to visit.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
