A Guide to Coburg
Read about our trip to the small town of Coburg, including all the essentials you need to know before you go and tips on fun things to see and do there.
The small town of Coburg in Upper Franconia was one of those destinations that caught our interest when planning our Bavaria road trip.
It had everything we like about charming European towns - an impressive fort atop a nearby hill, a Renaissance palace built by the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, a picturesque Altstadt, and tons of history.
The town's first records date back to 1056, though people used to live here before this date.
While the history and things to do sounded pretty great, it was not enough to match the interest of some other places we had on our list to visit.
The main problem was that we simply didn't have enough time to explore every town along the way, so it initially looked like we wouldn't have enough room to squeeze Coburg in.
After a few adjustments to our Bavaria itinerary, we decided that at least we should be able to see the castle and explore the town center. It was not ideal, but it was still better than nothing.
Best Things to Do
Coburg is one of those destinations that we love to visit. It's small, quaint, easy to navigate, and all the main attractions are not too far from each other.
While Coburg is not as visited as the nearby Bamberg, it's still a perfect destination for a short city break or a day out.
Here, we're sharing all the best things to do in Coburg.
Tour the Veste Coburg
If you only do one thing in Coburg, make sure to visit Coburg Castle, which was once the most important defensive structure in this lovely town.
The castle sits atop a lush green hill (if you visit from late spring to early fall) and is one of the top Coburg attractions.
The 15th-century fortress (though its history goes back to 1056) was several times remodeled.
It also witnessed many interesting events throughout the course of time.
Today, it offers a museum-like experience that is known as Kunst Sammlungen der Veste Coburg (Art Collections of Vest Coburg).
The museum has on display a fine collection of paintings, hunting trophies, glassware, weapons, armor, medals, and even sleighs or carriages.
We self-toured the Coburg Castle, so make sure to read about our experience to find out more.
Enjoy Views from Castle Coburg
The best part about Castle Coburg is that you can walk around its walls and courtyards for free.
First, you need to tackle the 1.5-kilometer trail with an elevation gain of 150 meters that connects the town center with the castle.
Considering you're still practically in the town, it's a solid hike, but the trail leads through the beautiful Hofgarten, making up for this inconvenience.
The views are worth the effort and are definitely among the best free things to do in Coburg, especially if you get a chance to visit on a sunny day.
Walk Around the Hofgarten
The Hofgarten, a beautiful Baroque-era castle park, is located between Schloss Ehrenburg and Coburg Veste.
We walked through the park, whose lower entrance can be found at Schloss Ehrenburg, on our way to Veste Coburg.
The views of the castle and back down to Coburg's town were worth the effort.
Unlike some geometric castle parks we visited in Bavaria, places like Nymphenburg or Neues Schloss Schleißheim, this is a more natural park, though you can still see a fountain, some statues, a rose garden, etc.
Thanks to its hilly setting, Coburg's Hofgarten has a fairly dramatic landscape (for a city park), so it's really worth seeing.
We spent about an hour in the park (walked to the castle and back), but this is one of those places where you could easily stay much longer (especially if you lucked out in the weather).
Not surprisingly, the Hofgarten offers lovely walks year-round; the best time to visit is from late spring to early fall.
It was almost empty when we were there, but the story would be different on a summer day when this lush green park is packed with locals (walkers, joggers, families with kids, etc.).
Spend a Night in Coburg
While we don't believe staying in Coburg overnight is crucial, it allows you to see the town from a new perspective.
If you're prioritizing convenience, Coburg's town center has it all.
Unsurprisingly, staying in the Old Town (or within short walking distance) is perfect for those who want to be as close to tourist stuff as possible.
Coburg is a relatively small town that is easily explored on foot, so there's no point in staying somewhere on the outskirts.
Also, remember that the selection of hotels in Coburg is not as diverse as it is in Nuremberg or Wurzburg due to its small size (for instance, there are practically no luxury stays).
Best Hotels in Coburg
So here are our tips on the best hotels in Coburg.
Budget | Hotel Hahnmuhle 1323 - Hotel Hahnmuhle is housed in a historic building from 1323, making it the second oldest half-timbered building in Coburg. It can't get any more stylish than that. Expect comfortable rooms with traditional furnishing and free on-site parking.
Budget | ibis Styles Coburg - ibis Styles Coburg is one of the most popular options for travelers looking for a more contemporary stay that is only a stone's throw from the town center. This hotel also has family rooms and a playground, which is ideal for people traveling with their kids.
Mid-range | Hotel Goldene Traube - Dating back to 1585, this hotel has a premier location just 100 meters from the Markplatz. It has spacious rooms with comfy beds, welcoming staff, and even small on-site parking (a parking garage is nearby).
Bed and Breakfast | Hotel Villa Victoria - If you prefer a more personal experience, Hotel Villa Victoria is a great fit. This lovely villa has stylish rooms, an amazing location, wonderful guests, and free parking. There is not much else you can ask for from accommodation in Coburg's city center.
Visit the Marktplatz
The well-preserved Marktplatz is the main square in Coburg and one of the most beautiful places in the Old Town.
The cobblestone Marktplatz, lined with colorful houses, has been the center of Coburg since the 15th century.
Among the most notable structures you can spot here are the Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha monument, a water fountain, a Stadthaus (townhouse), Rathaus (town hall), and characteristic Coburg oriels.
Markets are still held here twice a week, and if you happen to visit Coburg in winter, you can be sure to find traditional Christmas Markets here.
Here, you can also try the local Coburger Bratwurst.
If you're not here for the markets, try to visit Coburg's Marktplatz after dark to see the illuminated buildings with the lights.
The area around Coburg's Marktplatz also has some great pubs and restaurants if you find yourself craving some food or want to try local beer.
Tour the Schloss Ehrenburg
Ehrenburg Palace is a famous historic landmark in Coburg's town center.
It was built by Johann Ernst, Duke of Saxe-Coburg, in the 16th century as a seat for the Dukes of Saxony-Coburg. It was later nicknamed the Palace of Honor by Emperor Charles V.
The building was redesigned in neo-Gothic style in the 19th century.
Ehrenburg Palace is open to the public today but can be visited only on guided tours.
The main downside is that the tours are only available in German, which is not ideal for international visitors.
Still, if you have time and European castles are your thing, Ehrenburg Palace has some beautiful rooms and is worth seeing.
The palace is open from 9 AM to 6 PM from April to October (10 AM - 4 PM in the off-season), and the entry fee to Schloss Ehrenburg is €5 for adults.
They also have combo tickets that include places like Rosenau Palace (which can also be visited with a guided tour only).
Try the Coburger Bratwurst
After about three hours at the castle, it was time to consume something else than just the information.
We were pressed for time, so we headed to the Marktplatz for a quick bite.
A few places in Coburg sell hand-made sausages, but we picked the traditional white stall on the main square (Bratwurstbude Am Coburger Marktplatz).
You can get a traditional bratwurst pretty much in every Bavarian town, and Coburg was no exception.
The main difference of Coburger Bratwurst is that this one is grilled over pine cones, giving it a slightly different flavor.
We got to admit that, for us, it was just another sausage. But if you've never had one before, you might find the taste more fascinating.
Learn About Coburg's Connection with St. Maurice
One of the most interesting bits of history we learned about Coburg is that the patron of this town is St. Maurice.
It might be a bit odd to see a Central European town with an Egyptian officer of the Theban Legion as a patron, especially as the trend was mostly to choose the local saints.
Although it's not exactly known why St. Maurice became one of Coburg's symbols in the 15th century, he is known as a symbol of faith and courage.
So, it's not that surprising that he eventually became a patron saint of the German Holy Roman Emperors.
St. Maurice is depicted on the Coburg's coat of arms, but you can find his 'portrait' even on facades or signs throughout the Old Town.
To our surprise, the maintenance holes were the most frequent places where we could spot him.
He is depicted as a stereotypical dark-skinned African, and his portrait is hard to miss (and there has been a debate about whether it's a racist image).
Learn About Coburg's History
Coburg is a great place to visit for history lovers. The city was relatively important during the 15th and 16th centuries thanks to its heavily fortified castle.
This place was first mentioned in 1056, but people lived in this area long before the first structure on the hill was built.
The prominent dynasty in Coburg was the House of Wettin (specifically the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha), which ruled here between the 14th and 20th centuries.
The castle was captured by Swedish troops during the Thirty Years' War by clever rouse.
Martin Luther resided at Coburg Veste in 1530 but was not the only famous person connected to the town's history.
In 1840, Queen Victoria (Queen of the United Kingdom between 1837 and 1901) married her cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who was born at Schloss Rosenau near Coburg.
One of our favorite things about traveling is discovering how some seemingly unrelated places are linked.
We road-tripped Ireland not that long ago, where we saw several places - Cobh, Killarney National Park, etc., that Queen Victoria visited as well (she visited Coburg six times).
Coburg became part of Bavaria in 1920 after a referendum in which locals voted between this state and Thuringia.
In the 1920s, Coburg became one of the early NSDAP strongholds and later the first German town governed by NSDAP.
As you can see, Coburg's history is full of dramatic events that are worth exploring.
How Much Time Do I Need
We spent about a half-day in Coburg and saw pretty much everything we wanted.
Admittedly, we didn't have time to do the Ehrenburg Palace tour, but you can't see it all, right?
When to Visit
The lovely town of Coburg can be visited any time of the year.
We arrived in Coburg around mid-April (on a weekday), and it seemed almost like we were the only tourists in the city.
The weather was still very changeable, so we believe it might be better to come to Coburg in May or June (and obviously during the early fall). Coburg is especially beautiful during the summer months of July and August.
The only downside is that the accommodation prices are at their highest.
Coburg is also worth visiting in December if you like traditional European Christmas Markets.
Of course, you can see them in pretty much every German town during this period.
How to Get to Coburg
Self-driving to and from Coburg is a great option as it's one of the quickest ways to travel between German cities.
You can also get to Coburg by train, which is time- and cost-efficient.
Car
Getting to Coburg by car was incredibly easy. We departed from Bamberg early in the morning and followed Autobahn 73 for about 40 minutes until we reached the town.
Both Nuremberg and Wurzburg are about a 90-minute drive from Coburg.
Driving from Coburg to Munich takes about three and a half hours.
Rent a Car
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
We planned to leave our car at Anger Parkplatz, a large free car park on the edge of the Old Town.
Unfortunately, the parking lot was closed off when we got there due to a local fair.
So we had to change our plans and find another car park, which proved to be really easy.
We just followed the signs and left the car at the next available parking garage - Parkhaus Post Coburg, that we found after a short drive.
There were additional designated parking areas within a short walking distance from the Markplatz, such as Parkhaus Mauer, Zinkenwehr, DB BahnPark Parkplatz, etc.
Train
In a nutshell, the train is the most convenient and fastest option if you want to rely on public transport.
To get to Coburg by train, take the train to Coburg Bahnhof station.
There are direct trains from other Bavarian cities like Nuremberg, Bamberg, Regensburg, etc. To check train times, visit the DB (Deutsche Bahn) website.
Bus
Buses run to and from Coburg, but taking a train is the better and more convenient option.
The only reason why you should take a bus is that the fare might be slightly cheaper.
Staying Safe
Coburg is generally a very safe city for tourists, so we felt very safe everywhere we went.
Admittedly, that could be said pretty much about every small town we visited in Bavaria.
Still, like any other place, it's crucial to take some basic precautions to ensure your trip is a smooth one.
Just use common sense, and you should be fine.
Our only safety advice about Coburg is to stay vigilant in crowded areas (especially during the Christmas Markets, etc.) and leave your car in a secure garage.
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!
Is Coburg Worth Visiting?
There's plenty to see and do, so if you're in the area, Coburg is definitely worth seeing.
The Veste Coburg is really impressive, the Old Town has its charm, and the bratwurst was okay.
It's a lovely little town, but we won't sugarcoat that it's a typical must-see destination.
It's not in UNESCO like nearby Bamberg or as picturesque as Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Still, we really enjoyed our time there as there were only a few tourists around at the time of our visit.
If you like less-visited destinations, Coburg might check all your boxes.
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.
