Just a few minutes from Hotel am Main lies the university city of Würzburg — affectionately known by many as the "Pearl on the Main." Numerous churches, the UNESCO World Heritage Residence and Festung Marienberg make it a rewarding destination, whether for half a day or several.
Getting to Würzburg
From the hotel, you can reach the old town comfortably by bus (Kirchplatz stop, about a 2-minute walk from the hotel) in under 20 minutes, or by car or bicycle in a similarly short time — or you can cover the distance directly by boat from the nearby piers.
Würzburg Residence with Court Garden
In the heart of the old town stands one of Europe's most significant palaces: the Würzburg Residence was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, the third German building to receive the honour. Architect Balthasar Neumann and painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo shaped the baroque building with its 340 rooms, where stucco, fresco and Rococo come together. A self-guided tour lets you visit 42 show rooms, including the Würzburg State Gallery with important Venetian paintings.
St. Kilian's Cathedral and St. Mary's Chapel
Germany's fourth-largest Romanesque church is dedicated to Saint Kilian and still serves today as the cathedral church of the Diocese of Würzburg. Just a few steps away, right on the market square, rises the Gothic St. Mary's Chapel with its striking red sandstone tracery — a lovely contrast to the imposing cathedral.
Old Main Bridge and Käppele
Few places capture Würzburg's spirit quite like the Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge): views of Festung Marienberg, the old town and Franconian Wine Country all in one. High above the city, the Käppele pilgrimage church sits atop Nikolausberg, reached via a footpath lined with 14 chapels.
Tip: A "Brückenschoppen" is simply part of the experience on the Old Main Bridge — a glass of Franconian wine at one of the wine stands on the bridge, while you take in the view of the fortress and the old town. Especially lovely at dusk.
Festung Marienberg
On the other side of the Main, amid the vineyards, stands Festung Marienberg — the centre of the city's history since the year 706 and once the residence of the Würzburg prince-bishops. Today, the fortress's baroque armoury houses the Museum für Franken, with an extensive collection of Franconian art.
Good to know
- Reachable from the hotel by bus, car, bicycle or boat — the Kirchplatz bus stop is about a 2-minute walk away
- Opening hours and admission prices vary by sight and season — best to check online in advance
- Festung Marienberg is also reachable on foot via scenic hiking trails
If you'd like to discover even more of the region, take a look at our hiking routes around Würzburg.