Kulmbach Beer Week
One of Germany's largest beer festivals from late July to early August, drawing up to 120,000 visitors with festival beers, brass music and party bands.
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Kulmbach
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ℹ️Practical info — Kulmbach
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Take the Plassenburg-Express shuttle bus from the city center to the castle to avoid the steep climb.
- If visiting during the famous Kulmbach Beer Week in summer, book your accommodation well in advance.
- For parking, use the spacious Festplatz or the Zentralparkplatz near the old town.
- Try the local Bratwurst, which is traditionally served in a special anise-flavored roll known as a 'Stollen'.
🍽 Food
🍽
Kulmbacher Bratwurst
Grab one freshly grilled from a butcher or vendor right at the main market square.
🍽
Eisbock Beer
Visit a traditional brewery tavern in the old town to sample this strong, dark local beer.
🍽
Franconian Schäufele
Look for a traditional local restaurant to try this crispy roast pork shoulder served with dumplings.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Kulmbach Farmers Market
Visit the market on the main square for fresh regional produce and Franconian meats.
🛍
Local Beer Shops
Buy a few bottles of the famous Eisbock beer from specialty stores as a unique souvenir.
🧘
Mainaue
Take a relaxing stroll through the green floodplains along the White Main river.
🧘
Plassenburg Courtyards
Enjoy peaceful, impressive panoramic views of the Franconian Forest from the castle grounds.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Kulmbach, magnificently situated at the confluence of the Red and White Main rivers, is considered the "secret capital of beer" and thrills visitors with authentic Franconian hospitality. Towering mightily above the historic old town is the Plassenburg, one of Europe's most impressive Renaissance fortresses. Within its thick walls, it houses, among other things, the fascinating German Tin Figure Museum, which vividly details historical battles and everyday scenes using over 300,000 tiny figures. The welcoming alleys of the old town, featuring proud patrician houses and the market square, invite you for a leisurely stroll. Anyone visiting Kulmbach cannot avoid the topic of beer: the deep brewing tradition is celebrated in rustic taverns and at the legendary Kulmbach Beer Week at the end of July, where tens of thousands of visitors gather in one of Germany's largest beer tents. Culinarily, the famous Kulmbach bratwurst, traditionally served in an aniseed bun (Stollen), perfectly rounds off the experience. Surrounded by the heavily wooded heights of the Franconian Forest and the Fichtel Mountains, the city also has handy starting points for eventful hiking and cycling tours in unspoiled nature.
- Location: Bavaria, Germany
- Top sights: Plassenburg Castle · Bavarian Brewery Museum · German Tin Figure Museum
- Nearby: Burgkunstadt (15 km)
- Population: ~26.052
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -2 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 65 | 50 | 53 | 40 | 74 | 67 | 80 | 70 | 58 | 57 | 64 | 69 |
Geography
Facts
- The Tin Figure Museum houses over 300,000 individual figures.
- The Main River officially begins in Kulmbach at Steinenhausen Castle.
- Plassenburg Castle was first mentioned in records in 1135.
- The city area covers approximately 92.8 square kilometers.
- Kulmbach is situated at an elevation of 304 meters.
- Postal codes for the city range from 95312 to 95326.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Kulmbach (7)
Badhaus🏛 museum
Historic bathhouse in Kulmbach, now serving as a museum.
🌐 kulmbach.de🕒 Fr-Su,PH 13:00-17:00
Frequently asked questions
What is the Plassenburg?
A massive Renaissance fortress above the city, housing among other things the world's largest tin soldier museum.
Is there a beer museum in Kulmbach?
Yes, the Bavarian Brewery Museum in the Kulmbacher Mönchshof showcases the history and art of brewing beer.
When does the Kulmbach Beer Week take place?
The festival traditionally starts on the last Saturday in July and lasts nine days. It is a highlight for beer lovers.
How do you get up to the Plassenburg?
You can walk up through steep alleys or use the shuttle bus that departs regularly from the marketplace.
What is the Limmersdorf Linden Fair?
A UNESCO cultural heritage in nearby Limmersdorf, where celebrations take place on a 'dancing lime tree' (usually in August).
Kulmbach: where is it located?
Kulmbach is located in Bavaria, Germany.
Kulmbach: what is there to see?
Highlights include Plassenburg Castle, Bavarian Brewery Museum, German Tin Figure Museum.
Kulmbach: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Kulmbach: why is it worth visiting?
Kulmbach, magnificently situated at the confluence of the Red and White Main rivers, is considered the "secret capital of beer" and thrills visitors with authentic Franconian hospitality.
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