Bayreuth

Bayreuth is a town on the Red Main river in Bavaria, Germany. At its center is the Richard Wagner Museum in the composer's former home, Villa Wahnfried. Wagner's operas are performed at the Bayreuther Festspielhaus, home of the annual Bayreuth Festival. On the eastern outskirts, the Hermitage Gardens surrounds the Altes Schloss Eremitage palace and the Temple of the Sun (Sonnentempel), honoring the god Apollo.
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Top attractions in Bayreuth

Hermitage Old Palace
1. Hermitage Old Palace
4.8
(445)
Temporarily Closed
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
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I didn't have time to visit the inside, which apparently is also quite amazing. However it is beautifully combined in the park with cascades from the water front. Especially interesting are the sides which look like they are carved from stone.
the old summer residence for the Magrave famous couple and the local rulers. only visited by guided tour. water game at the beginning and then a series of rooms inside which paintings and antiquities are available to see. in each room an employee tell you the story of the room design but you're free also to discover it alone and take pictures.
I visited on a rainy Friday morning and walked virtually alone through the vast gardens, awestruck with the beauty of man, nature and time. Among the highlights are striking allees flanked by hornbeam hedges, some quite mature. Beautiful walks, water features, flower plantings, mature tree specimens, linden promenades. Meticulously cultivated and worthy, worthy, worthy of your time.
Perfect attraction for even a difficult traveller. Unfortunately we visited this extremely beautiful place on a raining day but the beauty of it can't stop us unconditionally enjoying our very good time with the nature and manaficent design.
The outside green field and garden are beautiful and free. But you must go into the palace. It is a hidden gem.
A beauty. Once must visit. Really nice guides and palace. But visit during June July months to get entry into more rooms of the palace
You need to get tickets for the tour of the castle and the tour is 1h long, but really worth it. The lady, who was our tour guide was excellent. She really transported us back in time while telling us the important stories of the palace. The 1 hour flew by. The palace is not like your usual palace, but it feels more like a residence / home with hidden secrets. I definately recommend booking a tour (we had the tour in German). It is also not that expensive.
Beautiful park which you can visit for free. Recommend 👍
Bayreuth Festival Theatre
2. Bayreuth Festival Theatre
4.5
(2987)
Concert hall
Concerts & Shows
19th-century theater with a huge stage designed for Wagner's own works with a hidden orchestra pit.
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The Bayreuther Festspielhaus is for all Opera enthusiasts and culture lovers. This place is worth a longer visit. Ofcourse especially for the Wagner Opera weeks in summer. It might just a bit tricky to get tickets, just be pacient. Here are also a few very disappointing things. First of all… parking is 10€ to be paid in cash (just be aware). Also you are not allowed to bring in bags bigger than a small handbag, also sitting pillows are not any longer allowed to bring in - you need to get them inside (if you are lucky). One last thing, a small Mineral Water (0,25l) is 5,50€. - Just a pity they take such an advantage out of their guests.
Had a nice stroll along the theater - located on a hill - and in the park in front of it. We didn't go inside, but from the outside, it does have a nice view!
Attending the Bayreuth Festival is an indelible experience for all Wagner fans and also for anyone who loves our is interested in Western culture. The productions can be uneven because of the German love of theatrical deconstructionism (Regietheater), but the music making and all the craziness surrounding the festival itself is truly something to be experienced at least once in one's life.
Beautiful opera house with amazing acoustics. The only downside is the lack of translation of the libretto… I know, many would say: ‘that’s how Wagner left it’🥹 Summer 2025: Tristan and Isolde had fabulous musical performance and Meistersinger had beautiful staging.
Really enjoyed my evening here. The sound in the opera hall is really great. With every seat sold the theater was really fully packed, but even though the place was so crowded, the politeness and hospitality of the attendees and the staffs at the various venues lent to a very enjoyable and stress-free evening. I would recommend anyone to attend this venue. I watched Tristan and Isolde, the Performances, the staging, and choreography especially between the orchestra and the singers was unmatched, as this is one of the most difficult operas to coordinate. It was excellently done and a pleasure to experience.
Just got back from seeing the entire Ring Cycle last week. If you are lucky enough to get tickets, go without hesitation. We were sat in the mittleloge (bottom row of boxes) and had an excellent view of the stage despite being the back row because the rake is excellent. The seats were cushioned & very comfy (nothing like the "hard wooden" description I was expecting! The stalls seats are less padded though from appearance, but you can borrow cushions from the theatre if necessary). Yes the direction/set was a bit whacky (so if you're a purist this may not be your cup of tea), but the sound is like nothing else you'll ever experience - world class singers, world class orchestra, perfect balance (due to the orchestra being under the stage), could hear every word (not that I understood it but no matter if you know the story the acting and music will be enough). Tasty bratwurst for the intervals, no dress code (although a lot of people dress up, I'd say don't go in your jeans!). Excellent all round.
A Must-Visit in Bayreuth - Amazing and Classy Experience An amazing and classy experience! The best music and a great opera house with the best acoustics. Bayreuth is a must-visit at least once in a lifetime. And the festival - don’t miss this experience if you have the chance!
I have waited more than 10 years for tickets to the Wagner Festspiel, and it was well worth the wait. I was concerned that the opera house does not have AC and the seats are uncomfortable, but it really was quite bearable. The dress is formal, and the audience remained still as a mouse for the entire two and a half hours of the performance of Das Rheingod that I saw. There are no surtitles so you need to do your homework. The singing is world-class and the orchestra perfect in all regards. The sound from the Wagner orchestra pit lives up to all the hype. The orchestra, including the brass, can play at full volume, but they never cover the singers, and every word can be understood. Amazing! A word about the Bayreuth productions, they have been described as avant guard. They certainly may not be to everyone's taste, but it is, after all, part of the Festspiel "experience." If you are fortunate to get tickets to this unique venue, give it a try. There is nothing else like it in the world.
Wahnfried
3. Wahnfried
4.5
(1167)
Museum
Sights & Landmarks
Museum of Richard Wagner's life, set in his final home & concentrating on his work & legacy.
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A really in-depth museum that does great justice to Wagner! It did a good job of covering his life and gave lots of interesting insights to him and his family. Occasionally there was info only in German, and I wish there were English translations for all the info boards, but it’s still super enjoyable for a Wagner fan regardless of your language. I think the entry price is fair when compared to other museums I’ve visited around Europe so far. This was my favourite day of my Europe trip and I’m very glad I got to visit
wagner's house. underground floor is a collection of books and original opera scripts and his signature. ground floor is the statues hall, the piano/library room and the dining/painting room. between floors theres the costumes cabinet and the opera cabinet. first floor is the life stages of wagner with collectibles and sculpture. the garden house is the extension to this house with large dining room and library room with documentaries played all the time.
A museum dedicated to Richard Wagner, but you will learn only odd bits of information about him here. Perhaps there is an assumption that the people who visit are all Wagner devotees who know everything about him. It is worth seeing the rooms on the ground floor of the house, which have been restored to look as they did when Wagner lived there, but many items are covered up and unable to be seen. The upper floor which is supposed to describe his life is organised in a series of rooms, each of which deals with a certain period. Fine in principle, but there is no indication of where you should go to in what order. Some years appeared to be missing altogether. The actual content is scant - facsimiles of scores, copies of photos etc. Some limited information is given about Wagner on a sign in each room, but we are never told how he came to be given a house by the king of Bavaria. Or how he came to be so rich that he could have portraits and sculptures of himself and his family made by top artists, when for long periods of his life he had to move frequently because he was so poor. So much about him is left out. How was he able to build his own opera house? You won't find out here. The information on the main signs in each room is in both German and English, but the English is so poor (google translate?) that it is at times laughable. So many people come to Bayreuth for the Wagner Festival paying so much money - is it really too much to ask that some of that money could have been spent on having proper English translations? And don't bother with the audio guide. There's hardly anything on it.
Great place to visit and learn more about Wagner. But ONLY if you're interested in Wagner. Basicly it's 3 museums. Wahnfried, where he lived is about where he lived and his life. Then the house next to it where his son Siegfried lived with his wife Winnifred, showing the darker side of the Wagner family history. Then there is the latest modern addition which houses an exhibition of custumes of the Wagner operas and temporary exhibitions. There is also a silent movie made for his 100th birthday. All in all very interesting and informative.
Enjoyed walking around Wagner's house, there was an English translation if you want one. One of the gentlemen who worked there gave me a mini personal tour in German, which was lovely. He also informed me that the Listz's house was next door. The coffee shop was good with some yummy cakes.
Way above my anticipation! I was gonna visit the liszt museum but RWM was on the way, in the end this one trumpped Liszt museum from a non-German speaker, non-Wagner fan's viewpoint. To start with, impressive collections of costumes and opera set design down the -1 floor, with helpful staff who gave me an informative explanation when my tour guide stopped working. (sidenote: its a bit sad to see the conductor wall swarming with nothing but white men) The museum buildings have been renovated in recent years in a fancy but not extravagant way. And they have the most comfortable sofa seat of all the museums that Ive been. P4 is Wagner's study/workplace, what a view!
Great place, but a bit overpriced
There are 2 part in this museum: 1. the museum it self, were you can see Wagner arts :his scripts ,the opera house that he build and costumes from his works 2. the place were vagner leaved part of his life. You can find here information on his history and to see things that was related to and his family. . It was educating and interesting.
Margravial Opera House
4. Margravial Opera House
4.8
(3766)
Opera house
Concerts & Shows
Baroque opera house from 18th century with a lavish interior designed by a famous theater architect.
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Beautiful! Beautiful and again Beautiful place! Very affordable, interesting exposition about history of the theater. Really worth visiting. There is WC (you don't have to buy ticket for that). Note, that you can't go with your backpack and it has to be stored so keep 1 euro coin to lock the locker
Beautiful opera house and super interesting museum. Kids (10,7,5) loved it. There is a special riddle game for kids to and some interactive pieces in the museum - we spent over 2 hours there.
From the outside you could mistake it for any other old tenement house. Inside it's the most impressive opera I have ever seen, worthy of UNESCO title for sure. The visit to the Opera is limited to ground floor seats and a view from one of the lounges (unless you go with the guide) after that it's a modern museum, which is also quite interesting and has a miniature scene with which you can play. You can't bring any bags even the smallest ones, cabinets are downstairs for 1euro you get back. I wish someday to visit a play here since it has to be magical.
The entry ticket was 10€, but IT'S ALL WORTH IT! The Stage was just beautiful, it's like stepping into the past and it makes you wonder how ugly Art in our present day has become.
What a great visit, we had a English tour with Johan she was so helpful, informative and very funny with great anecdotes =) It was a wonderful visit and beautiful Opera hall and historical experience to learn and experience Bayreut =) Highly recommend the visit and tour =)
Beautiful place, and our English language tour guide was a very nice young man.
The theatre is gorgeous and there are different interactive exhibitions 👍🏻
A Journey Back in Time: Review of the Margravial Opera House, Bayreuth ​Stepping inside the Margravial Opera House (Markgräfliches Opernhaus) in Bayreuth is nothing short of breathtaking. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture is truly unique and offers an unparalleled glimpse into 18th-century courtly life and culture. ​The Interior: Baroque Opulence Unleashed ​The contrast between the relatively modest exterior and the dazzling interior is astounding. The bell-shaped auditorium, constructed primarily of wood and ornately decorated canvas, is a riot of gold, red, and illusionistic painting. It was designed by the famous Italian theatre architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena and his son Carlo for Margravine Wilhelmine, and its tiered loges (boxes) create an incredibly intimate and luxurious atmosphere. It genuinely feels like stepping onto the set of an historical opera. ​A Unique Historical Gem ​What sets this opera house apart is its authenticity and near-perfect preservation. Unlike many other Baroque theatres that were later modernized, the Margravial Opera House retains its original construction and acoustics. It represents a crucial point in theatre design, being one of the earliest major opera houses built as a standalone urban structure rather than being integrated into a palace. ​The Museum Experience ​The accompanying "World Heritage & Museum" is a fantastic addition. It is modern, interactive, and beautifully designed, providing deep context on the history of the house, the life of Margravine Wilhelmine, and the elaborate theatre mechanics and festival culture of the Baroque era. The museum truly elevates the visit from a simple walk-through to a comprehensive cultural experience. ​Final Verdict ​The Margravial Opera House is more than just a beautiful building; it is a fully preserved monument to a specific period of European festive and musical history. It is a must-see for anyone visiting Bayreuth or interested in history, architecture, or opera.
Neues Schloss Bayreuth
5. Neues Schloss Bayreuth
4.6
(2342)
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
Palace from the 1700s with gardens & rococo interiors housing porcelain & painting collections.
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We visited on a cold, wet afternoon so didn't spend much time in the extensive gardens and grounds, but the interior was well worth the entrance fee. The rooms are beautifully decorated, it is easy to get around on both upper and lower floors, although there are some parts you can only visit on one of the regular guided tours. There is a small shop and museum, and a gallery of pictures on the ground floor.
I really felt hospitality here at the Schloss today. I came by today because I liked my walk at sunset out at the Schlosspark last visit. Wasn’t expecting anything as I walked in and the gentleman at the Kasse was too warm and happy not to talk to. I got the ticket and was informed of a guided tour at the gallery. But the good vibe at the Kasse waS only the beginning. We ran into a friendly staff who accompanied us to the restroom, and the guided tour lady was full of passion on the topic of the Schloss history. You see joy and spark in her eyes and she tells the stories. I had such an entertaining walk with all the details she gave. Luckily we were there in the early morning. So we ended up having an exclusive guided tour! I can probably also keep telling the story I learned today for quite a while among my friends. Recommend, you will have fun interacting with the people here and if time permits, visit the opera house too. To summarize, come early, no need to buy beforehand, interact, have a walk at the park at sunset. Park your car behind the opera house. In May this place is not crowded.
It was my first visit to Bayreuth, it was interesting for me, it is really a very beautiful city
Absolutely stunning! Just when you think you've seen every nuance of a room, you see more. Even the ceilings are beautiful!
A beautifully decorated building, the tour was in German but there was an information guide in English that gave a good overview of what was on display. The gardens and the adjacent park are good to visit too.
Really enjoyed visiting this palace! There were 2 part to explore. Italian palace with guided tour. The tour is always only in German, however, they provided printed brochure on different languages. And the 2nd floor was for exploring by yourself. Printed brochure was also provided. Female and male wings. Beautiful and elegant interiors. Every room is different and interesting on its own.
The palace is open to the public for tours and is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the State Apartments, the Margravine's private chambers, the Court Theatre, and the Orangery.
The palace in itself is downright beautiful and worth a visit. There are incredibly interesting details in each room and you can quite understand the atmosphere of the time and the changes throughout the years. The guidance can be improved, though. Mainly because, in spite of remarkably kind personel, there are no audio-guides and the tours are only in german (the guide was truly kind and did her best, but you can tell you are missing details and even jokes). I'm grateful in any case. Truest complaint: I don't quite understand the full ban on taking pictures (with or without flash) and 5,50€ seems a bit much. Would definitely recommend.
Maisel's Bier-Erlebniswelt
6. Maisel's Bier-Erlebniswelt
4.4
(456)
Brewery
Museums
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Fantastic Brewery! Place is wonderful, with restaurant, shop, Museum.. The food is great and staff is Super friendly. A must if you are in Bayreuth!
Love the GREAT beer Sampler and their food. Cosy, classy in and outdoor interior. Good , attentive service . Def. kids friendly . Maisel has learned their craft lesson in the US: well done Jeff! Cool: the beer shop sells other greats like Schanze, Orca - Chapeau. Only nuisance : the silly park fees !
Their beer menu feels as thick like an old phone book…. The exhibition is really worthwhile spanning from historical fun facts to massive displays of old glasses and krugs. The location itself is a treat on its own !
Good food with many food choices for all tastes. The steak was particularly good and cooked exactly as specified. Of course , outstanding beer selection. Beers were high quality. Reasonable price for the area. Lots of space for bicycle parking.
We just finished visiting the brewey tour. This experience raised the bar for future exhibitions for me for multiple reasons-it was only the 2 of us in the exibit and we had to discover it ourselves with the help of the audio guide and most importantly the interactive part in the basement. I would wholehartedly recommed it to anyome visiting Bayeruth and is a fan of beer! 10/10 would recommend.
Fantastic food, the catacombs tour was really interesting, and the beers were great as well. The staff were extremely friendly and made our experience (very large dinner party with more than 14 people) and excellent one! Many individuals spoke English and they had a menu available online in English as well with their entire menu (including beverages).
great experience. different beer styles with own characters. worth to try!! Pale Ale, Maisel's IPA, West Cost IPA, Taonga Ipa were just great! The museum is also fantastic!
We had the beer museum tour. It took roughly an hour and the guide explained everything. People who don’t know german get an English transcript. After that we spent some hours in the bar. Quite a happening place. They have a wide variety of food and drinks. We tried 4-5 drinks. All the types were just perfect!
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Other notable attractions

Eremitage
Castle
Nature & Parks
Landscaped gardens from the 18th century set around a palace, with fountains & an orangerie.
Röhrensee Animal Park
Zoo
Nature & Parks
Animal enclosures interspersed with flower beds, plus a lake, aviary & playground, within a park.
Landesgartenschau Bayreuth 2016 GmbH
Permanently Closed
Association / Organization
Fun & Games
Ecological Botanical Garden
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
A 40-hectare botanical garden conserving rare species in its greenhouses, crop garden & study areas.
Franz-Liszt-Museum
Museum
Specialty Museums
Urwelt-Museum Oberfranken
Museum
Specialty Museums
Quaint museum offering a collection of minerals, rocks, crystals & fossils, plus dinosaur exhibits.
Stadtkirche Heilig Dreifaltigkeit
Evangelical church
Sights & Landmarks
German Masonic Museum e.V.
Museum
Specialty Museums
German freemasonry museum with paintings, photos, medals, ceramics & clothing, plus a library.
Historisches Museum Bayreuth
Museum
Heritage museum
Small museum with exhibits dedicated to 17th- & 18th-century Bayreuth, including large city models.
Rotmain-Center
Shopping mall
Shopping
Typical 2-story shopping mall with a modest variety of brand-name shops & casual eating options.

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Weather in Bayreuth

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