Amberg between river routes, city walls and beer culture

Amberg combines riverside routes and a distinctive urban history with museums, performances and beer culture. When planning your stay, you can choose what to focus on based on your own travel interests: cycling holidays, historic architecture, exhibitions or a barge trip. The city lies on the Five Rivers Cycle Route and also along the Bavarian Iron Road—two routes with different lengths and focuses.

Cycle routes and getting around Amberg

Amberg lies on the approximately 300 km Five Rivers Cycle Route, which forms a circular loop. It follows the Pegnitz, Vils, Naab, Danube and Altmühl rivers; you can join it at any point. The approximately 140 km Bavarian Iron Road follows a different route: it runs from Pegnitz to Regensburg via Amberg and connects former iron-producing centres in the region. From Amberg, it follows the historic waterway along the Vils, Naab and Danube to Regensburg. This lets you compare a circular route taking in five rivers with a route linked to the region’s former iron industry.

A pedestrian and visitor wayfinding system leads around the Old Town to tourist attractions, key facilities and car parks. Signage and parking arrangements may change, so check the latest information if needed. The Waterway Discovery Trail runs through Amberg and the surrounding area and provides information about the water supply.

City history, fortifications and museums

Amberg’s historic fortifications include an almost 3 km-long wall, five gates, 97 towers and a deep moat. These figures give an idea of the many features that shape the historic cityscape.

The Amberg City Museum presents aspects of the city’s history across approximately 1,800 m²: from its first documentary mention in 1034, through the period of the Prince-Electors, to its industrial history, which developed from the 19th century onwards. The permanent exhibition is divided into 13 sections covering different themes from the city’s nearly 1,000-year history. In the same museum, the ALTE FEUERWACHE City Gallery is devoted to fine art across approximately 170 m², with a focus on contemporary art from eastern Bavaria; around four temporary exhibitions are held there each year.

Another architectural highlight is the Glass Cathedral, built between 1968 and 1970 and now home to Kristall-Glasfabrik Amberg GmbH. It is Walter Gropius’s only building in the Upper Palatinate and also his final work. A hosted multimedia show in the exhibition space traces the building’s development from its beginnings in the 1960s to the present day. Check access to guided tours before your trip.

Guided tours, waterways and stage performances

The City Museum regularly offers public tours of various sections of the permanent exhibition and all special exhibitions. Amberg also offers a wide range of themed city tours, subject to availability. Dates and availability may change, so check what is on offer before your visit.

Historic barge trips travel through Amberg on the water and pass beneath the famous Stadtbrille, the historic Water Gate. During the trip, stories and anecdotes are told about Amberg and the attractions along the river. Check whether trips are available on your chosen date before travelling. On a tower tour of St Martin’s Tower, you can learn more about the building’s history and enjoy an exceptional view of the surrounding area; the tower is almost 92 metres high. Check the booking conditions in advance.

The Amberg Air Museum offers unique spaces dedicated to the subject of air across three floors. In addition to a permanent exhibition, its programme includes talks, readings, guided tours and concerts; availability may change. The City Theatre presents more than 100 events each year for a wide-ranging audience, though the size of the annual programme may vary.

Nature and beer culture

A nature recreation area with diverse flora and fauna lies along the Vils on the edge of Amberg’s Old Town. On the Mariahilfberg, the 1.5 km-long Soil Discovery Trail has ten stops where visitors can learn about soil through hands-on activities. The route combines a walking trail with a practical introduction to the subject of soil.

The Winkler family brewery experience includes a tour of the historic brewhouse, where actors reenact scenes from 400 years of brewery history. It also includes a small beer tasting, followed by a beer-carrier’s meal with a starter and main course at the Winkler BräuWirt or Schießl Wirtshaus. Check the dates and participating venues before your trip. Traditional inns, beer gardens and restaurants in Amberg also serve beer and regional specialities in a welcoming atmosphere.

Discover more destinations: Amberg, Donau-Ries, Lower Bavaria, Nuremberg Land, Upper Palatinate Forest, Amberg-Sulzbach, Bayreuth, Bavarian Swabia.

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