Not every destination with flowing canals should be compared to Venice, a truly iconic city.
It’s understandable that’s what comes to mind, but there’s no way every city brimming with scenic canals can live up to the hype.
Take San Antonio, for example. This cultural Texas city’s most notable attraction beyond the historic Alamo is nothing like Venice at all, even with boat tours winding through the cityscape.
But, there may be an exception to the rule as one storybook German town is being hyped as the country’s top hidden gem.
Lined with scenic canals and centuries-old pubs, this delightful town oozes charm and character as Germany’s ‘Little Venice‘.
Welcome To Bamberg: Germany’s Top Hidden Gem
Without a doubt, the Bavarian state of Germany is one of the prettiest in the country.
Home to much bigger names like the magnificent city of Munich, there are dozens of charming treasures to discover too.
Bamberg being one of many, but this one stands out the most.
‘Little Venice’ is not the only moniker this delightful town has adopted; it’s also known as the ‘Franconian Rome’ seven hills, each one with its own church or castle across the Franconia region.
Finding itself in the same sentence as Venice and Rome, you know it’s jam-packed with goodies! But let’s start with the basics.
Bamberg dates back centuries with records dating back to 902 AD! Of course, not all structures have survived this long but the small town is very well-preserved, all part of the draw to such a place.
Furthermore, the gorgeous town has been recognized by UNESCO and holds over 1400 heritage-listed buildings, an insurmountable number for a town of less than 80,000 residents.
The town will have you ‘ooh’-ing and ‘ahh’-ing through picturesque cobbled streets with eye-popping historic buildings such as the Bamberg Cathedral, over 1000 years old and looking great for her age!
Best of all, this marvel is free to enter.
Real Venice Vibes In ‘Little Venice’
Venice has seen its fair share of headlines where global warming and overtourism concerns have overshadowed simply how amazing the city is to visit.
Now that Venice hasn’t exactly been the most welcoming host for tourists with a new entry fee and various complaints, travelers have sought out alternatives.
Bamberg has flown under the radar but does, in fact, exceed the mark for such an honor.
As a top attraction, the Regnitz River is well maintained for locals and tourists alike to enjoy as the waterway branches off into the manmade canals of ‘Little Venice’.
Better yet, like Venice, you can enjoy a romantic ride on the water absorbing the sites of this beautiful lesser lesser-known gem.
Booking a short cruise is easy through several operators where tickets should cost no more than $16 per passenger.
This area is not very big, so expect these tours to last no more than half an hour at most.
No Better Place For Local Beer
Is it just me, or does beer taste better on vacations?
The same goes for wine, cocktails, and whatever your dish of choice is on that particular day.
Bamberg, though, is the mecca for beer, especially if you’re into traditional pubs.
Bamberg offers a mellow vibe, although some students do liven up the drinking scene here from time to time, but nothing excessive like the wild streets of Berlin.
While many travelers head to Munich for Oktoberfest with lederhosen in tow, don’t sleep on Bamberg.
Plus, you don’t have to wear a lederhosen to fit in. Bamberg has been a beer mecca for ages, where centuries-old pubs are still in business.
For example, a pair of breweries are duking it out with claims of being the oldest. Zum Sternla claims to have been around since 1380 and Schlenkerla Brewery claims to have been established in 1405.
No matter where your beer escapades take you, a must is trying the town’s famous one-of-a-kind smoked beer.
It might sound weird but tasters claim hints of ham with a palate ranging from ‘mild to robust’.
The above Schlenkerla is one of the pubs known to serve this odd, yet very popular, specialty.
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