Schweinfurt combines centuries of history with a passion for contemporary art, music and culture. Walking around the city, you’ll see heritage-listed buildings standing alongside modern galleries. Venture out of the city centre to visit a family-friendly wildlife park and swim in a picturesque Bavarian lake.
Things to do in Schweinfurt
Museum Georg Schäfer showcases an impressive collection of 19th-century paintings by German artists. The museum occupies a striking cubist building and covers an array of artistic movements and styles, including Classicism, Impressionism and Romanticism. Kunsthalle Schweinfurt is dedicated to contemporary art and showcases permanent and rotating exhibits, while the cavernous main gallery features nine-metre tall ceilings.
The Old Town Hall dates back to the 1500s and features a storybook half-timbered façade. It overlooks the bustling main square, where you’ll find stalls selling fresh produce, flowers and baked goods on market days. Cafes spill out into the square and will tempt you with coffee, cake and local dishes like “schweinshaxe” roast pork and “kaiserschmarrn” pancakes. Schweinfurt is magical in the winter and hosts a fantastic Christmas market where you can nibble gingerbread and sip mulled wine.
Wildpark an den Eichen sprawls across 18 hectares and is home to hundreds of animals. Pick up animal food from the coin-operated vending machines and feed the friendly deer, horses and goats. Don’t miss the tree-filled moose enclosure where you can get up close with the gentle giants.
Swim, sunbathe and enjoy a lakeside picnic at Schweinfurter Baggersee. The lake fills a former quarry and features crystalline water and a tree-shaded shoreline. Relax on the grass and stretch your legs on the scenic lakeside trail.
Getting around Schweinfurt
Schweinfurt is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is located in Lower Franconia, a 1.5-hour drive from Nuremberg and two hours from Frankfurt. Trains run between Frankfurt and Schweinfurt, via Würzburg, in under two hours. Frankfurt Airport is a two-hour drive away.