Itinerary
- Day 1
Würzburg
Start in Würzburg's Old Town and head to the Residence Palace, a Baroque UNESCO World Heritage Site with intricate frescoes and grand architecture. After exploring the palace grounds, walk across the Alte Mainbrücke bridge, which offers views of Fortress Marienberg perched on the hillside, the white Käppele pilgrimage church, and the vineyard-covered slopes surrounding the city. Plan to spend the morning at the palace and early afternoon wandering the bridge and Old Town streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Guided introductory tour of Old Town Würzburg
- Visit Residence Palace (one of Europe's most distinguished Baroque castles, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site)
Landmarks Residence Palace (Fürstbischöfliches Schloss) Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge) Fortress Marienberg Käppele (pilgrimage church) - Day 2
Karlstadt - Lohr am Main
Head to Veitshöchheim Rococo Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ornate sculptures, fountains, and carefully designed hedgerows that reflect 18th-century gardening style. Spend your morning there, then move on to Karlstadt's Old Town to check out the half-timbered buildings and grab lunch at a local café. Later, continue to Lohr am Main, where you'll find cobblestone streets and medieval architecture that feels like stepping into a storybook, which is fitting given the town's connection to fairy tale traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Leisurely stroll through Veitshöchheim Rococo Garden (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site)
- Refreshments at local establishments in Veitshöchheim
- Explore historic Old Town of Karlstadt
- Meal or coffee at local cafes in Karlstadt
- Visit Lohr am Main and explore its Old Town center
Landmarks Veitshöchheim Rococo Garden Karlstadt Old Town Lohr am Main Old Town - Day 3
Lohr am Main to Wertheim
Start cycling along the Main Valley cycle path early, passing Castle Rothenfels on the opposite riverbank as you go. The route takes you through Marktheidenfeld, a town with connections to shipping history along the Main, and then through smaller villages like Homburg and Urphar. By afternoon, you'll arrive in Wertheim to see the large castle overlooking the river and explore the Old Town with its narrow lanes lined with local shops and restaurants. You'll cover roughly 40 kilometers, so pace yourself and take breaks to enjoy the river views.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Optional Activities
- View Castle Rothenfels from the cycle path
- Explore historic town of Marktheidenfeld and its maritime heritage
- Visit charming villages of Homburg and Urphar
- Visit Wertheim Castle
- Explore Wertheim's cobblestone streets and historic Old Town
Landmarks Castle Rothenfels Marktheidenfeld Wertheim Castle - Day 4
Wertheim to Miltenberg
Cross the Main at Kreuzwertheim and continue cycling on the Main Cycle Path through Faulbach before reaching Stadtprozelten. This town sits in a unique location and features traditional Franconian half-timbered houses along with remaining sections of medieval fortification walls. From there, keep cycling to Miltenberg, positioned between the Spessart and Odenwald hills. Spend the late afternoon exploring the medieval core with its tight streets, particularly the famous Schnatterloch alley, and see Mildenburg castle from different vantage points around town. This day covers about 35 kilometers of cycling.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Cross Main River to Bavarian side at Kreuzwertheim
- Explore Stadtprozelten with its Franconian half-timbered houses and medieval city wall
- Visit Miltenberg's medieval Old Town
- View Schnatterloch (famous medieval building)
- Visit Mildenburg castle
Landmarks Stadtprozelten Miltenberg Old Town Schnatterloch Mildenburg Castle - Day 5
Miltenberg to Aschaffenburg
Cycle through the Lower Main region, known for producing red wines from local vineyards along the route. You'll arrive in Aschaffenburg, a city with several palaces worth seeing and parks where you can rest. The Kunsthalle and other museums are all within walking distance of each other if you want cultural stops. By evening, wander the historic center to see the old churches and the castle right on the riverbank. This is a shorter cycling day, roughly 25 kilometers, which gives you time to properly explore the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Cycle through Lower Main wine region
- Visit Aschaffenburg's magnificent palaces
- Explore Aschaffenburg's parks
- Visit Aschaffenburg's museums
- Evening stroll through old city center
- View historic churches
- Visit riverside castle
Landmarks Aschaffenburg Castle Aschaffenburg Old City Center - Day 6
Aschaffenburg to Frankfurt
Cycle toward Frankfurt along the Main, passing through Seligenstadt with its winding streets, traditional houses with exposed timber frames, and a large basilica dominating the skyline. After cycling through Seligenstadt, you'll board a small ferry to cross the Main River, then continue through Hanau, the hometown of the Grimm brothers, before pushing on through Klein-Krotzenburg and Steinheim. By evening you'll reach Frankfurt, where modern skyscrapers in the banking district contrast with historic sites like Goethe's childhood home and the cathedral where Germany's first parliament met. The Museumsufer area has many galleries if you want to explore cultural offerings. This is a long day of cycling, around 50 kilometers.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Cycle through Seligenstadt
- View magnificent basilica in Seligenstadt
- Cross Main River by ferry
- Explore Hanau (birthplace of Grimm brothers)
- Visit Klein-Krotzenburg
- Explore Steinheim
- Visit Museumsufer (cultural institutions hub)
- Explore Frankfurt's financial district (Bankenviertel)
- Visit church that hosted Germany's first democratic parliament
- Visit Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's childhood home
- Explore Sachsenhausen neighborhood
- Experience traditional taverns serving Apfelwein (apple wine)
- Experience Frankfurt nightlife
Landmarks Seligenstadt Basilica Hanau Museumsufer (Museum Embankment) Bankenviertel (Frankfurt financial district) Goethe's Childhood Home Church of Germany's First Democratic Parliament Sachsenhausen - Day 7
Frankfurt
Your last day is open ended. You can stay in Frankfurt and continue exploring museums, take a day trip to nearby towns, or depart if needed. If staying, the Museumsufer district has everything from art to natural history museums, and the Old Town area is good for one more walk through half-timbered buildings and local restaurants. Check your travel plans and adjust accordingly.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Extended exploration of Frankfurt
