Erlangen
Western Europe · Germany
Did you know?
- The city was once a major beer-brewing centre.
- Shops cluster along Hauptstraße, Marktplatz and Nürnberger Straße.
- University life and Siemens employment both shape the city's population.
See also
Overview
Explore Erlangen on foot through the cosy Altstadt and Neustadt. The pedestrian zone offers a relaxed route through the city centre.
Languages: German
Understand
About a third of the residents are involved with the university (students, researchers, etc.), and roughly another third work for Siemens. Medicine is one of the specialties of the university, so you are in luck if you fall ill with more than six clinics in the city.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
Erlangen's main train station (Hauptbahnhof) provides frequent regional and some long-distance connections to Nuremberg (15 min), Bamberg (30 min), and other Franconian cities. The nearest major airport is Nuremberg Airport (NUE), about 20 km away, with S-Bahn connections. By car, the A73 motorway runs through the city.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
While the old town walls are only preserved in very few stones and street names, the rectangular area once inside the walls is still evident as the main pedestrianised and shopping area. Four physical boundaries separate the city into eastern and western parts: the Main Donau Kanal, the Regnitz river, the A73, and the railway line.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Spring and early autumn offer mild weather ideal for exploring. Summer brings the famous Bergkirchweih beer festival (around Pentecost) and open-air events. Winters are cold but feature Christmas markets. Avoid the Bergkirchweih period if you prefer a quieter visit, as hotels fill up.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Do
For experiencing Erlangen, take a stroll through the small but cosy Altstadt and Neustadt and the pedestrian zone. Join students picnicking at Bohlenplatz on warm summer evenings. The city offers plenty of cultural offerings and events.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
Shops are mostly in Altstadt and Neustadt, along Hauptstraße, Marktplatz, and Nürnberger Straße. Most open between 09:30 and 11:00, closing between 18:00 and 19:00 on weekdays and 14:00-16:00 on Saturdays. Sunday shopping is rare except for bakeries and travel-need shops.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Drink
Erlangen used to be a major beer-brewing centre. Only a few breweries survive, but small brewpubs like Steinbach, Weller, and Fischerei Oberle produce genuine local beer. You can sample it at the Bierkeller on Burgberg.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Learn
The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg has about 40,000 students and offers a broad range of subjects. It is one of the ten biggest universities in Germany.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
There are many day-trip destinations: Bamberg (UNESCO), Nuremberg, Fürth, Forchheim, and more. The surrounding countryside includes Franconian Switzerland and the Franconian lake district.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- buy
Arcaden
This is the bigger mall within Erlangen; it offers a wide variety covering most needs (including food offers on the ground floor).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Arena Festival
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Bergkirchweih
Begun in 1755, this festival is held every Pentecost (Whitsuntide - seven weeks after Easter) for 12 days every year. The first day is always the Thursday before the Pentecost weekend. Similar to Oktoberfest, but more German owing to the absence of tourists. The festival draws crowds around the 1 million mark, so hotels might get crowded and overpriced during this time of the year. At 23:00 the main action stops and the party crowd goes on to the various discos and bars that keep going until 05:00.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Blockhelden
A bouldering hall in Dechsendorf, a somewhat outlying suburb.
Recorded price: regular €9.90, reduced €8.90, under 13 €6.90, €2 discount on regular and reduced M-F before 15:00
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
Bongartz
CDs and LPs of modern music, pop, rock, indie, very strong also in electronic music.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Classical music by the lake
Held every summer. At Dechsendorfer Weiher (see under ).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
Contigo
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
Der Schallplattenmann
CDs and LPs of modern music, pop, rock, indie, very strong in world music.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is available in many cafes and the university library. SIM cards are easily purchased at mobile shops.
Culture
Erlangen has a strong student vibe; many events and venues cater to a young crowd. Huguenot and Margrave history is evident in the architecture.
Health
The university's medical facilities are excellent; several clinics are located in the city.
Language
German is the official language. English is widely understood, especially among students and at the university.
Local transport
Bicycles are the most convenient way to get around. Public buses and trams run frequently; tickets can be bought at machines or via app.
Money
Germany uses the euro (€). Credit cards accepted in larger shops and hotels, but cash is common in smaller establishments.
Safety
Erlangen is generally safe, but watch for pickpockets in crowded areas like festivals.
Shopping
Shops open M-F 09:30-20:00, Sa 09:30-14:00-16:00, closed Sunday. Altstadtshopping on Thursday late afternoons with free parking from 16:00.
Tourist information
Tourist office at Goethestraße 21a, M-Th 09:00-17:00, F 09:00-15:00, Sa 10:00-13:00. Also sells VGN tickets.
Transport
Central station with ICE connections. Local transport via VGN buses and trams. Bikes are a practical way to cross the river barriers.
Visa context
Visa rules depend on passport; check current entry rules before booking.