Discovering Bamberg - Germany's Medieval Treasure

You don’t come to Bavaria and pass up the chance to sip the local brews, and Bamberg is renowned for one specifically. Rauchbier (smoked beer) is the result of a malting process where the grains are smoked over a beechwood fire. All nine of the town’s traditional breweries serve this specialty, but the historic Schlenkerla brewery takes claim as the must-visit beerhall. Serving the Bamberg community from wooden barrels since 1405, the ambiance (and beer) is without equal. Grab a seat, order some Bavarian veal sausages to pair with a smoked beer, and soak up the setting — it is truly one of a kind.

Of course, this is just a handful of our favorite things about Bamberg — there’s a whole town of curiosities and delights waiting to be discovered! You could spend hours, days or weeks frantically googling in preparation for what to visit and when, but when the time comes, nothing beats an experienced guide. It’s for this reason that Viking stands out as one of the best ways to explore Bamberg (and every other port they sail to). Few can compare to the dedication Viking has for providing fascinating insights into local life during their included shore excursions. Pair that with the refined intimacy and enriching experiences you’ll find on board, and it’s safe to say Viking is a prime way to connect with your destination in every possible way.