Introduce Kids to Bavarian Art, History and Music in This German Town

Deep in Bavaria you’ll find the beautiful town of Bayreuth. It may not be one of Germany’s largest cities, but it delivers big on charm with history and culture, not to mention a street art scene you won’t want to miss. Without the noise and chaos of a metropolitan hub like Frankfurt or Berlin, Bayreuth is the perfect place for the family to discover Germany’s beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine and fascinating culture in a place that has something for everyone.

© Eugenia Lazaris

The town is known for Bayreuth Festival, a yearly cultural festival celebrating the operas of famous composer Richard Wagner. Held each summer, the festival includes performances of the composer’s operas performed in the very theater he designed. Even if you aren’t a fan of opera, the theater itself is well worth a visit any time of year to learn about the history of the theater and explore its beautiful grounds.

While you are in Bayreuth, you’ll want to explore on foot to take in the beautiful scenery and laid-back lifestyle of the city. Visit the historic Margravial Opera House. This beautifully preserved and still-functioning opera house is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque opera house architecture in the world.

© Eugenia Lazaris

One of the town’s highlights is the Walk of Wagner, a walking route that weaves throughout the city. The route includes 19 stops, each marked by a mini Wagner statuette on a concrete pedestal with a detailed explanation of how the site is connected to Wagner.

As you explore the town, you can’t help but notice the murals and public art that help make the town a hot spot for modern-day artists. If you really want to immerse the family in this artistic scene, an ideal place to stay is Liebesbier Urban Art Hotel. It offers something for every member of the family starting with modern, comfortable accommodations and its very own on-site craft brewery gastropub (known as Maisel and Friends). A vibrant urban art scene is woven into every aspect of the property. From creative sculptures to massive murals, art on display is everywhere, including public spaces and hotel rooms, and each piece was uniquely created by one of 85 street artists from around the world (with more on the way).

Bayreuth is the perfect place for a base camp. Germany has more than 50 UNESCO sites with 14 located in Bavaria, including the stunning Margravial Opera House, so you won’t have any shortage of sites to check off your must-see list.