Erlangen is a small Middle Franconian city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located where the largest tributary of the river Regnitz, the Untere Schwabach joins the main river. It has a population of just around 105,000 in an area of 87 sq km. A large number are students, with an equally large number employed by Siemens, Germany. It is also known as the bicycle town.
How to Get There:
Erlangen is accessible by rail, road or by air via Airport Nürnberg, which is 12 km away. There are regular flights to various destinations in Germany and overseas. The airport has regular shuttles to the city centre.
What to See: The University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and the Botanischer Garten Erlangen
a botanical garden maintained by the university. Hulk of the Katharinen Church, the Gänsemännchenbrunnen and the Frauenkirche Nurnberg. There are 2 museums as well, the
Germanisches Nationalmuseum and the Albrecht-Dürer-Haus.
Events:
Erlangen hosts the Bergkirchweih, an annual beer festival, similar to the Oktoberfest in
Munich but smaller , and therefore sees a more friendly and amiable atmosphere.
It invariably takes place during the twelve days before and after Pentecost, under the spring
trees of the local "Berg", a small craggy, wooded hill, with old caves(cellars) owned by local
breweries. At the doorway of the cellar, each brewery has its faithful drinkers, litre- sized clay "krugs" in hand, at the reserved tables of bulky wood, seating between 10 to 20 merrymakers or friends. More than one million beer guzzlers come to The Bier Fest each and every year. There are carnival rides of high tech quality, food stalls of every imaginable Franken dish, from roast-suckling pig to bratwurst to cinnamon "burnt almonds" to giant chewy pretzels. It tends to make for a pleasurable day.
Where to Eat:
Erlangen has 74 restaurants, with many catering to students. Among those recommended are the Salz und Pfeffer, Romming; Markgraf Cafe, Bistro, Bar; Kaiser Wilhelm, Mein lieber Schwan.
Hotels:
Erlangen has 27 hotels, 10 bed and breakfast homes/inns and 2 specialty lodgings. The recommended hotels include the Novotel Erlangen, NH Hotel Erlangen, Hotel Bayerischer Hof Erlangen, Mercure Hotel Erlangen, Hotel Gastehaus Langhammer and Hotel Konig Otto. Prices range from € 44-90.
