Never heard of Bad Staffelstein? Then it’s high time to change that! Airbnb has rightfully crowned this hidden gem in Upper Franconia as one of the most coveted travel destinations for 2025. As the only German city on the list, this charming locale competes with international metropolises like Tokyo, Palermo, and Mumbai. I’ll show you what you can experience there.
Small town, big charisma
Bad Staffelstein is known not only for its hot springs but also for its relaxed, almost magical atmosphere. Here you’ll find the perfect mix of everything: nature, history, and a beautiful symbiosis of modernity and tradition. The over 1200-year-old town looks back on a moving history, which culminated in its elevation to spa town status in 2001 after a city fire, reconstruction in half-timbered style, and the discovery of Bavaria’s warmest and strongest brine in 1975.
The town’s most famous son is mathematician Adam Riese, born in Staffelstein in 1492. His books made arithmetic accessible to a broad population and still influence the German saying “according to Adam Riese” when expressing that something has been calculated correctly.
Food Highlights in Bad Staffelstein
Earn your Beer Diploma
No fewer than 10 breweries await you in the Bad Staffelstein area. Can’t decide? You don’t have to. Simply visit all the region’s breweries on a hike and become an Upper Franconian beer specialist. You can even earn a beer diploma using a stamp card, which you can present at the breweries and take home the diploma as a personal souvenir.
Salzstube am Kurpark
The Salzstube am Kurpark uniquely captures the unmistakable atmosphere of a thermal town. Thanks to its own graduation tower, you can experience the microclimate of the Staffelstein spa gardens while dining, as the interior space is alive with ionized air and high humidity. The restaurant’s interior is not just decor but a mossy natural spectacle you shouldn’t miss.
Instagram-worthy spots in Bad Staffelstein
The Staffelberg
The characteristic rock plateau “Staffelberg” impresses not only from afar. Even the Celts appreciated the “Mountain of the Franks” and used it as a settlement to enjoy the excellent view. In just 50 minutes of walking, you can climb the massif from Bad Staffelstein and enjoy the panoramic view from its peak – the perfect spot for impressive photos.
At the original West Gate, history enthusiasts discover a fascinating archaeological landscape revealing late Celtic civilization’s sophistication. The strategic entrance point offers visitors insights into an advanced settlement from over 2,000 years ago.
Kloster Banz
The former Benedictine abbey of Banz, founded around 1070, experienced its heyday in the Baroque period. Today, you can still feel the splendor of the era as you stroll through the once sacred halls or climb the stone steps at the entrance. It now serves as an educational center for the Hanns-Seidel Foundation and as a backdrop for the “Songs on Banz” event.
Bad Staffelstein Spa Gardens
The spa gardens hold two of my highlights. I spent relaxing hours outdoors here and breathed fresh salt air in the double graduation tower. My path then led me past the lake stage, where a variety of events take place in the warm months. I’ll definitely come back in September when “Goldplay.LIVE” performs as Europe’s most sought-after Coldplay Tribute Show. You can find all events here.
Obermain Therme Bad Staffelstein
Opened in 1986, the Obermain Therme covers 3,000 m² of water surface – spread over 25 indoor and outdoor pools. The healing brine water not only gives a feeling of weightlessness but also simultaneously cleanses our skin and airways. I was impressed by the selection of diverse swimming pools and the enormous sauna landscape.
Whether you want to bathe in the brine pool or take a deep breath in one of the eleven themed saunas spread across approximately 15,000 square meters, a visit to the Obermain Therme in Bad Staffelstein guarantees a healing effect on your body and mind.
The perfect accommodation in Bad Staffelstein
If you want to stay right at the Obermain Therme and walk directly from your hotel room to the brine bath, then the Best Western Plus Kurhotel an der Obermaintherme is the perfect accommodation for you.
The spa hotel offers rooms ranging from 21 to 73 square meters, an excellent restaurant with traditional Bavarian and Franconian cuisine, and various offers to save money. Check it out!
Has this place enchanted you as much as it did me? No wonder! You can get even more wanderlust from the virtual map of the town, where you can get a picture of Bad Staffelstein from the monastery to the spa gardens before you even depart.
