You are in Erlangen (on business) and want to take a few days off? An excellent idea! The city with its baroque cityscape has a lot to offer for a city trip as well as for outdoor activities. Together with the Green PearlsⓇ Hotel Luise, we will show you how to make a weekend in Erlangen sustainable.

Welcome to Erlangen

The Franconian city of Erlangen attracts many business travelers. The Erlangen Tourism and Marketing Association (ETM) and the Hotel Luise itself report various statistics on overnight stays. But why not combine business with pleasure? Perhaps together with a loved one? In any case, getting here is no problem. As Bavaria’s “smallest city”, Erlangen has excellent connections to the international rail network and can be reached from anywhere by environmentally friendly train.

Hotel Luise – one of the most sustainable hotels in Europe

First of all, we would like to introduce you to your accommodation, the Hotel Luis. This family-run hotel is managed by Ben Förtsch, the third generation of his family to do so. He continues the ecological beliefs of his parents and is considered a pioneer of sustainability in the hotel industry.

You will find hotel rooms made from renewable materials, astronaut showers that use minimal water, urban gardening, upcycling, and more. A total of 250 sustainable initiatives have already been implemented, all of which are displayed on the Wall of Change. (By the way, the hotel with the Wall of Change is currently a finalist for the German Tourism Award 2024). Hotel Luise is often held up as a role model – and the team is well aware of this role and is happy to build on it.

By choosing Hotel Luise as your accommodation, you are reducing your carbon footprint and support the hotel’s commitment.

A weekend in Erlangen – Ideas and insider tips

Between nature and culture, city life and nature. Erlangen has something for everyone. Laura Heufelder from Hotel Luise gave us some insider tips on what a sustainable weekend in Erlangen could look like for you:

Friday: Arrival, wellness and exploration

After arriving at the Hotel Luise, you can relax with a little wellness. The spa area includes a Finnish sauna, a Vitarium, a steam bath and infrared cabins.

Afterwards you may rent a bike (there is a bike rental right at the hotel) and cycle the few minutes to the city center for dinner. Laura recommends the organic restaurant Das Muskat.

Saturday: Enjoy culture and nature

On Saturday, you will get to know Erlangen and the “French flair of the Huguenot city”. We especially recommend the

• Palace garden with orangery and the
• Botanical Garden

But there are also many small streets, cafés and shops to discover while strolling through the city.

If you are in Erlangen in the summer, Laura also recommends the Erlanger SchlossStrand, which gives you a real vacation feeling. Here you can enjoy a snack in a deck chair on the (sandy) Schlossplatz and watch the world go by.

There are many events in Erlangen that are worth attending. Highlights include:

• Erlanger Poetenfest (every year on the last weekend in August)
• Comic-Salon (International Comic Fair in May or June, accompanied by exhibitions and comic art throughout the city)
• Erlanger Bergkrichweih (Pentecost festival that attracts about a million visitors each year)

Sunday: Explore the surroundings

“Sunday is the perfect day for a hike or bike ride in the beautiful Franconian countryside,” says Laura.

Excursion to Marloffstein

Marloffstein is a beautiful destination that can be easily reached from Hotel Luise after an organic breakfast. We would like to emphasize the breakfast, because there is a wide variety of fair trade and organic products, honey from the hotel’s own beehive and a cozy greenhouse.

After checking out, you can store your luggage at the hotel and use the rented bike for excursions.

The community of Marloffstein is located about seven kilometers northeast of Erlangen. Here you will find Marloffstein Castle, from which hiking and biking trails lead to the surrounding castles of Adlitz and Atzelsberg.

The nature through which you travel is captivating, with forests and ponds (e.g. the “Märchenteich” near Marloffstein).

“It is worth stopping at one of the Franconian restaurants along the way to enjoy Franconian specialties. – Laura from Hotel Luise

You have now experienced a lot – history, culture, nature, exercise, wellness, vacation – all in one weekend and with a small ecological footprint. Would this be something for you? Let us know in the comments!

Save this article for your next weekend trip!