Last August weekend · central, walk to the Sand district
Sandkerwa Bamberg – stay right in the centre.
Sandkerwa is Bamberg's most beloved beer festival – five days of brewery stalls, live music and tents in the Sand district around Elisabethenkirche. Our apartments on Luitpoldstraße 16 are a few minutes on foot from the action; from Zollnerstraße 195 the centre is an easy bus or bike ride away. No car needed, no shuttle.
Walk to the festival
From the apartment building on Luitpoldstraße 16 the Sand district is a few minutes on foot; from Zollnerstraße 195 the centre is an easy bus or bike ride away. Walk home at night instead of waiting for the last taxi.
Easy by train
Bamberg main station is just a few minutes on foot from Luitpoldstraße 16. Coming from Nuremberg, Würzburg or Munich, leave the car at home.
Book early
Bamberg sells out for Sandkerwa. Our apartments are often gone months in advance – the earlier you book, the better the choice.
Where Sandkerwa happens and how to walk there
Sandkerwa takes place around Elisabethenkirche in the Sand district – in the middle of Bamberg's old town, between the Regnitz and the cathedral. Beer tents, brewery stalls (Spezial, Schlenkerla, Mahrs, Keesmann and many more), live stages, fairground rides and the traditional Fischerstechen jousting on the river – all packed into a few hundred metres.
From Luitpoldstraße 16 you walk via Schönleinsplatz and Lange Straße into the Sand district – a few minutes on almost completely level ground, well lit and busy at night. From Zollnerstraße 195 in eastern Bamberg the centre is an easy bus or bike ride away. Locals are out and about after the festival anyway.
Why our places work better during Sandkerwa
Hotels right in the centre during Sandkerwa are not just expensive but also loud – sleeping next to the festival is tough. Our locations let you reach the festival in a few minutes but sleep on a quiet street. Fully equipped kitchens mean breakfast at your own pace instead of queueing in a packed café.
If you stay longer (for example with family from out of town), you get a complete apartment with private bathroom, kitchen and living space. For groups, multiple units at the same address can be combined – for more than three apartments, drop us a line at kontakt@bemagroup.de.
Last-minute possible?
Sometimes units free up two weeks before Sandkerwa – simply check the availability calendar. Flexible travellers arriving mid-week (Wed–Fri) have much better odds than Saturday arrivals. For Sandkerwa 2026, start looking by spring at the latest.
Suitable stays
Apartmentfrom100 €Stadtresidenz LU16 Four - Großes, helles Apartment mitten in Bamberg für bis zu 5 Gäste
Modern, light-filled 72 m² apartment in a central location — within walking distance of the station and Bamberg's old town, with a quiet shared terrace and flexible self check-in.
Apartmentfrom102 €Hafencity L19 - Geräumiges 75-m²-Apartment in Bamberg für bis zu 6 Gäste
A spacious, modern 75 m² apartment with a generous, light-filled living area in Bamberg's quiet harbour district – just around 2 km from the city centre.
Apartmentfrom92 €Sonneneck Zo195 One - Ruhiges Apartment in Bamberg mit privater Terrasse & Parkplatz
Quietly located, modern apartment in Bamberg with a generous private terrace and free on-site parking.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the festival on foot?+
From Luitpoldstraße 16 the Sand district is a few minutes on foot, along busy inner-city streets and easy to walk in the evening. From Zollnerstraße 195 in eastern Bamberg the centre is an easy bus or bike ride away.
When does Sandkerwa take place?+
Sandkerwa traditionally runs Thursday to Monday on the last weekend of August. Highlights are the opening barrel procession and the Fischerstechen jousting on the Regnitz on Sunday.
Can I drive in?+
Yes, but parking during Sandkerwa is tight across the city centre. If you drive, use a car park (Atrium, Stadtgalerie) or the P+R Heinrichsdamm and take the bus. The train is much more relaxed.
Do we need to book early?+
Strongly recommended. Bamberg sells out for Sandkerwa – ideally book several months ahead. For last-minute, try mid-week arrivals or watch for short-notice cancellations.
Is there a minimum stay?+
For the Sandkerwa weekend we typically apply a 2–3 night minimum. Staying longer is the easy way to combine the festival with a city break in the UNESCO World Heritage town.
Ready to book?
Check availability and rates directly online – 7 % off with code DIRECT7.
Check availability