Rabenstein Castle lies on top of a rock in the heart of Franconian Switzerland, just 25 kilometres away from Bayreuth. It forms the center of the 65-ha large natural paradise Rabenstein Castle, to which the Castle Hotel, Sophie's Cave - one of the most beautiful dripstone caves in Germany -, the falconry, the tavern, the beer garden and also numerous forest and hiking trails belong.

In the heart of Franconian Switzerland, in the city triangle Bamberg-Bayreuth-Nuremberg, on a plateau overlooking the valley of the Ailsbach river, Rabenstein Castle awaits your visit, offering a wide variety of activities and events – or just a great chance to relax.

As a hotel, Rabenstein Castle has everything guests could ask for: 22 individually decorated rooms and a fine restaurant for culinary delights in the evening.

Rabenstein Nature’s paradise welcomes you to a visit to Sophie’s Cave – one of the most beautiful flowstone caves in Germany – and the falconry with its over 80 birds of prey. Numerous forest and hiking trails start directly at the castle. And people love to have a break at the tavern and the romantic beer garden with its age-old trees.

800-year-old Rabenstein Castle with its beautiful ceremonial rooms can be visited during a guided tour.

Hikers love taking a break here, where the rustic Gutsschenke tavern offers down-to-earth cuisine from the Franconian region. In the summer, the attractive forecourt is turned into a beer garden cooled by an imposing cluster of age-old trees.

Particularly for families and visitors interested in nature, this natural paradise is the perfect destination. The falconry offers an opportunity to learn about hunting with birds of prey; you can get an up-close look at these majestic creatures in their aviaries and marvel at their speed and agility when they are taken out for their daily free flight.

Sophie’s Cavern welcomes you to a visit in an underground palace. A fairy-tale landscape has developed here over thousands of years: stalagmites such as the giant “Millionaire” or flowstone draperies up to five meters long. In an antechamber, one of the most intact cave-bear skeletons in the world is on display. Informative guided tours are conducted throughout the year. “Sophie at Night” fills the cavern with fascinating music and lighting in the evenings.

The neighboring Celtic Village with its big fireplace and a fortified longhouse is perfect for big celebrations with a rustic atmosphere. Twice each year, the largest and most popular medieval market in northern Bavaria is held here, and exhibitors and visitors alike feel they've embarked on an exciting journey through time.

Rabenstein Castle can be visited several times each day. Its beautiful ceremonial rooms are the ideal setting for weddings, other family events and company parties of all sizes, and it is also a popular site for seminars and conferences. As a hotel, it has everything guests could ask for: 22 individually decorated rooms and the castle restaurant for culinary delights in the evening.

Special cultural and culinary evening events are held regularly, letting visitors enjoy this elegant atmosphere as the castle itself seems to reawaken to life.