Volkach Main Loop. Wine, nature & Franconian joie de vivre.
The scent of sun-ripened vineyards, the gentle rippling of the Main and the first sip of Franconian wine – the Volkacher Mainschleife appeals to all the senses. Here, nature, enjoyment and joie de vivre blend into a region that you really experience. The Volkacher Mainschleife is the perfect destination for a short break. Over millions of years, the Main formed this unique meander in the heart of the Franconian wine country between Schweinfurt and Würzburg. Discover places and activities from one of the most beautiful hotels on the Mainschleife.
Personally with the hosts Wine experiences on the Volkacher Mainschleife
Discover the wine region around the Mainschleife with all your senses: the MainGenussTrail combines nature experiences, viticulture and regional specialities, while the Bullitour durchs Rebenland with winemaker Ralph Düker offers exciting insights, dreamlike views and enjoyable breaks with wine and regional delicacies. With the arrangement „Lump und Liebe“ you can enjoy a romantic getaway with special wines, culinary highlights and relaxed moments amidst the vineyards. Three experiences at the Romantik® Hotel Zur Schwane that stand for enjoyment, hospitality and unforgettable moments on the Mainschleife. Every year in August, the Franconian Wine Festival also takes place in Volkach.
Volkach Old Town
Cosy lanes & sights: In Volkach on the Mainschleife, you will find a historic old town that still breathes the spirit of history. Take part in one of the guided town tours here, stop by the Kartause Astheim museum in the neighbouring village of the same name, or simply wander through the old lanes. In the pilgrimage church Maria im Weingarten, you can admire the Riemenschneider Madonna. Our hotel in Volkach on the Mainschleife offers numerous opportunities to discover this enchanting area.
The Main & canoeing in Volkach
You can also enjoy the vineyards perfectly from the water on the Main near Volkach. There are numerous options for this: minicroises start from the landing stage near our wine hotel, taking you on relaxed raft trips past the well-known wine sites Eschendorfer Lump or Katzenkopf . In the summer season from April, you have the option of booking various canoe or stand up paddling tours between Volkach and Sommerach with Walkerwater, the canoe hire company on the Main loop.
Cycling on the Main Loop
We are the most bicycle-friendly hotel on the Mainschleife: on two wheels, you can experience the winding paths of this fascinating and unique region. On the MainRadweg, you can follow the river from source to mouth along a route of approx. 600 kilometres. On the Mainschleife, you cycle between sunny vineyards, through charming villages and historic small towns. The weather usually plays its part too, as the Mainschleife has a comparatively low level of rainfall. This is also one of the secrets behind the particularly exclusive and characterful wines produced here. Along the route there are numerous repair or charging stations for e-bikes. If you are travelling without your own bicycle, you can hire the right equipment at many places on the Mainschleife from a rental station – including from us. Hire bicycles from us and experience the Mainschleife in all its beauty. On the flat, relaxed tour, you can ride as far as Wipfeld, cross there by ferry and occasionally “dive” into the side arms of the Main (approx. 25 km) before letting yourself be carried downstream on the Main again. The more athletic tour leads via Fahr to Eisenheim, then over the ridge of the Vogelsburg to Escherndorf, Nordheim, Sommerach, Schwarzach and back to Volkach via the Dimbacher Wald (approx. 40 km). Charming wine villages, large monasteries, the Main and interesting woodland floodplains characterise the route. Naturally, we have a cycle touring map of the region ready for you, and we are also happy to provide our well-filled picnic bag.
Hiking on the Main loop
Experience the Mainschleife in Volkach at its most beautiful: our hotel is the perfect starting point for varied hikes through one of the most beautiful landscapes in Franken. Between vineyards, picturesque paths and the Main, you will discover unique nature experiences, just a few kilometres from Würzburg. Anyone who has once explored the diversity of the region on foot is happy to return. We will gladly prepare a carefully packed hiking rucksack for your tour, filled with Franconian delicacies.
Events on the Mainschleife
Franconian joie de vivre in Volkach: alongside the Volkacher Wine Festival our cosy little town has much more to offer in the way of culture and entertainment, including concerts, trade fairs, markets & flea markets. So you can make your holiday active and varied. You can find all the latest dates and events here in the Volkach events calendar.
Museum Barockscheune
Experience the history of Volkach: The permanent exhibition in the Museum Barockscheune showcases the landscape, culture and history of the town of Volkach. Topics such as early history, everyday life and viticulture bring the region’s past to life. The centrepiece is the Salbuch of the town scribe Nikolas Brobst from 1504. The historic building from 1714, once used as a barn, now provides the perfect setting for the museum.
City tours Volkach
City and themed tours in Volkach: discover the historic old town, little alleys and special sights on varied tours with experienced guides. Whether a classic city tour, gourmet nibble tour, wine experience or handcart tour – experience Volkach in an entertaining way and learn interesting facts about the history and special features of the town.
Maria in the Vineyard
High above the vineyards of Volkacher Kirchberg, the pilgrimage church Maria im Weingarten invites you on a special journey through time. Open from April to October, it impresses with remarkable art by Tilman Riemenschneider and atmospheric insights on small guided tours. It is best known for the Rosary Madonna, whose spectacular art theft in 1962 once caused a great stir. Today, the Gothic masterpiece is back in its original place and attracts pilgrims, art lovers and visitors from all over the world.
City breaks around the Main loop
From the Volkacher Mainschleife, you can discover the most beautiful cities in Franken in complete relaxation on varied day trips. Stroll through the historic old town of Bamberg with its winding alleyways, the famous half-timbered ensemble and the unique riverside atmosphere. Let yourself be enchanted by the medieval charm of Rothenburg ob der Tauber with its town walls, towers and romantic lanes. Enjoy magnificent Baroque architecture, the impressive Residenz and the lively way of life right on the Main in Würzburg. Or experience Schweinfurt as a modern cultural city with exciting museums, art and urban flair. Four cities, four special experiences – and your perfect base is the Volkacher Mainschleife.
Treetop Walk
Floating between treetops, in harmony with nature: experience forest and nature up close and enjoy a small adventure in the heart of the green. The walkable treetop trail in the Steigerwald Nature Park in Ebrach runs mostly at canopy level and leads to a tower 42 metres high, from where you can enjoy completely new impressions of nature. There is also a red deer and roe deer enclosure, a petting zoo and a playground. Food and drink are provided. Perfect for the whole family!
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FAQ Questions & answers about the Mainschleife
The Volkacher Mainschleife is one of the best-known meanders of the Main in Lower Franconia. It is regarded as the heart of Franconian viticulture and brings together vineyards, small wine-growing villages and impressive scenery in a small area.
Naturally in Volkach, at the Romantik® Hotel Zur Schwane. The view is particularly impressive from the Terroir F viewpoint above the vineyards. Here, a sweeping view opens up over the vineyard slopes and the winding Main.
Volkacher Weinfest takes place every year around 15 August on Frankens most beautiful festival grounds directly by the town wall and is one of the largest and most atmospheric wine festivals in Franken.
Among the most popular sights are the historic old town of Volkach, the pilgrimage church Maria im Weingarten, numerous viewpoints over the vineyards, the winemaking villages of Sommerach, Nordheim am Main and Escherndorf, as well as the Main cycle path.
The region is beautiful all year round. Spring and summer are particularly popular for hiking and cycling, while autumn is ideal for the grape harvest and the many wine festivals.
Visitors can go canoeing, hiking, cycling, sporty road bike tours along the Main and through the nearby Steigerwald, or mountain biking, take boat trips on the Main, enjoy wine tastings, visit wine festivals (there is almost always one nearby between April and September), discover the regional cuisine or explore historic towns and wine villages.
The region belongs to the Franconian wine-growing area. Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Riesling and Spätburgunder are particularly well known. Many wineries offer wine tastings and cellar tours.
Yes. The region is excellently connected to the Main cycle path and offers numerous signposted cycle tours through vineyards, nature reserves and historic wine villages.
Yes. Popular options include wine hiking trails, panoramic trails and circular hikes with splendid views of the Main and the Franconian vineyards.