Residence Ansbach | Tickets & Parking

The Residence Ansbach combines courtly splendor and vibrant city greenery in the heart of Ansbach: The historic Margrave Palace with 27 state rooms, a banquet hall, and a mirror cabinet opens its doors exclusively as part of hourly guided tours – an advantage, as you gain in-depth insights, answers to questions, and details that might be missed during a self-guided tour. Directly opposite is the Court Garden with Orangerie: a baroque garden complex with a double lime tree avenue, medicinal herb garden, and seasonal plantings, which is accessible free of charge year-round. Those looking for a break after the tour can find homemade cakes, coffee, and ice cream at the café in the Orangerie – with a view of the greenery. Getting there is easy: From the bus hub Schlossplatz, it's just a few steps away, and several parking areas are within walking distance. Convenient for families: Children and teenagers up to 17 years can visit the residence for free; adults pay affordable ticket prices. Seasonal opening hours, a clear tour rhythm, and well-signposted parking options make the Residence Ansbach a stress-free destination for culture lovers, groups, and families alike.

Admission Prices, Tickets, and Tours at the Residence Ansbach

For the Residence Ansbach, visits are only possible with a guided tour. This has tradition and is also a promise of quality. The palace and garden administration offers hourly tours that vary by season: From April to September, tours start every full hour between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (last start at 5:00 PM). From October to March, shorter times apply, with the last tour starting at 3:00 PM. Operations are closed on Mondays – with few exceptions on certain holidays. To ensure the group can be guided effectively and all visitors can see enough, a moderate pace is chosen; questions are welcome, allowing the context of the rooms – from courtly ceremonies to collections – to come alive.

The ticket structure is straightforward: In 2025, adults pay €5 regularly, and those eligible for discounts pay €4. A real plus for families and school classes: Children and teenagers up to and including 17 years have free admission. Those coming with a group should ideally register in advance; special and thematic tours – for example, on music at court or specifically for families – are advertised separately and can be booked for a small additional fee. Tip: Plan for 60 to 75 minutes for the tour and consider a waiting time until the next full hour during busier times. During renovation work (currently on the facade or individual rooms), there may be slight restrictions; the essential stations – banquet hall, mirror cabinet, tile hall – usually remain part of the tour. For international guests, participation with a German-speaking guide and accompanying informational material is recommended; individual foreign language tours are possible upon request if corresponding capacities are available.

Practical for families: Children's tours are regularly offered as separate dates. They playfully explore the Margrave era, guide through selected rooms, and connect observation with short stories – ideal for children aged about 8 to 12 years with an accompanying person. For school classes or youth groups, pedagogically prepared tour formats are available; registration is required. Barrier information (e.g., elevators, companion service, accessible WCs) is provided by the administration; on-site staff assist with accessibility to individual areas. Those who want to stay flexible can conveniently purchase tickets at the palace cash desk in the Gothic Hall and time their visit to the Court Garden before or after. This creates a well-rounded day between art, garden, and a break at the café.

Parking at the Residence Ansbach: Access, Parking Spaces, and Public Transport

The residence is centrally located at Promenade 27, directly at the Court Garden. Those arriving by public transport can take the bus to the Schlossplatz stop – from there, short walking paths through the promenade lead directly to the entrance of the residence and into the Court Garden. Train travelers can reach the palace area from Ansbach station on foot in a pleasant walk or by city bus. For drivers, there are several nearby parking options in different price categories and distances.

Particularly close to the residence is the parking lot Rezatwiese East/Middle (Residenzstraße 3). It offers over 300 parking spaces, is usually subject to fees during the day, closed at night between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, and has a maximum parking duration. Fees are usually calculated in half-hour increments; parking is free on many municipal spaces on Sundays and holidays. Access is restricted by height – important for tall vehicles or vans. Also attractive is the Hofwiese parking lot at the conference center Onoldia, directly opposite the Orangerie. It is well-suited for longer stays in the Court Garden or a combined palace and garden visit, as the paths are short and clear.

Those who prefer parking in a garage can use the Altstadt/Mühlbach parking garage. It allows longer parking durations, has a clear daily maximum fee, and is reachable from the residence in just a few minutes. Other inner-city alternatives (e.g., near sports facilities or the exhibition grounds) offer some free parking spaces; the paths to the old town and the residence are marked as a short walk. Generally, in Ansbach, many zones are subject to fees Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM; check the signage on-site. Designated parking spaces are available for people with disabilities in the area; there are also accessible WCs in the residence area (access with the assistance of museum staff). Those wishing to shop after their visit can find additional options at the Brücken-Center (some with their own parking rates) – although with a slightly longer walking distance. Navigation tip: Enter the address Promenade 27 as your destination or head directly to the parking lots Rezatwiese or Hofwiese; for bus groups, prior consultation with the administration is recommended to organize access and disembarkation smoothly.

Interiors, Floor Plan, and Banquet Hall: What You Will See on the Tour

The Residence Ansbach is an evolved complex that received its current form in the 18th century under Margrave Karl Wilhelm Friedrich. The main floor is divided into three representative room sequences: the apartment of the margrave, that of the margravine, and a guest apartment. This floor plan reflects the courtly ceremony with clearly separated functional and representation areas. On the tour through 27 state rooms, visitors experience the diversity of this courtly world in original furnishings, which have remained largely unchanged since the end of the Margrave era. Outstanding is the double-height banquet hall (often called the Carlone Hall) with a monumental ceiling fresco by the painter Carlo Carlone from the years 1735/36. The pictorial program glorifies the margrave – classic for the self-presentation of the 18th century – and unfolds over a space designed in proportion and acoustics for splendid festivities and court music.

A second highlight is the sparkling mirror cabinet with exquisite pieces of Meissen porcelain. The mirrors multiply light and shapes; the porcelain appears as if on stage. The tile hall, in turn, displays faience tiles from Ansbach production and illustrates the importance of local manufactories. In the Gothic Hall, an older building component with ribbed vaulting, the state collection “Ansbach Faience and Porcelain” (Bayer Collection) is present – a deep insight into the forms, decors, and use of the precious goods. A special feature that surprises many visitors is the mounted margravial horses from the 18th century: illustrative evidence of courtly riding culture and collecting passion.

Depending on the state of renovations, there may be minor changes in the tour – for example, if the facade is scaffolded or conservation work is taking place in the banquet hall. The tours adapt to this and explain the backgrounds: Why a layer needs to be newly consolidated, what technology is used for today's restoration, how historical color coatings are uncovered. The result is often an increase in understanding: You see not only splendor but also the work that enables its preservation. Those interested in the “architecture behind the splendor” should pay attention to the sequence of rooms, the sight axes, and the artistically designed doors and fireplaces. This creates – without a plan in hand – a sense of the floor plan and the logic of courtly movement in the palace.

Court Garden and Orangerie: Walk, Café, and Events

Directly adjacent to the residence is the Court Garden: one of the most beautiful garden complexes in Bavaria, newly laid out in baroque style from 1724 and later supplemented with elements of the English landscape park. It is freely accessible daily and offers changing moods throughout the seasons. From November to February, the gates open early in the morning and close in the evening; in summer (April to August), the opening hours extend into the late evening. Characteristic are the large double lime tree avenue, lush summer flower parterres, and in the front area, the display of numerous potted plants, including over 150 citrus and other Mediterranean species in the warm season. A medicinal herb garden recalls the long tradition of botany in Ansbach and honors scholars like Leonhart Fuchs.

The Orangerie at the southern edge of the garden is a baroque building by Carl Friedrich von Zocha. Its architecture cites French models: The north facade echoes the colonnades of the Louvre, while the south side incorporates motifs from the Grand Trianon in Versailles. The elongated building with pavilions creates a representative setting for festivities, concerts, and conferences. Today, the Orangerie is a popular event location; the foyer is suitable for standing receptions for up to about 200 people. For companies, associations, and private celebrations, additional halls are available; modern conference technology such as Wi-Fi, projector, and microphone is provided. Conveniently: Parking spaces can be used in the immediate vicinity or partially rented directly at the Orangerie; for guests, the pathway is clear, and the signage in the park facilitates orientation.

For those who simply want to enjoy, there is seating in the café of the Orangerie. Afternoon offerings include coffee, cakes, and ice cream – no hot meals, but classic pastry delights in a historic setting. From the terrace, there is a view of the garden areas; on warm days, a nearly southern lifestyle is created here, enhanced by the potted plant culture presented in front of the Orangerie in summer. For families, the Court Garden is a welcome play and discovery space between palace visits and the journey home; benches and shaded areas are sufficiently available. Accessible paths facilitate access; the administration staff is available to assist with questions. Those planning their visit can use the Court Garden as a start to the tour or as a conclusion – in both cases, a harmonious transition between indoors and outdoors, between observed art and lived urban landscape results.

History of the Residence Ansbach in Brief

The roots of the Residence Ansbach date back to the Middle Ages. From a water castle, a representative Renaissance wing developed in the 16th century under master builder Blasius Berwart. However, the current form is primarily shaped by the 18th century: Under Margrave Karl Wilhelm Friedrich, the four-wing complex was expanded in baroque style, with elaborate apartments, banquet halls, and cabinets. Architect Leopoldo Retti was responsible for large parts of the interior design between 1734 and 1745 – a period in which rococo forms, fine stuccos, and illusionistic painting dominated the image. With the end of the Margrave era at the end of the 18th century, the need to continuously modernize the state rooms ceased; much remained in its original state – a stroke of luck for posterity.

Politically, the residence is a focal point of Bavarian history. In 1796, Maximilian Freiherr von Montgelas presented a reform program in Ansbach to the later King Max Joseph, which is considered the cornerstone of modern Bavarian statehood – with ideas for administrative organization, education, and the abolition of corvée labor. After political changes, Ansbach became Bavarian; since 1806, the residence has served as the seat of the government of Middle Franconia. This dual use – administrative location and museum – shapes the house to this day: While parts of the administration work, the state rooms are publicly accessible through tours. The Gothic Hall reflects the older building history; here is the state collection of Ansbach faience and porcelain (Bayer Collection), complementing the tour with a local, artisanal chapter.

The garden also tells history: The area already used in the 16th century was baroque restructured from 1724 and later relaxed in the sense of the English landscape idea – today both concepts are united. The Orangerie – intended as a protective winter quarters for sensitive plants and as festive architecture – embodies baroque garden culture, where pleasure and utility coincide. The practice of cultivating citrus plants in pots and presenting them seasonally continues to this day and is particularly impressive to experience in the summer months in front of the Orangerie.

Experiences and Tips from Reviews

Visitor reports paint a coherent picture: The friendly, knowledgeable tours are repeatedly praised – many find the combination of historical facts, anecdotes, and room effects very successful. The price-performance ratio is positively highlighted: For a low ticket price, you gain access to 27 splendid rooms, see highlights like the mirror cabinet with Meissen porcelain, the tile hall, and the grand banquet hall. Families appreciate that children and teenagers have free admission; this facilitates spontaneous visits and makes the palace a good destination on weekends or during holidays. Groups report that prior registration is helpful, especially on days with thematic special tours.

Useful for planning is also the note on ongoing renovations: If the facade is scaffolded, it hardly affects the interiors – the sequence of rooms remains experienceable, and the tours competently guide through any detours. Some visitors recommend arriving a bit earlier to catch the next full hour without waiting or planning the day so that the Court Garden and Orangerie can be enjoyed – a walk in the greenery offers the right contrast to the abundance of impressions in the palace. Those arriving by car highlight the proximity of the Rezatwiese and Hofwiese parking lots; as an alternative, the Altstadt/Mühlbach parking garage or free spaces near sports facilities are mentioned (with a longer walking distance). Praise is given for cleanliness, orientation on-site, and accessibility; the staff is described as helpful, even when it comes to organizing children's tours or questions about accessibility.

For photography enthusiasts, the Court Garden and Orangerie are recommended – especially in the late afternoon when the light becomes soft and the potted plants shine in front of the historic facade. Those wanting to photograph interiors should inquire about the current rules on-site. Culinary experiences often conclude with a visit to the café of the Orangerie: classic cakes and pastries, coffee, and ice cream in a quiet location. Overall, this creates a well-rounded visit that combines culture, history, and relaxation – with short distances, clear information, and a dense experience in the heart of the city.

Sources:

• Bavarian Palace Administration – Residence Ansbach (Opening Hours, Admission, Tours)
• Bavarian Palace Administration – Court Garden Ansbach (Opening Hours, Information)
• Tourist Info Ansbach – Residence Ansbach (Highlights, 27 State Rooms)
• Tourist Info Ansbach – Court Garden (Description, Contact)
• Tourist Info Ansbach – Orangerie (History, Parking Information)
• Orangerie Ansbach – Café and Event Rooms (Offer, Technology, Accessibility)
• City of Ansbach – Parking (Parking Zones, Fee Times, Overview)
• Parking Lot Rezatwiese East/Middle – Information and Fees
• ADAC Maps – Residence Ansbach (Room Highlights, Short Information)
• Wikipedia – Residence Ansbach (Building History, Overview)
• Wikipedia – Orangerie Ansbach (Architecture, History)