It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Kronach, Hof, Bayreuth and Lichtenfels.

The last margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth (as Brandenburg-Kulmbach was called now) abdicated in 1792 in order to cede his property to his cousin, the king of Prussia.

According to a tour guide in Kulmbach, the castle Plassenburg was used by Adolf Hitler as the headquarters for his Highway Department.

The highway "A9" was built under Nazi rule, connecting Berlin and Munich, and running past Kulmbach.

The city is also known for a brewery, producing the strongest beer (11.8% alcohol) available in Germany[citation needed].