Regensburg, the historic city on the Danube, will not only enchant you with its well-preserved medieval centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out our guide with tips on things to do in Regensburg.
Today, we’ll take a look at the best places to visit in Regensburg to build an itinerary for 1 or 2 days in the city. We’ll also add tips on how to enjoy your visit to Regensburg in Germany (transport, parking, public transport, food, accommodation, map).
Best things to do in Regensburg – map
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of things to do in Regensburg, Germany. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the Regensburg guide. If you want to save the map, star it. It will then be saved to your Google Maps and can be retrieved at any time on your mobile phone or computer. For a larger version of the map, click on the icon in the top right corner.
Things to do in Regensburg: Best places to visit
Walk through the charming streets of the historic centre, cross the old stone bridge from the 12th century and discover the corners of the Stadtamhof district, located on the other side of the Danube.
The surroundings of the city, which stretch around the Danube valley, are also worth a visit. So today we’re going to show you the best things to do in Regensburg.
1. St. Peter’s Cathedral
St. Peter’s Cathedral is the heart of Regensburg. The imposing Gothic church where the baptism of 14 unknown Bohemian princes took place in 845 and which, together with the diocese of Rezekne, helped to lay the foundations for the development of the Bohemian Church.
St Peter’s Cathedral is free to enter (donations are welcome). Opening hours vary by season:
- November to March: Monday to Saturday 6:30-17:00, Sunday and public holidays 13:00-17:00
- April, May and October: monday to saturday 6:30-18:00, sunday and holidays 13:00-18:00
- June to September: Monday to Saturday 6:30-19:00, Sunday and public holidays 13:00-19:00
HOTELS IN REGENSBURG 😴
2. Old Town
Around St Peter’s Cathedral lies the old town. With narrow cobbled streets lined with medieval houses in pastel colours. You can stroll around for hours, go to a cosy café for a bite to eat or shop for souvenirs in one of the tucked-away shops.
The old town is charming and perfectly preserved, so it is rightly a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wandering around the old town, you will reach Haidplatz Square, one of the most important squares in Regensburg.
A few streets away is Bismarckplatz, a bustling square with two fountains flanked by trees with benches in their shade.
3. Old Town Hall
You can’t miss the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) while strolling through the streets of the old town. It is an impressive medieval building with a distinctive tower that has stood here since 1245.
The entrance fee is €7.5 and the guided or audio-guided tour takes about an hour. Opening hours vary by season, but it always opens at 10:00. Next door is the tourist information office, where you can buy tickets inside.
4. Stone Bridge
The stone bridge in Regensburg is one of the most important bridges in the world. It comes from the 12th century and was the model for many important bridges including Avignon, London and Judith’s Bridge in Prague.
It is still perfectly preserved. You can walk along it and admire the Danube River flowing beneath it.
☞ Itinerary for 2 days in Regensburg
Cross the bridge to reach the Stadtamhof district, which we’ll talk more about now.
5. Stadtamhof
Stadtamhof is a medieval quarter situated on an island in the middle of the Danube. It was formerly a separate village, which later became part of Regensburg. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Old Town.
After the bridge, you will reach the main street, which is lined with many restaurants. Smaller streets lead off from it and lead to the Danube.
6. House of Bavarian History
The museum in Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte (House of Bavarian History) is not to be missed. It forms a perfect contrast to the historic centre. A modern, partially glazed building that houses artefacts from Bavarian history. From football jerseys to a gilded carriage, here you can learn all about Bavaria in a clear and interactive way.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays from 9:00-18:00. Admission to the permanent exhibition is €7 and a reduced admission fee of €5 for seniors over 65 and disabled persons. Free admission for children under 18 and students under 30. You can find the latest information here.
7. St. Emmeram Castle and Basilica
St. Emmeram Castle, also known as Thurn and Taxis Palace, is a magnificent castle on the edge of the city centre that houses ornate halls inside. The palace was originally a monastery and then it was rebuilt into the residence of the princely family of Thurn and Taxis.
You can visit the castle on a guided tour. Find more information here.
Adjacent to the chateau is the Basilica of St. Emmeram, which looks unassuming from the outside but is richly decorated inside. Admission is free, donations are welcome.
8. Walhalla Memorial
If you visit Regensburg, you cannot miss a visit to the Walhalla Memorial. An imposing non-classical building that towers over the Danube. Inside is a marble hall with busts and statues of famous Germans.
The memorial is free to get to and open 24/7. There is a charge for entry – full admission is €4.5 and reduced admission is €4 for seniors over 65 and disabled. Children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge.
Opening hours vary by season:
- April-October: 9:00-18:00
- November-March: 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00
How to get to the Walhalla Monument
Walhalla is located a few kilometres from Regensburg. If you’re driving, you can park a short distance away in the pay parking lot – there’s a machine with a price of €2.50 for 2 hours (less is not possible). From the car park, go up the stairs and in 5 minutes you will reach the memorial. There are also free refreshments and toilets.
Or get on a boat in Regensburg that sails to the foot of the monument. Here you will find more information.
HOTELS IN REGENSBURG 😴
9. Hall of Liberation
Moving a little further away from Regensburg, the Liberation Hall (Befreiungshalle Kelheim) is located to the southwest. A monumental monument with a white facade that you can see from afar, literally rising out of the forest above the Danube.
The building was commissioned by King Ludwig I as a memorial to the victorious battles against Napoleon and as a symbol of German unity, just like the Walhalla Monument and other buildings in Bavaria.
The Liberation Hall is accessible from the outside free of charge. If you want to see it from the inside, you can take a picture of the ticket in the turnstiles.
And it’s really beautiful inside! The domed hall has a decorated coffered ceiling and walls with niches, rows of arcades and galleries.
Full admission is €4.50 and reduced admission is €4 for seniors over 65 and disabled. Children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge.
Open daily: April to October 9:00-18:00 and November to March 10:00-16:00. The ticket office closes 45 minutes before.
How to visit the Liberation Hall
The Liberation Hall is located above the town of Kelheim, which is worth seeing in itself.
The easiest way to get here is by car. There is a paid valet parking – €2.50 for the whole day. From here you can see the monument in the distance. If you’re planning to visit it from the inside too, the ticket office is located just off the parking lot on the right (there’s also a restaurant).
After a short walk along the asphalt road you will reach the Liberation Hall. Along the way, enjoy views of the Danube.
10. Weltenburg Monastery and Danube Gorge
The Danube Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in Bavaria, located just 35 minutes from Regensburg. An area full of greenery and white rocks that flanks the Danube River between Weltenburg and Kelheim. You can also see the whole route from the boat that passes between these places.
One of the best views of the gorge is from Weltenburg Monastery. There are several trails in the area. You can cross the bridge and climb to the top, where you can see the monastery and the Danube River in all its glory.
How to get to the Danube Gorge
Paid parking for the monastery and the gorge is located in the village of Weltenburg (€4.5 for the whole day, cash only). From here, you can walk along a well-maintained path to the monastery in about 15 minutes along the Danube. It’s a nice, easy walk with a beer garden at the end.
11. Wooden bridge Tatzlwurm
The last place on our list of things to see in and around Regensburg is the Tatzlwurm wooden bridge. It is one of the longest bridges of its kind in Europe and is unique in its undulating shape.
The bridge connects the two banks of the river on the Main-Danube Canal in Essing. In addition, there are beautiful views of the ruins of Randeck Castle.
If you’re only planning a short stop, you can park your car for free along the road in Essing.
But you can spend the whole day here. There are hiking trails in the area and a very popular bike path around the canal.
Ruins of Randeck Castle
Alternatively, you can head to the ruins of Randeck Castle (the car park is about 200 metres from the castle), where you can climb up the tower for €2 and enjoy the views of the surrounding area.
Next door is a family-run inn with a terrace overlooking the valley – it’s closed in winter, so check opening times here beforehand.
Where to stay in Regensburg
- ibis Styles Regensburg – Modern hotel with a perfect location for those arriving by car, ideal accommodation for couples and families with children (playground and games room included)
- Holiday Inn Express – Newly furnished, stylish hotel near Regensburg Central Station
- Hotel am Peterstor – A cosy, smaller hotel in the city centre, which is also just 5 minutes across the park from the train station
- Novotel Regensburg Zentrum – 4* design hotel near the centre with quality services
How to get to Regensburg
By bus and train
Regensburg is very easily accessible by bus and train. If you are looking for the cheapest and fastest option, choose Flixbus buses. There are several daily connections from ÚAN Florenc in Prague. In 3.5 hours you will reach your destination at the main station in Regensburg. Tickets start at about 360 CZK for a one-way trip.
If you prefer trains, there are several daily connections on offer with prices starting at around CZK 800 for a one-way journey. The Western Express train from Czech Railways also stops in Pilsen or Domažlice on the way and arrives in Regensburg in 4 hours.
Tip: You can search and purchase at this link bus and train tickets in one place (no surcharge).
By car
If you’re driving to Regensburg, remember that the historic part of the city is a low-emission zone. This means you need a green plaque to enter this zone, which you stick on your windscreen. You can use it not only to Regensburg, but also to other cities in Germany where the low-emission zone has been introduced (Berlin, Munich, Dresden and others).
The minimum standard for entry into the low emission zone is Euro 4 for Diesel (date of car manufacture 2005 and above) and Euro 1 for petrol (date of car manufacture 1992 and above). However, you should still check which emission standard your car meets on the large technical certificate.
You can order your eco-plaque online for a fee of €6. It is advisable to book at least 3 weeks before your arrival in Berlin so that it can arrive at your home.
But if you don’t have a green plaque, you can get along just fine without one. The historic centre is not large and you can park around it. Afterwards, the centre can be reached in a few minutes on foot or by public transport, depending on where you parked.
☞ How to protect yourself when travelling by car: Auto insurance provides you with car insurance to get your car repaired, towed to a garage, transported back home or a replacement vehicle if needed. They will arrange and communicate everything for you.
Parking in Regensburg
- Parkhaus Petersweg – parking garage in the south of the historic centre, green sticker required, maximum 12 €/day
- Parkhaus am Dachauplatz – parking garage in the east of the centre by the main road, green sticker required, maximum 12 €/day
- Parkplatz Unterer Wöhrd – large free car park about 10 minutes from the centre, often busy, especially in high season, no green plaque needed
- Parkplatz Wöhrdstraße – smaller outdoor car park 5 minutes from the centre, short-term parking for 3 hours only, €0.50/30 minutes, free on Saturdays after 14:00 and Sundays, but often full, no green placard required
- P+R at Jahnstadion – south of the city and easily accessible by public bus that goes all the way to the city centre, parking rate €1 – parking ticket includes 1 round trip bus ride to the city centre for all passengers, parking is not available on home football match days, no green plaque required
- P+R Regensburg West – the outdoor car park is located 7 minutes from the centre by bus, you do not pay a parking fee – instead, you buy a day ticket for transport in RVV in the RV app (6 € for 2 people or 8,50 € for 5 people), which includes the parking fee for this car park, you do not need a green plaque
You will also find the parking lots marked on the map at the end of the article.
Public transport in Regensburg
The public transport system in Regensburg is mainly operated by Regensburger Verkehrsbetriebe (RVV) and includes buses and trams. These connect the historic city centre with the suburban areas and key locations such as Regensburg University and the main train station. Bus line A runs through the historic centre throughout the day.
A single ticket costs €2.90 (€3.40 with the driver) and €1.60 for children aged 6-15. A good option is a day ticket for €6 for 2 people or €8.50 for 5 people. All-day tickets are valid from Monday to Friday from 9:00 and all day on weekends and public holidays.
Tickets can be bought from ticket machines at selected stops. The easiest option is to download the RVV app and buy tickets through it.
Find out more about public transport in Regensburg on the RVV website, where you can also download the RVV app.
☞ How to protect yourself while travelling: Travel insurance not only covers medical expenses, but also situations such as trip cancellation, loss of luggage or liability insurance, so it takes care of your safety while travelling. Find out more about it, what all travel insurance covers.
Where to eat in Regensburg
Regensburg offers plenty of places to go for a good meal. Here are some of our tips, which you can also find in the map at the end of the article:
- Weltenburger am Dom – traditional Bavarian restaurant near St. Peter’s Cathedral
- Cupcakery – a sweet spot in the form of cupcakes at the cathedral
- Café Lila – for breakfast, brunch or dessert
- Dicker Mann – traditional Austrian cuisine with a great atmosphere
- Brauereigaststätte Kneitinger – Bavarian cuisine with its own brewery
- Historische Wurstkuchl – for traditional sausages with sauerkraut and beer in the centre right by the Danube
- Spitalgarten – a popular restaurant in Stadtamhof with a beer garden and a view of the Danube
- Kuchenbar – cosy café with homemade cakes
- Malefiz – Café & Bar – a pleasant café ideal for a small snack or dessert
☞ Itinerary for 2 days in Regensburg
These were our tips on things to do in Regensburg. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Germany
REGENSBURG: Check out our itinerary for 2 days in Regensburg.
GERMANY: Get inspired with tips on things to do in Germany.
BERLIN: Berlin has something for everyone – take your pick from our tips on things to do in Berlin. Or plan your itinerary for 3 days in Berlin.
HAMBURG: Hamburg is considered by some to be the most beautiful city in Germany. Take a look at our tips on things to do in Hamburg and form your own opinion.
DRESDEN: Dresden is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany – here are tips on things to do in Dresden.
☞ Go to the Germany travel guide.
