At the Jura Museum in Eichstätt, you can see the original Eichstätt Archaeopteryx specimen; the museum also displays fossils from the Solnhofen Plattenkalk limestone deposits. Together with Willibaldsburg Castle, the buildings around Cathedral Square and trails around the city, these offer different ways to shape a stay in Eichstätt. You can focus on natural history and architecture or plan time outdoors—depending on what matters to you on your trip.

Museums and Architecture in Eichstätt

The Jura Museum and the Museum of Prehistory and Early History are located in Willibaldsburg Castle. The Jura Museum brings together two subjects: fossils from the Solnhofen Plattenkalk limestone deposits and the original Eichstätt Archaeopteryx specimen. Anyone interested in fossils can also search for them at the fossil quarry on Blumenberg. Check local access conditions before visiting.

Willibaldsburg Castle was built in 1355 by Bishop Berthold Burgrave of Zollern and served as the bishop's residence until 1725. Among the surviving features of the 420-meter-long castle are its walls and bastions, the armory, the 63-meter-long gate hall, and the Gemmingen building with its two towers. These historic details give a visit to the museum a distinctive architectural setting.

The cathedral and its surroundings are another highlight. Together with the cloister and the two-aisled Mortuarium, Eichstätt Cathedral is one of Bavaria's most important medieval architectural monuments. The buildings around Cathedral Square have shaped the cityscape to this day, remaining almost unchanged and creating a cohesive ensemble. Cathedral Square is located on the city's oldest inhabited ground. Residenzplatz, meanwhile, is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque squares in southern Germany and an architectural ensemble of world renown.

Gardens, Fossils and Outdoor Trails

At Willibaldsburg Castle, the 1,500-square-meter Bastion Garden adds a garden dimension to the historic surroundings. Destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, the Hortus Eystettensis was brought back to life 400 years later; the Bastion Garden reopened in 1998. Visitors can discover many of the original plant species there. Today, exotic and endangered plants are also on display. The garden thus links the history of the Hortus Eystettensis with a contemporary presentation of plants.

There are several ways to get active outdoors. Eichstätt is a starting point for numerous cycling tours, including routes along the Altmühltal Cycle Route. The city also lies on the Altmühltal Panorama Trail and the Altmühl boat route. Check current local conditions before planning. If you would rather explore the area around the city on foot, you can take the Eichstätt Panorama Trail, which runs along the surrounding slopes and ridges. The listed starting points are Eichstätt Stadt railway station or the Tourist Information Office at Domplatz 8; here, too, it is advisable to check conditions before setting out.

Another hiking option is the Fossil Trail Eichstätt, a moderately difficult, nine-kilometer circular route for families. The comparison can help with planning: the Panorama Trail is described by its route and starting points, while the Fossil Trail is characterized by its length, circular format and difficulty level. This lets you choose the kind of outing that suits your planned stay without trying to fit every subject into the same itinerary.

Food and the Right Place to Stay

Culinary events may also be useful to consider when planning your trip: several times a year, the Eichstätt Genuss-Wirte (Eichstätt's participating restaurants) serve special dishes under the motto “Eichstätt cooks...,” including savory Altmühltal lamb dishes. As the event takes place several times a year, it may be worth checking the dates before your trip.

Culinary offerings can complement your chosen focus. A short stay need not cover every subject: choosing what interests you lets you plan your time around your preferences. Then compare hotels based on your personal requirements and the specific details of each offer.

Discover more destinations: Walting, Wasserzell, Mindelstetten, Kösching, Schernfeld, Beilngries, Pförring, Mörnsheim.

Go to the main travel overview: Eichstätt.