Regensburg combines a medieval urban landscape with significant buildings and a wide range of museum topics. The Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof is an outstanding example of a medieval Central European trading centre and illustrates the exchange of cultural and architectural influences. The Old Town and Stadtamhof together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Old Town has preserved its original medieval layout since the 14th century. During a stay, you can discover history both in the urban landscape and at individual buildings and exhibitions.
Old Town, Cathedral and Architectural History
St. Peter’s Cathedral is the only Gothic cathedral in Bavaria. It also has the most extensive surviving collection of medieval stained glass in the German-speaking world. Near the cathedral is document Niedermünster: the archaeological excavation site lies beneath the Romanesque Niedermünster Church. document Niedermünster presents historical developments from the 2nd to the 12th century through 3D reconstructions and a lighting concept.
The Porta Praetoria is also one of the highlights of a visit to Regensburg. The construction history of the Stone Bridge dates back to 1135, when its construction began. The surviving bridge tower on the town side offers an excellent view over Regensburg. Together, these places offer different ways to explore the city’s history: from archaeological layers to Gothic architecture and a structure whose history reaches back to the Middle Ages.
Museums and the History of St. Emmeram
The House of Bavarian History is located right on the Danube. There, visitors can experience historical theatre and staged displays across 30 stages, with around 1,000 exhibits, numerous multimedia installations and an area of around 2,500 square metres. The museum thus combines different ways of presenting history with a wide-ranging exhibition in one building.
Another highlight is the extensive complex of buildings belonging to the former Imperial Abbey of St. Emmeram. Since 1812, it has been the main residence of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis. A guided tour of the Palace Museum introduces visitors to courtly living culture from the Baroque period to Historicism in lavishly furnished living and reception rooms. The Carriage Museum of the Princely Thurn and Taxis Museums complements this perspective with an extensive collection of carriages, sleighs, sedan chairs and carrying chairs from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Guided Tours and Views of the Danube
Certified guides in Regensburg offer classic city tours and themed walks covering history, architecture or local life. A tour can therefore be tailored to a particular interest. The visitor programme offers ways to experience Regensburg on foot, by bus, boat or bicycle; it also includes cruises on the Danube. If you are planning a boat trip, check the dates in advance.
More Places in the Wider Regensburg Destination
The wider Regensburg destination also includes independent attractions such as Walhalla in Donaustauf. The Neoclassical Hall of Fame and Honour stands on the Danube; since 1842, notable Germans and figures associated with German history have been commemorated there with marble busts and plaques. From the outside, Walhalla is designed in the Doric style, with 52 columns. Its Neoclassical design therefore stands alongside the city’s medieval buildings.
From Regensburg, near the Stone Bridge, passenger boats operated by Klinger and Wurm & Noé travel along the Danube to the foot of Walhalla from Easter to October. Check sailing dates before your trip. From the bus stop, the walk to Walhalla takes around 20 minutes and includes 358 steps. The walking time is an approximate guide; also take the conditions along the route into account when planning.
A different regional highlight awaits at the Nepal-Himalaya Park in Wiesent. The nine-hectare park combines Asian culture and nature, featuring a Nepalese temple, a diverse perennial garden and numerous Asian artworks. The grounds include a Himalayan garden and a Chinese garden, as well as more than 6,200 different plant species. When planning your trip, you can therefore weigh up medieval city history against a garden and nature experience elsewhere in the wider destination.
When looking for accommodation in Regensburg, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: will your itinerary centre mainly on the Old Town, architectural history and museums, or would you also like to include regional destinations such as Walhalla or the Nepal-Himalaya Park? This decision gives your accommodation search a clear focus.
Discover more destinations: Wörth an der Donau, Donaustauf, Kallmünz, Brunn, Wiesent, Wenzenbach, Neutraubling, Zeitlarn
View the wider travel overview: Regensburg.
