In a nutshell
- Landshut is compact — you can easily cover all the highlights in a single day.
- Our personal favorites among the Landshut attractions: Trausnitz Castle (the views are seriously worth it) and the stunning Town Hall.
- Beyond the sights, there are some great activities and events to plan around — don’t leave without checking what’s on.
- Top picks: the tavern tour for a fun evening out, and the spectacular Landshuter Hochzeit if your timing is right.
Where Is Landshut in Germany?
Landshut is located in the south of Bavaria and is the capital of Lower Bavaria.
It sits right in the middle between Munich, Passau, and Regensburg. You only need about one hour to reach all three cities.
From Landshut, you can also get quickly to Austria and the Czech Republic — both are under two hours away.
If you’d rather stay in Germany, the Bavarian Forest is just under an hour away too.
The Top 10 Sights in Landshut
Landshut is small but mighty! Here you can stroll leisurely along the Isarpromenade and dine surrounded by impressive buildings in the historic center.
We’ll walk you through ten great things to do in Landshut and tell you which highlights you absolutely shouldn’t miss in this under-the-radar gem of Lower Bavaria.
Trausnitz Castle
Trausnitz Castle sits high above Landshut’s old town. From up here you’ll have a fantastic panorama of the surrounding area!
The castle was the main residence of Duke Ludwig, who founded Landshut, in the late 12th century. Today you can visit Trausnitz Castle Monday through Saturday on a guided tour. Tours start every 30 minutes. On Sundays and public holidays it’s also open without a guided tour.
You can also visit the Art and Wonder Chamber entirely without a guide. It belongs to the Bavarian National Museum and displays various works of art and exhibits from nature, foreign lands, and science.
Admission to the castle costs €5.50.
Our tip: On your way up to Trausnitz Castle, you’ll walk through the Court and Ducal Garden. It’s especially gorgeous in fall with its vivid colors! The small zoo is another Landshut highlight — you can even visit its 200 animals for free.
Ländtor
The impressive Ländtor is the gateway to Landshut’s historic district!
This is where the buses from the main train station into the city center stop. Through the brick gate you’ll enter the city’s picturesque shopping strip.
In the past, the Ländtor with its two towers was part of an outer gate of the zwinger surrounding the city.
Prantlgarten
The Prantlgarten sits right next to the Hofgarten. You should definitely visit in spring, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom everywhere.
Not visiting Landshut in spring? There’s still plenty to see in the Prantlgarten.
The Fritz und Maria König Sculpture Museum uses the garden for a small outdoor exhibition, with sculptures scattered throughout the entire park. The Burgenfestspiele Niederbayerns (Lower Bavarian Castle Festival) also takes place here, with Trausnitz Castle as the dramatic backdrop.
Stadtresidenz
Just as grand as Trausnitz Castle and also located right in the heart of Landshut’s old quarter, the Stadtresidenz stands diagonally across from the town hall.
The Stadtresidenz is an Italian Renaissance palace with an impressive history of art and architecture.
Heads up: The interior rooms are being restored until the end of 2026. As a result, you’ll unfortunately only be able to enjoy the view from the outside in some areas.
Landshut Town Hall
The town hall is absolutely a must-see when you’re exploring Landshut.
Three originally separate buildings in Gothic style were combined to create the Landshut Town Hall. The Römer in Frankfurt served as the model for the renovation.
Our tip: Try to catch a reading or cabaret performance in the grand hall — the countless chandeliers create a seriously breathtaking atmosphere!
If that doesn’t work out, the LANDSHUTmuseum also offers a guided tour of the grand hall.
St. Martin's Church
Just a three-minute walk from the town hall, there’s a serious risk of neck strain. That’s where St. Martin’s Church soars more than a hundred meters into the sky.
It took 115 years of laying bricks before this extraordinary church was finally complete.
With its Gothic style, it’s reminiscent of a well-known sight in Munich — the Frauenkirche! At 130.1 meters, the tower is the tallest brick tower in the world and the tallest church tower in Bavaria.
Our tip: Look closely to see if you can spot the cannonball embedded in the church’s façade!
Heilig-Geist-Kirche
The Heilig-Geist-Kirche is a secondary church of the St. Martin parish. Services are no longer held here — instead, the space hosts rotating exhibitions from Landshut’s museums.
Depending on the exhibition, you’ll be greeted by interesting sculptures or striking works of art inside. Best of all, the visit is free — making it a lovely little bonus stop on your Landshut itinerary.
Kleines Theater
The Kleines Theater started thirty years ago as an experiment with three actors and a single spotlight.
From a room in a backyard building, it has since grown into a 125-seat theater housed in a listed building. Out front stands a small red “k” — the Kleines Theater’s logo.
Productions include one-woman shows with Julia Koschitz and Ferdinand von Schirach’s gripping courtroom dramas.
Ringelstecherwiese
This park near the old town is frequently used for festivals and Pride events. But it’s also a great spot to simply soak up the sun and enjoy the views of the Isar.
The Ringelstecherwiese is also the venue for the Landshuter Hochzeit — a historical festival celebrated every four years.
Our tip: If you love folk festivals: not far from the Ringelstecherwiese, the Landshuter Dult takes place every spring and fall!
Mühleninsel
The Mühleninsel is located between the Isar and the Kleine Isar.
You can reach this little oasis via a wooden bridge. From here you get a lovely view of the old town skyline.
Our tip: The Neue Galerie Landshut – Ausstellungsraum Gotischer Stadel on the Mühleninsel showcases contemporary art with a particular focus on emerging artists. You can visit the rotating exhibitions free of charge Thursday through Sunday.
Landshut in One Day
Wondering what you can fit into a single day in Landshut? You can easily cover all the major Landshut highlights in one day and get a real feel for the city.
Here’s what your day in Landshut could look like:
- Visit Trausnitz Castle and enjoy the panorama over the city.
- Stroll through the Ländtor into Landshut’s old town and have lunch in the sun.
- Wander past the town hall, the Stadtresidenz, and St. Martin’s Church.
- Check out the exhibition at the Heilig-Geist-Kirche.
- Take a walk along the Isar and have dinner at the Biergarten Zur Insel on the Mühleninsel.
- Catch a show at the Kleines Theater in the evening.
Great Things to Do in Landshut
Landshut isn’t a city packed with extreme activities — but there’s still plenty to keep you busy. Here are our recommendations for what to do in Landshut.
Dining Out in Landshut
Honestly, one of the best ways to enjoy Landshut is to pick a restaurant between the town hall and St. Martin’s Church on a sunny day and eat outside.
But there are plenty of other great options for eating out:
#1 Freiraum
Located on Orbankai, this spot serves authentic Italian food with a view of the Isar. Not in the mood for something savory? The in-house pastry shop serves homemade cakes and tarts. Closed on Tuesdays.
#2 Biergarten Zur Insel
On the Mühleninsel you’ll find a fantastic beer garden right on the water: the Biergarten Zur Insel offers classic Bavarian pub fare under the open sky. Or as they say around here: “Richtig zünftig!” (the real deal!)
#3 GOOD Ci
GOOD Ci doesn’t call itself The Finest Asia Kitchen for nothing. Expect delicious sushi in a beautiful setting — just check the varying opening hours before you head over.
#4 Konditorei Cafe Kreuzer
Behind the Stadtresidenz you’ll find a dream in pink and red. At this café you can indulge to your heart’s content daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Walking Tour of Landshut
We’re big fans of guided tours for getting under a city’s skin. Here are our favorites among the tours in Landshut:
Tour #1: Night Watchman Tour
A city is especially interesting after dark — and that’s exactly why a night watchman tour is so good in Landshut. What might be lurking in all those winding alleyways? For €14.50 you can join the night watchman on his nocturnal rounds.
Tour #2: Tavern Tour
For €15 you can dive deep into the city’s traditional taverns with the tavern tour. Typical Bavarian dishes keep you well fed while your guide explains the historical influences behind each spot.
Tour #3: Discover Landshut
For just €10 you can explore St. Martin’s Church, the town hall, the Isar, and the Wittelsbach residences on this Landshut city tour.
Exploring Landshut by Bike
If you prefer to explore at your own pace, you can rent an e-bike from the tourist information office in the town hall.
You can ride up to Trausnitz Castle or cruise along the Isar. One day costs €24, and a weekend (Friday to Monday) costs €40.
Special Events in Landshut
There’s almost always something going on in Landshut. But from time to time there are truly special events that you really shouldn’t miss!
Landshuter Hochzeit
Every four years, Landshut turns itself inside out. This historical pageant celebrates the lavish wedding of Duke Georg of Bavaria and Polish princess Hedwig.
The Landshuter Hochzeit takes place over four May weekends.
Tickets for the wedding procession, the festive games in the nighttime camp, and the equestrian and jousting events are seriously in demand — plan ahead.
Spektakel Landshut
Europe’s largest street performing festival is organized entirely by volunteers and takes place in September. Admission to Spektakel Landshut is always free.
Musicians, magicians, acrobats, jugglers — every performance is genuinely impressive.
Landshut Short Film Festival
Every March, the Landshut Short Film Festival screens international short films, with panel discussions and an awards ceremony rounding out the program.
Individual tickets cost just €10.
Our Hotel Recommendations for Landshut
In Landshut you’ll find great, well-located hotels for every budget.
B&B Hotel Landshut: Right at the train station and served by all bus lines. Simply furnished, but gives you everything you need for a city trip on a budget!
Hotel Freischütz: Perfect location in the old town. All rooms are individually decorated and some even have a terrace or balcony.
Simones Hotel Fürstenhof: Sumptuously decorated. A 20-minute walk from the old town, but a wonderful base if you’re planning to hit the golf course or go hiking.
General Tips for Landshut
Before you head off on your city trip, here are a few practical pointers to help you plan.
Getting Around Landshut
The bad news: it takes about half an hour to walk from the main train station to the old town. That said, the route is basically straight ahead and hard to miss.
The good news: a single bus ride costs just €2.20.
Our tip: Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn’t always show you the right buses into the city center. For more complex routes, the Wohin Du Willst app is worth downloading — it gives you a clear overview of the right bus lines.
Once you’re in the city center, you can reach all the major Landshut attractions on foot.
The Best Time to Visit Landshut
In general, Landshut is a solid destination year-round. That said, we wouldn’t recommend going in winter — like other German city-break destinations, Landshut gets very cold then.
In summer you’ll enjoy the warmest temperatures and can even dip your feet in the Isar.
If you love big festivals, Landshut is a great choice as a spring or fall destination. That’s when the best events take place and the parks are either in bloom or glowing with autumn colors.
