Things to Do in Regensburg: Top Attractions & Our Best Tips

Where is Regensburg?

Regensburg is a mid-sized city in Bavaria.

It’s located pretty much halfway between Munich and Nuremberg, which makes it a great stop on a road trip through Germany.

You can reach both cities by car from Regensburg in about 90 minutes.

One of the things that makes Regensburg especially beautiful is that the city sits right on the Danube River — and that opens up some seriously great day-trip options in the surrounding area.

The 11 Most Beautiful Sights in Regensburg

Small but mighty — Regensburg has quite a lot to offer for its modest size. Here are our eleven favorite things to do and see in Regensburg.

Stone Bridge

The Stone Bridge is Regensburg’s most iconic landmark. It’s 310 meters long, fully restored, and with the Danube flowing beneath it, the whole scene looks absolutely picturesque.

From the middle of the bridge, you get a great view of Regensburg’s “skyline”, including the cathedral and the merchant towers built by medieval trading families.

Below the bridge lies Jahninsel island. This is where the Jahninselfest takes place once a year, and in summer people fire up their grills here regularly.

Our tip: At the southern end of the bridge, you can grab homemade sausages grilled over charcoal with sauerkraut at the Wurstkuchl. Authentically Bavarian and absolutely delicious!

Stadtamhof

At the end of the Stone Bridge, you’ll find the Stadtamhof neighborhood. Its charming alleyways are lined with colorful little houses that look like a movie set. The whole vibe is wonderfully cozy.

There are plenty of small boutiques and one-of-a-kind shops. Many of them specialize in regional, vegan, homemade, and handcrafted products — perfect for browsing, especially if you’re not in the mood for the same old chain stores.

Our tip: The Genusswarenladen, which has been beautifully set up inside a former pharmacy, is where you can pick up gin made in Regensburg — like “Eisvogel” or “MUT.”

Regensburg Cathedral

Regensburg Cathedral is one of the most significant cathedrals in all of Germany, and its construction spanned a full 600 years.

The Gothic architecture — so delicate and detailed — truly has something majestic about it. Especially impressive are the tall, pointed towers of the cathedral, which you can spot from far away. The interior is no less beautiful, with large stained-glass windows casting stunning light throughout.

Even if you’re not normally a fan of church music, it’s worth hearing the two massive organs at least once. At a height of 102 meters, the space creates a truly unique acoustic.

You can visit the cathedral for free, or join a guided tour. There’s a short 45-minute tour as well as a more in-depth 75-minute option.

Trinity Church

Next to Regensburg Cathedral, the Trinity Church honestly looks a bit plain. But it also doesn’t get overrun by tourists. Plus, as one of the first Protestant churches in southern Germany, it holds special historical significance.

A visit is worth it above all because you can climb up into the church tower. From the eighth floor, you get a fantastic panorama over Regensburg’s old town. At just 2 euros admission, it’s a real bargain!

Regensburg's Old Town Hall

You simply can’t overlook the Old Town Hall — with its imposing tower in a bold mustard yellow, the building instantly stands out from everything around it.

You’ve probably heard the expressions to kick the can down the road or to throw money out the window — well, their German equivalents were coined during the Imperial Diet assemblies held at the Old Town Hall. What that says about the decisions made there, we’ll leave for you to decide.

Down in the cellar, things get properly creepy. This is where a torture chamber was once located — and original torture instruments are still on display there today.

Haidplatz

From the Town Hall, you can stroll over to Haidplatz, one of the oldest squares in the historic center.

The whole atmosphere gives off pure Italy vibes, and all around you’ll find countless Italian gelato shops and restaurants. Perfect for soaking up the dolce vita!

The square is also home to the Café Goldenes Kreuz, set inside a former patrician castle. Emperor Charles V was once a guest here, and Empress Sisi is said to have bathed in moonlight at the attached hotel.

Either way, there’s definitely delicious cake to be had here. On nice days, though, it can be hard to snag a spot on the terrace — it’s worth making a reservation in advance.

Bismarckplatz

Bismarckplatz is one of the grandest squares in Regensburg and — perhaps unsurprisingly — named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck.

The square is surrounded by some wonderfully ornate buildings. Particularly striking are the neoclassical structures of the police headquarters and the Regensburg Theater, which hosts around 640 performances a year in music, theater, and dance.

Of course, it’s also a great spot to grab a coffee. On warm summer evenings especially, you could easily spend hours just hanging out here.

Schottenportal

Just a few steps from Bismarckplatz, you’ll find the imposing Schottenportal. Surrounding the portal are mysterious ornaments and figures whose meaning has inspired all sorts of legends.

The church itself doesn’t quite measure up to Regensburg Cathedral. That said, its distinctly different Romanesque architecture still makes it worth a visit.

Fun fact: this is also the starting point of a 25-kilometer stretch of the East Bavarian Jakobsweg pilgrimage route, heading to Kelheim in the beautiful Altmühl Valley.

Thurn and Taxis Palace

St. Emmeram Palace was originally a monastery until it was converted by the princely Thurn and Taxis family. Since then, it has been a place of unabashed splendor and grandeur!

The palace consists of four sections, with the standouts being the cloister and the state rooms, including the Marble Hall, the fairy-tale Ballroom, and the Silver Hall, which was designed by Empress Sisi’s sister. The cloister and state rooms can only be visited as part of a guided tour for 16 euros.

The palace also includes a treasury and a carriage museum, the latter of which houses a collection of historic carriages and sedan chairs. Both can be visited independently for an entry fee of 4.50 euros.

Carl-Anselm-Allee & Schlosspark St. Emmeram

The palace park hosts the annual Schlossfestspiele, featuring big-name musicians like Sting, Elton John, and James Blunt. Classical concerts and theater performances for up to 30,000 guests are also held here, along with a gorgeous Christmas market.

Outside of these events, the palace garden is not open to the public.

The Carl-Anselm-Allee park, which borders the palace garden, is a public green space. You’ll find plenty of artistic monuments here, including one of Prince Carl Anselm Thurn and Taxis. It’s a perfect little spot for clearing your head and unwinding.

One local legend is the Regensburger Schwammerl. What is it? A kiosk shaped like a fly agaric mushroom. Why? Because fly agarics are called “Milchpilze” (milk mushrooms) in German, and so in the 1950s, mushroom-shaped kiosks with red caps were built all across Germany to sell soft-serve ice cream — a rare treat in the postwar era. The Regensburg one is still operating as a kiosk today and is even a listed historic landmark!

Golden Tower

The Golden Tower is the tallest of the ten so-called Geschlechtertürme — true Regensburg landmarks: square residential towers built by wealthy patrician families. The taller the tower, the higher the family’s social standing.

At 50 meters tall with nine stories, the Golden Tower is a giant. There’s also a beautiful courtyard inside that we highly recommend.

But the real draw is of course the view over the sea of rooftops of this UNESCO World Heritage city. The climb up will definitely get your heart pumping, but it’s absolutely worth it.

4 Cool Activities in Regensburg

Not in the mood for classic sightseeing? No problem — there’s plenty of other cool stuff to do in Regensburg.

Attend the Mai- or Herbstdult

In the Bavarian region, folk festivals and fairs are called Dult. The Regensburger Dult takes place twice a year — in May and again at the end of August.

There are haunted houses and log flume rides, shooting galleries, a free-fall tower, and a Ferris wheel. If you’re traveling with kids, this is obviously the absolute highlight.

And of course, no Bavarian folk festival would be complete without the obligatory beer tent.

If that’s a bit too wild for your taste, there’s a trendy little alpine hut called Artmann’s Herzl right next door. Since the Dult gets very crowded, it’s best to reserve a table in advance.

Take a Boat Trip on the Danube

A boat trip on the Danube absolutely needs to be on your list of things to do in Regensburg! Several different tours are available.

The Strudelfahrt is the classic option and is perfect as a sightseeing cruise for a first visit to Regensburg. At 11 euros, it’s also pretty affordable. That said, don’t expect too much from the audio guide. Drinks and snacks are available on board.

The Kristallkönigin, on the other hand, is the ultimate luxury option. The boat is covered in genuine Swarovski crystals and you’re served a wonderful dinner. The cruise runs on Saturday evenings. The view of the glittering lights along the riverbanks is truly magical.

If you want to combine your Danube boat trip with a day excursion, we’d recommend a ride to Kloster Weltenburg. There’s a fantastic beer garden there right in the middle of nature. Fair warning though: in summer, it gets extremely touristy.

Day Trip to Befreiungshalle or Walhalla

If you’re up for a day trip, we’d recommend the Befreiungshalle or the Walhalla as great excursion destinations.

The Befreiungshalle is located in Kelheim, about 35 minutes by car from Regensburg. It’s a massive, gleaming white rotunda commissioned by King Ludwig I. Inside stand 24 ornate statues of victory goddesses. The real standout, though, is the observation platform, from which you get a breathtaking vista of the Danube. Admission costs 4.50 euros.

The Befreiungshalle also pairs perfectly with a boat trip to Kloster Weltenburg.

The Walhalla is located just outside Regensburg to the east. By car, it takes about 20 minutes. The marble structure, with its many columns, strongly evokes a temple from ancient Greece. The Walhalla is one of the most significant German national monuments of the 19th century. Admission is also 4.50 euros.

Sightseeing boat tour to Walhalla

Shopping in Regensburg

Shopping definitely counts as one of the best things to do in Regensburg. Sure, you can shop anywhere — but at a time when city centers are starting to look more and more alike, a place like Regensburg is a welcome change.

Here you can still find unique pieces and browse small boutiques, like the exclusive La Donna, 24 Colors, or The Loft.

The Best Tours in Regensburg

We’re big fans of tours as a way to get to know a city. They usually offer a great mix of attractions, give you the chance to ask questions, and often come with fantastic insider tips. Perfect!

Through Getyourguide, you can book the adorable little red tourist train for 9 euros, for example. It takes you on a 45-minute ride past Regensburg’s most important sights.

Sightseeing Tour by Tourist Train

Since the Danube flows right through Regensburg, you can of course also take a relaxing boat tour. There’s a wide selection, and all the boat tours are pretty great.

The Original Strudelrundfahrt in Regensburg

Historic Boat Tour of the City’s Highlights

If you’d prefer a walking tour of the city, we’d recommend the Stadtmaus tours. They offer classic walking tours that take you through Regensburg’s most important sights — perfect if it’s your first time in the city.

The agency also offers a few specialty tours, such as culinary tours and walking tours with medieval theater performances.

Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town
More walking tours by Stadtmaus

Our Tips for Regensburg Travel Guides

Still looking for something to read on the way there? Here are our picks for great Regensburg travel guides.

• Glücksorte in Regensburg – Fahr hin und werd’ glücklich: A modern travel guide with an extensive dining section and lots of great insider tips. Perfect for a first visit to Regensburg and beyond.
• Nichts als die Wahrheit über Regensburg: A book full of funny but true anecdotes about Regensburg. A different kind of way to get to know the city.
• Regensburg Wimmelbuch: A travel guide for younger visitors, featuring illustrations of Regensburg’s most important sights. Not suitable as a conventional travel guide, though.

Our Hotel Tips for Regensburg

The nicest option, of course, is to stay right in Regensburg’s beautiful historic center. We’ve rounded up a few centrally located hotels to suit every budget.

ibis Regensburg – minimalist amenities at a low price, perfect for a short stay. The cathedral is about a 15-minute walk away.

Hotel Goldenes Kreuz – old town hotel right on Haidplatz in a historic building. A delicious à-la-carte breakfast is served in the morning.

Sorat Inselhotel – design hotel in a restored factory building right on the water. There’s a small spa with sauna and gym, plus a rooftop terrace with views of the Danube.

Getting Around Regensburg

You can easily reach all of Regensburg’s major sights on foot, without racking up any record step counts. From the main train station, for example, you’re in the city center in just five minutes. In our opinion, it’s the nicest way to explore the city.

Alternatively, we recommend using public transportation. It’s very affordable, and finding parking in the city can be a real headache.

Regensburg’s public transit system consists of buses and trams. We recommend the day pass: for the city center zone alone, it costs just 2.50 euros, and 5.50 euros for the next zone out. Tickets can be purchased on the bus or in advance through the app.

More info on Regensburg’s public transportation

How Long to Stay in Regensburg?

We’d recommend a full weekend in Regensburg. That’s enough time to see most of the highlights and soak up the atmosphere in between. If you want to do a day trip, add one more day to your itinerary.

That said, a single day is also perfectly sufficient to hit the most important Regensburg attractions.

Food and Drink in Regensburg

Before we get to our restaurant and café recommendations, here’s a quick rundown of typical Regensburg specialties. Yum!

• Knacker: Very dense little sausages made from pork. “Original Regensburger” must come from within the city limits.
• Kneitinger Beer: Bavaria’s favorite drink, brewed right around the corner. Equally good: Weltenburger beer.
• Gockerl vom Grill: Crispy grilled chicken served with a large pretzel and potato salad — a classic, available for example at the beer garden at Arnulfsplatz.
• Händlmaier Mustard: Available in no fewer than 35 varieties. The most well-known is the sweet homestyle mustard.

Now here are a few recommendations for great cafés and restaurants in Regensburg.

Café Prinzess

Across from the Town Hall is Germany’s first coffeehouse. Chocolates were already being made here before it officially opened in 1686, and the cakes are absolutely delicious. On nice days you can also sit outside (visit website).

Café Lila

Café Lila is a beloved student café in Regensburg’s historic district — whether you’re stopping by for breakfast in the morning (with homemade jam), lunch (including vegan options), or cocktails in the evening (visit website).

Koi 1984

This place serves authentic Asian tapas from Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine. Instead of the usual suspects, you can sip on Asian-inspired cocktails made with sake, Japanese gin, or rice spirits. Koi 1984 only opened in 2022, by the way. Reservations are a must (visit website).

Little Tony's

Little Tony’s brings together a cool multicultural mix: Italian cuisine meets New York lifestyle. The decor is meant to evoke Little Italy in New York, and the menu features Roman pinsa — the ancient ancestor of pizza — alongside Aperol Spritz. There’s also a great rooftop terrace (visit website).

Sam Kullman's Diner

Red leather booths, burgers, and chicken wings — Sam Kullman’s is modeled after a classic American diner. Great for a quick bite (visit website).