Things to Do in Speyer: Insider Tips from a Local

Tips and Info for a Trip to Speyer

Before we get to the interview with our local insider, here’s the most important info you need for planning your visit to Speyer.

Where is Speyer located in Germany?

Speyer is located in Rhineland-Palatinate and is part of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region.

Just a hop across the Rhine and you’re already in Baden-Württemberg.

Mannheim and Heidelberg are practically around the corner — only about half an hour’s drive away.

From Speyer, a day trip to the German Wine Route is also absolutely worth your time.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Speyer

Here are our hotel picks in Speyer for every budget:

Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for Speyer

1. Who are you and why are you an expert on Speyer?

Hi, my name is Lisa and I work in the public sector.

Speyer is one of a kind to me. I wasn’t born here and didn’t grow up here, but it keeps drawing me back.

Speyer has an incomparable charm that captivates you right away.

And it got me so completely that I’ve since moved here.

2. If you had to describe Speyer in three words, what would they be?

cultural, diverse, cosmopolitan

3. Why should everyone visit Speyer at least once?

Speyer has a lot to offer: its location right on the Rhine, a beautiful historic center with a magnificent cathedral, and charming little shops.

There are cozy little spots, but also plenty of action and things to experience.

4. What does Speyer have that you won’t find anywhere else?

The Speyer Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest surviving Romanesque church in Europe.

In front of the cathedral stands the Domnapf. In the old days, when a new bishop arrived in the city, he was required to fill the bowl with wine, and every citizen was allowed to drink from it.

To this day, this tradition lives on — the Domnapf is filled with wine for the entire population following a bishop’s election. The bowl holds a total of 1,580 liters, and everyone is welcome to help themselves!

Sights and Activities in Speyer

5. Which attractions in Speyer are absolute must-sees?

Besides the cathedral, the Altpörtel is not to be missed.

The Altpörtel is one of the oldest and tallest city gates in Germany. Using a golden key with a pretzel at its end, you can explore the Altpörtel from the inside and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from the top.

You should also check out the Judenhof and the adjacent Museum SchPIRA.

This site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. At the Judenhof, you can see the remains of a synagogue and a mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath.

6. What can you do in Speyer when it rains?

Even on a rainy day, there’s plenty to keep you busy in Speyer.

I recommend a visit to the Historical Museum of the Palatinate, which also houses the Cathedral Treasury.

The Technical Museum is another great option. In addition to numerous airplanes, cars, and ships, you can watch movies on a massive screen in an IMAX theater.

Get your online ticket for the Technical Museum

7. What can you do with kids in Speyer?

In addition to the Historical Museum with its rotating exhibitions and the Technical Museum with its airplanes, ships, and cars, young explorers can also get up close with the creatures of the deep.

At Sea Life, you can observe sea creatures up close in oversized water tanks and an underwater tunnel.

More active visitors can also let off steam at Quantum Lasertag or at the Kletterwald Speyer adventure climbing park.

Get your online ticket for Sea Life

8. When you feel the urge to get out of the city, where do you go?

Not far from the city lies the Binsfeld area, where you’ll find eight gravel lakes clustered close together. There are also several campgrounds and peaceful little spots where you can simply sit back and soak up the tranquility.

9. What place do you recommend for unwinding and truly relaxing?

All you need is a park bench with a view of the Rhine. Along the Rhine promenade, you can stroll for over a kilometer and find your own perfect little spot.

Just a few steps from the city center, the hustle and bustle, and the busy streets, you can find real peace right on the banks of the Rhine.

10. Where is the most beautiful viewpoint in Speyer?

There are actually two stunning vantage points!

First, you can climb the southwest tower of the Cathedral. From up there, you get a breathtaking view of the old city gate, the Altpörtel, as well as toward the Palatinate Forest.

Alternatively, climb the Altpörtel itself, where you’ll enjoy a panorama over the city center, the cathedral, and all the way across the Rhine to the Baden side.

11. An amateur photographer asks you about cool spots to shoot in your city that they’d never find in a travel guide. Where do you send them?

An under-the-radar pick in Speyer is the Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church). The impressive vaulted ceiling — which can be lit up in a variety of colors during events — and the 36 colorfully designed window walls are truly remarkable.

You’ll also find remnants of the old city wall scattered throughout the entire historic district. There are so many interesting motifs to discover here.

12. What is the craziest activity you can do in your city?

Most of us have been on a plane before. But have you ever stood in the cockpit — or better yet, on the wing?

At the Technical Museum in Speyer, you can really get up close and personal with a Boeing 747. At a height of 20 meters above the ground, you can walk along the wing of the giant jumbo jet. A seriously one-of-a-kind experience!

13. What is the best event of the year? What makes it worth coming to Speyer?

The people of Speyer live for their pretzels — and they even dedicate a whole festival to it: the Pretzel Festival! Every July, for over 100 years, this has been celebrated as the largest folk festival on the Upper Rhine. Traditionally, a grand Pretzel Festival parade winds through the entire city.

But the Old Town Festival and the Farmers’ Market in September — the largest farmers’ market in the Palatinate — are also among the personal highlights of the year.

For fans of the Middle Ages, the Spectaculum Festival, which also takes place in September, is an absolute must.

14. Is there a museum in Speyer that you absolutely cannot miss?

The Technical Museum Speyer, with its walk-through Boeing, submarine, and ships, is a real standout.

On top of that, the Historical Museum of the Palatinate offers constantly changing exhibitions as well as the Cathedral Treasury.

At the SchPiRA museum, you can explore evidence of Jewish life in Speyer during the Middle Ages.

15. Which neighborhood do you most love to stroll through, and why?

My absolute favorite is the city center. Maximilianstraße connects Speyer Cathedral with the Altpörtel. In this traffic-calmed zone, you can leisurely wander along, go shopping, or enjoy a coffee at one of the small sidewalk cafés.

Wander a little off the main drag and you’ll find plenty of medieval charm with cobblestones and narrow alleyways — especially near the Sonnenbrücke.

Food and Drink in Speyer

16. What culinary specialty is an absolute must-try in Speyer?

You absolutely have to try a genuine Speyermer Brezel from the Berzel bakery.

Since you’re in the Palatinate, you should also try a Pfälzer Teller — a platter of bratwurst, liver dumplings, sow stomach, mashed potatoes, and sauerkraut — washed down with a real Palatinate Schorle (wine spritzer).

Anyone looking to cool off on a hot day should reach for the house-brewed beer from the Domhof Brewery.

17. What are your three favorite restaurants, and what should you absolutely try there?

The restaurant Goldener Hirsch is right in the heart of Speyer, within easy reach of the cathedral. Here you’ll find not only rotating seasonal dishes but also some truly adventurous creations. A fantastic modern fusion kitchen that always delivers bold flavor combinations.

My favorite dish: the Mediterranean chicken breast fillet wrapped in Serrano ham with a sheep’s cheese and basil filling. Vegetarians and vegans will find great options here too.

After a long stroll along the Rhine, I recommend the restaurant Rentschlers. With a rotating weekly menu, it offers regional cuisine that pushes boundaries while also putting a fresh spin on beloved classics. Meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike will all find something they love.

Right across the street is the restaurant Alter Hammer. A venerable Speyer classic, particularly popular for its beer garden right on the Rhine. Order the wurst salad with fries and a proper beer or shandy — pure bliss on a warm summer day.

18. Where can you get the best burger in town?

The best burgers in Speyer can be found at Flaming Star in the Pfalzgraf, right near the Altpörtel and the city center. The burgers are made fresh, and the sweet potato fries in particular are seriously addictive.

The menu — including vegetarian options — is extensive, so everyone will find something they love. Beyond the delicious burgers, the atmosphere is truly one of a kind: countless life-size comic characters, drawings, and pictures decorate the space. An absolute must for Marvel and DC fans!

19. Where can you get the best ice cream in town?

Eismanufaktur Englert serves up the best ice cream in the city. The shop is centrally located, uses only natural unprocessed ingredients, and skips the pre-made mixes entirely.

In addition to classic flavors, they also offer ice rolls — fresh ice cream spread on a kind of crêpe plate and then rolled up. With delicious toppings, you can create your own personal foodie moment.

For outstanding artisan ice cream, there’s also Bertolini-Eis. The shop may not look like much from the outside, but the ice cream is simply outstanding. For years, this family-run business has been the go-to spot for anyone who values handcrafted ice cream.

20. Where is the best place to have breakfast?

The best breakfast can be found at Café am Museum. You can either let the menu inspire you or put together your own custom combination. Round it off with an exquisite little tart or a delicious slice of cake.

For coffee lovers, I recommend Springers Kaffeemanufaktur. The owners roast their own coffee and serve rotating small breakfast spreads on tiered stands.

21. Where is the best place to go out in the evening?

In summer (between April and October), you can kick back in lounge chairs at the Rheinstrand. Good music, great drinks, and good company — what more do you need?

If you’re into the industrial look, you’ll feel right at home at Industriehof Garten, where you can enjoy wines and tarte flambée surrounded by historic brick buildings.

Halle 101 hosts a variety of events, concerts, and much more. There’s always something going on!

Hotels in Speyer

22. Which hotel do you recommend for visitors to Speyer?

The Hotel Trutzpfaff is located on Webergasse, right in the heart of Speyer. The rooms are modernly furnished, and a well-rounded breakfast is served each morning to start the day off right. The hotel also offers free parking — a real bonus in the city center.

Our tip: for stays of two nights or more, you receive the Speyer Card, which gives you discounts on a wide range of activities and museums.