Everything to know to Visit Regensburg, Germany

Like most places in the world, Bavaria is far more than the stereotypical pretzels, lederhosen, and beer steins.

When exploring the region, I had the chance to visit Regensburg – a mid-sized city in the southern part of Germany, with an amazingly well-preserved history and vibrant tourism industry.

Most people who visit Regensburg come aboard a river cruise ship, but it’s enjoyable and worthwhile to visit. However you can.

Whether you want to dive into the history, eat delicious Bavarian food, or just wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes up most of the old town Regensburg… you can!

Regensburg has it all and is easy to get to.
Here’s everything you need to start planning your trip to visit Regensburg.

How to Get to Regensburg 

Regensburg is located in the northeastern part of Bavaria, roughly 45-minutes from the Czech border.

There are several ways to get to Regensburg for your visit.

• By boat: If you’re coming by river cruise, you likely have accommodation and most of your itinerary planned. Cruises come into port just outside the city and provide transport into the old town for your explorations.
• By plane & car: The nearest airports to Regensburg are Munich, Nurnberg, and Stuttgart. From there, you will need to rent a car (or take the train, below) to reach Regensburg. Regensburg is at the intersection of A3, A93 and the A96 you want to drive all the way to Switzerland.
• By train: Train is the easiest way to reach Regensburg by land. You can reach Regensburg by taking a 90-minute train direct from Munich, or a 30-minute train direct from Nurnberg. Book on Bahn.de. 

The History of Regensburg

For a history lover like me, Regensburg has a fascinating story.

The settlement at Regensburg, near the confluence of the Danube, Naab, and Regen rivers, dates back to the Stone Age.

The Romans established a settlement as early as 179 AD, and Regensburg played an important role for the Roman Empire through the early 1000s AD.

In the Middle Ages, Regensburg was a star in the trade industry, being located conveniently along both rivers and overland trade routes.

During this time, tradesmen and craftsmen from across the world came through here.

This helps explain why so much architecture is influenced by Venetian and southern European design, as well as why so many craftsmen still call Regensburg home.

Regensburg was a Free Imperial City through most of this period, meaning it was only accountable to the Holy Roman Emperor, rather than state or federal legislation.

The city was also home to the Imperial Diets (formal assembly) were all ambassadors came together to discuss policy and other government issues.

This culminated in the Perpetual Diet of Regensburg, from 1663 to 1806, and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.

Without getting too much in the weeds, some other important historical notes about Regensburg: 

• It is the location of the Thurn & Taxis palace, where the massively influential family is still recent own picolul.
• The old town of Regensburg avoided destruction in the bombings of World War II, but nearby factories and airfields were destroyed.
• Regensburg Old Town has UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their status in 2016.
  Oskar Schindler is one of many refugees of World War II who once called Regensburg home.
  

  The old town as seen from the stone bridge

I could go on ad nauseam about the fascinating history of this mid-sized Bavarian town; instead, read more on Wikipedia.

Or, if you’re ever in this part of Germany be sure to book a walking tour with Ms. Ann Hiley, author of Regensburg: A Short History; the local tourism info centre can help you arrange this.  

What to See & Do in Regensburg

The highlight of visiting this historical place in Germany is to explore the old town.

Even if you have no other itinerary, it’s possible to spend several hours wandering the cobbled streets and window shopping.

The old town isn’t very large, taking 15-20 minutes to walk from end to end, but it’s a labyrinth of alleys and narrow roads.

There are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery, too.

Be sure to visit the old stone bridge across the Danube river.

It offers great views of the city, and you can explore the parts of the town on the other side of the river.

If you want some more structured activities to spend your time: 

Visit St. Peter’s Cathedral

Regensburg’s main cathedral is home to one of the largest collections of medieval stained glass in Europe.

It’s truly impressive to walk into the massive dark interior and spend time examining each window in turn – there are a lot of them.

Tour the Imperial Diet at the Reichstag Museum

Interested in more history? Take a tour of the Imperial Diet, including the old assembly hall and prison cells.

You’ll learn more about Regensburg history than you can possibly fit into your brain. (website)

Cruise on the Danube to Walhalla

With the river so close at hand, it’s tempting to explore farther afield. Book a spot on the sparkling Kristalprinzessin ship operated by Donauschiffahrt Würm & Koch.
The cruise takes a few hours and allows you to see or stop at Walhalla, a beautiful neo-Romanesque hall of fame to German history. (website)

Where to Eat & Drink in Regensburg

Since the era when Regensburg was a famous trade stop and hosted Imperial Diets, a variety of travellers have brought delicious food to the city.

There are far more restaurants and biergartens than would make sense to list in this section, but here are some of the highlights from the dining scene.

Haus Heuport 

With a beautiful view of St. Peter’s Cathedral, this restaurant walks a delicate line between fine dining and medieval dining hall.

They specialize in Bavarian dishes, delicious ingredients, and great service. (Domplatz 7)

Dicker Mann

A more traditional option, Dicker Mann feels a lot like an English pub but is distinctly German in their menu offerings and beer choices.

A great spot for schnitzel or goulash along with a cup of grog to warm you up on a cold day. (Krebsgasse 6)

Wurstkuchl 

One of the greatest sausage restaurants, and one of the oldest continually operating restaurants in the world.

Naturally, they specialize in sausages, usually boiled, and served in portions of six, eight, or 10 per order – along with sauerkraut and mustard. There’s nearly always a line. (Thundorferstraße 3)

Hans Im Glück 

A more modern option, they offer delicious burgers and fries in a funky atmosphere.

A true hipster hotspot, you can get boozy drinks, sweet potato fries, and their special Hans Im Glück sauce. Technically they’re a franchise/chain restaurant, but worth it anyway. (Kohlenmarkt 6)

Other great restaurants to put on your list:

• Storstad (Watmarkt 5) – Fine, modern German dining 
• Weltenburger am Dom (Domplatz 3) – Traditional beer garden & burgers 
• Regensburger Weissbrauhaus (Schwarze-Bären-Straße 6) – Bavarian & German food & beer 

Where to Stay in Regensburg

As a popular spot for travellers in Bavaria, there are plenty of accommodation options. Here are some highlights: 

• Hotel Jakob: Located on the Western edge of the old town, the Hotel Jakob is a classic European hotel with modern, spacious rooms. Continental breakfast is included, and the general manager is wonderfully hospitable. From €88 per night. (Jakobstraße 14) 
• Dicker Mann: Located above the Dicker Mann restaurant, there are a small number of rooms available for booking each night – right in the heart of the old town. Rooms are updated, and each has a theme (such as “Little China in Regensburg” and “Italian Fireplace Room”). From €95 per night. (Krebsgasse 6) 
• Bischofshof Braustuben: A little ways outside the old town (accessible by car), this family-run hotel and brewery are great if you have more time and want to experience more than just the historic city centre. From €115 per night. (Dechbettener Strasse 50) 
• Castle Hotel Regensburg: Steps from the palace of Thurn & Taxis, this low-cost hotel/hostel/B&B is a great option for budget travellers. Nothing fancy, but it covers all the basics and is well located for exploring the city. From €69 for a single, or €120 for an apartment. (St. Peters-Weg 3) 

Valerie Stimac Bailey of Valerie & Valise grew up in Alaska, so it’s no surprise she loves sharing stories from there and the rest of the American West.

On her blog, you can find resources to have unforgettable experiences throughout the western U.S., including California, Hawaii, and yes, The Last Frontier.