12 Best Things To Do In Regensburg Germany In 2024

Planning to visit Regensburg in Germany? Looking for the best things to do in Regensburg? You’re at the right place.

Here’s the Ultimate Regensburg Travel Guide with the top things to do, the best places to stay, and many travel tips to make your visit memorable.

One of the most beautiful places in Bavaria, Regensburg is steeped in history. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities and the Roman Empire’s northernmost city. Therefore, Regensburg is chock full of historical attractions.

But hey! Did you know that Regensburg is home to the oldest sausage kitchen in the world?

Let’s find out more such fun things to do in Regensburg in this travel blog.

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Regensburg, Germany: A Brief History

Regensburg was an important city on the Danube River. This strategic location made Regensburg an important center of economic and cultural development since the Roman era.

Regensburg is known as the northernmost Roman fort in Europe. The Roman fortress of Castra Regina was built here in 179 AD during Marcus Aurelius’s reign.

Regensburg saw a lot of activity in the Middle Ages. In the 12th century, the iconic Stone Bridge across the River Danube was built. This opened up major international trade routes and made Regensburg a wealthy town.

Surprisingly, Regensburg’s medieval city center did not suffer much damage during World War II. Today, it is one of Europe’s most beautiful intact medieval cities and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.

If you are a history lover, the Old Town of Regensburg has many exciting things to do. Its proximity to the Bavarian capital makes it one of the easiest day trips from Munich.

Best things to do in Regensburg, Germany

Explore Regensburg Altstadt

Regensburg’s medieval city center remains one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. It is home to more than 1500 heritage buildings that showcase a beautiful transition of architectural styles over the last two centuries.

Take a self-guided walking tour of Regensburg Altstadt or the Old Town, where the architecture is a beautiful mix of Roman, Romanesque, and Gothic styles.

Imagine a medieval trading centre by walking through narrow lanes, appreciating tall buildings, and admiring solid fortifications.

✦ Pro Tip: If you enjoy guided tours, you will love this fascinating 2-hour walking tour of Regensburg. It tells you all about the ancient and medieval history of this old town.

Explore the old town on a tourist train

If walking is not your thing, hop on this cute little tourist train and see the best of Regensburg in just 45 minutes.

You will cruise through iconic Regensburg attractions and enjoy panoramic views from the comfort of your train seat. At the same time, you will discover the city’s history with an informative audio guide.

Step into St. Peter’s Cathedral

Visit the Gothic cathedral of St. Peter’s, also considered to be Regensburg’s most important landmark after the Old Stone Bridge.

The spires of this historic building are tall and impressive. You can spot them from anywhere in the city.

A French architect oversaw the construction of the cathedral in the late 13th century and that’s why, you will see an abundance of French Gothic elements. Buttresses and vaults are common.

On the impressive facade, you will also notice several gargoyles, foolish virgins, and kings on horseback. Do not forget to step inside for a view of the pretty stained glass windows.

The cathedral runs guided tours throughout the year.

Head to the Old Town Hall

One of the most interesting things to do in Regensburg is to tour the 13th-century Town Hall and explore its many treasures.

Locally known as Altes Rathaus, the Old Town Hall was the seat of the Everlasting Imperial Diet from 1663 to 1806.

Three sections of the building are now open to public viewing: the Town Hall Tower, the Gothic Imperial Chamber, and the Baroque Town Hall.

Plus, you can also see an old interrogation room and a gruesome torture chamber where prisoners were tortured until they confessed!

Access is only by guided tour.

Have a Sausage at the World’s Oldest Sausage Kitchen

Did you know that you can have a sausage at the world’s oldest sausage kitchen when visiting Regensburg?

This is the same kitchen that served sausages to Roman workers who completed the construction of the Old Stone Bridge in the 12th century. Well, technically, it’s not the same. But a kitchen existed at the same place nearly 900 years ago, and it served sausages. That makes it one of the oldest public restaurants in the world.

Come here if you love sausages. You can enjoy them with sauerkraut, German mustard, and local beer.

Discover Regensburg’s Roman & Jewish past at Document Neupfarrplatz

If there is just one museum you can visit in Regensburg, it has to be Document Neupfarrplatz. It is an underground museum that provides access to interesting excavations in the city.

In the 1990s, archaeologists uncovered Roman ruins of Castra Regina, remains of a Jewish ghetto and synagogues, and several gold coins under a large public square called Neupfarrplatz.

It is believed that this place was also used as an air raid shelter during WWII.

To access the excavations, you will need to take the stairs underground. Access is only by guided tour, which occurs only a few days a week.

Take a walk on the Old Stone Bridge

Walk on the Steinerne Brücke, or the Old Stone Bridge, built here in the 12th century AD.

This bridge was a pathway to prosperity for many merchant families living in the old town and opened trade routes between Northern Europe and Venice.

Take a moment to imagine countless boats ferrying below your feet, busy traders fussing to get to work on time, and wealthy merchants smiling down from their decorative mansions. That was life in medieval Regensburg.

Step into Thurn and Taxis Palace

Fan of German palaces and castles? Step into Schloss Thurn and Taxis for a peek into the lives of German royalty.

Explore the staterooms’ neo-Renaissance architecture, replete with Rococo furnishings. 

The Ballroom, also known as the Baroque Hall, is incredibly stunning and always the venue for great festivities. It definitely gives off a cheerful, festive vibe.

Descendants of the royal family live in the palace even today.

It is interesting to note that the castle was built at the exact spot where once an 8^th-century Benedictine Monastery stood. Even today, you can view the cloisters, the chapel, and a Benedictus portal of the monastery that was dedicated to St. Emmeram.

Only a guided tour, which you can book online on the official website or on-site, can access the cloisters and staterooms.

📖 Read Next: Love German castles and palaces? Then you have to visit the Fairytale Castle of Neuschwanstein in Germany.

Look Out for Tower Houses

Also known as patrician towers, the tall houses of Regensburg displayed wealth and prosperity in medieval times.

Wealthy merchants flaunted their wealth and built tall homes for themselves. Neighbors and competitors tried to outdo them and built even taller buildings.

What resulted was a sea of tall Patrician Towers, which stood as status symbols and gave Regensburg a unique skyline.

Many of these, like the one pictured above, still stand today. The Golden Tower on Wahlenstrasse and Goliath House on Goliathstrasse are the most impressive.

Explore the Stadtamhof

Right across the Old Stone Bridge is the colorful Stadtamhof neighbourhood. Along with the Old Town of Regensburg, it is part of the UNESCO Heritage listing.

This side of the city is quieter, with fewer tourists and more space. However, there is no shortage of charming houses, pretty clock towers, local markets, and great places to eat. You will also find the beautiful Rococo church of St. Mang here.

On Stadtamhof Strasse, pastel-coloured houses adorn both sides of the road (they reminded me of Rainbow Row in Charleston, USA!). This is a great place to get some fantastic pictures.

Do a BMW Factory Tour

Regensburg has a large BMW plant that used to offer paid tours to car lovers.

BMW does not do guided tours in Regensburg anymore! Yeah, I know this is sad. But I am hoping they will open up soon. In the meantime, you can visit their factories in Munich, Berlin, or Leipzig. Find the details here.

Here’s a brief about my Regensburg factory tour experience that no longer happens.

• The tours last about three hours and can be led by either English or German tour guides.
• You will see the body shop, press shop, paint shop, and assembly lines producing hundreds of BMW cars in minutes. It is fascinating to see perfectly synchronous robots working in never-dying harmony.
• Pictures are not allowed and the tour involves a good amount of walking. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes
• The team at BMW will provide you with safety glasses inside the factory. At the end of the tour, you will be allowed to pick a drink and a BMW poster!
• Please note that the factory is a little outside Regensburg town. Here’s the complete address: Herbert-Quandt-Allee, Tor 2, 93055 Regensburg.
• You can get there by bus X9, which leaves from the bus station in Albertstrasse by Regensburg Hbf. The journey takes around 30 minutes and is covered by the Bayern ticket.

Visit the German Hall of Fame at Walhalla

If you’d like to see Greek architecture in Regensburg, visit the iconic Walhalla monument in the small town of Donaustauf, which overlooks the River Danube.

Walhalla is a unique hall of fame dedicated to German-speaking men and women who have significantly contributed to history.

The monument, constructed as an ancient Greek temple, was commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in the 19th century.

A drive to Walhalla from Regensburg takes 20 minutes, and a bus ride takes around 40. You can also do a boat tour from Regensburg to Walhalla on the scenic Danube River.

Find out about Walhalla’s opening hours and tickets here.

Practical Information for Visiting Regensburg, Germany

Best Time to Visit Regensburg

The best time to visit Regensburg is during spring and summer (between May and September). Comfortable, warm weather makes it the perfect time to visit. That said, summer is also the busiest season, so you may want to plan ahead if you are looking for a summer holiday in Germany.

Getting to Regensburg from Munich

Regensburg is a popular day trip destination from Munich.

It is super easy to get to Regensburg from Munich by train. Direct trains from Munich to Regensburg take 1.5 hours. Click here to plan your journey on the DB (Deutsche Bahn) website.

Buying a Bayern Ticket for your day trip from Munich to Regensburg might help.

Bayern Ticket is a one-day pass valid on all public transport in Bavaria. It covers your commute to Munich Central Station from your hotel and your train journey to Regensburg and back. In short, it will save you lots of money.

📖 Related Read: Is a Bayern Ticket worth it?

Getting around Regensburg

Once you arrive at Regensburg train station, you can walk to the Old Town. It is 5 minutes away.

Regensburg is a very walkable city, mostly flat. Most attractions are located in and around the historic center, which you can easily reach on foot. In fact, a walk on the Old Stone Bridge is highly recommended.

If you want to rest your feet, you can ride the sightseeing train to see the highlights of Regensburg. The tour lasts 45 minutes and shows you the best attractions of Regensburg.

Regensburg Germany Travel FAQ

Is Regensburg worth visiting?

Regensburg in Germany is totally worth visiting. It is one of Europe’s most well-preserved medieval towns and has a beautiful town center listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The impressive Gothic cathedral, an old stone bridge, and the colorful neighborhood of Stadtamhof make Regensburg an attractive tourist destination.

What is Regensburg, Germany, known for?

Regensburg Germany is known for its well-preserved medieval town center which is also a UNESCO Heritage Site. The city has a majestic Gothic cathedral dedicated to St. Peter and an arched, old stone bridge that has been standing since the 12th century. Not only is the bridge an engineering masterpiece but also the exact place where knights of the 2nd and 3rd crusades used to cross River Danube on their way to the Holy Land.

What is in Regensburg?

Three most important landmarks of Regensburg include the mighty Regensburg Cathedral (an epitome of Gothic architecture in Bavaria), the old stone bridge (a medieval engineering marvel), and a historic sausage kitchen that has been serving sausages for the past 900 years.

How far is Regensburg from Munich?

Regensburg is around 77 miles (approx. 125km) away from Munich. Takes about 1.5 hours by car and 2 hours by train to get here from Munich.

What is the closest airport to Regensburg Germany?

The closest airport to Regensburg Germany is the Munich Airport which is just an hour away by car.

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