Explore the maze of Regensburg’s small streets and you’ll be lost in perpetual time travel.
The narrow – sometimes dark – alleyways are a legacy of the medieval city on this site. But there’s evidence of much more before and after.
The history of Regensburg
Romans first built up Regensburg, using it as a fortification and trading city from 179AD, until it was abandoned about 300 years later. The city was surrounded by stone walls and the large temple erected within it started the series of grand religious buildings that were to come.
In the early Middle Ages, Regensburg grew and prospered. Many of the Roman buildings were not destroyed but expanded and renovated to accommodate its role as the main centre for the Bavarians.
The original Roman fortifications were adapted and it because the earliest post-Roman defence wall built north of the Alps. This security attracted merchants and craftspeople and Regensburg grew – not in a planned way, but organically.
In several centuries of prosperity at the crossroads of trade routes, the residents of Regensburg built merchant halls, homes for wealthy families, churches, and public buildings. These constant additions at different times by different people have left an intriguing mix of Roman, Romanesque and Gothic buildings.
More recently, Regensburg has become known as a bit of a digital hub with companies like Siemens, Toshiba and Amazon setting up base in the area, continuing the tradition of attracting skilled workers. A BMW production plant in Regensburg is also a large employer of residents here.
Why is the Old Town of Regensburg a World Heritage Site?
It’s the architecture from the 11th to 13th century that really defines how the city looks today and is the main reason that Regensburg was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006.
The market, the city hall, and the cathedral seem not like out-of-place landmarks but like the joints that keep everything together. Seeing each of them is among the highlights of the top things to do in Regensburg.
The small streets and alleys, winding around to new discoveries of public squares and churches, come to an abrupt end at the Danube River. This is the northernmost point of the river and it flows wide and strong here.
From the centre of the historic town, you can cross the river on the famous Roman Bridge that was constructed from stone in the 12th century and still stands today, connecting more modern parts of Regensburg.
In the middle of the river is the island of Stadtamhof, which is also part of the World Heritage Site. Once a separate medieval village, it is full of historic buildings, although some of them have been taken over by artists for their studios.
But there is no sense of the modern developments that you’ll find in other parts of the city within the Old Town of Regensburg, most of which survived the bombing of the Second World War.
To get the most out of a visit, one of the best things to do in Regensburg is just walk through its streets. Even the buildings of no particular note that line the alleyways all come together to create the sense of the medieval city.
Regensburg is popular with tour groups that move in large mobs but they tend to stick to the main streets.
Getting away from the obvious paths and exploring the alleyways will not just give you a bit more peace, but it will also show you how small businesses and residences of today have been incorporated into the original buildings.
But there are still a few key landmarks worth visiting in the Old Town of Regensburg
Old Town of Regensburg
The Old Town is not particularly large and these highlights are all within a very easy walking distance of each other.
Regensburg Cathedral
Top of the list of things to do in Regensburg should be the city’s cathedral. Regensburg Cathedral is one of the most important pieces of Gothic architecture in Bavaria, a soaring monument that you’ll be able to spot from across the city, with an impressive facade and a beautifully decorated interior.
Inside the cathedral, you’ll find the world’s largest hanging organ, as well as an impressive collection of stained glass. The silver high altar is also worth taking note of.
Regensburg Cathedral is open at these times of the year:
November to March: 06:30 – 17:00
April, May and October: 06:30 – 18:00
June to September: 06:30 – 19:00
Admission to the cathedral is free.
The Old Chapel
There are quite a few churches in Regensburg that are part of the World Heritage Site in the Old Town. Each of them offers an interesting visit if you have time. But I want to make particular mention of The Old Chapel, also known as the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady.
It was founded in the 9th century, making it the oldest Catholic church in Bavaria, although the building that is here now is from the 11th century. The interior was renovated in the 18th century to create a beautiful rococo interior that truly dazzles!
The Old Chapel is open from 09:00 – 17:00.
Admission is free.
Old Town Hall
An important element in the history of Regensburg is that it was ruled by its own council, rather than lords or the church, for much of its time. That’s why the Old Town Hall, built in the 1200s, is so important. Its striking yellow facade also makes it quite the sight!
You can visit the Old Town Hall with a guided tour to see the Imperial Assembly Hall, as well as a torture chamber where interrogators were able to get the ‘truth’ out of accused criminals.
The Old Town Hall is open Monday to Thursday from 07:00 – 18:00 and on Friday from 07:00 – 14:00.
The Old Town Hall can be visited through a guided tour for €7.50.
Thurn and Taxis Palace
What started as St Emmeram’s Abbey back in 739 grew into a magnificent compound over the centuries, with libraries, halls, and chapels – and it was eventually bought in 1810 by the royal house of Thurn and Taxis to turn it into a permanent residence.
The palace now has magnificently furnished chambers, but there are still lots of elements remaining from its monastic history, including the wonderful cloisters.
Thurn and Taxis Palace is open from 10:00 – 12:30 and 14:30 – 16:30.
A standard ticket is €17, concession is €14, and there’s free admission for children up to 10 years old.
Haidplatz
Throughout the Old Town of Regensburg as quite a few wonderful plazas, and I would suggest spending some time in one or two of them to get a sense of life in medieval times. One of my favourites is Haidplatz.
Haidplatz is the oldest and most traditional square in the Old Town, and most of the buildings around its edge were once the palaces for wealthy merchant families. The statue in the centre of the plaza is the Fountain of Justice, built in the Baroque style in 1656.
Neupfarrplatz
Another impressive square that I want to mention is Neupfarrplatz, which looks spectacular today but had a sad beginning. It was built over the old Jewish Quarter which was demolished with the Jewish population was expelled from the city in 1519.
In the centre of the square is the Neupfarrkirche church, designed in the Renaissance style, which is relatively plain inside. Much more interesting is the information centre called Document Neupfarrplatz, which has stories about the 2000-year history of the square.
Patrician Towers
Back in the Middle Ages, there was some rivalry between the noble families of Regensburg. To show off their wealth, they built tall towers, with the idea that the most powerful family must have the tallest.
They’re called Patrician Towers and you’ll see them as you walk through town. One of the most striking is the Goliathhaus, which was built in 1260 and has an enormous mural of David and Goliath on its exterior (painted in 1573).
The tallest of the Patrician Towers is Goldener Turm, at 50 metres, and you’ll be able to see it from the outside.
Old Stone Bridge
The Old Stone Bridge that crosses the Danube River is more than just a pathway. When it was built in the 12th century, its 300-metre length made it an engineering marvel, and it’s said to have been the inspiration for bridges across Europe.
Walking across it is interesting, and the neighbourhood on the other side of the Old Town is quite picturesque. But one of the main reasons you might want to cross the Old Stone Bridge is to get a fantastic view (for photos) back across the medieval skyline.
Museums
With all this heritage, it should be no surprise that there are some excellent museums in Regensburg. They tell not just the fascinating history of the city, but of things related to the region more broadly.
Regensburg Museum of History
Although it’s quite small, the Regensburg Museum of History might be a good place to start, if you want to learn more about the city. Set in a former 13th-century Minorite monastery, the museum has artefacts from prehistoric days, through the Roman times, right up to the 1800s.
Part of the museum’s appeal is the building itself, which has been well preserved and has a lovely Gothic cloister, but it’s also quite enlightening to see how many stages of development Regensburg has had.
The Regensburg Museum of History is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 – 16:00.
A standard ticket is €7.50, concession is €4, and a family ticket is €15.
Museum of Bavarian History
The Museum of Bavarian History was opened in Regensburg in 2018 to celebrate the bicentennial of Bavaria’s constitution. The large modern building on the Danube has multimedia exhibitions and has spaces for to host temporary shows.
The stories at the museum focus on the past few centuries, telling the history of how modern Bavaria was created and the important cultural aspects that have defined it ever since.
The Museum of Bavarian History is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 – 18:00. It is closed on Mondays.
A standard ticket is €7, concession is €5, and free entry for 18 years old and below.
Natural History Museum of Eastern Bavaria
As well as the culture of the region, you may be interested in some of the nature, which is where the Natural History Museum of Eastern Bavaria comes in.
It’s just a small museum in an old palace in Herzogspark, with the exhibitions focusing on the fauna of the area and the geological heritage.
The Natural History Museum of Eastern Bavaria is open at these times:
Monday: 09:00 – 12:00
Tuesday to Friday: 09:00 – 16:00
Saturdays and holidays closed.
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
A standard ticket is €5, concession is €3, and a family ticket is €10.
Regensburg Museum of Danube Shipping
The development of Regensburg is intrinsically linked with its position on the Danube, which has been an important commercial route for more than two millennia. The city’s relationship to the water is examined at the Regensburg Museum of Danube Shipping.
It has an art collection and artefacts about the industry, but the main exhibits are the tugboats moored on the side of the river.
The Regensburg Museum of Danube Shipping is open at these times:
April to October: 10:00 – 17:00
A standard ticket is €3 and concession is €2.
Art Forum East German Gallery
And for a bit of artistic inspiration, how about a visit to the Art Forum East German Gallery. It’s a wonderful little gallery dedicated to artists from parts of Eastern Europe that have cultural links to Germany.
There are more than 2000 paintings and 500 sculptures, plus plenty of other works spread across 15 rooms, covering various periods of modern art.
Art Forum East German Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 – 17:00 and Thursday from 10:00 – 20:00.
A standard ticket is €6, concession is €4, and free admission for children up to 12 years old. A family ticket (two adults and children) is €12.
Tours
It’s certainly easy enough to explore the city by yourself and most of the things to do in Regensburg will be quite obvious as you wander through the Old Town. But, having said that, there are a few guided experiences that are certainly worth considering.
Private city tour
There is so much history within the World Heritage Site of Regensburg that there’s no way you’ll be able to discover it all by yourself. That’s where having a guide will come in handy – not just to show you the best Regensburg sights, but to give them the necessary context.
If you would like to make the most of your visit, there’s this excellent private tour that can be done in English or German and can be tailored to any particular interests that you may have.
Sightseeing train
It won’t be quite as detailed as the private guided tour, but a fun way to see the city is on board the cute sightseeing train.
Starting from the cathedral, it heads along the Danube, past the Thurn and Taxis Palace and through some other picturesque parts of Regensburg. An audio guide in six languages is included.
Cruise to Walhalla
About 12 kilometres along the river from Regensburg is a rather striking monument perched up on one of the banks – the enormous neoclassical temple called Walhalla. It was built in the 19th century by King Ludwig I to honour distinguished people in Germany history (including politicians, scientists, and artists).
A nice way to get there is by boat, and there are cruises from Regensburg to Walhalla that you can join. The boat trips can also be extended to the small wine-growing region of Bach, if you like.
The largest city nearby is Nuremberg, and it can be a good base for also exploring some of the other World Heritage Sites in the region – like the Town of Bamberg and the Wurzburg Residence.
But, if you’re not in a rush, why not spend the night here so you’ll have more time for all the things to do in Regensburg.
THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN REGENSBURG
You’ll be able to find some great accommodation right in the historic centre of Regensburg, near the river and the main sights.
BACKPACKER
For a good budget option, I would suggest the Microverse Hostel near the city centre.
BUDGET
For a nice and affordable hotel, Katholische Akademie is in the Old Town district.
BOUTIQUE
If you’re looking for a modern and very nicely-done hotel, you may like the Ibis Styles Regensburg.
LUXURY
Andfor a funky design in an old chapel, Hotel David offers something a bit special.
Time Travel Turtle was supported by DB Bahn, the German National Tourist Board and Youth Hostels in Germany but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.
What a beautiful city! Such nice architecture and setting. You have captured the essence of Regensburg quite well.
A very beautiful city. When I toured around Germany, I almost went to Regensburg (my German tutor recommended it as it was her home town) but I ended up not having enough time after wanting to see other cities. Great pictures; I’ll definitely visit the next time I’m in the country.
Love the architecture! such a funky place!
Hi Michael,
Beautiful city and I have to agree with Megan; such a different, cool feel to the architecture. If I do visit my mom’s homeland one day I’ll have to set aside time to hit up this spot.
Thanks so much. I’ll tweet it in a bit.
Ryan
I visited Regensburg during Christmas several years ago. I visited several others cities in Germany and Austria during that trip, but Regensburg was my favorite. The white snow highlighted the pastel buildings. They had a night time Christmas market in the old castle there that I will never forget. It was completely surreal!
Gorgeous photos! The architecture is incredible, and it was a lovely trip back in time through your photos! Thanks for sharing!
I’d really like to visit Regensburg, if for no other reason that there is a restaurant named with my last name there! Has anyone been to the Dombrowski restaurant?
Oh really? Ha – that’s hilarious! You definitely have to go now. Organise a whole trip based around that one restaurant!! 🙂
You did a great recapture here, especially about the unique architectural role Regensburg (or Ratisbon in english) plays in germany. Here I also managed to take a linear streetscape of one of the narrow street, so you might like that view as well 😉 http://panoramastreetline.com/goliathstrasse-goliathhaus-ratisbon-germany-P4821
Lovely photo, Jörg. It’s such a picturesque place. I was really impressed with how many towns in Germany have retained their original feeling and how beautiful they still are today.
regensburg ist mein zweite heimat .ein sehr schone stadt.idolisch hestorisch naturlich politisch. so regesburg und bayern allgemein super………..ich habe sehr schone jahre in regensburg verbracht .diese jahre werde ich nie vergessen. ich hab regensburg nur verdanken
Danke!
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ein sehr schone stadt.idolisch hestorisch naturlich politisch. so regesburg und bayern allgemein super………..ich habe sehr schone jahre in regensburg verbracht .diese jahre werde ich nie vergessen. ich hab regensburg nur verdanken
Christmas several years ago. I visited several others cities in Germany and Austria during that trip, but Regensburg was my favorite. The white snow highlighted the pastel buildings. They had a night time Christmas market in the old castle there that I will never forget. It was completely surreal!
Christmas several years ago. I visited several others cities in Germany and Austria during that trip, but Regensburg was my favorite. The white snow highlighted the pastel buildings. They had a night time Christmas market in the old castle there that I will never forget. It was completely surreal!
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Exploring Regensburg sounds like stepping into a living history book! The maze of narrow medieval streets must feel like traveling back in time, offering an authentic glimpse of the past. I love how you mentioned that there’s more beyond the medieval charm, it makes me curious about the hidden gems and modern touches that lie within this historical city. Regensburg seems like a perfect blend of old-world beauty and contemporary culture. Thanks for sharing this intriguing look into such a unique destination!