Germany City Travel Guide: Regensburg

Historic buildings in Regensburg

Regensburg

Located in Bavaria in south-eastern Germany
About 160 km North North East of Munich
Situated on the River Danube
Site of ancient Roman fortress
Beautifully preserved treasure trove of German history and culture
One of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe
Population 150,000
Previously known as Ratisbon
1300 buildings listed as of historic interest
Free Imperial City from 1245-1803
Altstadt & Stadtamhof - UNESCO World Heritage site

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The River Danube in Regensburg

A walk through Regensburg is a direct sensory experience of German artistry and history. Few other towns in Europe, let alone Germany, have preserved as much of their past as perfectly.

Nestled amidst lush greenery and undamaged by wars, the roots of Regensburg are still visible in its relics, including Stone Age and Celtic remains in its museum, its Romanesque and Classical architecture, and its foundation stone from the Roman fort of Castra Regina, inscribed in 179AD under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Regenburg is on the Danube, which flows east through its center. Like many German towns it is centered around its cathedral, or Dom (Dom St Peter), which dates from the 13th century and is noted for its stained glass windows and statues.

The nearby Alte Kapelle (Old Chapel) contains fine rococo stuccoes by Anton Landes.

Dom St Peter (left) rises above the town of Regensburg

The Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge) across the Danube is another of Regenburg's medieval marvels. Built between 1135-46, the 310 meter bridge with 16 arches affords great views of the city.

In the south end of the town the Schloss Thurn und Taxis is a former Benedictine monastery which became the palace of Franz von Taxis (1459-1517) - the founder of the European postal service. The palace is now an interesting museum displaying the von Taxis family treasures.

The 15th century Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) was the seat of the parliament of the Holy Roman Empire from 1663-1806 and now is home to the Reichstagsmuseum complete with the original torture chambers.

Other sites of interest in Regensburg include remnants of the original Roman Wall and a classical Roman arch, the Porta Praetoria dating from AD 179 on Unter den Schwibbögen to the east of the Altes Rathaus.

Dom St Peter, Regensburg, Germany

The Baumburgerturm on Watmarkt is a medieval palace tower built by the city's merchants and the nearby tower Goliathhaus where Oskar Schindler lived briefly in 1945 and a commemorative plaque marks the spot.

To the west of the city is the Thon-Dittmer-Palais, a venue in summer for concerts and plays. On Keplerstrasse the Kepler-Gedächtnishaus is a merchant house where the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler lived and died in 1630.

Heidplatz, the largest medieval square in the city, is the location of the Zum Goldenen Kruez, a former inn. It was here than Charles V and Barbara Blomberg carried on a brief affair that resulted in the birth of Don John of Austria - half brother to Philip II of Spain. A plaque on the building commemorates the event and there is also a statue of Don John, admiral of the Holy League fleet at the Battle of Lepanto (1571) between the Kohlenmarkt and Fischmarkt.

River Danube, Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg Tourist Office

Altes Rathaus
Rathausplatz 3
93047 Regensburg
Tel: +49 (0)941 507 34 16
Fax: +49 (0)941 507 44 19
www.regensburg.de

Open Mon-Fri 9.15 am-6 pm; Sat 9.15 am-4 pm; Sun 9.30-2.30/4 pm
Some images courtesy of Regensburg Tourismus GmbH

Enjoy the riverside and Steinerne Brücke in Regensburg

Getting to Regensburg

Air

There are two international airports nearby:
-A small airport, Nuremburg is serviced by 14 airlines that fly throughout Europe. Tel: 01805/99-66-33. Buses leave from Terminal 1.

Munich International Airport has flights bound for cities all over Europe, New York, and Asia. The airport is connected by the S1 & S8 trains to the Hauptbahnhof. The trip takes 40 minutes and runs every 20 minutes from 4 am to 1 am. The fare is €8.

There is also an airport bus to and from Arnulfstrasse, on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof, between 6:50 am and 7:50 pm; it takes about 45 minutes. A taxi into Munich costs about €70.

Regensburg Hauptbahnhof, Regensburg, Germany.

Main Station, Regensburg, Germany with rail links to Munich

Train

Regensburg has direct rail links with Munich (90 mins) and Nuremburg (1 hour). The Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) is located in the south of the city on Bahnhofstrasse.

Bus/Road

There is a regular city bus from the main station to the Altstadt (Old Town). The A93 Autobahn runs south to Munich.

Car Hire

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Altes Rathaus & Tower (Turm), Regensburg

Accommodation

Featured Hotels in This City

Apollo Hotel Regensburg - The Apollo Hotel Regensburg is situated close to the university and hospital area.

Park Hotel Maximilian Regensburg - The Park Hotel lies centrally at the pedestrian zone in Regensburg. It was built in 1891 in the neo-rococo style and served as the American headquarters in 1945 during World War II.

Altstadt Hotel Arch - The Altstadt Hotel Arch is in picturesque Haidplatz, has 4 stars and a recommended restaurant.

Hotel-Restaurant Wiendl - family-run hotel on Universitätsstraße serving traditional Bavarian dishes.

Altstadt Hotel Arch

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City View, Regensburg, Germany

Eating

Some recommended places to eat in the city include Restaurant Valentino, Weltenburger am Dom and Caffe' Rinaldi. Restaurant Roter Hahn, Storstad, Sticky Fingers, Restaurant Ontra and Kreutzers-Restaurant all have Michelin stars.

The Historische Wurstküche zu Regensburg (Historic Sausage Kitchen of Regensburg) can lay a claim to be the oldest continuously open public restaurant in the world dating back to the 12th century.

For sushi try the Kyoto Running Sushi Bar at Ludwigstraße 7.

Vegans and vegetarians should try Katzentempel at Obermünsterstrasse 19, TantchenVegan in Domplatz or Kaffe Dada.

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Drinking

Spitalgarten, Regensburg, Germany

Alte Linde on Jahninsel, an island in the Danube, is Regensburg's most famous beer hall with superb beer and views of the Danube. Walk to the island over the Steinerne Brücke.

The nearby Gastof Spitalgarten is one of Bavaria's oldest hospital breweries with a lovely beer garden with fine views of the city. Goldene Ente is another popular beer garden situated on the river on Badstrasse, close to both Alte Linde and Gastof Spitalgarten..

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17th century Baroque Justitiabrunnen fountain by sculptor Leoprand Hilmer (1656), Haidplatz, Altstadt, Regensburg, Germany

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Local football teams

SSV Jahn Regensburg, founded in 1886, languished in the lower leagues of German football for many a year and were (2005-6 season) in the Regionalliga Sud. In 2021 they are in the 2. Bundesliga (Zweite Bundesliga).

The team used to play at the 15,000 capacity Jahnstadion, which was built in 1926, and hosted five games during the 1972 Olympics. In 2017, it was mostly demolished and replaced by a school and apartments. The stadium was succeeded by the new Jahnstadion Regensburg also with a 15,000 capacity.