Regensburg, Germany

Your complete guide to exploring Regensburg's 2,000-year history, from Roman ruins to lively beer gardens. Includes secret spots most tourists miss.

City of Regensburg (Germany)

Regensburg (Regensburg, German: Regensburg) is a Bavarian city with a fascinating history and architecture, one of the most visited cities in Germany. Located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, it is divided into two parts. Regensburg is one of the oldest cities in the country, boasting a remarkable historical heritage, and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Regensburg is one of Bavaria’s largest cities, surpassed only by Munich, Nuremberg, and Augsburg. It offers a unique blend of ancient landmarks and traditions, modern buildings, and youthful energy. Visitors of all ages and interests will find plenty to see and do—from exploring the medieval historic center to enjoying nightlife and shopping.

How to Get There?

Regensburg is a major transportation hub in Bavaria. Trains and buses connect the city to most large Bavarian and German cities, as well as major European destinations. With a transfer in Munich, Regensburg is accessible from nearly all European countries.

The nearest airports are in Munich and Nuremberg. The distance from Regensburg to Bavaria’s capital is 105 km, with a travel time of under two hours. The most budget-friendly option is the Flixbus. Check schedules and ticket prices here: https://www.goeuro.com

Best Hotels in the City

Best Time to Visit Regensburg

Regensburg can be visited year-round, depending on your preferences. Due to its southern location in Germany, the climate is relatively warm and comfortable. Winters may bring light frosts and unstable snowfall. The fewest tourists visit in March-April and October-November.

Temperature and Precipitation Table

 

Shopping, Food, and Drinks

Regensburg offers excellent shopping opportunities. Winding old streets are lined with countless small and large stores, boutiques, and shops selling everything from souvenirs to branded goods. Nearly every district has a major shopping center, with the largest being Regensburg Arcaden and Donau Einkaufszentrum.

The city has over 500 restaurants and eateries catering to various budgets, mostly concentrated in the historic center.

Food-wise, Regensburg offers a fantastic variety, from traditional Bavarian cuisine and beer snacks to high-end European and international dining. There’s an abundance of pizzerias and Italian restaurants (perhaps even more than traditional taverns). A must-try is the famous Bavarian white sausage with sweet mustard. The most renowned spot for this is the historic “Wurstkuchl,” dating back over 500 years, located near the iconic Stone Bridge.

Although Bavaria produces wine, beer is the drink of choice here—and it’s excellent. Regensburg has a long brewing tradition, with three breweries producing various beer styles. Try the Weissbier (wheat beer) or Bischofshof. Notable historic beer halls include Alte Linde, Spital Garten (near the bridge), and Kneitinger (on Arnulfsplatz).

Events

Regensburg is one of Bavaria’s cultural hubs. Key events include:

• Maidult – A May festival with a fair, running from mid-May to the end of the month.
• Herbstdult – An autumn festival with a fair, held from late August to mid-September.
• Christmas markets – Annually from early December.

History and Interesting Facts

Regensburg is one of Germany’s oldest cities, with a history spanning several name changes. Before the Romans, it was a Celtic settlement called Radasbona. In the early Common Era, the Romans established the fortress Castra Regina, destroyed during the Marcomanni invasion in the 2nd century.

After repelling the Marcomanni, Emperor Marcus Aurelius ordered the construction of a Roman camp, which by the 4th century had become a fortified settlement.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Regensburg became the capital of the Bavarian dukes, the Agilolfings (5th–8th centuries). By the 9th century, it was a major religious center not just for Bavaria but all of Germany. In the 12th century, Regensburg grew into one of Germany’s wealthiest cities, trading with Paris, Venice, and Kievan Rus. The Stone Bridge, built during this time, was an engineering marvel—centuries older than Prague’s Charles Bridge.

In the early 13th century, Regensburg gained imperial city status. After nearly a century of conflict between city authorities, the Church, and the Duchy of Bavaria, the city declined economically. By the late 15th century, it was annexed by Bavaria but soon regained independence as an imperial city.

In the early 14th century, the city was encircled by stone walls with five gates and towers—remnants still visible today. The area within these walls became known as the Old Town.

The 16th century was pivotal for Regensburg. Under Emperor Rudolf II, it became the site of imperial diets (Reichstage), and from 1663, it hosted the Perpetual Diet of the Holy Roman Empire. However, this did not significantly boost its prosperity.

In the 18th century, after the fall of the Holy Roman Empire, the Principality of Regensburg was established. In 1809, the city found itself at the center of Napoleonic Wars and was incorporated into the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1810, becoming a Bavarian province.

Regensburg suffered little damage during World War II.

Architecture

Regensburg’s Old Town features around 1,500 historically significant buildings spanning periods from the Holy Roman Empire to the present. Many are state-protected landmarks. The streets showcase various architectural styles, with German Gothic and Italian influences dominating.

Landmarks and Attractions in Regensburg

The main attraction is the exceptionally preserved medieval city center, featuring an ancient cathedral and the iconic Stone Bridge. Regensburg has Germany’s largest intact medieval Old Town, often called the “northernmost Italian city” due to its Italian-style merchant houses, towers, and cozy street cafés.

The Stone Bridge is a masterpiece of medieval architecture and, alongside the cathedral, a key symbol of Regensburg’s UNESCO World Heritage status. Built in just 11 years (1135–1146), it was the city’s only Danube crossing until 1935. The bridge’s 300-meter stone arches and 5-meter-thick base were originally guarded by three towers—only the Brückturm remains, offering a great viewing platform.

Walking across the Stone Bridge is a must for every tourist. This ancient bridge inspired Prague’s Charles Bridge. Today, it is pedestrian-only.

St. Peter’s Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece in Bavaria, renowned for its towering spires visible throughout the Old Town. Its stunning 13th–14th-century stained glass and 15th-century vaults are highlights. The All Saints’ Chapel, built in the mid-12th century by Northern Italian craftsmen, evokes memories of Ravenna and can be visited with a guide. St. Peter’s is Bavaria’s only purely Gothic cathedral.

The Old Chapel, located on the old grain market square, is considered Bavaria’s oldest church. The Romanesque basilica and its late-Gothic vault were redesigned in Bavarian Rococo style in 1747. Its treasure is a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary with Christ, a gift from Pope Benedict VIII to Emperor Henry II for his coronation in 1014.

On the Old Town’s western edge, near the city park, stand the towers of St. James’s Scottish Church. A former Benedictine monastery, it became one of Bavaria’s most important Romanesque churches in the 12th century. Its entrance, the “Schottenportal,” is adorned with stunning carvings depicting the Last Judgment, heaven, and hell.

Neupfarrkirche, a key Protestant church in Regensburg, stands in the old Jewish quarter. Its Renaissance facade and twin Gothic spires stand out in the Old Town’s skyline.

The Dominican Church on Albertus-Magnus-Platz is a prime example of early German Gothic architecture, built in the 13th century, notable for its simplicity.

The Basilica of St. Emmeram, built in the 8th century and remodeled in Baroque style in the 18th century, was once one of Bavaria’s most important monasteries and remains a major church in Regensburg.

One of the Old Town’s most significant buildings is the Old Town Hall with its imposing tower. Dating back to the 13th century, it blends Gothic and Baroque styles and sits on the central market square.

Inside, visitors can see the historic hall where the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire convened, as well as a medieval torture chamber.

Porta Praetoria, nearly 2,000 years old, is one of Regensburg’s oldest surviving structures. This Roman gate once marked the city’s northern entrance, with remnants of the Roman wall embedded in medieval buildings.

In southern Regensburg, near the main train station, lies the princely Thurn und Taxis Palace, a stunning complex built around an 8th-century Benedictine monastery—one of Bavaria’s oldest and most significant.

The Golden Tower in the Old Town, built in the late 13th century, was a status symbol for wealthy families. At over 50 meters tall, it offers breathtaking views. Nearby, the Goliath House (13th century) features a mural depicting David and Goliath, painted around 1573.

Next to the bridge stands the historic Salt House (early 17th century), where salt was once traded.

These are just a few of Regensburg’s many attractions—exploring the Old Town’s medieval streets reveals even more!

Map of Regensburg’s Top Attractions

Here’s a suggested route for exploring Regensburg’s key landmarks. The compact Old Town makes for an easy walk.

Video – The City of Regensburg

Regensburg on the Map