Regensburg: Medieval Old Town and UNESCO World Heritage

Regensburg combines a medieval Old Town with special insights into the city’s history and that of its region. The Old Town, together with Stadtamhof, is an exceptional example of a medieval Central European trading centre. The city reflects the exchange of cultural and architectural influences. Families looking for a city break with history, architecture and a variety of experiences will find several themes here that they can prioritise according to their interests.

The Old Town, Stadtamhof and the cathedral

Regensburg’s Old Town has retained its original medieval layout since the 14th century. Stadtamhof lies on an island between the branches of the Danube. Together with the Old Town, the district is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This combination of historic urban layout and island setting shapes the character of a visit, without requiring you to focus on just one theme.

St. Peter’s Cathedral is Bavaria’s only Gothic cathedral and has the most extensive surviving collection of medieval stained glass in the German-speaking world. For visitors interested in sacred architecture or stained glass, the cathedral offers a special focus. The document Niedermünster offers another archaeological perspective: the excavation site lies beneath the Romanesque Niedermünster Church next to Regensburg Cathedral. Using modern 3D reconstructions and a lighting concept, the document presents historical developments from the 2nd to the 12th century.

Explore history in different ways

Certified guides offer classic city tours as well as themed walks covering history, architecture or local life. You can choose a tour based on what interests you and your family most. The Porta Praetoria is another highlight of a visit to Regensburg. Construction of the Stone Bridge began in 1135; the surviving bridge tower on the city side offers an excellent view over Regensburg.

The House of Bavarian History is right on the Danube. It combines historical theatre and staged presentations across 30 stages with around 1,000 exhibits, numerous multimedia installations and an area of around 2,500 square metres. The palace museum offers a different focus: guided tours introduce courtly residential culture from the Baroque period to Historicism in lavishly furnished living and reception rooms. The Marstallmuseum at the Princely Thurn and Taxis Museums focuses on an extensive collection of carriages, sleighs, sedan chairs and carrying chairs from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The cityscape also includes the extensive former Imperial Abbey of St. Emmeram, which has been the main residence of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis since 1812. Together with the varied museum themes, places like these can form the cultural focus of a stay; it is up to you to decide which ones to prioritise when planning your trip.

Plan your city visit around your interests

Regensburg can be explored on foot, by bus, by boat or by bicycle. This includes boat trips on the Danube. These options give you different ways to plan your stay: you can focus on walking tours and the city’s history, or plan a boat trip as an experience in its own right. You can choose from the various activities to suit your group’s interests, without having to follow a set itinerary.

If you’re looking for a holiday apartment in Regensburg, the kind of city break you’re planning can help you decide: would you like to explore historic architecture and museums above all, or combine different ways of experiencing the city? The verified themes range from medieval architectural history and courtly residential culture to history told through multimedia.

Discover other places

If you’d also like to discover other destinations: Brunn, Pfatter, Nittendorf, Bach An Der Donau, Neutraubling, Wenzenbach, Wörth An Der Donau, Bernhardswald.

For the main travel overview: Regensburg.