Discover Regensburg: Walhalla, castles and nature
Accommodation in Regensburg
Around Regensburg, grand architecture, castle history, landscaped gardens and outdoor activities come together. Walhalla on the Danube, the Nepal Himalaya Park in Wiesent and trails through the region each offer a very different experience. For a family trip, this selection offers a range of themes to shape days out together—from culture and plant diversity to getting active on hiking and cycling trails.
Walhalla: Memorial hall and striking architecture
Walhalla is a Neoclassical memorial and hall of honour on the Danube. Since 1842, prominent Germans and figures associated with German history have been commemorated there with marble busts and plaques. The exterior is also distinctive: the building is one of Germany’s notable Neoclassical structures and features a Doric design with 52 columns. Those interested in architecture will find not just a striking landmark, but also a place with a clear commemorative purpose.
There are several points of reference for getting to Walhalla. From the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, passenger boats operated by Klinger and Wurm & Noé travel along the Danube to the foot of Walhalla from Easter to October. From the bus stop, it is about a 20-minute walk to Walhalla, via 358 steps. The approximate walking time and exact number of steps are useful details when planning this outing for the day.
Castles, gardens and local stories
Wolfsegg Castle is one of the best-preserved castle complexes in the region. Its rooms house a castle museum that was completely redesigned in 2019. The museum aims to bring life in a medieval castle to life in its authentic setting. This links the historic site to a specific question of cultural history: What was life in a castle like? In Kallmünz, by contrast, the castle ruins are part of a larger network of hiking trails. Since 2007, they have been connected to 44 other nearby castles and castle ruins as part of the Regensburg Castle Trails. The network comprises five hiking routes with a total length of 200 kilometres.
The nine-hectare Nepal Himalaya Park in Wiesent offers a very different experience. It brings Asian culture and nature together, with a Nepalese temple, a diverse perennial garden and numerous works of Asian art. The park includes a Himalayan garden and a Chinese garden, as well as more than 6,200 different plant species. Those especially interested in garden art and plants will find an outing here that differs from visits to historic buildings. The Nepal Himalaya Pavilion can also be reached from Wiesent via a 2.8-kilometre hike.
Get active: trails, climbing elements and water sports
The signposted Fruit Adventure Trail covers about 34 kilometres from Hemau via Beratzhausen to Kallmünz. Twelve large information boards stand along the cycle route. The distance and route through three towns provide clear points of reference if you would like to combine a bike ride with information along the way. Another guided activity is offered by Dream Alpakas: alpaca walks, also known as alpaca trekking, are available from the alpaca farm in Altenthann.
For climbing elements of varying difficulty, the Regensburg Climbing Forest in Riegling near Sinzing has 14 courses with a total of 135 elements. At Guggenberger See near Neutraubling, divers, windsurfers and small-boat sailors may pursue their sport in a designated area. The two activities offer different focal points: one features courses and climbing elements, while the other is for specific water sports in a designated area.
Bavarian wine is another topic for an outing: the wine trail belonging to the Bavarian Wine Museum in Bach an der Donau is open at all times. It provides information about the past and present of Bavarian wine and introduces White Elbling as a local grape variety.
When choosing a holiday apartment, you could first consider what kind of outing you would like to shape your days together: architecture and history, gardens and plants, or getting active on trails and outdoors. This lets you focus your search on a holiday destination that suits your actual interests, without committing to a single travel style.
More places
Bach an der Donau, Zeitlarn, Tegernheim, Regensburg, Kallmünz, Obertraubling, Neutraubling, Nittendorf, Wenzenbach, Donaustauf, Lappersdorf, Barbing, Holzheim, Duggendorf, Laaber, Sinzing, Regenstauf, Wörth an der Donau, Bernhardswald, Brennberg, Wiesent, Pfatter, Alteglofsheim, Beratzhausen, Wolfsegg, Brunn, Pentling, Hemau.
For the regional travel overview: Bavaria.
