Best Things To Do in Regensburg, Germany

After being in the states for over 3 months visiting my friends and family, I was starting to miss schnitzel, bratwurst, and my favorite German cities. I couldn’t wait to end quarantine and start exploring again. We decided our first day trip would be to visit Regensburg, a city I fell in love with a few months after Lillie was born last summer (2020).

Located on the banks of the Danube River in southeast Germany is the medieval town of Regensburg. It’s the perfect day trip from almost anywhere in Bavaria, especially Grafenwoehr. Taste the famous bratwurst sandwich at one of the most historical restaurants on the river. Then, stroll along the cobblestone streets and over the Old Stone Bridge to one of the most well known cafes and indulge in their delicious cakes.

When your bellies are full, walk around the city of Regensburg to burn some calories and enjoy the sites. St Peter’s Cathedral is under construction, but you can still marvel at the architecture — and it’s open to visiting inside. The other places I love to visit around town are the mural of David and Goliath, which you’ll see if you cross the Old Stone Bridge back into town.

Let’s explore each of these stops in more detail below!

Table of Contents

Historische Wurstküche

Start off your day with a delicious meal. On the bank of the Danube River, enjoy some of the best sausages you’ll find when visiting Regensburg City. Their bratwurst sandwich with senf (spicy mustard) and sauerkraut was perfect. There were only 2 menu items and 2 drinks available (beer + something else) on the Saturday that we visited. You can sit on the steps or on the side of the river and enjoy the traditional German sandwich.

infant eating sausage on the bank of danube river

They are currently open for to-go only. The window makes it convenient to order and receive your food immediately. They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Steinerne Bruecke) Old Stone Bridge

The Old Stone Bridge connects Regensburg Old Town and the tiny island of Stadtamhof; it was once a separate medieval village. The Danube River below rushes quickly underneath the 12th-century bridge and its 16 arches.

Once you cross the bridge, you’ll see the quaint island of Stadtamhof with its lovely artists’ studios, galleries, and cafes.

Kuchenbar

Just across the bridge from Regensburg in Stadtamhof is Kuchenbar, the top-rated cafe according to TripAdvisor. Choose from a variety of 25 different homemade cakes. They also have coffees, mixed drinks, and other treats. During normal operating times, you should dine in the cafe – the inside is beautiful.

kuchenbar famous cakes in regensburg germany

Opening Times (please verify with google maps or their website)
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Wed-Sat 11:00 am to 11:00 pm (longer depending on the number of people)
Sun 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Dom St. Peter (St. Peter’s Cathedral)

Did you know that St. Peter’s Cathedral is the only Gothic Cathedral in Bavaria? If you look up at Regensburg’s best-known landmark built in the 13th-century, you will see gargoyles with animal and human faces. I’ve never been on the inside, but it’s said that it is grandeur and there is marvelous light created from the stained glass windows.

family travel, st. peter's cathedral regensburg

dom st peters, st. peter's cathedral regensburg

*It’s currently under construction, but still beautiful*
St. Peter’s Cathedral is open:
April, May, October: 6.30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
June – September: 6.30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
November – March: 6.30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Other Places to Visit in Downtown Regensburg

Walking around the town of Regensburg is dreamy and inspiring. I never get tired of the old doors and the stories they hold. Explore the streets of Regensburg and get lost among the history and cobblestone. Below are a few places that I have on my list to visit once shops open and don’t require a negative test or appointment to shop.

Selmair Spielzeug – a wooden toy store near the Old Town Hall
Fürstliches Schloss Thurn und Taxis – the Thurn und Taxis Palace is closed due to the pandemic, but it is definitely a must-see once it opens. It’s located at the southern end of Regensburg’s old town and dates back to the 8th century, making it one of the oldest and most important Bavarian monasteries. They also have a traditional Christmas market that is very popular among tourists. You can read more about the Thurn und Taxis Palace on their website here.

Walhalla

When you’re done touring downtown Regensburg, it’s worth a drive to visit Walhalla (pronounced Valhalla), a temple surrounded by marbled columns, where you’ll find groups of people picnicking and enjoying their weekends. Take a bottle of wine, snacks, and a blanket, and enjoy the midday sun and the views of the Danube River below. It was one of the most important national monuments of the 19^th century created on behalf of Bavarian King Ludwig I. The design mimicked that of the famous Greek Parthenon in Athens Acropolis. The temple sits on the side of a hill with huge stepped substructures leading to the river below. The inside is closed due to the pandemic, but their website provides updates here.

couple at walhalla, visit regensburg germany

There is a large parking lot below the temple (paid parking). You can take the steps up to Walhalla, or the winding dirt path, which is handicap / stroller-friendly. There are a lot of steps and dangerous edges, so I suggest babywearing and keeping a close eye on your children.

Burgruine Donaustauf

If you’ve still got some energy left at the end of your day, Burgruine Donaustauf (ruins) is only a 5-minute drive from Walhalla. Walk around the castle ruins ground and take in the incredible preservation of this 11th-century castle. The most spectacular part of the main castle is the three considerable remains of the chapel (the white pillars you see in the photos). “Access to the main castle rose steeply through the trench-guarded outer bailey to the north, which today houses a small cemetery and partly sits on top of a prehistoric rampart, passing three gateways and a section ditch (source).”

Visit Regensburg and spend the day strolling the cobblestone streets, indulging in German cuisine, and exploring the famous Walhalla temple and castle ruins of Donaustauf. It’s the perfect day trip with friends or family — even your kids will love the adventure. For more day trips, especially from Grafenwoehr, check out my post of 20+ spots that are must-sees here!

A Roundup of the Best Day Trips from Grafenwoehr, Germany

Map of the city: click here
Parking Garage Recommendation: “Parking garage at Dachauplatz” click here for Google Maps

Accommodations in Regensburg

For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Regensburg. Please consider booking your Regensburg accommodations through the included link. It costs you nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!