Regensburg

Medieval Danube city with a stone bridge

Regensburg is a city on the Danube in Bavaria and the capital of the Upper Palatinate region. Its old town and the Stadtamhof district are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cover about two thousand years of history, from a Roman legionary camp to Gothic churches and patrician towers. Visitors can cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge, tour St. Peter's Cathedral, see the Old Town Hall where the Imperial Diet met and spend an evening in a riverside beer garden. The old town is compact and pedestrian. It suits a city break of one or two days or a stop between Munich and Nuremberg.

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City in Germany

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

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4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions, especially in the Old Town. Most younger locals and those in tourism are comfortable with English, making it easy for visitors to get around.

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Last update: Oct 21, 2026

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Regensburg Summary

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Excellent for medieval architecture and riverside walks. Explore preserved old town streets, visit historic churches and relax in lively squares.

Place score

7.8

Best at:

Walkable

Architecture

Historic sites

Spotless

Cycling

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🐕 9

With dogs

🌈 9

LGBTQ+

Germany – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) $1 ≈ €0.90
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas, but small establishments may prefer cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in restaurants, typically 5-10%. For taxis, it is customary to round up to the nearest euro. Tipping in cash is more common than adding it to card payments.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in most parts of Germany, especially in beer gardens and public events, but some local regulations may restrict it in specific areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places such as restaurants, trains, and buses. Designated smoking areas are available outside many buildings.

Oktoberfest (September)	Huge crowds in Munich. Expect high hotel rates and crowded transportation.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets are popular, expect crowded cities and higher prices.
Labour Day (May)	Many shops are closed, and there are celebrations throughout the country.

Emergency contact:	Police: 110, Emergency Number: 112 (Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, myTaxi
Other:	Germany is well-equipped for tourists, with good public transport and high-quality facilities. However, be prepared for language barriers in some rural areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Regensburg, Germany

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	June - Sep., Dec.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Christmas markets late November to December 23, including the romantic market at Thurn und Taxis Palace

Bürgerfest city festival every two years in late June or early July

Danube boat tours to Walhalla and Kelheim run April to October

Don't miss

🌉 Walk across the historic Stone Bridge over the Danube
⛪ Marvel at Regensburg Cathedral’s towering Gothic spires
🏘️ Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town’s cobbled streets
🌭 Savor sausages at the centuries-old Wurstkuchl riverside stand
🏰 Tour the medieval Thurn and Taxis Palace grounds
🚤 Take a scenic boat trip along the Danube River

You've been here?

Why travel to Regensburg?

Regensburg is worth a visit because so much of its medieval center is still intact. The UNESCO listing covers the old town on the south bank of the Danube, the two Wöhrd islands and the Stadtamhof district across the river. Buildings from Roman, Romanesque and Gothic times stand close together. The best-known is the Stone Bridge from the 12th century. St. Peter's Cathedral has a treasury and is home to the Regensburger Domspatzen boys' choir. The Old Town Hall was where the Imperial Diet met for more than 140 years. The Thurn und Taxis palace grounds include the St. Emmeram cloisters and the Princely Treasure Chamber. Roman remains are close by, including the Porta Praetoria gate and a stretch of the legionary camp wall. The Golden Tower and the Keplerhaus are two smaller stops on the way. The Danube is part of the visit. Boat trips leave from the old town and the riverside has beer gardens. The local sausages and the Christmas markets in December are further reasons to come. One or two days is enough for the old town. It also fits well between Munich and Nuremberg, which are about 1.5 hours and 1 hour away by train.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Saint Peter's Cathedral
2 Old Town Hall
3 Scots Monastery
4 Porta praetoria
5 Stone Bridge

🎡Places for activities

1 Old Town Hall
2 Naturkundemuseum Ostbayern

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Donaustauf
2 Oberer Wöhrd
3 Jahninsel
4 Stadtpark
5 Herzogspark
6 Donau

🛍️Shopping

1 Regensburg Arcaden

🎈Events

Regensburg Dult (Spring & Autumn fair)
Christmas Markets
Bürgerfest (Citizens' Festival)
Jazz Weekend
Regensburg Marathon
Old Town Festival
Classic Car Rally
Stadtfest
Herbstfest
Open Air Summer Concerts

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Knowledge before you go

The Domspatzen boys' choir sings in the cathedral on Sundays and holidays.
The World Heritage Visitor Centre at Domplatz 5 is also where you book guided cathedral tours.
The Dult funfair is held in spring and late summer and brings large crowds to the Dultplatz.
Walk across the Stone Bridge to Stadtamhof or the Wöhrd islands for views back over the old town and the cathedral spires.

How to travel to Regensburg

Trains are the easiest way to reach Regensburg. Direct ALX trains from Munich take about 1 hour 25 minutes and regional trains from Nuremberg take about an hour, with about 20 direct trains a day on both routes. Some long-distance services also connect Regensburg with Vienna. The main station is a short walk from the old town. Regensburg has no commercial airport. Nuremberg (NUE) and Munich (MUC) are each about an hour away by car. By train it's easiest to go via the main station in Nuremberg or Munich. By car, the A3 and the A93 reach the city, with Nuremberg about an hour away. Long-distance buses stop at a terminal in Stadtamhof, about a 10 minute walk from the old town across the Stone Bridge. River cruise ships dock at the eastern edge of the old town.

Access summary

From Munich Airport (MUC): About 1.5 hours by direct train or bus.
From Munich city: Roughly 1–1.5 hours by regional or ICE trains.
From Nuremberg Airport/city: Around 1.5–2 hours by U‑Bahn plus regional train.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Regensburg

Most visitors stay in the old town, where hotels and guesthouses occupy historic buildings close to the cathedral, the Stone Bridge and the restaurants. Rooms are usually small and prices are higher than elsewhere in the city. Stadtamhof across the Stone Bridge is quieter and has views back to the old town. Hotels near the main station are practical for early trains and cost less. The old town is a short walk away. Apartments and hotels on the edge of the city are the cheapest option and work best with the bus or a car. Book ahead for the Christmas markets in December and for the summer festival season. Regensburg also has a large university and hosts trade fairs, so midweek rooms can fill up as well.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Atrium im Park Hotel Regensburg

8.3

Holiday Inn - the niu Sparrow Regensburg By IHG

8.5

Eurostars Park Hotel Maximilian

8.5

Holiday Inn Express Regensburg By IHG

8.6

Ibis Regensburg City

8.5

Posthotel Walhalla Regensburg Ost

8.8

Ibis Styles Regensburg

8.3

Mercure Hotel Regensburg

8.2

Ibis Regensburg Zentrum

8.8

SORAT Insel-Hotel Regensburg

9.0

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How to get around Regensburg

Regensburg's old town is compact and mostly pedestrian. Most sights are within a 15 to 20 minute walk of each other. The main station is south of the old town. You only need other transport for the outer districts and the park-and-ride lots.

Walking:
The old town is a maze of medieval alleys and squares and walking is the best way to see it. The streets are cobbled in many places and the Stone Bridge is closed to cars.

Buses:
City buses connect the station, the old town and the outer districts. A small old town bus line runs on weekdays and is useful if the cobbles are hard to walk.

Bikes:
The city is mostly flat and the Danube cycle path goes through it, which makes bikes a good choice for longer rides along the river.

Car:
Cars aren't needed in the old town. The park-and-ride lots at Unterer Wöhrd, Jahnstadion and west of the A3 motorway are easier than looking for a space.

Food in Regensburg

Food in Regensburg is Bavarian with some Upper Palatinate influence. It's meat-heavy and served in traditional inns and beer gardens along the Danube. Vegetarian dishes are available at most places but the choice is shorter in classic taverns.

Regensburger sausages:
The local smoked pork sausage is the city's best-known dish. It's often eaten grilled in a bun with sauerkraut and sweet mustard.

Dampfnudeln:
Dampfnudeln are steamed yeast dumplings served with vanilla sauce or with savory sides. Several restaurants in the old town specialize in them.

Reichstagskonfekt:
Reichstagskonfekt is a chocolate-covered sweet of almonds and dates, named after the Imperial Diet. It's sold in confectioners and is a common souvenir.

Beer gardens:
Beer gardens on the Danube bank and in the old town serve Bavarian beer and snacks. They're open mostly from spring to autumn.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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+2 %

Daily expenses in Regensburg are around 2% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+1 %

Your exchange rate (USD to EUR) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	$90	$189	$505
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	$35	$80	$180
🍝 Food per day	$41	$92	$263
🚕 Transportation per day	$14	$16	$62

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	$38
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	$18
🍟 Fast food combo	$13
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	$14
☕ Cappuccino	$4.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz	$5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	$3.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	$37
⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal	$2

Other

🎞️ Movie ticket	$17
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	$65
🤧 Cold medication	$13
💇 Basic haircut	$23

Safety information overview

General safety

Regensburg is very safe for travelers. Petty theft is the main risk, mostly in crowds at festivals and Christmas markets. Violent crime is rare and the old town is busy in the evening. High water on the Danube can flood low riverside areas.

Health & Medical

Medical care is at German standard, with several large hospitals and many pharmacies in the city. Ticks live in parks and woods around the city from spring to autumn. Summers can be hot and the old town has little shade.

Accessibility

The old town is flat but cobbled, which is hard on wheelchairs and walkers. Many medieval buildings and towers have steps and narrow doors. The main station has lifts. The Stone Bridge has a gentle arch.

Tap water

Tap water in Regensburg is safe to drink and follows German drinking water rules. Restaurants usually serve bottled mineral water. Ask for Leitungswasser if you'd like tap water, though some places charge for it. Supermarkets sell bottled water cheaply.