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Regensburg cruise port guide

Regensburg's cathedral and town hall are among its historical treasures - Getty
Regensburg's cathedral and town hall are among its historical treasures - Getty

Why go?

This charming Unesco World Heritage city, split into two halves by the Danube, is a veritable open-air museum with a dizzying 1,500 listed buildings, some of which date back to Roman times. As well as history and scenery par excellence, it also offers a fabulous array of culture, regional cuisine and even lively nightlife.

Where do river cruise ships dock?

The town’s several river cruise docks are located just downstream from the Museum of Bavarian History (which will officially open in May 2019), along the Marc Aurel Ufer. It’s sometimes, though not often, necessary to cross through other cruise ships to get to the shore.

Can I walk to sights from ship?

Ships dock very close to the main town centre, putting visitors within easy walking distance of most main sights. St. Peter’s Cathedral, Porta Praetoria and the Old Stone Bridge are all within a 15-20 minute walk from the farthest piers, and usually less.

Getting around

Despite being Bavaria's fourth-largest city, Regensburg’s Old Town is reassuringly compact, with most of the main sights within easy walking distance. That said, there are electric buses available a ticket for the inner city costs €1,10/£1(valid for 60 minutes) and a day ticket costs €5/£4.45, which can be helpful to explore some of the outer-lying sights or areas.

What can I do with a half a day in Regensburg? 

Regensburg is a veritable open-air museum of architectural styles, spanning Gothic and Romanesque churches, Baroque and Renaissance palaces, plus with the town’s characteristic colourful town-houses, mostly built in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The Old Stone bridge over the Danube - Credit: Getty
The 12th century Old Stone bridge Credit: Getty

Dominating the city skyline are the twin spires of St. Peter’s Cathedral (Regensburg Dom), which was built between 1260-1520, and is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Bavaria; some of the stained glass windows date back to the 13th century and the intricately ornamented west portal is a must-see.

To the north is the Porta Praetoria, an impressive arched gate built by Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 179 A.D., that served as an entrance to the Castra Regina fortress.

Down by the river, the city’s famous stone bridge – Germany’s oldest – is another medieval masterpiece; built between 1135 and 1146, it was for several centuries the only bridge crossing the Danube between Ulm and Vienna.

Stadtamhof - Credit: Getty
Take a stroll over the Old Stone Bridge to Stadtamhof Credit: Getty

Cross to the northern side of the bridge for photogenic views back over the Old Town. For an interactive overview of the city’s history and architecture, check out the World Heritage Visitor Centre, next to the stone bridge, while the Regensburg Museum of History offers a rich overview of Eastern Bavarian culture and a variety of exhibits spanning the stone age to the present day.

What can I do with a bit longer? 

On the other side of the Danube from the Old Town lies the Stadtamhof, a formerly independent town that has been part of Regensburg since 1924. Part of the city’s Unesco designation, it offers more delightful architecture and independent shops selling local handicrafts.

Eat and drink

Regensburg offers all the usual delights of Bavarian cuisine. Right next to the bridge, you’ll find the Sausage Kitchen, which has been serving up traditional, hand-made Bratwurst and sauerkraut for over 500 years. In the oldest coffee house of Germany at Café Prinzess (1676) you can try hand-made cakes and pastries; or try a locally brewed beer at the Spital beer garden in Stadtamhof.

Porta Praetoria - Credit: iStock
Porta Praetoria gathers the crowds Credit: iStock

Don’t leave Regensburg without…

Pick up a jar of Regensburg’s sweet mustard, which is used on sausages as well as salad dressings. Fashionistas might want to visit the “hat king” (Krauterermarkt 1, 93047 Regensburg), whose owner Andreas Nuslan has created hats for royals and celebrities around the world.

Need to know

Regensburg is a very safe place, and the tourist office encourages independent exploration. There is no area where visitors need to exercise any kind of specific caution.

Best time to go

Between spring and autumn is the best time to visit since the warm weather makes outdoor exploration not only possible, but very pleasant. Major events like the Festival of Early Music in June, which features atmospheric concerts in historical venues, and the Thurn & Taxis Palace Theatre Festival in July are highly popular, as are the annual Volkfest and Christmas Markets.

Regensburg's Christmas market - Credit: iStock
The Christmas market is one of many events to catch in Regensburg Credit: iStock

Closures

Shops are closed at Sunday. Museums are often closed on Monday, but the Unesco-World Heritage Visitor Centre and others are open, so it’s best to check individual establishments.