One day in Regensburg isn’t enough time to see all that this medieval city along the banks of the Danube River has to offer, but a day trip is definitely enough time to see the main attractions. Whether you’re visiting in the summer or for the Christmas markets, this itinerary is easy to tailor for any season!
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With a beautiful Old Town that’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a long and fascinating history with ties to the Roman Empire, and one of the best Christmas markets in Germany, you could say that Regensburg has it all.
As if all that weren’t enough, this medieval jewel in the heart of Bavaria was built on the banks of the Danube River, making it one of the most popular stops for river cruises.
I’ve traveled all around Germany since moving here in 2019, and Regensburg still ranks as one of my all-time favorites. Besides its obvious medieval charm and picturesque location, Regensburg gets a big thumbs up from me because it’s easy to reach by train and makes for an excellent day trip in Bavaria.
If you’ll be taking a day trip to Regensburg from Munich, Nuremberg, or another nearby city, here’s the one day itinerary I recommend following to make the most of your visit. I don’t want you to rush from attraction to attraction, but I do want you to see the top sites and get a feel for the local culture!
Happy exploring! -Claire
A Quick Overview of This 1-Day Itinerary
Definitely read the blog post below for all the details, but here’s what I suggest doing in Regensburg if you’re visiting on a day trip.
- Tour the Old Town Hall
- See the Goliath House
- Cross the Old Stone Bridge
- See the remains of an old Roman gate
- Visit Regensburg’s Cathedral
- Get lunch at the Neupfarrplatz weekly market
- See the famous Schottenportal at St. Jacob’s Church
- Have a mid-afternoon caffeine break at Haidplatz
- Either visit a museum or tour the Palace of Thurn und Taxis
Claire’s Tip: Where and When to Begin Your Visit
I don’t own a car, and I tend to avoid renting one whenever possible. This day trip itinerary assumes you’ll be starting at or near the central train station (Regensburg Hauptbahnhof). I suggest arriving around 10am to ensure you have enough time to see the sights.
From the central train station, you can either walk 15 minutes to the Old Town Hall (your first stop), or ride bus #1, 2, or 11 to “Fischplatz” and walk 2 extra minutes from there.
After that, you’ll be on your feet for the rest of this itinerary (Regensburg’s Old Town is compact and walkable, don’t worry!).
🇩🇪 The 15+ Top Things to Do in Regensburg, Germany 🥨
Stop 1: Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus)
Claire’s Tip: Stop by the Tourist Information Center (Rathausplatz 4) across from the Town Hall to grab a map of the Old Town. You can also book your tour of the Town Hall there.
You wouldn’t know just by looking at it, but Regensburg’s Old Town Hall was a big deal during the time of the Holy Roman Empire.
Why? Because for almost 150 years, this Old Town Hall played host to The Perpetual Diet (i.e. where the rich and powerful of the Holy Roman Empire gathered to discuss political matters). The Regensburg Diet was one of the political bodies that influenced the founding of the German parliament — pretty cool, huh?
You can only visit the Old Town Hall on a guided tour, during which you’ll visit The Imperial Hall where the Diet met, the old medieval dungeon and torture chamber, and a series of historical rooms.
Stop 2: Goliath House (Goliathhaus)
No day trip to Regensburg is complete without seeing the massive mural of David and Goliath on the side of the building at Goliathstraße 4.
In the Bible, there’s a popular story about the young shepherd David who beat the giant Goliath using just a slingshot and stones. That epic fight is what was painted on the side of this house in 1573.
Claire’s Tip: Look at the lower corner of the mural when you’re standing in front of it. See anything unusual? A frog, perhaps? That’s actually graffiti that Hans Kranzberg left behind when he was hired to restore the mural in the 1840s!
Stop 3: Old Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke)
Arguably the top attraction in Regensburg is the Old Stone Bridge. Building began in 1135 AD, making it the oldest preserved bridge in Germany. It would have originally been guarded by three towers, but unfortunately they haven’t survived.
I suggest walking across the bridge to the opposite bank of the Danube for a view of Old Town from afar. The Regensburg skyline is gorgeous no matter the season!
Claire’s Tip: If you’re visiting for the Christmas markets, make sure to pop into the market at the St. Katharinenspital. It opens at 4pm on weekdays and at 11am on weekends).
Stop 4: Old Roman Gate (Porta Praetoria)
Besides the Old Town Hall, very few architectural relics from the time of the Holy Roman Empire remain in Regensburg. Lucky for us, the Porta Praetoria is still standing — albeit in ruins.
It’s one of only two Roman gates north of the Alps that are still standing, and the stones have been set into the foundation of a more modern building to stabilize them.
This is more of a hidden gem in Regensburg that I discovered while exploring the Old Town, and I’m so happy I get to share my find with you!
Stop 5: St. Peter’s Cathedral (Dom St. Peter)
Regensburg’s Gothic Cathedral is the only one of its kind in Bavaria, making it a real architectural jewel of this region. Although building began in 1520, the towers weren’t added until the 1800s when King Ludwig I provided the funds for the cathedral to be finished.
While visiting the cathedral, be sure to draw your eyes up to admire the 13th and 14th century stained glass windows. They’re the best part, in my opinion!
Stop 6: Lunch at Neupfarrplatz (Main Square)
Neupfarrplatz is the main square in Regensburg, and a daily market takes place here between 9am to 4pm. (In December, the city’s main Christmas market is set up here instead.)
I suggest grabbing a cheap and cheerful lunch from one of the market stalls at the square. Like any good German market, there will be at least one vendor selling grilled bratwurst, but you’ll have a couple other options too.
If you want a proper sit-down meal, head to the Historische Wurstkuchl (Thundorferstraße 3) instead, which is the oldest bratwurst restaurant in the world. Or, order lunch at one of the cafes lining the square.
After chowing down, pop into the Neupfarrkirche, which was the first Protestant church in Regensburg.
Stop 7: Bismarckplatz (Saturdays Only)
En route to the Scots’ Church (the next stop on this day trip itinerary), swing by bustling Bismarckplatz if it’s a Saturday. That’s when the weekly market takes place; you can buy all kinds of fresh produce, fish, and locally produced goods like honey.
Stop 8: St. Jacob’s Church (Scots’ Church)
Built in the High Romanesque style, St. Jacob’s Church (aka the Scots’ Church) served as a home for Irish monks for nearly 400 years before the Scottish Benedictine monks arrived.
St. Jacob’s has a stunning interior, but it’s best known for its “Schottenportal.” The intricately carved entryway is 15 meters wide and 8 meters high and depicts The Last Judgement, Heaven, and Hell.
Stop 9: Haidplatz
Once a lush meadow on the outskirts of what’s now Old Town Regensburg, Haidplatz is now the prettiest square in the city. There are lots of cafes here, most of which have outdoor seating next to the lovely fountain depicting Justitia, the Roman goddess of law and justice.
If you’re feeling footsore or need a break, Haidplatz is a great spot to order a midafternoon pick-me-up and a slice of cake (when in Germany, enjoy Kaffee und Kuchen like the locals!).
Claire’s Tip: While you’re sitting down, look for Hotel Goldenes Kreuz (Golden Cross Hotel). It’s a famous spot in Regensburg, because King Ludwig I of Bavaria and Emperor Wilhelm I were once guests!
Stop 10: Museum Visit Or St. Emmeram’s Palace
As your day in Regensburg draws to a close, you’re left with a big decision: what should you see last? You have a couple options, depending on the day of the week you’ll be visiting:
- If it’s a Saturday or Sunday: Book your tickets in advance to tour St. Emmeram’s Palace. It’s the largest privately owned palace in Germany, and since the noble Thurn und Taxis family still live here it’s only open to the public at specific times. Try to book the 4:30pm time slot OR flip this itinerary around and book the 10:30am time slot (so you’d start your day by touring the palace, then explore the Old Town).
- If it’s a weekday: I suggest visiting a museum, if you’re up for it! The House of Bavarian History would be my top choice. You’ll learn about Bavaria’s history from its founding through to the present day.
Visiting the Christmas Markets? How to Adapt This Itinerary in December
Great news! If you’ll be spending one day in Regensburg specifically for the Christmas markets, you can still follow this itinerary! Here’s how I’d modify it to accommodate all of the markets:
- See the Town Hall from outside, but don’t tour it (not enough time, alas)
- See the Goliath House
- Cross the Old Stone Bridge
- Pop by the Christmas Market at St. Katharinenspital (if it’s open by that point; otherwise it’s not the top market and you can skip it)
- See the remains of the old Roman gate
- Visit Regensburg’s Cathedral
- Explore the main Christmas market at Neupfarrplatz
- Skip St. Jacob’s Church and visit the Lucrezia Christmas markets at Haidplatz and Kohlenmarkt instead (they don’t open until 11am, which is why this itinerary is going to walk you around in a big circle of the Old Town)
- Spend the late afternoon and evening at the Romantic Christmas Market at St. Emmeram’s Palace (the entry fee is step at around 12 Euros but this is genuinely my favorite Christmas market EVER)
🎄 What to Do, See & Eat at the Regensburg Christmas Markets 🎁
Common FAQs + Extra Tips
Take the train! Regensburg is easily accessible via direct train from both Munich and Nuremberg.
I’d say either in the middle of summer when the weather is sunny and warm, or in December to visit the Christmas markets.
For the best view, walk across the Old Stone Bridge to the opposite riverbank. From there, you’ll have an unparalleled (free!) view of the city’s historic skyline.
You won’t have time to see all of the attractions in Regensburg, but you’ll see most of the main ones. So I’d say, yes, a day trip to Regensburg is still worth it because you’ll do and see a lot of cool stuff without feeling rushed.
Enjoy Your Day Trip to Regensburg!
Now that you know what to do and see in Regensburg in one day, it’s time to book those train tickets and start planning your adventure.
Just remember to bookmark this blog post for reference while you’re out and about; I wrote this itinerary in walking order to make exploring Regensburg even easier!
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