Regensburg, Germany is one of the wonderful ports you might visit while on a Danube River Cruise. This town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Bavaria. In fact, the entire medieval Old Town is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Regensburg, Germany is a fantastic town to visit on a river cruise and take a walk back into medieval times with your family!
Visit Regensburg, Germany on a river cruise with family of all ages–what is there to see and do?
So, what is there to do and see in Regensburg? And, if you are traveling with family of all ages what might be of interest to everyone? Read on and find out what your family might enjoy when visiting Regensburg, Germany on a river cruise!
Old Town
Just like most European port towns on the Danube taking a tour of the Old Town is top on the list of things to do. Walking through Old Town in Regensburg you will get a feel for its long history. You will enjoy the charming, tall residences, lovely Old Town Hall, and impressive Gothic clock tower. Some highlights are…
- Steinerne Brucke (Old Stone Bridge)–This stone bridge with 15 arches was one of the few bridges across the Danube River in the middle ages.
- Brucketurm (Bridge Watchtower)–Climb up the tower steps for an excellent view of the bridge and the Danube River. There is also a nice museum of dioramas of the bridge through the years and clock mechanism.
- Ostentor (Eastern Gate), a 14th century stone gateway flanked by turreted towers
- Porta Praetoria–Built in 179 AD, it’s one of the two remaining Roman gates in Germany
Regensburg Cathedral
Also called St. Peters Cathedral, the Regensburg Cathedral is considered the most impressive Gothic cathedral in Bavaria. You will feel dwarfed by the 105 meter Gothic spires and awed by the beautiful stained glass. Inside you will be impressed with the decorative arches, canopies, and sculptures.
Wurtskuchl (Regensburg Sausage Kitchen)
Back in the 1100’s the building was the construction office for the Old Stone Bridge. Once completed, workers vacated the building and it began its new life as a food stand. Today, it is still serving up grilled sausages and sauerkraut making it one of the oldest restaurants in the world. It’s so good even the locals eat there!
Walhalla (Hall of Fame)
About 10 kilometers east of Regensburg sits Walhalla. Built as a reproduction of the Parthenon in Athens, this Teutonic temple honors famous Germans in history. Inside the ornate, marble hall you will find busts of more than a hundred historic figures including King Ludwig I, Goethe, Luther, Gutenberg, and empress Katarina the Great. What a great place for a historical person scavenger hunt! Seeing all the famous statues is also a great starting point for an exploration into the life and times of a historical character.
This imposing structure is built on a foundation of 358 marble steps and while it provides a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside and Danube River it might be a little too taxing for some members of your family. Kids often enjoy exploring the surrounding woods over looking at all the statues and plaques. But the impressive structure is definitely worth the visit. Some river cruise itineraries include Walhalla (along with a bike ride there) as one of the included excursion options.
Regensburg, Germany will be a memorable stop on your family river cruise adventure. There is so much history to explore and share together. Just another reason why a river cruise might be just the perfect vacation for your multi-generational family reunion!
Want to check out some Danube River Cruise itineraries, click here.
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Here ar some other articles you might enjoy!
- Durnstein, Austria–An Excellent Stop on Your River Cruise
- 5 Reasons for a Pre- or Post-Cruise Extension
- Getting to Know the AmaMagna
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