Cheap things to do in Regensburg
Medieval streets, monk-brewed beer and a Danube gorge, all on a shoestring.
This is Regensburg at pavement level: pretzel breakfasts, free cathedrals, beer gardens under old chestnuts and a boat through limestone cliffs that costs next to nothing. The plan suits anyone who would rather spend money on a second beer than a white tablecloth. Three days covers the old town on foot, the Danube islands where locals actually go, and a day trip to a gorge that earns its reputation.
Day 1: Old Town on foot
A day that starts with a cathedral and ends at a Stammtisch table, with sausages by the Stone Bridge and a street market in between.
- 9:30 AM
Bäckerei Schifferl
Grab a fresh pretzel and Linzer biscuit for a cheap, classic Regensburg breakfast.
Map - 10:15 AM
Dom St. Peter
Free to enter, medieval stained glass, the Smiling Angel, and the Regensburg Boys' Choir acoustics.
Map - 12:30 PM
Historische Wurstkuchl
Grilled sausages, sweet mustard and sauerkraut at the riverside sausage kitchen by the Stone Bridge; bring cash.
Map - 2:15 PM
Donaumarkt am Alten Kornmarkt
Farmers' stalls on the Alter Kornmarkt on market mornings; if it's packed up, Alte Kapelle is next door.
Map - 7:30 PM
Brauereigaststätte Kneitinger
Brewing since 1530, Stammtisch tables, pork knuckle and Bock beer at honest tavern prices.
Map - 9:15 PM
Marple & Stringer
Cocktail bar near Arnulfsplatz, a few steps from Kneitinger; one good drink to finish.
Map
Day 2: Altstadt, bridges and islands
Cross the oldest bridge in Germany, eat in a chestnut beer garden with a cathedral view, then spend the afternoon on the Danube meadow islands where nobody is a tourist.
- 9:30 AM
Café Prinzess
Classic Regensburg café right in the old town, good start before hitting the sights.
Map - 10:15 AM
Steinerne Brücke
Walk the 12th-century Danube crossing free of charge, engineering model for the Prague and Avignon bridges.
Map - 12:30 PM
Spitalgarten
Spital brewery beer garden under old chestnuts with a cathedral skyline view, affordable and atmospheric.
Map - 2:15 PM
Jahninsel and Oberer Wöhrd
Danube meadow island with 38 old poplars and a towpath walk, where locals actually spend their afternoons.
Map - 7:30 PM
- 9:00 PM
Day 3: Kelheim and the Danube Gorge
A morning in Kelheim, a boat through 80-metre limestone cliffs and lunch on beer brewed at Weltenburg Abbey since 1050.
- 11:00 AM
Danube Gorge boat to Weltenburg Abbey
Upstream between 80-metre limestone cliffs to Weltenburg Abbey; boats run mid-March to early November.
Map - 12:30 PM
Klosterschenke Weltenburg
Lunch in the abbey courtyard where the boat lands: Barock Dunkel brewed here since 1050. Closed in winter.
Map - 7:30 PM
Weltenburger am Dom
Tavern on the cathedral square pouring Weltenburg's abbey beer; Bavarian plates at tavern prices.
Map
Where to stay
Orphée Andreasstadel
Orphée's Stadtamhof house across the Stone Bridge, the comfortable option; book early for the smaller rooms.
Make Regensburg your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Altes Rathaus: a few days ahead
- Schloss St. Emmeram: a few days ahead
- document Neupfarrplatz: a few days ahead
- Stadtmaus: a few days ahead
- Bad Abbach Canoe Circuit: a few days ahead
- Golf- und Country-Club Regensburg: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Ice cream and drinks on the Stone Bridge strip at peak hour cost more. Walk two lanes south for the same thing.
- Skip paid panorama upsells. The best views are free from the Stone Bridge, Stadtamhof bank and Walhalla.
- Buy Händlmaier's mustard at its own shop or a supermarket, not in gift sets at gift shop prices.
- Carry about 40 EUR cash per tavern evening, as small Bavarian houses still prefer cash or EC cards.
The full Regensburg travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around