A key trading centre on the Danube for millennia, Regensburg is an exceptional city, brimming with beautiful architecture and brilliantly suited to curious history buffs and relaxed amblers. This immensely characterful city is now home to around 150,000 inhabitants, some of whom continue to live in lovingly restored heritage buildings. Other striking properties have become charming boutique hotels — selected by our Gurus as the best places to stay in Regensburg.
Many of Regensburg’s most dazzling landmarks were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, when the town was already an immensely wealthy trading hub. Dubbed ‘Germany’s medieval miracle’, the city invites laid-back visitors to stroll along narrow streets lined with colourful residences, or to take a restful boat ride along the Danube to marvel at the lovely homes which continue to line the riverfront. The Gothic Saint Peter’s Cathedral, complete with impressive stained glass windows, is a real gem — as is the 11th-century Romanesque St Emmeram's Abbey.
Don’t miss delving into the city’s past at the Regensburg Museum of History, or with a private city tour. The Old Town Hall, the site of the Holy Roman Empire’s Permanent Imperial Diet from 1663 to 1806, has a special place in Germany’s history. Haidplatz, the triangular square in the heart of town, is framed by resplendent 800-year-old buildings, and perfect for a refreshing cup of coffee or a cold beer after a day of discovery. The city is a fabulous spring and summer destination, but it’s also marvellous in winter, when cosy Christmas markets fill the squares and the best places to stay in Regensburg promise an extra-warm welcome.