Hi,
I will be in Germany and Austria the first week of August.
Should I visit Regensburg? I have read that it has a well preserved medieval city center (UNESCO world heritage) and that European travelers prefer it to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. I have been to Rothenburg ob der Tauber before, and plan loved it.I plan to take my wife there since she hasn't seen it. How does Regensburg compare to Rothenburg ODT and how much time do I need to see Regensburg?
Thanks.
Jose,
I am not a day trip fan, so I might not be the best person to ask. For me an overnight would be best. The pedestrian zone in Regensburg is very lively at night, so you will not lack for things to do. My wife and I loved our evening strolls through the city.
Bamberg is even farther away but also worth an overnight. We liked Regensburg marginally better but both are great. I can easily see Kate's point of view. Bamberg is also a university town with a life outside tourism.
Regards, Gary
Rothenburg is more photogenic and more touristy (no complaint from me). Regensburg's Altstadt, like Rothenburg's, has many narrow streets and alleys with some buildings surving from the middle ages. Regensburg has no wall left to my knowledge. It does have a great Gothic cathedral, some Roman Ruins , a 12th century bridge and an appealing Danube riverfront. I like both towns in the offseason; I think Regengsburg is better during the tourist season.
For all of its older assets, Regensburg also has a university and a very lively shopping area in its pedestrian zone. It is place where Germans live and work, not only a tourist center.
We are visiting both this coming December.
Regards, Gary
Gary, thanks for the information. I plan to stay with my brother in Ulm. Is Regensburg worth a night stay? or is day trip from Ulm (3hrs) enough?
I agree with Gary. Regensburg is very nice, but Rothenburg is more photogenic. Is it 3 hours one way by train for a day trip? If it's that long, save it for another trip. Have you looked into Bamberg? I liked it better than Regensburg and I would rate it almost as high as Rothenburg. Plus it had next to no tourists when I was there at then beginning of this past May. Especially great if you love beer!
I have visited Regensburg only once and I just love this city. It is a great tourist place in Bavaria. Wallhalla temple and old stone bridge are really great tourist attractions to visit. Regensburg is mostly popular for pleasant festivals and events. Regensburg burgerfest is just like a great opportunity for food lovers to taste various types of burgers and wine. I hope you and your wife would like this festival. I have written some information about festivals in Regensburg on a travel guidance related website. Have a look at the link below. http://www.joguru.com/regensburg-germany
I was in Regensburg last November and fell in love with it. It's a beautiful, historic town. I also loved Rothenburg, which was not crowded when we were there (early December). I think Regensburg would work well as a day trip, if you can do it in three hours round trip (not three hours each way). We spent two nights there, which gave us a day a day and a half, and that was not too much time.
Jose's trip would be over by now. I hope he posts again with feedback about his trip and his own observations on Regensburg. We were there for two nights during the same time (of year), and an extreme heatwave cut back on our ability to enjoy the city, but we managed to do so, anyway. Thank God for AC in our hotel. The old town is much bigger and more traditional than any I have seen elsewhere. I cannot speak for Rothenburg, not having been there, but I have seen the much-smaller old town part of Salzburg overwhelmed by its international popularity due to "The Sound of Music." That does not seem to be the case with Regensburg, despite its popularity with German tourists and tour boats. We hope to return some day, just not in late summer.
Regensburg is absolutely worth a day trip. It is very beautiful at night and worth staying if you can.
"We hope to return some day, just not in late summer." Try to return during their annual Bürgerfest. I forget exactly when they hold it, but I think it's in late June. Lots of great food, music and beer, but none of the annoying international frat-boy types that infect Oktoberfest.
The OP asked this question over 4 years ago.
Although the original question is old, the answers are still valid to anyone that is visiting this part of Germany. We visited Regensburg multiple times since 2009 and it has become one of our favorites.
Yes, Regensburg is worth a visit. We went to Germany a few years ago and it was one of the highlights. You also won't see the tons of tourists you see in other places like Rothenburg or Heidelberg. You can check out some photos of the town below: http://bbqboy.net/regensburg1-germany/
