Regensburg Danube Sightseeing Boat Tour to Walhalla

Walhalla: the temple above the Danube

Walhalla is a neoclassical hall of fame built between 1830 and 1842 on the Bräuberg hill above Donaustauf, about 10 kilometres east of Regensburg. Modelled on the Parthenon in Athens, it rises from a great stairway of terraces, and its white marble colonnade is visible from far along the river. Inside, a richly coloured hall holds marble busts and plaques honouring figures from German history, art and science.

Seeing it from the water is the most dramatic approach, because the temple appears suddenly above the trees as the boat rounds the bend. This Walhalla boat tour is a round trip, so it brings you below the hill and back again; entrance to the monument is not included. If you want to climb up and go inside, tell our team when booking and we will advise on timing for your date.

Regensburg Old Town riverfront and the Stone Bridge

The cruise starts on Thundorferstraße, the riverside street on the edge of Regensburg's UNESCO-listed Old Town, just a few minutes from St. Peter's Cathedral. From the pier you see the Stone Bridge, completed around 1146 and one of the oldest stone bridges in Germany, the medieval bridge tower and the historic Salt Barn, all with the twin cathedral spires rising behind.

As the boat pulls away, the sundeck offers the classic panorama of the city: rooftops, towers and the long line of the quays. This first stretch is the best moment for photographs of the skyline, so find a spot on deck early. If you have time before boarding, the cathedral, the Old Town Hall and the Roman gate are all within a short stroll of the piers.

The Danube east of Regensburg

Downstream from the Old Town the Danube widens and slows as it leaves the city behind. The boat passes river islands, modern bridges and green banks lined with willows, while to the north the first hills of the Bavarian Forest begin to rise. Herons, swans and cormorants are common along this stretch, and cyclists follow the riverside paths that run all the way to Vienna.

This is the calmest part of the trip, ideal for sitting back on deck with the booklet and watching the landscape change from city to countryside. The best time for this Danube cruise from Regensburg is late spring to early autumn, when the trees are green and the sundeck is pleasant, but the softer light of a clear autumn afternoon is especially beautiful on the water.

Donaustauf and its castle hill

Donaustauf is a small market town on the north bank of the Danube at the foot of the Walhalla hill. Above it stand the ruins of a medieval castle that once guarded this stretch of the river and belonged to the bishops of Regensburg; its walls and tower still crown a rocky spur among the trees. Below lie the old village streets, a parish church and a landscaped park.

From the river you see the castle ruins and Walhalla side by side, one of the most photographed views in the Regensburg area. How to get to Walhalla otherwise? By road or by regional bus to Donaustauf followed by a steep climb, which is why many visitors prefer the boat for the view. After this point the vessel turns and cruises back upstream to the Old Town.