Will you be visiting Passau, Germany? There are so many great things to do in this charming Bavarian town.
Passau is a common port for many Danube River cruises. Many people also visit while backpacking or road-tripping Germany.
I visited Passau on a European river cruise, and it was my favorite German city! If you are cruising too, here are my Viking river cruise tips.
Known as the “City of Three Rivers,” Passau is situated where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers join.
Also, Passau sits at the German-Austrian border and is the last major German city on the Danube before entering Austria.
If you are flying a long distance to Passau, Germany, read my tips for surviving long-haul flights.
Let’s look at the best Passau, Germany, tourist attractions!
Passau Germany: 15 Things to Do You Do Not Want To Miss
Stroll The Elegant Cobblestoned Streets
Old Town Passau is nestled on a thin peninsula of land that separates the Inn and the Danube Rivers. There is no better way to learn about Passau than to walk around and explore.
The delightful old-world cobblestoned streets will take you past pastel building facades of delicate Rococo architecture.
Passau may even remind you of Italy with its Medieval, Mediterranean architecture. It is so pretty, and you will want to take photos!
Stroll by underpasses and archways that lead off the main streets and onto other streets less traveled but no less interesting.
Visit Passau’s Artists Alley
You will meander past chic, high-end shops and historic buildings sitting side by side.
Look for Hollgasse Street for one of the most unique things to do in Passau, Germany! It is easy to discover as it is an alleyway with bright, rainbow-colored cobblestones.
Make it a point to investigate Passau’s Artists Alley, a conglomeration of shops and boutiques perfect for that special souvenir. Buy something for yourself or someone back home.
Nestled in beautiful architectural surroundings, you will enjoy the inside and outside of the buildings.
Visit Die Altstadt in Passau Germany
Be sure to visit Old Town Passau, or Die Altstadt, and walk around to admire the squares, fountains, and statues.
The tiny Residenzplatz (Residence Square), has a magnificent fountain and the New Bishop’s Residence, or Neue Bischöfliche Residenz. It is a beautiful blue and white building.
Passau Old Town is full of cafes, shops, and pretty streets.
Book Here: Passau: City Highlights Guided Walking Tour
Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral For Baroque Opulence
St. Stephen’s Cathedral ranks as one of the most stunningly beautiful churches I have ever seen.
Ornately decorated in the Baroque style of architecture, it is visually magnificent. You will want to take your time walking around inside so you do not miss out on any tiny architectural detail.
The current church was constructed in the late 1600s and has the finest tapestries and paintings.
Attend An Organ Concert At St. Stephen’s Cathedral
St. Stephen’s Cathedral is home to one of the largest pipe organs in the entire world!
It used to be the largest, but no more. It does, however, retain the honor of being the largest church organ in the world with almost 18,000 pipes!
I was fortunate enough to attend an organ concert while visiting Passau, and the organ sounded like perfection. The acoustics of the cathedral are excellent.
I highly recommend attending an organ concert at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Passau, Germany if you have the time!
Visit St. Paul’s Parish Church
Not nearly as grand and opulent as St. Stephen Cathedral, St. Paul Paris Church is still worth a look-see. It is easy to recognize by its beautiful pink exterior.
The stunning black altar stands out against the light-colored interior and exterior walls.
The street leading up to the church is pretty with colorful cafes and shops.
Next up, read my tips to avoid getting sick on a plane! You will thank me later!
Stop And Visit The Alte Rathaus In Passau Germany
Rathaus is German for Town Hall. The historically painted building in Passau, Germany, is built on a former fish market site along the right bank of the Danube River.
Being located on the confluence of three European cities means flooding is always a potential danger for the city.
There are markings on the sides of buildings to indicate the high water levels of past floods that invaded the streets.
None is more visible than on the side of the Town Hall. It is a stark reminder of the power the three rivers have over Passau.
Once inside, you can be amazed by the stained glass windows depicting several historical occurrences. There are also paintings to view by the German artist Ferdinand Wagner.
Stop By The Passau Glass Museum
Located just steps from the Town Hall, the Glass Museum is the largest bohemian-style, European glass collection in the world. It is estimated to hold over 30,000 glass pieces.
If you are into historical glass collections, this is an interesting museum you will want to consider visiting.
Consisting of four floors worth of privately held and public glass collections, this is a great way to spend a few hours in Passau, Germany.
My fellow Viking cruise passengers who visited the glass museum spoke highly of it.
Visit The Museum Of Modern Art In Passay Germany
If you are a fan of modern art, this may be the museum you want to spend some time at when visiting Passau, Germany!
You will find modern art and a permanent collection by the prominent German artist Georg Philipp Worlen. Plus, depending on when you visit, temporary exhibits from local and international artisans.
This is one of the top Passau attractions for art lovers!
Explore The Legendary Mariahilf Pilgrimage Church
Legend has it that a Hapsburg emperor prayed incessantly to Mary in this simple church to protect Vienna and his vast empire.
Legend also says his praying to the Virgin Mary made enemy armies withdraw.
Due to this miracle, this modest pilgrimage church is revered and visited by locals and tourists who pray for their intentions. The church sits atop the hill above the city on the Inn River.
If walking, you will walk through Passau and cross the Inn River. Mariahilf Hill is before you and Passau behind you.
This simple Baroque-style church can be reached by climbing the “heavenly ladder,” a 321-foot covered staircase. The walls and stairs are full of thank you’s to the Blessed Virgin for granted miracles.
You will see wheelchairs, canes, and crutches no longer needed. There are pictures of loved ones cured on the walls.
If there are sick or wheelchair-bound persons in your party who wish to pray at the pilgrimage church, an Uber or taxi is the best way to transport them there.
Steep Yourself In History At Veste Oberhaus
The Veste Oberhaus is the imposing fortress atop St. George’s Hill, between the Danube and Ilz Rivers.
From its perch, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Passau and the surrounding countryside.
Not everyone wants to climb the 200 steps to the top so you can rest assured there is a bus you can catch in Passau that will comfortably take you and your traveling party up the hill to Veste Oberhaus.
The fortress has been renovated and refortified several times throughout history and retains Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture for you to explore.
A museum inside the fortress offers six centuries of history to explore along with historical exhibits about Passau and the wider region.
There is also a restaurant for refreshments and a viewing platform on the Observatory Tower for picture taking.
The magnificent view of the rivers below, charming Passau, and the countryside are all splendid backdrops.
Book Here: Veste Oberhaus Castle Entrance Ticket
Take An International Bike Ride Through Two Countries
For a true Bavarian experience, rent a bike and get pedaling.
If you do not ride a bicycle that often, no worries. Besides traditional bicycles, you can rent an e-bike or a tandem bike.
An e-bike does the pedaling for you and is quite a thrilling experience. On a tandem bike, you do have to pedal but there will be two of you to share the load.
You can rent your vehicle in Passau and head off to explore the German-Austrian countryside or hire a guide.
Begin by riding along the Inn River enjoying unspoiled Bavarian nature and waterscapes along the river.
It does not take long once you leave Passau for the scenery to change drastically from city to farm fields. You will see corn or wheat fields. Small forests dot the river where birds of all types reside.
Enjoy riding and in a few miles, you will arrive at the German-Austrian border, and the town of Wernstein, Austria.
Historic Wernstein was built around a fortress and changed hands several times between Germany and Austria. Today it is situated on the Austrian side of the border.
At Wernstein, cross the bridge over the Inn River and resume bicycling through Austria until you return to Passau, Germany.
Fun fact: To cross the Inn River from Germany into Austria, you must get off your bike and walk over the bridge. No riding across the bridge is permitted.
Stroll The Riverfront
Bicycle riding may not be your thing, or you do not feel like it.
You can walk along Passau’s lovely promenade next to the waterfront. Innkai is a wonderful path along the Inn River perfect for taking in the views.
See Where The Three Rivers Converge In Passau Germany
The Innkai walkway ends at a small park at the narrow tip of the peninsula where Passau sits.
Here you will find the Dreiflüsseeck, or Three Rivers Corner, where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers meet. This is one of the most interesting things to see in Passau, Germany!
Depending on the sunlight and weather, you can distinguish the different colors of the rivers blending.
Sit in the shade of the trees and enjoy a relaxing break during your Passau trip.
Along with water views, this spot provides a great look at the city on either side of the river.
Have Fun At The Dachshund Museum
Dog lovers or anyone interested in quirky museums will want to add the Dachshund Museum to their Passau itinerary.
With over 4,500 items, the museum holds the world’s largest collection of dachshund memorabilia! There are statues, toys, photos, books, and Christmas ornaments all dedicated to wiener dogs.
If you are lucky, you might meet the owners’ pet dachshunds!
On your way out, stop by the gift shop filled with fun and cute dachshund-themed items.
Where to Stay in Passau, Germany
There are plenty of great hotels in Passau, Germany, perfect for all budgets. Many are affordable with good amenities to make your stay comfortable.
Affordable Hotel in a Great Location: Premier Inn Passau Weisser Hase. Check Rates: Booking.com
Afforable Old Town Hotel at the Glass Museum: Hotel Wilder Mann. Check Rates: Booking.com
Mid-Range Hotel with Terraces: Hotel Residenz Passau. Check Rates: Booking.com
Packing Tips For Traveling To Passau Germany
Looking for packing tips and tricks? Read my post on How To Pack Lightly Using Only Carry-On Luggage.
A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring when traveling to Europe. This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.
These RFID sleeves would be handy to prevent identity theft.
This world traveler adapter kit can charge several devices at the same time.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
My daughter gifted me this FugeTek Selfie Stick and Tripod for my birthday. It has Bloothtooth connectivity so it is easy to use.
These Bagail packing cubes are the exact ones I use whenever I travel. I cannot believe how much more organized I am now!
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel and it will fit nicely in the pocket of a backpack or your purse. Also when filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry.
The replaceable carbon filter ensures fresh clean water whenever and wherever you fill the Bobble.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for bringing along drinks and snacks.’
This antitheft backpack has a charging port, is water-resistant, and can comfortably carry up to a 15.6″ laptop.
These waterproof all-season shoes are extremely affordable and yet fashionable.
these Skechers Air Run Bo Walk Joy sneakers come in colors to match your outfits.
I highly recommend these Vionics adjustable strap orthotic sandals.
I also sometimes bring along my Vionic Tides flip-flops. Wearing these is super comfortable.
This lightweight SPF scarf is versatile and can be worn in any season.
These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs.
If you are fond of aviator-style sunglasses these polarized aviators may interest you.
I suggest this Columbia nylon jacket.
If you need new luggage, this expandable soft side spinner luggage is affordable and comes in many colors.
If you like hard-sided better you may favor this hard-sided luggage set better.
Do not forget TSA-approved zipper locks.
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you.
Save this post:
Things To Do in Dingle Ireland For Your Bucketlist
[…] Read Next: 7 Best Things To Do In Passau Germany […]