Location: Passau
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Passau That You Shouldn't Miss
Known as Dreiflüssestadt (City of Three Rivers), Passau is the place where the Danube meets the Inn and the Ilz. The picturesque city lies in Germany’s far southeast corner near the Austrian border. Settled since prehistory and a former hub of the salt trade, it became the Roman village of Batavis, then later the Holy Roman Empire’s largest diocese and a sword-making center. Saint Stephan’s Cathedral, home of the world’s second-largest cathedral organ, is one of Passau’s favorite attractions.
Restaurants in Passau
1. Donau Cycle Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 292 reviews
A bike path running 300 km. along the Danube River from Passau to Vienna.
Reviewed By Pyrino
I researched several providers and decided to book with Touristik, and my contact was Vacation consultant Klara Stadler. Klara was extremely helpful, and patiently answered my numerous emails. Thank you Klara, you were superb! My wife and I (60 y/o) did the tour with our adult daughter. We had 1 ebike and 2 normal bikes. We booked the “The Classic Tour Category B” (3* hotels) which covered 7 nights accommodation and 6 days of cycling from 9 to 15 October 2019. It was so well organised. We paid extra for the meals at night. I did stress that our accommodation had to be reasonably close to the river, and it all was. The Austrian hospitality was amazing, all the hotels were great, and the traditional food (and beverage) was delicious. We had a nice train ride from Vienna to Passau then a 30 minute uphill walk from the Passau station with our luggage to the hotel. Caught the bus to the bike shop to find a very helpful, patient man who made sure we were all happy with the gear. We then had a 3 km ride back to the hotel (IBB Hotel Passau South, Passau) in the rain. The next day we explored Passau for a few hours, before departing in drizzling rain around 2 pm. Passau was a very scenic historic town, the junction of 3 rivers. Only 30 km cycled on the first day, which was an excellent introduction. Only mishap was a flat tyre. Luckily, it happened 5 minutes from a bike shop, (who couldn't speak English) but we were on the road in no time. Spectacular scenery, was tempted to stop many times. We had a lovely hotel, Gasthof-Pension Luger, right on the river. The next day we cycled 67 km to Linz, via the Schlogen Schlinge. The cycle path was blocked for clearing so we had to catch a ferry down river for 5 km. Day 3 we walked round Linz, then cycled 59 km to Grein via the Mauthausen concentration camp. Day 4 we cycled 66 km to Mitterarnsdorf via Melk Abbey. What an amazing place. On arrival, it appeared half of Austria was in downtown Melk. It was one massive festival. We found out later they were celebrating their patron Saint Coloman of Stockerau, who would you believe is Irish. We fought our way through the crowd, then did a tour of the Abbey. Day 5 was an easy 42 km cycle to Traismauer via the historic towns of Durnstein and Krems. Our hotel was apparently 600 years old, and the same family have owned it for 300 years. Our final day six was a big day to Vienna, (73 km) We had a great start to the day and covered the 32 km to Tulln in good time.. After Tulln, we were continually riding into a gusting head wind for the rest of our journey. One minute I was sailing along at 22 km/hr, the next minute I was down to 12. So, in summary, we have no regrets and we had a fabulous week. Yes, we saw plenty of luxury cruise boats sailing by, but I think we had a much better time, and a far greater sense of achievement. Was it harder than I thought?...you bet it was. Did I do enough training? No! But we cycled the whole 340 km, it was all on 2 wheels...no free lifts involved for any of us. It was a real team effort. We’d love to do it again but take double the time to allow for more exploring.
2. Kloster Niedernburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Betula103 - Australia, null
Many people apparently miss out seeing this historic and thus interesting monastic church which is close to the area of the Danube where the river-ships berth. Fortunately on a previous visit a local guide decided to take us there. This time it was not even mentioned however I decided to return for another viewing. Although it is a simply adorned church it was the former Abbey of Benedictine Nuns. The grave of St. Gisela of Bavaria, the first Queen of Hungary being the wife of King St. Istvan [Stephan] is in a chapel just off the nave on the right side of the church. She died in 1065 and in Budapest Cathedral there is a casket containing the right hand of her husband. From 1836 until 2013 English nuns ran the monastery and now the attached buildings are now used by two Gisela schools and accommodation for pupils.
3. Oberhausmuseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
High above Passau within the historic walls of the 800-year-old fortification Veste Oberhaus the Oberhausmuseum presents exciting exhibitions from the Middle Ages to the present day. The displays of ancient archaeological finds, medieval weapons and armoury as well as stunning gothic panel paintings invite you on a journey through the past. The exhibitions open a window into life in a castle during the Middle Ages and shine a light on Passau’s colourful history and its importance as a centre of trade over the centuries. The view point "Batterie Linde" within the museum also offers the best view of the unique panorama of Passau’s picturesque old town and the confluence of the city’s three rivers, the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. Another highlight of this impressive European Cultural Monument, with an enclosed area of 65.000m2 one of Europes’s largest preserved castle complexes, is the chapel of St. George at the heart of the castle with its magnificent gothic frescos.
4. St. Paul Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By VW49 - Ashburn, United States
As a parish church, St. Paul's is small compared to the huge St. Stephan's Cathedral. Nonetheless, it is quite beautiful and worth visiting and the pink tower is easy to spot.. Without the big crowd's that flock to the cathedral, you can enjoy a prayerful visit at St. Paul's with solitude. The altars and furnishings are beautiful with impressive artworks.
5. Dom St. Stephan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,511 reviews
Reviewed By I9814NCpatk - Lake Elsinore, United States
Home to one of Europe's largest pipe organs, St. Stephen's Cathedral exudes the baroque architecture style of the 17th Century. The organ has more than 17,000 pipes and inspired Liszt to write his "Hungarian Coronation Mass. An organ concert, held each day excep on Sundays or from November to April, was really stunning. The sound penetrates you from all angles . . . but in a good way. Most amazing is the architecture inside with statuary and gilded effigies everywhere. Because it is a tourist favorite, you may find it fairly crowded but I recommend that you go in the morning when (a) it is a bit cooler and (b) not as many people attend the organ concert. In all, the experience widened my understanding of the period and the people of Passau.
6. Pilgrimage Church and Pauline Fathers' Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By eagertraveller123
This is a lovely viewpoint and a beautiful church. Totally worth the climb. You can claim by going right when you end the bridge and it’s all an incline up - or left, which is a path that ends in 100+ steps up. Either is fine, not very strenuous. You’re rewarded with a really special view of Passau
7. Veste Oberhaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 435 reviews
Within the almost 800-year-old fortification Veste Oberhaus you can experience living history. With an enclosed area of 65.000m2 it is one of Europes’s largest preserved castle complexes. High above Passau within the historic walls of the fortification the Oberhausmuseum presents exciting exhibitions from the Middle Ages to the present day. The displays of ancient archaeological finds, medieval weapons and armoury as well as stunning gothic panel paintings invite you on a journey through the past. The Veste Oberhaus also houses a Youth Hostel, an observatory and a restaurant. From the castle’s view point “Linde Battery” you can enjoy the unique panorama of Passau’s picturesque old town and the confluence of the city’s three rivers, the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. Another highlight of this impressive European cultural monument is the chapel of St. George at the heart of the castle with its magnifcent gothic frescoes.
Reviewed By AoonS - Berlin, Germany
One of the finest castles in Europe and the view of the Passau is on a next level. Highly recommended to go to the top of the hill to have the panoramic view of this majestic city.
8. RomerMuseum Kastell Boiotro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By MrsPiket - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The Roman Museum Castrum Boiotro is a small, yet impressive museum that gives insight in Roman history at the Limes, the border between the Imperium Romanum and Germania Liberum. The museum presents Passau from the Mesolithic via the Celts to the end of the Roman Empire 476 AD. In Roman times the Inn River was border between Raetia and Noricum while the Danube was the border with Germania Liberum. In Passau both rivers and the Ilz River, join. A model of Castrum Boiotro and the surrounding village Boiodurum illustrate the military and civilian life. You see the purchasing power of Roman money in coins and prices for everyday items and wages. You wander over a large 4th century Tabula Peutingeriana map to the entire Empire. Recommended.
9. St. Michael's Church
10. Innpromenade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By carlas78 - Leicester, United Kingdom
A great walk or cycle for those that wish to see the river Inn. It’s a great comparison to the river Danube only a few minutes away. We learned the difference between the two... of there are cruise boats it’s the Danube, if there are not, it’s the Inn. It was a sunny and cold day for us, perfect for walking and culture. From the cathedral, this is only about 2 minutes walk from.
