Location: Passau
Top Things to do in Passau
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Top 10 Things to do in Passau, Germany
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. St. Stephen's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Jae L - New York City, New York
Beautiful St. Stephen's Cathedral is a Baroque style church located in Passau, an important Danube waterway hub. The cathedral's magnificent pipe organ is the largest Cathedral organ in the world. What makes it so amazing is that the organ's 17,774 pipes and 233 registers can be played with the five-manual gallery console. A tour guided mentioned that Mozart played this organ. But Mozart could not have played this particular organ in current form, because Mozart died in 1791, whereas the current organ was built in 1928. The organ is so elegant and elaborate with awe inspiring sound that whether Mozart played this organ or not becomes irrelevant.
In this Cathedral, organ Concerts are given at noon (from 12 to 12.30) from May to October every day except Sundays and holidays. The days and times of the organ Concerts for other days and times can be obtained by visiting the Cathedral 'swebsite or other German travel sites.
We visited Passau as passengers of a Danube River cruise ship (Viking River Cruise) in June. From the pier, we walked along the river bank before turning to the left and briefly walking uphill to the square near the Cathedral. It was a reasonably easy walking distance.
St. Stephen's Cathedral looked elegant from outside. Inside the Cathedral, the naive of the Cathedral was beautiful and ornate. Above all, its magnificent pipe organ with countless pipes surrounding the naive was so impressive. After marveling at the magnificent church naive and the fascinating pipe organ, we walked out of the Cathedral.
After walking around the nearby alleys and sampling souvenir shops there, we returned to the Cathedral 15 minutes before the 12 noon organ concert time. Soon the Cathedral was nearly filled up with audience, and the organ concert started. Among the five pieces performed, Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude in Bb Minor (BWV 544) was the most effective in unleashing the power of the magnificent organ. But we wished the Bach's music was his "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (BWV 565)" instead, because this music would have had much greater effect then Prelude in Bb Minor. As matter of fact, an excellent organ performance recording of Toccata and Fugue was associated with this cathedral's organ. When you visit Youtube site, and search for "Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor (Best Version Ever)", you will come to the excellent recording of the Toccata with a beautiful organ in the background. This beautiful organ shown here is the very organ at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau.
After the organ concert, we returned to our ship at the pier by easy downhill walking.
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau is a must-see Cathedral for music and art lovers.
2. Donau Cycle Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
A bike path running 300 km. along the Danube River from Passau to Vienna.
Reviewed By graham068 - Belfast, United Kingdom
went with mac adventures on atrip from passau to vienna last week in June.Outside of an initial mixup with hotel ( but well rescued by Hamish in their office) organisation was very good.Hire bikes were good standard as were most of the hotels and luggage transfers were faultless.We were novices on map Reading but once in the way of it the route and finding our accommodation was relatively easy to follow.On the downside when it came to the towns of grein and melk our accommodation was to out of the way to enjoy the towns in the evening so if booking I would stress the point if some evening atmosphere is what your looking for
3. Veste Oberhaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 293 reviews
Reviewed By MaryKop - Colorado Springs
On the northern banks of the Danube sits this impressive 13th century fortress and castle. For most of its historic time, it was the stronghold of the Bishop of Passau. Later it became part of the Hapsburg empire but always served as a main focus for the City of Passau, across the river. You can take a shuttle bus from downtown Passau (find it at the Rathaus) or hike up the trails above the Danube for some exercise and wonderfully scenic views. The entire site now has a restaurant and a hostel and other commercial enterprises, but there is a museum in the castle (a few signs in English, but most of it is in German) that was interesting to visit. Many holy relics and some information about trade goods (salt, mostly) and how the castle controlled it all. Modern art exhibit, too. Don't miss the chance to go to the scenic overlooks (although if you're short of time, you can get the same views from windows within the fortress, especially the restrooms on the top floor). Most of the staff did not speak English but we were able to get by with our rudimentary German and a dictionary.
4. Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By MaryKop - Colorado Springs
Town hall dating from the 14th century, this building houses a large glockenspiel as well as government offices. Classic architecture. Has been able to withstand several floods of the Danube, as witnessed by the markings on the side wall. There are some interesting large paintings inside from a local artist in the 19th century that were fun to see.
5. St. Paul Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By DoctorLane - Albany, Georgia
After attending Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, we were walking around and went into this St. Paul Church. The contrast between the two churches is great, but St. Paul is equally beautiful, just in a different way. It is much smaller than the Cathedral, and the woodwork is also different but beautiful. It is hard to find the right adjectives for these magnificent church buildings. If you can, go into St. Paul.
6. Innpromenade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By MijnlieverdFH - Amsterdam
Having a nice walk along the river has been the usual activity of the populace of Passau. Or having a nice stop and sit into a clean grassy portion close to the Universitat. I saw people happily made there rest by group or by twos specially on a clear day afternoon.
We were having a stroll also in this past of the city by the river Inn.
7. Pilgrimage Church and Pauline Fathers' Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By BerlinBummler
One of the most memorable things you'll do in Passau is climb up the covered pilgrims' steps to the Mariahilf church overlooking the river Inn. You can read all the prayers for help left there as you climb. It's not as spectacular as other sights, but very moving and often empty of tourists.
8. Glasmuseum Passau
Overall Ratings
4 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By rc1078 - The Villages, Florida
This is an amazing museum for the person who likes historical glassware dating back to the 1600's. The colors of glass and their shapes are historical treasures. The specialized glass person could easily spend a day (or maybe two) here.
Be warned, if you don't do stairs well this will be very difficult for you. There are many stairs and floors within floors.
9. Oberhaus Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By kagatlin - Statesville, North Carolina
Took cab up to avoid all the steps (11 euros). The views are spectacular and are available from several areas of the castle. There are a wild range of exhibits fire fighting, ceramics, crafts, military and historical displays, however most are in German although some English translations are available. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Takes 2-3 hours to see. The walk down took 10-15 minutes and wasn't bad.
10. Artists' Alley
Overall Ratings
4 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Glenn M - Fremont, California
Old cobble stone street with small shops sets the tone for Artists' Alley. We visited in the late evening after everything was closed, but you could still view many works in the windows under illumination. If you are walking about town, this is definitely worth the stroll.
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