Hola! I’ve just finished a four-day tour of Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, and while I can’t wait to share it with you through my text and photos, I need a little bit of time to recover from the trip. In the meantime, here’s a post from Kathrin Hälbich, who graciously offered a guest post about Regensburg, a city she knows well. I haven’t been to that part of Germany yet, so I was more than happy to publish her contribution!
There is one thing I learned while traveling: you don’t have to go far to see beautiful places. Sometimes they are right in front of your nose. That’s why I want to tell you about Regensburg Germany, the city in which I did my Bachelor degree.
Regensburg is probably not the first city you think of when going on a road trip in Germany, but it is nevertheless worth a visit.
Regensburg is a medium-sized city where you have everything you need without the hectic atmosphere of a megalopolis. Since July 2006, the Old Town of Regensburg has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Regensburg with the Old Stone Bridge and St. Peter’s Cathedral in the background. ©Moritz Forsch
There are several main attractions you shouldn’t miss when you come to Regensburg for the first time. The St. Peter’s Cathedral is indisputably one of the city’s landmarks. I love it because it not only helps you find your way around the Old Town (because you can see the cathedral from almost everywhere), but because the front steps are a perfect place to sit down after an exhausting sightseeing marathon.
The Old Stone Bridge is proof for the brilliant bridge-builders in the 12th century. My personal tip: walk to the far end of the bridge and enjoy the peaceful quarter Stadtamhof with its little streets and alleys. They have some lovely cafés over there as well.
If you are hungry, try the famous historic “Sausage Kitchen.” It is the oldest sausage kitchen in the world and is located near the Old Stone Bridge. You can’t miss it.
The big wheel at the Regensburger Dult. ©Moritz Forsch
I know there are a lot of people coming to Germany for the Oktoberfest. But let me tell you one thing: we have many, many more of those folk festivals or funfairs.
And because Regensburg loves to celebrate, we have it twice a year – in spring and autumn. We call it “Dult.” Try a freshly tapped beer, some cotton candy, or a “Baumstriezel” (that’s a tubular cake).
This post wouldn’t be a good guide of Regensburg if I didn’t tell you a few gems.
There is a must for every traveler during summer: the Bismarkplatz! The square is next to the theater and on mild summer nights you can find hundreds of students sitting around the two fountains.
Bring some beer and wine and enjoy the evening. You should also definitely try the ice cream from the ice cream parlor Stenz right next to the square. It’s the best ice cream in Regensburg. Freshly prepared and another delicious variation every day –Mango, Double Choc, or Yogurt-Honey-Walnut.
My favorite coffee places and bars cannot be missing from this list. I really like the coffeehouse Black Bean, because they have a lovely courtyard and open Wi-Fi. Kaffeelotte is a small café that sells a latte and a book for around five euros (yes, you can take the book with you). I also enjoy going to the Bar13 with my friends, a student pub in a historic vault.
Regensburg is not only worth a visit in summer, though. The town also looks dazzling when it is powdered with a layer of snow.
Don’t miss the German Christmas markets around the festive season. Regensburg has four of them. The most popular is the Romantic Christmas Market at the “Thurn und Taxis Castle.” The castle itself is worth a visit because it creates a unique atmosphere and is very picturesque.
The railway station in winter. ©Moritz Forsch
When you walk through the Christmas Market you will be captivated by its charm. I love the tiny little fireplaces around the courtyard. However, you do have to pay an entrance fee for it. My recommendation if you want to go there: visit the market in the evening, the fee is much cheaper then.
My personal favorite is the Christmas Market right next to the Old Stone Bridge called “Adventsmarktim St. Katharinenspital.” Admission is free and the market is very cozy. Let yourself be enchanted by the scent of mulled wine and delicious treats. You can visit the market every day between 26 November to 23 December.
All these places have made my time at university unforgettable. Regensburg is indeed a truly beautiful city!
How about you? What are your favorite cities in Germany?
Kathrin Hälbich is a traveler from Germany, currently living in Leicester to enjoy the wonders of the United Kingdom. She not only loves to experience different cultures, she also loves books and good stories, so blogging came as a natural consequence. Her blog Inside My Portmanteau focuses on studying abroad and solo female travel.
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