Plan & Book Your Trip to Passau
Passau has become a familiar place for me to pause along the river. I recommend one full day for the city, or two days if you want a slower overnight visit. Its setting on a peninsula between the Danube and Inn, with the Ilz joining from across the water, makes walking the riverside paths as rewarding as exploring the understated Baroque streets. (Note: If you book using the affiliate links below, I may earn a small commission. Your booking and payment are handled directly by the provider in a new tab, not by Sights of the City.)
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EXPLORE
Passau
Plan & Book
Transportation
Book Transportation
The Old Town is very walkable once you arrive, while local shuttles and bicycles offer easy ways to explore further.
Passau Hauptbahnhof
The main railway station sits west of the historic center, about a 20 to 25-minute walk from Domplatz.
Walking the Peninsula
The compact Old Town and the waterfront paths running toward the Dreiflüsseeck are best enjoyed on foot.
Fortress Shuttle Bus
A practical way to avoid the steep uphill climb from the river to Veste Oberhaus.
Bicycles
An ideal way to travel along the Danube cycle paths, which is how I have arrived on two separate trips.
City Buses
Local transit connects the central station with outlying districts and the docks used by Danube river cruises.
Book Accommodations
I recommend choosing an area depending on whether you prefer historic streets on foot or transit links when booking hotels, guesthouses, or vacation rentals.
Old Town Peninsula Hotels
Stay near Domplatz or the riverfront for immediate walking access to historic squares, cathedral concerts, and restaurants.
Passau Hauptbahnhof Station Hotels
A practical base if you are arriving by train or prefer easy luggage handling before an onward journey.
Innstadt Stays & Rentals
Consider the southern riverbank across the inn for apartments in a quieter setting and wonderful views looking back toward the cathedral.
Danube Cruise Berths Hotels
A convenient option if you are arriving early or extending your stay after a Danube river cruise.
Book Activities
What I enjoy most is the interplay between the rivers and the architecture, taking in the city from both street level and the heights above.
Dreiflüsseeck
Walk to the tip of the peninsula to watch the green Inn, blue Danube, and black Ilz meet.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Admire the impressive Baroque interior, grand domes, and the famous, massive cathedral pipe organ.
Veste Oberhaus
Head up to the fortress for the best panoramic view over the spires, roofs, and three merging rivers.
Old Town Lanes & Chocolates
Stroll the pastel alleys leading down to the water, making sure to stop for chocolates at Pralinenwerkstatt Greindl.
Riverfront Walk past Schaibling Tower
Follow the pleasant path along the Inn waterfront for quiet views of the river and historic fortifications.
Book Journeys
Passau sits right on the Austrian border, making it a natural starting point for journeys along the Danube or through Bavaria.
Danube Cycle Path
Follow the famous riverside cycling route eastward toward Vienna or Bratislava, just as I have done on two journeys.
Regensburg
A straightforward rail pairing upstream along the Danube, offering a remarkably preserved medieval center.
Munich
An easy direct train ride away for a contrasting Bavarian city stay, with Munich's airport a useful gateway for a Passau river cruise.
Danube River Cruises
Multi-day Danube cruises start or end in Passau, linking the city with Austria and Hungary.
Accommodations
Use the interactive map below to explore hotels and vacation rentals across Passau, from the historic streets of the Old Town to the banks of the Inn.
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Activities
Food & Drink
Multi-day Trips
Events
Services