1 Day in Regensburg, Germany in December: Your Perfect Itinerary
If you only have 1 day in Regensburg, don’t worry—you can cover a lot. We visited in early December as part of a Christmas market trip through Europe, and I can confidently say this town is underrated. Between medieval architecture, twinkling holiday lights, and plenty of sausages, 1 day in Regensburg feels like stepping into a charming European snow globe with plenty of mulled wine. Whether you’re a Christmas market enthusiast or just love a good Bavarian town, you’ll leave wishing you had more time.
This 1 day in Regensburg itinerary is the perfect balance of sightseeing and Christmas market hopping. I did this trip with my husband, mom, and sister, and we all agreed it was the perfect mix of cozy, festive, and historic. Bonus points—it’s super walkable, so you won’t be stressing about transport between sights. Let’s jump into exactly how to spend 1 day in Regensburg, Germany in December without missing the best spots.
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Map: 1 Day in Regensburg, Germany Itinerary
Here is an easy-to-use interactive map that will walk you through an itinerary for 1 day in Regensburg, Germany. You can find all of the details in the post below!
Regensburg Walking Tour
The best way to kick off 1 day in Regensburg is with a walking tour. You’ll hit all the highlights—charming alleyways, historic plazas, and river views. Whether you do a formal tour or DIY it, the old town is compact enough to explore on foot. One recommendation? Download an eSim in advance to help with your navigation around town…we used Airalo, which worked perfectly.
We hit up St. Peter’s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, Regensburg Old Town, Haidplatz (Main Square), and Lucrezia Christmas Market at Haidplatz as part of our tour.
St. Peter’s Cathedral
This church is the perfect example of Gothic architecture and has existed in some form or another since 700 AD. Unfortunately, the cathedral went through several fires, and the current Gothic version was finished in 1320. The twin towers are nearly 350 feet high, which ended up being super helpful because you can see it from anywhere in town – it is a very helpful geography point!
The interior of the cathedral is covered with sculptured imagery and beautiful stained glass windows. I was surprised to learn that most of the windows were installed in the 14th century, and they still survive today!
Recommended Tour: City tour through Regensburg via train
Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) & Old Town
Wandering Regensburg’s Old Town feels like stepping back a few centuries. The Old Town Hall is one of the main highlights, with its Gothic tower and pastel facade. You can tour the interior if you’re into medieval courtrooms and creepy dungeons (we skipped, but it looked interesting). Honestly, half the fun is just meandering through the colorful streets and soaking in the festive December vibes.
Haidplatz (Main Square)
Haidplatz is a lively central square that perfectly blends history with holiday charm in December. It’s surrounded by colorful townhouses, cafes, and, in December, the Lucrezia Christmas Market takes over. You’ll want to pause here for a coffee break before continuing on to warm up from the chilly weather. Bonus—it’s one of the best people-watching spots in Regensburg.
Lucrezia Christmas Market at Haidplatz and Kohlenmarkt
When we first popped by the square, the market hadn’t quite opened. We stopped by a coffee shop to warm up after the walking tour and as soon as Lucrezia Christmas Market opened for the day, we stopped by to check it out! See Lucrezia Christmas Market’s opening days and hours here.
The Lucrezia Christmas Market is small but mighty. This one leans more artisanal—think handmade jewelry, leather goods, and local crafts—rather than mass-produced souvenirs. It feels less touristy and more local, which we loved. We wandered through Lucrezia Christmas Market, grabbing more hot drinks (you’ll see a trend here with hot beverages) and scouting for last-minute gifts.
Neupfarrplatz: Church & Christmas Market
Neupfarrkirche is a lovely church sitting right in the middle of Neupfarrplatz. It’s worth a quick step inside to admire the elegant interior, especially if you need a break from the cold. This site also has a fascinating history—the church was built atop the remains of a former synagogue, part of Regensburg’s Jewish Quarter dating back to the Middle Ages.
The Christmas Market at Neupfarrplatz (Regensburger Christkindlmarkt) was one of our favorites in town. It had a cozy, intimate vibe despite being in a big open square. We grabbed bratwursts here (obviously), paired with mugs of glühwein while listening to live music. It felt lively but not overwhelmingly crowded, especially compared to bigger markets like Vienna or Frankfurt. Check out dates and hours for the Christmas Market at Neupfarrplatz here.
Recommended Tour: Regensburg Christmas Market Tour With A Professional Guide
Across the River
Next up on your 1 day in Regensburg, Germany in December, you’re going to head across the river to explore the sights on the other side.
Old Stone Bridge
No 1 day in Regensburg itinerary is complete without crossing the Old Stone Bridge. This 12th-century bridge has connected the city for nearly 900 years and offers great views back toward the skyline. Plus, it’s a nice way to stretch your legs between Christmas markets.
Panoramic Views
After you cross the bridge, pause for one of the best panoramic views of Regensburg. The cathedral spires, colorful buildings, and river all line up perfectly for that Insta-worthy shot. This was hands-down my favorite photo spot in town. I snapped my photo from around here.
Adventsmarkt in Katharinespital
Tucked next to the river, the Adventsmarkt at Katharinenspital feels a bit like a secret locals-only hangout. It’s on the smaller side, but had a super cozy, authentic vibe. We stopped by in the late afternoon for roasted nuts and watched the locals gather for their post-work catchups. Check out dates and times for the Adventsmarkt here.
Afterward, we wandered further down this side of the river, exploring little alleys and admiring the quiet charm away from the busier center. If you have the time, it’s absolutely worth slowing down here for a bit.
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Historische Wurstkuchl
No exaggeration—the Historische Wurstkuchl is one of the oldest fast food restaurants the world, dating back to the 1100s. It sits right on the river next to the Old Stone Bridge and serves grilled sausages with sauerkraut and mustard on a crispy roll.
Interested in Doing a Christmas Market Cruise? Check out this Magical 7-Night Itinerary
Fair warning—the sausages are smaller than we expected (order more than one!), but they were absolutely delicious. We popped in for a quick refuel before heading to the next Christmas market. Simple, satisfying, and a must-do on any 1 day in Regensburg itinerary.
Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis
Background on the palace: The market is inside the grounds of Schloss St. Emmeram, Thurn und Taxis, the world’s largest inhabited palace. Fun fact: The family still lives here—modern-day royals Princess Gloria and Prince Johannes were famous for their wild parties, but after Johannes’ death, the family ran into financial crisis, and the family was forced to open parts of the palace to the public. Today it’s part residence, part museum, part Christmas market wonderland.
When to Visit: I highly recommend arriving before sunset to see the market light up. We walked through as the sun was setting and watched the courtyard and palace go from golden glow to sparkling night.
What to See: In addition to the main sections of the market, be sure to follow the path out past the main market area to the back garden—it loops around a small lake, passes a beautifully lit gazebo, and offers quieter spots to soak in the festive atmosphere. Make sure you also swing by the alpaca enclosure to say a quick hello!
Christmas Market Tips: The Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis was my favorite market in all of Regensburg. Follow the tips below to make the most of your visit!
- There’s an entrance fee. Yes, unlike most markets, this one charges admission. Prices vary based on day and time, so check their website in advance.
- Dress warmly. This market is entirely outdoors, and standing around sipping glühwein only keeps you so warm. I was grateful for my many layers, gloves, and cozy hat.
- Check the event calendar. Sometimes they have live music or special performances during the market season.
- Skip peak weekend evenings if possible. It gets packed. We went late afternoon on a Friday, and it was definitely pretty crowded by the time we left.
- Pace yourself on food. There’s a LOT to sample—sausages, crepes, roasted nuts, and of course, endless glühwein. Take a lap before committing so you don’t fill up at the first booth (speaking from personal experience).
- Look for handmade goods. There are really lovely artisan stands here with higher-end crafts, perfect for gifts.
Festive Regensburg at Night
Before calling it a night, take a slow stroll back through Regensburg’s old town and soak up the festive lights. The streets are draped in twinkling garlands, and the glow from shop windows makes everything feel extra cozy. We wandered past the cathedral and through Haidplatz one last time, snapping a few more photos before heading out. It’s the perfect way to cap off your 1 day in Regensburg, Germany in December.
Where to Stay in Regensburg, Germany
Here are my recommendations on where to stay for your 1 day in Regensburg, Germany itinerary:
- Bohemian Hotel Regensburg for a charming, historic hotel in the heart of Old Town Regensburg.
- Elements Hotel for a boutique hotel stay with modern amenities.
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