Passau was the second to last stop on our luxury river cruise on the Danube River. Passau is also known as the “City of Three Rivers” because is it located at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and IIz Rivers. The old town is squeezed on the narrow peninsula between the Danube and the Inn. Our ship docked next to the old town, so we could walk straight off the ship and start exploring.
Tour options
AmaWaterways includes three tour options in Passau:
- “City of Three Rivers” Walking Tour
- Passau Castle Hill Hike
- Passau Bike Tour
We had 4 hours in Passau, so we wanted to make the most of our time there. So, we opted for the Passau Castle hike, as we knew it would consist of a smaller faster walking group. Additionally, we would have the opportunity to visit the castle and time to explore the old town. If you have mobility issues or want to have a slower pace we recommend taking the walking tour of the city center.
Passau Castle Hill Hike
The walk up to Veste Oberhaus (the fortress on Passau Castle Hill) is about a 20-minute hike up the hill with 200 steps. The fortress is on the St. Georgsberg mountain at about 344 feet high and situated between the Danube and IIz Rivers. The fortress was built in 1219 for the Bishop of Passau. The smaller Veste Niederhaus was built after 1367 on the banks of the Danube and is connected to Veste Oberhaus by a battlement. There is a museum, art gallery, youth hostel, and restaurant housed in the Veste Oberhaus.
The views from the Veste Oberhaus are amazing. From here you can see Wallfahrtskirche Mariahilf (Pilgrimage church), Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), St. Stephan Cathedral, St. Paul Church, and the three rivers.
Old Town
After the hike, we had time for a walk around town, so we saw St. Michael’s Church, Bishop’s Residence, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Passau fool, and Old Town Hall. Passau is a quaint old town. If you have time, it is worth visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral as it houses the largest church organ in the world. Also, explore “Artists’ Alley” by following the rainbow painted cobblestone route.
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