Augsburg: The Complete Guide
Read our guide on Augsburg, Germany, and discover the best things to do and see, as well as tips on how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
Admittedly, we didn't know much about Augsburg before our trip. Apart from that, it's one of the largest cities in Bavaria and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique water management system not that long ago.
We learned much more since then.
Augsburg was founded by Romans around 14 BC as a colony named Roman colony named Augusta Vindelicorum by Emperor Augustus, making it one of the oldest cities in Germany.
Augsburg became one of the wealthiest cities in Europe thanks to the mining, banking, and weaving industries during the 15th and 16th centuries.
One of the names behind the economic boom was Jakob Fugger, who established the world's oldest social housing complex, which is still in use, but more about it later.
So if you put everything together - Roman history, social housing, water management, UNESCO status - you can be sure there are plenty of things to see and do in Augsburg.
Despite all of that, it's one of those destinations that's missing from most Bavaria itineraries.
The hard, cold truth is that there are simply more famous sites in this area, which often leaves Augsburg out of sight for tourists.
Still, we believe that Augsburg is one of the best low-key cities you can visit in Bavaria, and here you'll find everything about it.
Best Things to Do
Augsburg has something for everyone, but it's an especially great place to visit for history, waterworks, and architecture lovers.
If you're visiting Augsburg for the first time, explore the historic town - see the Rathaus, climb the Perlachturm, etc., then head out to Fuggerei and later explore the canals and everything connected to it.
If you still have spare time or arrive in Augsburg on a rainy day, you can visit the Mozart and Brecht museums (just don't forget that there are more than enough museums in Fuggerei).
Learn About Social Housing at Fuggerei
Founded in 1521, Fuggerei is one of the most interesting neighborhoods we have had the chance to visit so far during our travels around Europe.
In a nutshell, Fuggerei is a small residential area that consists of 67 social houses with 142 apartments for 150 tenants.
The rent is 0.88 and hasn't changed in 500 years. The only condition is three daily prayers to the founding family.
We have to admit that the most interesting part about Fuggerei is the whole idea and concept behind it rather than the site itself.
Don't get us wrong, it's a lovely neighborhood, but it's the story that really caught our interest.
One of the highlights of every Fuggerei visit is the old shelter that was used during WW2 air raids, which is today home to an informative exhibition that focuses on the attack, destruction, and reconstruction of the Fuggerei.
It's really awesome you're allowed to visit a real-world bunker.
Apart from the bunker museum, Fuggerei also has three additional museums you can explore there: the Museum of History and Living, the Museum of the Residents, and the Museum of Everyday Life.
These tiny museums help you understand the life, history, and residents of Fuggerei, so don't skip them.
Just remember that people still live in Fuggerei, so respect the residents' privacy.
If you're short on time, the Augsburg Tour with Fuggerei offers one of the easiest ways to explore the town center and see all of its highlights.
Fuggerei is open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM from April to September and 9 AM to 6 PM from October to March. It's closed on Christmas Eve.
The entry fee to Fuggerei is €8 for adults.
Explore the Historic Center
Augsburg's Old Town (Altstadt) is a great place to start your trip to Augsburg. It has beautiful architecture, cobblestone streets, water canals, and historic landmarks.
Here are some of our favorite places you must visit while wandering Augsburg's streets.
Weberhaus
Without any doubt, Weberhaus was one of the coolest buildings we saw in Augsburg. It's colorful, incredibly photogenic, and instantly reminded us of the Rathaus in Bamberg.
The lower floor is full of shops, but we just stayed outside and admired its stunning facade from there.
The original building was built in 1389 and stood there until 1913, when it was demolished and replaced with a new one.
It was destroyed during WW2 air raids and rebuilt once again.
Schaezlerpalais
Another place worth seeing in Augsburg is Schaezlerpalais, located on the Maximilianstraße just next to the Hercules Fountain.
This lovely Baroque palace with an inconspicuous facade consists of two floors and a tiny garden you can explore on your own.
The upper floor has some nice paintings (no English signs), but the main highlight can be found one floor below.
The Rococo ballroom is truly stunning and well worth the money (at least if you like richly decorated palace rooms).
There is a small admission apart from Sunday when Schaezlerpalais is free to enter.
Maximilianstraße
By the way, the Maximilianstraße is another Augsburg’s must-see. Named after Bavarian King Maximilian I Joseph, it connects Ulrichsplatz with Rathausplatz.
It was created in 1803 by demolishing Siegelhaus and is now considered one of the most interesting streets in Germany thanks to various buildings with styles ranging from Gothic, Renaissance, Rococo, Neoclassicism, and post-war architecture.
You can find several boutiques, restaurants, and the luxury Maximilian's Hotel here.
Augsburg Cathedral
Built in the 11th century, Augsburg Cathedral boasts a Romanesque style with Gothic elements that were added during the 14th century.
This is one of the most impressive buildings in Augsburg. In reality, it's a fairly traditional cathedral featuring detailed artwork, old stained glasses, or a medieval crypt.
We've seen tons of churches in Bavaria (Church of Wies is worth seeing), but also in the following months in Linz in Austria or Roskilde in Denmark, so our description might sound a bit boring, but that's just because of the church fatigue.
If you've just arrived in Europe and this is one of the first churches on your itinerary, you'll definitely be more excited than us.
Hofgarten Park
We heard only words of praise for Hofgarten Park. This peaceful oasis in the heart of Augsburg is supposed to be great on warm sunny days, but the weather was far from it when we got there.
The park was quiet, deserted, and pretty uninviting. But that's the beauty of traveling. Every experience is different.
Augsburg Town Hall (Rathaus)
Augsburg had the status of a Free Imperial City from 1276 to 1803, meaning it was a self-governing city within the Holy Roman Empire during this period.
The Renaissance-style building that was completed in 1624 was one of the most significant symbols of Augsburg's political autonomy and wealth.
You can still see the Imperial Eagle used by Holy Roman Emperors, proudly depicted in the upper part of the facade.
The building is impressive from the outside, but if you have time, you can step inside to see the Golden Hall (there's a small fee).
Perlach Tower (Perlachturm)
The 70-meter Perlach Tower is connected to St. Peter am Perlach Church and dominates the Rathausplatz.
The 360-degree views of Augsburg should be worth the effort, but unfortunately, it was closed for renovations when we were there.
It was a shame because later we climbed the tower at Munich's Frauenkirche and really enjoyed it.
Roman Museum
Romans, who founded the city in the 1st century BCE, played a vital role in Augsburg's history.
If you're interested in this history chapter, consider visiting Romisches Museum.
The downside is that the museum is temporarily housed in Zeughaus, so it's quite small, and on top of that, there is no information in English on the exhibits.
Brecht House
Another museum worth seeing is the home of Bertolt Brecht, who was born in Augsburg in 1898.
The world-famous poet is renowned for his significant contributions to modern theatre and the development of epic theatre.
The displays are only in German, but you can borrow an English booklet.
Leopold Mozart House
If you like music and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (who doesn't, right), this little museum in Augsburg's city center is a must-see.
Augsburg was the birthplace of his father, Leopold, who was also a gifted composer and musician.
You can be sure that this house, where he was born, offers a bit different Mozart experience than you would expect.
Leopold Mozart was a fascinating man, and you can learn everything about him right here for a small admission. If you want to know more about the son, head to Salzburg or Vienna.
Discover the Water Management System of Augsburg
Augsburg was awarded World Heritage Site status in 2019 due to its unique water management system that's been supplying the city with water and hydropower for more than 800 years.
That sounds like a great thing for the city and also for tourists coming there for a visit. It consists of 22 sites, which you can explore to various extents.
The history of Augsburg's water management dates back to the 14th century when the water from Lech River was directed into the city's canals from Hochablass for the first time.
We've seen plenty of UNESCO sites in Bavaria. Each was pretty unique, and places like the Margravial Opera House and Wurzburg Residence were worth seeing.
Augsburg is a bit different.
The Water Management System of Augsburg, which is what this UNESCO site is called officially, is a bit harder to grasp.
Some sites, like Hochablass, Galgenablass, or Proviantbach, are outside the city. Some of these are relatively close, but Meitingen is almost 25 kilometers north of Augsburg.
Furthermore, most of the power plants are privately owned and not open to the public.
Lech Canals
The easiest way to see Augsburg's water management system is by simply wandering around the old town.
Here, you will find an intricate network of Lech Canals. With a total length of 77 kilometers and about 500 bridges, there's plenty to explore.
They say there are more bridges here than in Venice, but that seemed to us like comparing apples to oranges.
There are also water towers and water fountains scattered around the city center, like the one we used as a cover photo for this post.
Without any doubt, Lech Canals are easily among the best free things to do in Augsburg.
Hochablass
Probably the only must-see place outside Augsburg is Hochablass (Lech Weir), which has been diverting the water into Lech Canals since the late Middle Ages.
Unlike some other sites, Hochablass offers guided tours in English.
It's located about 5 kilometers southeast of the city center, where you'll also find Eiskanal. Parking is available at Kuhsee (Cow Lake), or take tram 6 to Am Eiskanal stop.
Eiskanal
Another cool site connected to Augsburg's water history is the Eiskanal. It was originally built to control river ice and keep it from flowing into the city full of turbines and water wheels.
It's been used for canoeing since 1945 and is home to the German National Training Center for kayaking and canoeing.
The coolest bit of history is that it was turned into the world's first white water canoe course for the 1972 Summer Olympics that were held in nearby Munich.
The whole area, together with nearby Hochablass and Galgenablass, is nice to explore during warm summer days; just be prepared that the area is popular among locals and gets fairly busy.
Augsburg Water Management Tour
If you want to learn more about Augsburg's water history, you can take the Augsburg Water Management Tour.
A knowledgeable guide will show you the canal system, water towers, fountains, and much more.
It's ideal for first-time visitors and people who want to learn more about this extraordinary part of Augsburg's history.
How Much Time Do I Need
A full day in Augsburg is a perfect amount of time for those who prefer to take things slowly or those who want to delve deeper into history, waterworks, or the food scene.
If all you have is half a day to explore Augsburg, you can still see a lot. In fact, we do believe that it's more than enough to see all of Augsburg's highlights.
It might sound a bit unfair, but there are simply more interesting places in Bavaria, and unfortunately, most international visitors are lured by the more famous attractions.
On the other hand, history buffs who take their time and spend a whole day in Augsburg will be rewarded with one of the most interesting cities Bavaria has to offer.
When to Go
You can visit Augsburg any time of the year, but it's good to know what to expect from each season before you start planning the trip.
Augsburg is wonderful from spring to fall, but you need to be prepared for changeable weather, as you'll see below.
By the time we arrived in Augsburg, the temperatures had dropped to freezing, and we had experienced a few showers.
There was even something like a brief snow shower at some point, so we had to hide under one of the arcades. Mind you, this was already mid-April.
Luckily, we checked the long-term weather forecast before the trip started, so we were prepared.
The only downside was that the city center felt fairly quiet due to relatively bad weather, which was a bit of a shame.
We can only imagine how lively it would have been if we had arrived a week sooner when we were still in Regensburg and temperatures were attacking 30 Celsius.
May, June, and September are ideal months to visit Augsburg due to the warmer days, which have plenty of daylight, fewer tourists, and lower prices.
You can visit Augsburg in winter, which is an especially good time to explore the museums or Christmas markets.
What to Pack
In general, Augsburg experiences mild to warm summers and cold winters, but be sure to check the weather forecast before you go.
Layering is always a good idea, especially outside the summer season. We wore our lightweight rain jackets and down jackets as it was really cold while we were there.
Comfortable shoes are a must if you plan on doing a lot of walking, and a good daypack is needed to keep your essentials and extra layers.
How to Get There
Augsburg is located in the south of Germany and is well-connected with the rest of the country. It's accessible by car, train, and bus, making it easy to reach from various parts of Germany.
Car
The easiest way to reach Augsburg from various German cities is by car. Augsburg sits on A8, which connects Munich (about 1 hour) with Stuttgart (less than 2 hours).
If you're driving through Bavaria, Augsburg is about two hours from Regensburg, two hours from Nuremberg, and three hours from Wurzburg.
We drove to Augsburg from nearby Legoland, and the whole journey didn't take longer than 40 minutes.
We made the trip in our car, but note it's hassle-free to rent a car in Augsburg.
Train
If you prefer public transport, note that Augsburg is well-connected by rail and easily reachable from major German cities like Munich or Berlin.
Augsburg Hauptbahnhof (main train station) is located about a 10-minute walk west of Rathhausplatz.
Check the Deutsche Bahn (DB) website for more information.
Bus
You can also get to Augsburg from cities like Stuttgart or Frankfurt by FlixBus.
The only downside is that FlixBus's main stop is located at Biberbachstraße 91, about 5 kilometers north of the town center.
Nevertheless, it's well-connected to public transportation so the journey to the town center is a matter of a few minutes.
Where to Stay
Augsburg is a relatively large city with a good range of hotels. We traveled in the shoulder season and arrived in Augsburg on a weekday, which meant we were able to find a decent hotel with a convenient location for something like €60.
Hands down, the best area to stay in Augsburg is the city center, as most must-see places are within walking distance of your hotel.
You can find some great hotels near Koenigsplatz, Hauptbahnhof, or Rathausplatz. We stayed in Koenigsplatz, and the location was super convenient.
So here's our list of the best hotels in Augsburg.
Budget | ibis Augsburg Koenigsplatz - We stayed in ibis Augsburg Koenigsplatz, located about a 10-minute walk from the Rathaus. It was a clean, modern hotel with small but functional rooms, easy parking, and a good breakfast.
Mid-range | Leonardo Hotel Augsburg - With modern decor, air-conditioned rooms, private parking, and a tasty buffet breakfast, Leonardo Hotel is easily one of the best hotels in Augsburg. We initially wanted to stay here but picked the Ibis Hotel, which was a bit closer to the city center due to bad weather.
Luxury | Hotel Maximilian's - Situated in the heart of Augsburg, Hotel Maximilian's is a perfect place to stay for those seeking a bit of luxury. This 5-star hotel offers immaculate service, stylish rooms, spa facilities, and a Michelin-starred Restaurant.
Staying Safe
Due to the low crime rate, Augsburg is generally considered a safe city for travelers.
Like in pretty much every German city we had a chance to visit during our road trip, we also felt very safe in Augsburg, even after dark.
You should be fine if you stay vigilant in crowded areas (public transport, some tourist areas) and watch out for pickpockets.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Augsburg Worth Visiting?
Augsburg is a relatively complicated case, and you need to think more carefully about whether it's worth including in your Bavaria itinerary or not.
The following lines might sound too negative, but we just try to stay realistic to set your expectations straight.
Nuremberg has a more interesting history (Holy Roman Empire, WW2), Rothenburg is way more beautiful, Wurzburg has a stunning UNESCO palace, and then you have the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein, and Munich, which are chapters on their own.
In this competition, it's really hard to stand out. That said, we do believe there's one reason why Augsburg is worth seeing.
It felt way less touristy.
We know that the combination of weather, which was far from ideal for sightseeing, and the fact that we were there outside the main season played a big part in that.
While the UNESCO-listed water management system may not sound as exciting at first as other similar sites, it's still pretty fascinating.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
