How to Visit Weltenburg Abbey
Read our travel guide on Weltenburg Abbey, Germany. It includes the best things to do and see, tips on how to get, where to stay, and when to go.
During our Germany road trip, we got the chance to visit the oldest monastic brewery in the world. It's not something you see every day.
While this fact sounds cool, it was actually the photo of the monastery with the beach, gorge, and Danube River we had seen on the official website that convinced us to change our plans.
At first, Weltenburg Abbey was originally an optional stop on our Bavaria itinerary.
We managed to squeeze in a quick stop here on our way from Walhalla Memorial to the Hall of Liberation, which is just a few minute's drive from here.
Ultimately, we were glad we had enough time to see this place.
So here's everything you should know about Weltenburg Abbey before you go.
Things to See and Do
There are plenty of things to see and do in Weltenburg Abbey, depending on your interests and how much time you have for your trip.
Learn About Weltenburg Abbey's History
The first inhabitants lived in the area during the Bronze and Iron Age.
Later, Romans established a small military camp on the road connecting Weltenburg with the Alps during the 1st century CE.
The first mentions of a wooden structure at this site are from the 8th century CE, though the first records are from the end of the 9th century.
Weltenburg Abbey rose to fame during the 18th century when Abbot Maurus Bachl initiated the construction of the Baroque complex, which you can see here today.
The best way to learn about history is at Weltenburg's visitor center, which has a museum that was carved out of limestone rock.
By the way, Benedictines still live in Weltenburg Abbey, so some areas are closed to the public.
Explore the Weltenburg Abbey
The abbey itself sits on the true right bank of the Danube River.
The location on the horseshoe bend with the white limestone rocks in the backdrop couldn't be more scenic.
The aerial photos of Weltenburg Abbey are breathtaking, but even the views from the ground are pretty amazing as well.
So what is there to see and do in Weltenburg Abbey?
You can just walk around the complex (it's relatively small), visit the church with frescoes and paintings, and then walk up to the small chapel above the monastery.
You can explore several hiking and cycling trails in the area or even walk back to Kelheim (remember that you can fairly easily cross the river).
After you are done with hiking, history, and admiring the scenery, you should stop at the restaurant serving one of the oldest beers in Germany.
If you take the boat trip from Kelheim, it all depends on how much time you have before you need to return to the ship.
Hike along the Danube Gorge
The 5.5-kilometer stretch between Kelheim and Weltenburg Abbey is known as the Danube Gorge or Weltenburg Narrows (Weltenburger Enge).
This designated nature reserve was first recognized by King Ludwig I of Bavaria during the 1840s and gained its official status during the 20th century.
Danube Gorge was created during the Upper Jurassic epoch and consists of huge 80-meter limestone rocks and 20-meter deep, fast-flowing Danube River.
If you want to stay active, hiking trails along the Danube Gorge connect Weltenburg with Kelheim.
However, the most popular way to see the gorge is by taking a boat trip.
Have a Beer at Klosterschenke Weltenburg
One of the main reasons to visit Weltenburg Kloster is that this is the oldest abbey brewery in the world.
At least that's what they say, and you need to take it with a grain of salt.
Later, we discovered that the Weihenstephan Abbey, about an hour's drive south of here, claims the same thing.
As the brewery has been operating since 1050 CE, you can say that this is one of the oldest monastic breweries in the world.
The most traditional beer you can have is Weltenburger Barock Dunkel, a dark lager beer with a distinguished taste and many international awards.
There is a fairly large and busy beer garden (Biergarten) in the abbey courtyard if you want to have a beer or two (and traditional Bavarian meals or just a pretzel).
Unlike the brewery in Bamberg, we didn't have time for this (plus, we arrived by car), so we grabbed a couple of beers from the gift shop and headed to our next stop.
Brewery tours are also available at Weltenburg Abbey if you're interested in how beer is made.
We visited Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Plzen just a few weeks ago, so we passed on that.
If you're interested in beer, plenty of breweries are scattered around Germany.
Plus, you can also visit the iconic Oktoberfest if you time your visit right.
We can't fail to mention that the restaurant was packed even during April (it was a beautiful day, though), so we don't want to imagine how busy it is during the peak season.
Take a Guided Tour at St. Georg Church
The Roman Catholic St. Georg Church (Kirche St. Georg) is a must-see while at Weltenburg Abbey.
This baroque church was beautifully decorated by Asam brothers during the 18th century, and it's one of the highlights of this place.
We've seen many beautiful domes with frescoes during our trip, such as the one in Wurzburg or Bayreuth, but this one with its tower of 45 meters in height was one of the most stunning ones.
Take a Boat Trip to Weltenburg from Kelheim
Boat trips to Kelheim and Weltenburg Abbey are available between March and November.
With its huge limestone rocks towering majestically over the river, the Danube Gorge is stunning and best seen from the boat (check the Schifffahrt Kelheim website).
You can also buy the ticket directly at the kiosk at the Weltenburg Abbey's beach entrance.
By the way, we've seen plenty of kayakers paddling down the Danube River, which seemed like a good alternative for those not interested in boat trips.
Cross the Danube River by a Zille
Zille are small traditional fishing boats that are nowadays used as a passenger ferry service at Weltenburg Abbey.
You can hop on the boat that will take you for a few euros to the other side of the river (and back if you want).
This is a great way for hikers and cyclists to cross the river when arriving or returning from/to Kelheim.
There is no fixed schedule, so you need to be prepared to wait a bit on some days. You can just sit on the beach and soak in the scenery meanwhile.
Another way to cross the Danube is to take a cable ferry that connects the right true bank with the small village of Stausacker.
The boarding point is about 100 meters north of the main parking lot.
This one is suitable not only for pedestrians and cyclists but also for bikes and cars.
Walk to the Shrine of Our Lady on the Frauenberg
Less than 200 meters from the Weltenburg Abbey's courtyard is a small Shrine of Our Lady on the Frauenberg (Wallfahrtskirche auf dem Frauenberg).
The well-maintained path with Stations of the Cross is fairly steep but very short.
The small chapel is not as decorated as the St. Georg Church, but still worth seeing.
Compared to the main church, which is located in the busy courtyard, this place was without any crowds.
Opening Hours
Klosterschenke Weltenburg is open daily from 9:30 AM to 7 PM between March and October.
It remains open until November, but it closes at 5:30 PM.
The visitor center in the historic rock cellar is open every day from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM between April and October (it's closed in winter).
Entrance Fee
Apart from paid parking and boat tours, Weltenburg Abbey is technically free to visit.
The entrance fee to Weltenburg Abbey visitor center (rock cellar) is €3.
The church is free to enter, and the optional guided tour costs €4.
Obviously, you can spend as much money in the restaurant as you want.
How Much Time Do I Need
In general, we would say that two hours are more than enough for Weltenburg Abbey.
This includes a visit to the church, a short hike or two, and a beer in the restaurant.
That said, the amount of time you need for this site will vary on many factors.
If you arrive by boat, then you will have limited time for a visit.
If you walk from Kelheim and back, you can easily spend half a day there.
When to Go
Summer is the most popular time to visit Weltenburg Abbey, as you can expect warm days and plenty of daylight.
Days during the spring and autumn are usually a bit colder, so be prepared for this type of weather as well.
We visited the Weltenburg Abbey in April, and the weather was just perfect, at least compared to what we experienced later at Neuschwanstein or Bad Kissingen.
You can visit Weltenburg Abbey even in winter, but the days are usually quite cold and fairly short.
What to Pack
Wear comfortable shoes, practical clothing, and make sure to add a layer or two when traveling outside the summer.
Make sure to keep good sunscreen and a water bottle in your daypack if visiting on a hot sunny day.
How to Get There
There are several convenient ways to get to Weltenburg Abbey, including by car, boat, bus, bike, or foot.
The easiest and most stress-free way to get to Weltenburg Abbey is by car, though boat tours from Kelheim are also popular and hassle-free.
Car
Weltenburg Abbey is conveniently situated just 35 kilometers southwest of Regensburg, 115 kilometers southeast of Nuremberg, and 110 kilometers north of Munich.
The charming town of Kelheim is a mere 10 kilometers away.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
The main parking lot is located in the northwest corner of Weltenburg village, about 700 meters from the Weltenburg Abbey.
It's a big parking that can accommodate a large number of vehicles.
It was cash only at the time of our visit.
Public Transport
You can take a bus from Regensburg to Kelheim and then change to another bus service to Weltenburg.
The nearest train station is Saal (Donau). From here, you can take a bus to Kelheim.
On Foot
A nice 5-kilometer trail (Jakobsweg) connects the Kelheim with Weltenburg Abbey along the Danube's true left bank.
You can then loop back via the 6-kilometer Donau-Panoramaweg trail.
This is a lovely, moderately challenging hike that you can extend by adding the Hall of Liberation.
Bike
Obviously, you can also get to Weltenburg Abbey from Kelheim by bike.
This area has several great cycling trails, so you can easily get there from Kelheim and even Regensburg (about 35 kilometers one way).
Boat Tours
Boat tours offer an interesting way to explore Weltenburg and other places on the Danube River.
We've already mentioned that the stretch between Kelheim and Weltenburg is incredibly scenic, so it's not surprising that the boat trips are very popular.
Boat trips between Kelheim and Weltenburg Abbey run from March to November.
Where to Stay
One of the great things about Weltenburg is that it has an abbey with a brewery and offers accommodations.
This is a great option for those who want to experience this area from a completely different perspective. Alternatively, you can find a few accommodations near Kelheim.
Being the largest city in the area, Regensburg has a wide range of hotels suitable for all budgets and preferences.
So here are the best hotels near Weltenburg Abbey.
Weltenburg Kloster | Gastehaus St. Georg - Set in the Weltenburg Abbey, this accommodation offers comfortable rooms, a good buffet breakfast, parking for guests, and a fantastic location.
Kelheim | Dormero Hotel Kelheim - This popular hotel in Kelheim offers spacious rooms, a buffet breakfast, friendly staff, and paid parking.
Regensburg | Novotel Regensburg Zentrum - If you're looking for a modern hotel in Regensburg's city center, this Novotel is a great place to stay. Expect comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, a great buffet breakfast, and paid private parking.
Staying Safe
Weltenburg Abbey is generally a very safe place to visit.
That said, swimming on the Danube River is dangerous in this area due to strong currents and increased boat traffic.
Even though it might be tempting to go for a swim on a hot summer day, we strongly advise you to stay on the shore for your safety.
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 Weltenburg Abbey Worth Visiting?
If you have time, Weltenburg Abbey is definitely an interesting place to visit.
While the visit to the monastery itself might not be that interesting, it's the combination of stunning scenery, a popular brewery, and a beautiful abbey on the shores of the Danube River that make this place so fun to explore.
Plus, it's really close to Regensburg, making it an ideal place for a day trip.
So, if you like hiking, beer, boat trips, and monasteries, Weltenburg Abbey should be on your list.
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.
