How to Visit Walhalla Memorial
Walhalla is one of the top attractions near Regensburg.
Read our travel guide on Walhalla, Germany. It includes tips on what to expect, how to get, where to stay, and when to go.
Walhalla Memorial near Regensburg is a truly remarkable place to visit. In fact, it's said that this is one of Germany's most important national monuments, so we couldn't have wished for a better place to kick off our Bavaria road trip. Our trip to Germany was one of those spontaneous ideas we have from time to time, which meant we didn't have much time to plan it carefully.
The only thing set was that our first stop would be Regensburg. While there is so much to see and do in Regensburg, there are a few really cool places to visit outside this beautiful city. Walhalla Memorial is definitely one of them. The thing was, we had no idea what we would find there once we got there. So here's everything you should know about Walhalla Memorial before you go.
History
The history of Walhalla Memorial is quite exciting and helps you better understand what you're about to experience. Walhalla Memorial was founded by Ludwig I, who ruled Bavaria between 1825 and 1848. The main idea arose in Ludwig's head after Napoleon annexed German lands in 1806 and won the War of the Fourth Coalition in 1807. A young Prince Ludwig I decided after this humiliating chapter of German history that he would one day build a huge monument to commemorate all the great Germans that shaped the history of his country.
Walhalla temple has a Greek-style architecture.
The construction of Walhalla officially started in 1830, and the memorial opened in 1842. The leading architect, Leo von Klenze, was inspired by the Parthenon dominating the Athens necropolis. The result looks like the Parthenon set in the Bavarian countryside. There used to be 96 busts of notable Germans, but since 1962, the Bavarian Council of Ministers has added new ones every few years.
One of the most interesting differences from Norse (and old Germanic) mythology, where Valhalla is mostly for warriors, is that this modern version includes notable people of literature, art, politics, science, etc., including both men and women.
Visiting the Walhalla Memorial
As we traveled to Regensburg from Czechia, we arrived from the southeast, and the GPS took us along a narrow back road to the main parking lot. After we paid for parking at a ticket machine, a short 300-meter trail with steps brought us to the back side of the Walhalla Memorial. We knew that both monuments near Regensburg were supposed to be impressive, but we were still not really sure what to expect.
Walhalla
Well, the first impression was fairly overwhelming. The majestic structure with massive columns does a great job of teleporting you somewhere to Greece or Italy. The main entrance faces the valley and Danube River, so we had to climb a few steps and walk along the collonade toward it. This is a great photo spot, especially when there's no one around. The next surprise was the views that opened up soon after.
Walhalla is located on the hill near Donaustauf, above the Danube River.
Danube River is the second largest river in Europe, and while it's still not that huge at this point, it made up the focal point of the scenery ahead of us. Next, we walked down and up the 358 steps connecting the Walhalla with the main road below. This is a nice little hike if you're coming from this direction. Okay, we admit that we didn't make it all the way down as we stayed within the massive concrete area (but we had to climb back, right?). Then we headed inside the memorial, the only place where you need a ticket.
Photography
By the way, photography is allowed at Walhalla Memorial, with the exception of the ticket booth, which makes sense as people would just take a picture from outside and leave without paying.
Walhalla Memorial
Once inside, it took us a few seconds to process all the busts and plaques on the display. The hall is enormous, and more than 130 busts of famous Germans (note that some of them are not technically German, but only German-speaking, like Gregor Mendel) line both sides of it. You will see Martin Luther, Johannes Kepler, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Ludwig van Beethoven, Otto von Bismarck, Albert Einstein, and many more. As we mentioned earlier, additional busts of notable people are added every few years to make the memorial even more grand.
At the farthest end is the statue of Ludwig I, the man who commissioned the memorial. By the way, his grandson, Ludwig II, built Neuschwanstein and Linderhof.
The Walhalla Memorial is a testament to the achievements of notable Germans.
If you're visiting Walhalla Memorial without a guide (which is perfectly doable), you might want to look up at least some of the names to learn more about these people. You can also download the free app containing all the essential information (there are QR codes on the site). That brings us to another thing. You could argue that there are only the busts inside, so there's no need really to go inside. Even though this is a valid point, we believe that the temple is worth exploring, especially if you're not that familiar with German history.
Where to Go Next
On the way to the Weltenburg Abbey and Hall of Independence near Kelheim, we had the chance to see the monument towering over the Danube River one last time.
Opening Hours
Walhalla Memorial is open from 9 AM to 6 PM from March to October. It remains open during the winter from 10 AM to 12 AM and 1 PM to 4 PM. The last admission is 15 minutes before closing.
Walhalla contains more than 130 busts of famous Germans.
Entrance Fee
You can see Walhalla Memorial from outside for free, which is great for all travelers visiting Germany on a budget. If you want to go inside, the entry fee to Walhalla Memorial is €4.50 per adult. You can also get a combo ticket that covers Walhalla Memorial, Hall of Liberation, and Prunn Castle.
How Much Time Do I Need
It took us around an hour to explore the Walhalla Memorial. Therefore, we believe you should budget about 30-90 minutes for Walhalla Memorial. You need to factor in the weather, whether you want to go inside or not, and how much you're interested in German history. Keep in mind that while you can spend as little as five minutes inside the memorial, we believe you will need at least 20-30 minutes to absorb it.
Walhalla is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Bavaria.
When to Go
Walhalla Memorial is open all year round, so you can practically visit it any time you want. Just check the opening hours if you want to go inside the monument. We visited Walhalla in April on an exceptionally warm day (the temperature was approaching 25 Celsius) and couldn't wish for better weather. If you're wondering when to visit Germany, read this guide.
What to Pack
A visit to Walhalla is relatively short, so just wear clothing according to the weather and don't forget to have comfortable shoes. Remember, if you arrive by bus, you need to tackle plenty of steps first.
How to Get There
There are several ways to get to Walhalla Memorial, including by car, boat, bus, bike, or foot. The easiest way to get to Walhalla Memorial is by car - check rental car rates here - but the scenic boat trips can be quite tempting on sunny days.
By Car: The nearest town is Donastauf, which is about two kilometers west of here. Walhalla is about 12 kilometers east of Regensburg, 130 kilometers north of Munich, and 120 kilometers southeast of Nuremberg.
Parking at Walhalla
Walhalla has a relatively large parking lot, only a short walk from the memorial. It's located at the end of Walhallstrasse, almost at the top of the hill. Parking at Walhalla Memorial was €2.50, and we paid by credit card.
By Bus: You can easily get to Walhalla Memorial by bus if you don't have a car. Just take a bus from Regensburg to Walhallastrasse, which will drop you off at the base of the hill. From here, you need to tackle 358 steps to get to the top. By the way, the nearest train station to Walhalla is in Regensburg.
Walking: As mentioned above, Donastauf's town center is less than two kilometers from the monument. Therefore, you can easily get to Walhalla on foot from the village.
By Bike: Obviously, you can easily cycle to Walhalla from Regensburg. A lovely 12-kilometer cycling trail connects the monument with Regensburg's city center.
Walhalla Cruises
As Walhalla Monument overlooks the mighty Danube River, it's easy to take a boat trip from Regensburg to this monument. Most Walhalla Sightseeing Cruises usually include a stop at the memorial with enough time to walk around and even go inside.
Walhalla overlooks the mighty Danube River.
Where to Stay
Without any doubt, Regensburg is the best place to stay before or after visiting Walhalla Memorial. Simply put, Regensburg offers a wide range of accommodation options, great restaurants, and stores. The other alternative is to stay directly in Donaustauf. The main advantage of this option is that you can reach the memorial from this small town on foot. So here are the best hotels near Walhalla Memorial.
Donaustauf | Posthotel Donaustauf - This 4-star hotel offers a central location, comfortable rooms, modern decor, an on-site restaurant, and spa facilities.
Regensburg | ibis Regensburg Zentrum - If you're looking for affordable accommodation, ibis Regensburg Zentrum may check all your boxes. The 3-star hotel has a central location, clean rooms with comfortable beds, a great buffet breakfast, and paid on-site parking.
Regensburg | Hotel Goliath am Dom - If you're seeking something more luxurious, Hotel Goliath am Dom is a great place to stay. Located in the heart of Regensburg's old town, this 5-star hotel offers stylish decor, comfortable and spacious rooms, delicious food, and exceptional staff.
Staying Safe
Walhalla Memorial is generally a very safe place to visit. Just stay away from the edge when walking along the colonnade. White lines on the ground indicate the risk of falling, but it's perfectly safe if you stay within the designated area. And always supervise your children if you're visiting Walhalla with your family. Lastly, don't leave your valuables in your car.
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 Walhalla Worth Visiting?
Being one of the most striking tourist attractions outside Regensburg, Walhalla Memorial is definitely worth seeing. The monument, with Greek Revival architecture, offers stunning views and serves as a great introduction to German history and its most influential people. If you're wondering whether you should see the Walhalla Memorial or the Hall of Independence, then we can only say to visit both places and see for yourself. Both places offer a bit different experiences, so make sure to read our Hall of Independence guide to learn more.
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.
