I and my daughters will have 3 nights in Munich and have been considering a day trip to either Regensburg or Passau. Ideally, we would have loved to visit Rothenburg, but it does not seem feasible as a day trip, as it's 2.5-3 hrs from Munich via train.

Various guide books have indicated that both Regensburg and Passau are well preserved medieval towns, with the added benefit of being on the Danube.

Which, in your opinion, would be the better option for a day trip, and why??

Thanks so much!

Regensburg. We stayed for 2 nights in Passau about 3 years ago, and visited Regensburg as a day trip. We wished we had stayed in Regensburg.

Stu Dudley

Amazing what guidebooks consider "medieval" - everything pre-1800? Passau is a baroque town. Of course it has medieval history and heritage but what you see, the general appearance, is baroque. Passau's big plus is the cityscape at the meeting point of three rivers.

Regensburg is one of the very rare cities in Germany which has indeed preserved a notable amount of authentic medieval architecture including residential houses and tower houses, in additions to churches and the bridge.

It is a win-win decision, you can't go wrong with either.

Have not been to Passau and recently posed a question about it because I want to go there - opinion was that it was a nice town in a nice location but nothing to go out of my way for - that was the opinion of many

Have been to Regensbrug and can attest to that city being really really nice and old-worldish - in fact I recall hearing the Regensberug had more intact medieval buildings in it than any other Germany town - but you can't go wrong - 2.5 hours on train for many is too much - each way that is.

I visited both Passau and Regensburg on a Danube cruise and liked both very much. Passau is the smaller of the two, while Regensburg is more spread out, with arguably more to see.

We have stayed in Regensburg 4 times in recent years and just visited Passau this last winter:

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent2...7269752_mTt8bM

There is more to see in Regensburg but I am not sure that matters as much on a day trip. I love Regensburg but found Passau more scenic.

There were heavy floods this year in Passau. I am not sure how that would affect a visit.

I would (probably will) visit both again. Regards, Gary

I've been to both. Both are worth visiting, but I personally enjoyed Regensburg more. What time of year will you be there? I don't think I would enjoy Passau in the winter, but I loved Regensburg in the snow and they have multiple Christmas markets.
In the spring and summer, Passau is filled with day trippers from river boat cruises.

Been to both and liked them both equally.