Things to do in Passau

St. Stephan's Cathedral

The early history of St. Stephen's Cathedral dates back to 450, and it is a prominent building in the Old Town of Passau. However, after the great fire of 1662, the entire church was rebuilt, resulting in its current Baroque facade and green dome. The church houses one of the world's largest pipe organs, with a total of 17,974 pipes. In addition to masses and concerts, there is a pipe organ performance at noon from May to October, and an evening performance every Thursday. If you happen to be there, it is worth going in to enjoy it and experience the charm of this massive instrument.

Veste Oberhaus

Veste Castle stands on the Hacklberg hill on the north bank of the Danube River. It was built in the 13th century and served as the residence and fortification for the ruling prince-bishops at that time. Today, the interior of the building houses the Schloss Museum, which features exhibitions on the history of Passau's development and ancient military weaponry. The Burggarten is an excellent spot to overlook the city of Passau, where you can see the confluence of the three rivers and the scattered spires of the old town.

Meeting Point of Danube and Inn Rivers

Three rivers meet here in Passau; the Inn is alpine water coming from the Alps in Austria, with a high calcium content, which gives it a lighter, turquoise color, and it flows very quickly, agile and spirited; the Danube flows at a leisurely pace, and its color is deeper than that of the Inn; Irrsee is narrow and winding, appearing smaller compared to the two larger rivers, but its color is relatively the deepest of the three. The colors of these three rivers are distinct, and you can see a clear boundary at the confluence, which is very interesting. There are several bridges over these three rivers, and standing on them allows you to feel their unique characteristics more clearly.

peb - ​​Passauer Erlebnisbad

Donauschifffahrt Wurm & Noé

Pullman City Western town

Pullman City Western town is a theme park filled with Western flair, as if it has transported the spirit of the American West to the German countryside. Since opening in 1997, it has become a destination that blends entertainment, history, and family fun. Its architectural style faithfully recreates the look of the 19th-century American West, with typical wooden buildings lining the streets, including saloons, stables, gold mines, and banks. Visitors can experience a variety of Western activities here, such as archery, gold panning, pony rides, cowboy shows, and bonfires. Large saloons and dance halls often feature live country music and line dancing, creating an immersive Western atmosphere. In addition, there is an adventure park and a low ropes course designed specifically for children to explore and play. On weekends and holidays, it hosts a variety of colorful events, attracting many tourists and local residents.

Dreiländerhalle

Babalu Funpark Passau

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is located in the foothills of the Alps in Bavaria, Germany, near the Austrian border and not far from the small town of Füssen. Built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a tribute to composer Wagner and inspired by the legend of the "Swan Knight" Lohengrin, construction began in 1869. Its fairy-tale appearance—white walls, blue domes, and scattered spires—served as the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is perennially regarded as Germany's tourism icon. The castle interior was originally planned to have over 200 rooms, but by the time of the king's death in 1886, only a dozen had been completed, each exquisitely crafted. The throne hall's dome is painted with a star-studded blue night sky, while the floor features mosaic patterns of flora and fauna, with a chandelier modeled after a Byzantine crown hanging high above. The Gothic double bed in the king's bedroom took over four years to carve by more than a dozen sculptors. The relatively large singers' hall in the castle, adorned with murals of "Lohengrin" and "Parsifal," was modeled after the Wartburg singers' hall and still hosts concerts every September. Swan motifs are nearly omnipresent, appearing in murals, door handles, and washstands. Interestingly, this medieval-inspired castle was already equipped with telephones, central heating, hot water, and automatic flushing toilets at the time, making it remarkably advanced for its era. To capture the classic postcard-perfect shot, head to Marienbrücke. This pedestrian bridge, suspended over the Pöllat Gorge, faces the southern facade of the castle and is not far from the bus drop-off point. It gets crowded in the afternoon, so an early visit is recommended. You can take the shuttle bus, a horse-drawn carriage, or hike up the mountain. The hiking route offers a bird's-eye view of the castle, and along the way, you can also see the yellow Hohenschwangau Castle, the old royal palace on the opposite hill. The castle's ending carries a touch of tragedy: Ludwig II built it with his private funds and loans, facing strong opposition from his ministers. On a late night in June 1886, he was arrested in his castle bedroom and mysteriously died days later by Lake Starnberg. Seven weeks later, the castle opened to the public. Today, visiting the interior requires following a guide, and photography is prohibited inside. Live guides provide commentary in English or German, while an audio guide is available for Chinese. Visitor guide To the castle There are three ways to reach the castle: taking the shuttle bus, riding a carriage, or going on foot. Most people choose to take the shuttle bus, then walk a short distance to Neuschwanstein Castle, where there is a viewing platform to overlook another castle—Hohenschwangau. You can also reach the castle by carriage, where you can enjoy picturesque scenery along the way, and the witty carriage driver will share legendary stories that happened here. After disembarking, it's just a short walk to the castle entrance. If you don't want to wait in line for the shuttle bus or prefer outdoor activities, you can also hike to Neuschwanstein Castle. Along the way, you can capture an aerial view of the castle, and there are relatively fewer travelers. Take a postcard-perfect photo of the castle Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) is located near the terminal stop of the uphill bus. This 100 m-high bridge spans between two cliffs, with its floor made of wooden planks that slightly bounce when stepped on. Here, you can capture the famous postcard-perfect shot of Neuschwanstein Castle. If you arrive early before your scheduled visit time, you can first head to Marienbrücke to photograph the beautiful view of Neuschwanstein Castle, as the bridge gets overcrowded after noon. Guided tour To visit the castle interior, you must follow the official guide. The guide provides services in English and German. You can also choose to use an audio guide (available in Chinese). After the visit, you can take a short break at the café inside the castle.

Tier- und Vogelpark Irgenöd