Head over to our hotel recommendations!

There’s no lack of restaurants, cafes and bars on every corner. You could spend days alone trying them all out. Below are a few suggestions, though I encourage you to go beyond just these!

• Café Anton – This cafe and wine bar, hidden away in an alley right around the corner from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, offers delicious coffee, home-made bread, excellent European-style breakfast. Its quirky interior and quiet little courtyard, alongside their excellent food and beverages made me fall in love with this place immediately. Kick back and forget all worries while relaxing and reflecting about what you’ve seen so far in this pretty town.
• Theatercafe – Enjoy excellent coffee and home-made cakes in a bustling yet tucked away small town square right next to Passau’s theater building.
• Biergarten and Bräustüberl Hacklberg – This brewery with a brewpub and beer garden is another one of my favorites, especially this green and lush oasis of a traditional beer garden. Growing up, we used to play in this labyrinth of shrubs and trees for hours, never wanting to go home when our parents were ready to call it a day after a summer’s afternoon at the lake, a nice Radler (shandy), and traditional food at the beer garden. Coming back as an adult (or so…), this natural jungle labyrinth of twigs, leaves and little trails beaten by children’s feet seems pretty small but we had fun for hours in there. Also, it’s not a real or constructed labyrinth, it’s just trees and bushes… Leave it to the kids, they will all simply love it! The beer is brewed on location and I would say it’s one of the best ones Passau has to offer.
• Café Innsteg right by the river Inn features river views from the sunny elevated terrace and river-side beer garden. The cafe offers daily and weekly menus of various dishes and beverages.

• St. Stephen’s Cathedral – This stunning Baroque cathedral in the heart of Passau’s old town is the seat of the Catholic bishop of Passau and was once home to the world’s largest church organ. Though it no longer holds that title, the instrument—featuring 17,974 pipes and 233 registers—remains an awe-inspiring highlight, especially when heard in concert. A church has stood on this site since at least 450 CE, in the late antique city of Batavis. The bishop’s church was first documented in 730 and became the cathedral of the diocese in 739. To experience the organ’s full power, check the schedule for regular concerts held daily (except Sundays and holidays) from May through October.
• Veste Oberhaus (Oberhaus fortress) and Museum – Perched atop St. Georgsberg, this formidable fortress has overlooked Passau since its founding in 1219 by Prince-Bishop Ulrich II. Originally constructed to assert the bishop’s secular and spiritual authority, the fortress has undergone numerous expansions over the centuries, reflecting Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles.
  A notable feature visible from the town below is the inscription “1499” on the fortress’s facade. This date, marked in Gothic script with a stylized “4” resembling a halved “8,” commemorates a significant phase of construction.
  Visitors can reach the fortress via the Ludwigsteig, a scenic trail beginning near the Luitpold Bridge. The hike, taking approximately 15 minutes, winds through wooded switchbacks and stairways, offering panoramic views of Passau’s old town, the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, and the surrounding Bavarian and Austrian landscapes. For those preferring an easier ascent, shuttle buses are available.​
  At the summit, the Oberhaus Museum awaits, housing a diverse array of permanent and rotating exhibitions that delve into the region’s rich history and culture.
• Ortspitze/Dreiflüsseeck (here’s a map for a suggested walk) – This is the merging point of the three rivers. You may want to consider taking a walk along the River Inn, which has a nice river promenade to stroll along, people-watch and enjoy the scenery while savoring some gelato. Depending on how far you go, you can check out the Campus of Passau University. If you’re ready for a break from all that walking, you may want to stop in at Café Innsteg – see above.
• Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus) – Parts of this thick-walled medieval building are open to the public. Still serving as Passau’s city hall and housing various municipal offices, it radiates a quiet majesty that’s hard to ignore. Its origins date back to the 13th century, and I’m always awestruck by its age and enduring presence—centuries old, yet still bustling with civic life.
  Outside, don’t miss the flood marks inscribed on the tower wall. These lines chronicle Passau’s long relationship with the rivers. Biannual flooding is a part of life here, especially in the old town. Locals know not to store anything important in basements, adapting with good-natured practicality.
  One of those flood lines—marked 2013—coincides with my wedding in Passau! It was the city’s worst flooding in 500 years (only topped by a flood in 1501). That week brought uncertainty and anxiety: travel was disrupted, parts of the city were underwater, and we briefly wondered if we’d have to cancel the celebration. But in the end, the floodwaters began to recede, the skies cleared, and we were gifted with a sunny, joy-filled day surrounded by family and friends from the U.S. and across Germany. The clean-up efforts unfolding around us only added to the uniqueness of it all—an unforgettable wedding in every sense.
• Stroll to the Innstadt quarter – (See the map with a suggested walk.) As you explore Passau, consider crossing the River Inn into the charming district of Innstadt—literally “Inn Town.” With its narrow alleys, quiet square, and timeless atmosphere, it feels like stepping into another century.
  Pause for a coffee in the picturesque square, then wander a few steps down the alley to the Roman Museum. Just beyond, discover the remnants of the old city wall and the Severinstor, a medieval gate that once guarded the city.
  If you’re up for a bit more climbing, head in the opposite direction along the river to the Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf—“Mary, help us.” Perched on a hilltop, it’s reached via 321 covered steps, a path traditionally used by pilgrims. (Yes, we Passau locals do seem to enjoy our stairs!)

Finally, if you like baked goods, do get a “Butterbreze” at some point at one of the bakeries scattered throughout the city. It’s a Bavarian pretzel, cut in half with butter spread on it and the halves put back together. It’s a popular breakfast or snack on the go. Bavarian pretzels just as they should be, with the crispy crossed “arms” in the middle and a soft thick side. While I’ve found some pretty good pretzels here in the US, I haven’t been able to find one that is just right. Also, in Bavaria we like to eat them with butter, as opposed to dipping it in mustard, as it is done in the US. Which, admittedly, is a pretty tasty way to do it too! I recommend getting one in the morning, as they are still nice and fresh.