Passau City Guide
This guide presents the best activities, restaurants, cafes, and destinations for your stay. Whether you're traveling as a family, group, couple, or business traveler – Passau has something to offer everyone.
Joana's culinary favorites
Here are my personal favorites for your stay – personally tested and recommended!
Please always check in advance whether you can make a reservation.
Cafes open all day & Brunch
Café Schöffberger
Traditional, cozy café with a good selection of breakfast, cakes and light meals – ideal for a relaxed start to the day or a coffee break in between.
Café Anton
Popular for all-day breakfast and brunch with a relaxed atmosphere and a nice selection of sweet and savory dishes.
Café Minoo (two locations)
Modern, stylish café – suitable for all-day use, perfect for brunch, coffee with friends or as a workspace with good coffee.
ProLi – Programmkino & Café
Perfect for rainy days: Watch a film at the art house cinema after breakfast – you can do that here!
Cafe Kowalski
The heart of Passau's café culture! Located directly on the Inn River with a magnificent view of the river and cathedral. Something for everyone: sweet cakes and muffins to accompany fragrant coffee specialties, hearty burgers and steaks, refreshing beer, cocktails, and wines. The terrace with its cathedral view is legendary.
Simon Confectionery & Coffee
An absolute cult café in Passau with wonderful cakes and treats.
Restaurants & Culinary Moments
Zi Teresa Restaurant
A cozy Italian restaurant with pizza and pasta, ideal for a shared dinner with family or friends.
Winery (upscale)
For a stylish evening with good wine and fine cuisine – ideal for couples, business travelers or special occasions.
Drinks & Aperitifs
Rosemary
Perfect for a quick drink right by the water with a great view of the river – ideal on warm days or to start the evening.
Step into Café
Another beautiful spot with a great view over the Inn river, very suitable for coffee, cake or a drink with a view.
For the evening
Shamrock Irish Pub
A cozy bar offering beer, whisky, and a pub atmosphere – ideal for groups and friends in the evening.
Journey Cocktail Bar
For good cocktails in a modern setting, perfect for later in the evening or a drink after dinner.
Special Highlights
Divan – Breakfast with a view
A unique breakfast spot with a view over the city – ideal for a relaxed and slightly unusual start to the day. Reservations are not possible, so it's best to just drop by in the morning!
Annapurna – Healthy & Exceptional
Light, creative and partly healthy cuisine – good for anyone who likes bowls, curries or vegetarian/vegan options.
Classic sights & activities in Passau
St. Stephen's Cathedral – The largest cathedral organ in the world
Passau's landmark! The magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral, with its radiant white Baroque facade and green onion domes, has been the heart of the old town since 1662. The interior enchants visitors with elegant white walls, artistic ceiling frescoes, and elaborate decorations.
The absolute highlight: the world's largest cathedral organ with almost 18,000 pipes! Organ concerts are held regularly – an unforgettable experience for music and culture lovers.
Veste Oberhaus – Fortress with breathtaking views
The imposing castle complex sits majestically above Passau. Covering 65,000 square meters, it is one of the largest preserved castle complexes in Europe. Originally built by the Prince-Bishop of Passau as a defensive structure, it later even served as a prison – hence its reputation as the "Bastille of Bavaria".
Today the fortress offers: - Museum of city and fortress history - Spectacular viewing terraces overlooking all three rivers, beer garden & restaurant - Observatory - Breathtaking sunsets (especially romantic for couples!)
The way up: 15–20 minutes on foot from Residenzplatz or via elevator. Good footwear is recommended.
Three Rivers Corner – The natural spectacle at the edge of the old town
A fascinating natural phenomenon: the Danube (blue), Inn (green), and Ilz (dark brown) meet here and flow side by side for a long time – without immediately mixing! The different colors arise from varying sediment composition and geological factors.
Perfect for relaxing strolls along the promenade!
Passau Old Town – Baroque meets Italy
Passau's old town is a dream of vibrant pastel colors, narrow streets, and magnificent squares. After devastating fires in the 17th century, it was rebuilt in the Italian Baroque style – hence its southern flair!
Highlights of the walk: - Residenzplatz: Centrally located baroque square with the Wittelsbach Fountain (since 1903) - Höllgasse: Picturesque alleyway with artists' studios and studio shops - Colorful, restored house facades perfect for photography - Small shops, boutiques, and handicrafts - Cozy spots to linger
Mariahilf Pilgrimage Church – 321 steps with a view
This baroque church towers high above the rooftops of Passau. Its unique feature: the legendary Mariahilf staircase with 321 covered steps leads up to the church – a pleasant climb with views of the old town.
The reward for the effort: A breathtaking view over Passau and the surrounding rivers!
Good to know: The stairs are covered – accessible even in the rain.
Other activities
Shipping - a famous activity in Passau
There are numerous city tours on the Danube and Inn rivers, as well as lock tours to Engelhartszell – fascinating for children. Themed evenings are also offered, such as a Mother's Day cruise, a Sunday buffet cruise, or an Italian night. More information can be found at donauschifffahrt.eu.
Swimming & Wellness
PEB – Passau Adventure Pool
A highlight for families! Swimming pool, large fun area and family-friendly infrastructure. Perfect for cooling off after sightseeing.
Thermal baths in the bathing triangle
Bad Füssing (approx. 40 km, 45 min. drive)
Bad Griesbach (approx. 35 km, 40 min. drive)
Both places are known for their high-quality thermal wellness offerings.
Hiking & Cycling
Danube Cycle Path
The Danube Cycle Path is one of the most popular river cycle paths in Europe. For example, you can cycle from Passau through the Wachau Valley to Vienna, but the infrastructure and cycle paths are also ideal for shorter tours in the surrounding area and are well signposted.
The Bavarian Forest
A natural paradise with countless activities: hiking, mountains, lakes, unspoiled nature. Well-maintained hiking trails for all difficulty levels.
Glassworks & Glass Museums: The Bavarian Forest is world-famous for its glassmaking tradition. Visit a traditional glassworks and see master glassmakers at work!
Ortenburg Castle with wildlife park
Approximately 15 km south of Passau
Historic castle with an attached wildlife park. Perfect for families and nature lovers – animals in a natural environment, historic buildings and beautiful green spaces.
Museumsdorf Bayerischer Wald (Tittling)
Approx. 30 km away
Experience rural culture and history live! Traditional buildings, craft techniques and museum events showcase the region's past life.
Ideal for: groups, families and culture enthusiasts
Austria & neighboring regions
The Three-Country Corner Adventure: Passau is located directly on the border with Austria and the Czech Republic – an ideal starting point!
Schärding am Inn (Austria, approx. 30 km)
Picturesque Austrian riverside town with a colorful old town, restaurants and cafes. Short drive, big cultural difference!
Bohemian Forest (Czech Republic)
Easily accessible for longer excursions – beautiful forest landscapes and traditional places.
Have fun in Passau!
I wish you a wonderful stay in the beautiful three-river city of Passau.
Let yourself be enchanted by Passau's charm, history and hospitality.
Have fun!
Yours truly, Joana from Blended Homes
