Plizio Visual Lab

Passau

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
—°3186
Passau (Germany)
ℹ️

Practical info — Passau

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Head to the 'Dreiflüsseeck' (Three Rivers Corner) early in the morning to best see the distinct colors of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz merging.
  • The path up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress is surprisingly steep; take the shuttle bus from Rathausplatz if you want to save energy.
  • Look out for the historical flood markers on the buildings in the Old Town to understand the city's relationship with water.
  • Street parking in the narrow Altstadt is virtually impossible; use the larger parking garages along the riverbanks instead.
  • If you want to hear the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral organ, arrive well before the midday concert as lines form quickly.

🍽 Food

🍽
Bavarian Roast Pork

Find excellent, crispy roast pork with dumplings in the traditional Wirtshäuser (taverns) near the town hall.

🍽
Innviertel Dumplings

Cross the Inn river to a neighboring gasthaus for authentic regional dumplings filled with meat or cheese.

🍽
Apfelstrudel

Enjoy a classic slice of warm apple strudel in one of the traditional Austrian-style coffeehouses in the pedestrian zone.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Glass Art

Passau is near the Bavarian Forest glassmaking region; look for boutique shops in the Höllgasse selling unique glass crafts.

🛍
Altstadt Boutiques

The narrow alleys around the cathedral are full of small, independent shops offering Bavarian clothing and local souvenirs.

🛍
Passauer Goldhauben

You can spot or buy fine local embroidery and traditional gold-capped hats in specialized craft shops in the historic center.

🧘
Innpromenade

Walk along the green banks of the Inn river for a quieter alternative to the busy Danube side, offering lovely views of the old town.

🧘
Veste Oberhaus grounds

The expansive grounds around the fortress provide peaceful spots to sit and enjoy a panoramic view over the three rivers.

Highlights of 2026

3

Passau, famously known as the 'City of Three Rivers,' is situated at the southeastern tip of Bavaria where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers converge. The city's old town, built on a narrow peninsula, is characterized by its memorable Italian Baroque architecture, a legacy of the 17th-century reconstruction led by master architects. Dominated by St. Stephen's Cathedral, which houses the world's largest cathedral organ with 17,974 pipes, the skyline is one of the most recognizable in Southern Germany. For centuries, Passau was an independent Prince-Bishopric, and its political and religious influence once stretched deep into the Austrian territories. Overlooking the confluence is the Veste Oberhaus, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe, offering a panoramic view of the three rivers' distinct colors merging together. As a prominent university town and a major hub for international river cruises on the Danube, Passau seamlessly blends centuries-old traditions with a bustling, modern atmosphere. Its narrow cobblestone streets and scenic waterfront promenades make it a top destination for cultural tourism.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-3-138131719181383-1
Rain mm685162519911310810977645359

Live webcam – Passau

See what it looks like near Passau right now.

Dietzing: Passau - Veste Oberhaus, Burg & Museum Veste Oberhaus · 2.9 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
50,560
Coordinates
48.57480, 13.43170

Facts

  • The three rivers differ in color: the Inn is green, the Danube blue, and the Ilz black.
  • The cathedral's organ concerts are held daily during the summer season.
  • The Veste Oberhaus fortress was never conquered in its 800-year history.
  • Passau's historic town hall features a 19th-century Neo-Gothic tower.
  • The city was a key stop on the salt trade route along the Inn river.
  • The University of Passau is consistently ranked as one of Germany's best for law.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Passau (18)

St. Stephen's Cathedral⛪ church

This Baroque cathedral houses the world's largest church organ and is famous for its opulent interior.

Veste Oberhaus🏰 castle

The mighty fortress complex above the Danube features spectacular views of the 'City of Three Rivers' and a museum.

Three Rivers Confluence🏺 historical

The point where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet is a unique natural spectacle in Passau.

Old Town Hall🏺 historical

The Gothic building on the Danube banks impresses with its grand halls and flood markers on the facade.

Passau Glass Museum🏛 museum

One of the world's most significant glass museums, showcasing the history of Bohemian glass in grand rooms.

🕒 Mo-Su 09:00-17:00💶

Burgruine Hals🏰 castle

A medieval castle ruin picturesquely situated on a rocky ridge above the river Ilz.

RömerMuseum Kastell Boiotro - Passau🏛 museum

The museum presents finds from the Roman era on the site of a former border fort.

🕒 Mar-Nov 15: Tu-Su 10:00-16:00💶

Schloss Freudenhain🏰 castle

A representative palace building in the Neoclassical style, currently used for educational purposes.

Mittelalterliches Foltermuseum🏛 museum

The exhibition displays torture instruments and documents the legal history of the Middle Ages.

Passauer Erlebnisbad (PEB)👨‍👩‍👧 family

A modern leisure park offering various swimming and wellness facilities for all ages.

Schaiblingsturm🗼 tower

A prominent late medieval defensive tower standing directly at the confluence of the Inn and Danube rivers in Passau.

Alter Wehrturm🗼 tower

A preserved part of the old Passau defense systems, documenting the history of the city's fortifications.

Fernmeldeturm Passau🗼 tower

A 102-meter-high telecommunication tower in the Haidenhof district of Passau, serving as a prominent landmark.

Stauwehr Oberilzmühle🎡 recreation

Oberilzmühle weir on the Ilz River in Passau.

Innstrand🎡 recreation

Innstrand, bathing spot on the Inn River in Passau.

Babalu Funpark Passau👨‍👩‍👧 family

The Babalu Funpark Passau is a theme park with numerous indoor play opportunities for children.

🕒 Mo-Fr 14:00-19:00; Sa-Su 10:00-19:00

Halser Ilzschleifen👨‍👩‍👧 family

The Halser Ilzschleifen in Passau offer natural swimming areas in an easy on the eye river landscape.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Passau called the City of Three Rivers?
The Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers flow together here from three different directions.
What is the main attraction in St. Stephen's Cathedral?
The cathedral organ, with almost 18,000 pipes, is the largest cathedral organ in the world.
Where do you get the best view over Passau?
From Veste Oberhaus, a medieval fortress complex located above the city.
Is a boat trip in Passau worth it?
Yes, the Three-River tour shows the city from a unique perspective.
How much time should you plan for Passau?
One to two days are sufficient to explore the old town and the fortress.
Passau: where is it located?
Passau is located in Bavaria, Germany.
Passau: what is there to see?
Highlights include St. Stephen's Cathedral, Veste Oberhaus, Three Rivers Confluence.
Passau: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Passau: why is it worth visiting?
Passau, famously known as the 'City of Three Rivers,' is situated at the southeastern tip of Bavaria where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers converge.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →

Nearby cities